Because I said so

This is not what you think it's going to be. This is not a do-it-because-I-said-so type tale as if referring to a questioning child who wonders why he has to clean his room again. This is a do-it-because-I-said-so type tale referring to myself. Not long ago mr. E reminded me that it had been a long time since we went to Kangaroo Zoo & then asked if the next time we go could I jump with him. I replied 'sure, I'll jump with you if you want.' Fast forward to today when we actually made it to Kangaroo Zoo. I grabbed my book on the way out hoping E had forgotten about his request (yeah, right--this kid forgets nothing). Still, the thought of relaxing with a book while he bounded about was much more appealing than me joining him. I curled up in their only comfortable chair for adults--you can even pay $1 for a 2 min. massage in it--and got cozy with Dean Koontz. Not a minute later Eli was hounding me to come and play. He hastily found another bounce house and was gone again. I then started to feel guilty. I told him I would play. I generally keep my word, even to people I might not even know. My child certainly deserves the same courtesy. Still, I kept reading. He came begging again & this time I knew I could not resist any longer. I said so. I need to do it. After all, kids spell love t-i-m-e. Book shut and shoes set aside I started bouncing. And sliding. And crawling. And climbing. It was fun. It was actually really fun. I became the pied piper of sorts with my small entourage of small children doing whatever I did (they probably wished their parents would join them too). I couldn't help but laugh when I came off my my first slide and heard the words "open the gates and seize the day. Don't be afraid and don't delay" booming from their sound system. Yes indeed. Seize the day. Seize every opportunity to make your child smile (especially when you've told them you will). It'll make you smile too!