My favorite toddler story goes all the way back to my youngest at three years old. Her instructions were to take an afternoon nap and not get out of bed while I waited outside for the school bus to drop off her big sister. When I got in, I peeked on what I hoped would be a sleeping child. Instead I found her wide awake on her bed. “Did you get out of bed and help yourself to an Oreo cookie?” I asked. “No!” replied my toddler with lips outlined in chocolate cookie crumbs!
Another
favorite is last summer when my daughter’s family stayed with us for a few
days. Mommy took a shower leaving papa
in charge of the baby who fought her morning nap. I walked down the hall and noticed him
sitting on the edge of the bed adjacent to the crib singing lullabies’ to her
so she wouldn’t cry! What a precious
moment frozen in time forever etched on my brain. I didn’t know he knew those songs. Just about when you think you really know
someone…
Come
the middle of this week, I’ll be heading into toddler-land to babysit my
youngest granddaughter for a few days.
I’m packing my vitamins, getting lots of sleep and bringing my dancing
shoes. She’s the one that loves fast
silly music so as long as we tune into The Wiggles, we should have a grand old
time.
By
the way, did you know dancing has healing properties for the elderly? Findings from a 21 year-old study of senior
citizens 75 years and older led by Albert Einstein College of Medicine reports
that dancing makes you smarter!
Dancing Makes You Smarter
*Dancing
reduces stress and depression.
*It
increases energy and serotonin.
*It
improves flexibility, strength, balance and endurance.
*It
strengthens bones and boosts cardiovascular health.
*It
increases mental capacity by exercising our cognitive processes.
*It
creates dynamic and rapid fire decision making – creates new neural paths.
That
last one is reason enough for me to get up and put the music on!
Do
you like to dance? Or perhaps you have a
favorite toddler story you would like to share with me?
Oh, HOW on earth were you able to keep a straight face at the 'Oreo evidence'? That's precious!
ReplyDeleteMe, I've never been a dancer ... too self-conscious, and uncoordinated, to boot.
I do have a favorite 'toddler story', however! When my eldest grand was small, her dad gave her a dollar to put in the Salvation Army kettle. Well, when they exiting the mall a while later, she broke away from her daddy and approached the bell ringer: "May I have my dollar back now?"
Don't tell me this...here I've imagined that being married to "The Music Man" you two hit the dance floor every Saturday night!!!!! What a great toddler story. I love it!
DeleteThose are great benefits from dancing :) Sounds like it will be a wonderful time spent with your grand daughter dancing and making memories! My favorite story from my kids' growing up days was in the adoption of my son; the first day we had him home. We had told his 3.5 year old sister of his upcoming arrival. The next day (he arrived late at night when she was asleep) I asked her if she wanted to meet her new baby brother and she said "not really." Of course she did meet him and loved him :)
ReplyDeleteHave an enjoyable time!!!
betty
Kids are so honest! Very cute story, Betty!
DeleteHi Mary! What a precious sight. Seeing your husband singing to the little one! That's not something that my husband would do, so it brings a smile to my face.
ReplyDeleteI know all about babysitting, so I'm glad you are taking your vitamins! You'll love every minute, but those little ones are work! Come back with plenty of memories to share, and to keep in your heart forever...
I found my daughter 'hiding' under the dining room table one afternoon, munching on Easter basket candy. That's when I moved the baskets to the top of my china cabinet. Too much of a temptation on the dining room table!
Blessings, and safe travels.
Ceil
I never saw that side before; I stood in that hallway a long time soaking it in! Good move to place the candy basket up high, Ceil! And those little ones seem to think they can hide from us! Too funny.
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ReplyDeleteWOW! I need to start dancing...especially if it brings about rapid fire decision making! I truly dislike having to make decisions! Loved all of your toddler stories today, Mary...especially about the one of papa singing away to his little granddaughter. Precious!
ReplyDeleteIf I see you making fast, accurate decisions these days, I'll know why! Thanks for the visit, special lady!
DeleteThis is absolutely priceless, Mary!!! Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteHappy to see that I can turn the tables around and make you smile, lovely Linda!
DeleteOh, my, this is hilarious! So funny to think of her having the "evidence" on her face and telling you she hadn't committed the "crime"!!! LOL!! So cute. Thanks so much for sharing. :) Sending much love, many blessings, and lots of hugs your way, sweet friend. :)
ReplyDeleteI remember looking right at her and busting out laughing, Cheryl! I know you love kids so I'm happy you enjoyed the time here!
DeleteI have absolutely no dancing abilities - I think I look like an awkward colt just learning how to stand up. Don't know if you've ever watched Seinfeld, but I dance just as horribly as the character, Elaine - (at least that's what my self-affirming sons tell me - thanks, boys!)
ReplyDeleteBut, I love what you said about it being beneficial for the elderly (that's not us yet, right? Just for future reference, right?) Probably a great deal of wisdom in that. And I was reminded of how David danced before the Lord with all his might. Maybe it doesn't matter what we look like, just that we get moving with joy!
Have a wonderful grammy time.
GOD BLESS!
P.S. Progress on tinkering? Slow, but sure!
DeleteOh, of course, future reference-----yes. Thank you for reminding me about David and how he danced before the Lord. We should add that one to the list for sure; it would definitely make us smart!
DeleteI love to dance, although not in public since I'm a horrible dancer😃However earlier this year I tossed self consciousness aside and stayed on the floor for every dance at my wedding. My husband's first job was to massage my feet but it was worth it😃.
ReplyDeleteI love your stories, Mary. They always make me smile.
Hmm...I didn't know you tied the knot. I want the details, girlfriend! I can imagine what a beautiful bride you were that day. I would love to hear what a wedding looks like in the Bahamas. Congratulations! I'm happy for you and the blessed mister.
DeleteYour stories are so precious...It always makes me smile when my hubby does something so out of his character with one of the grandkids....He can be like a child again himself and they love it....I promise if dancing will accomplish the benefits mentioned, I will be dancing everyday....need all the help I can get to keep everything going..hahah Have fun with your dancing grand daughter and we want pictures......
ReplyDeleteGrandchildren bring out the kid in us. Yours are beautiful. Hopefully, the dancing stats are true and will set us free, Nancy.
Deletebeyond precious.
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteMuch of it is filled with reality and love and encouragement. AND, at my age, some of it works in and some of it works out... and never shows up. But you made me smile. Thank you much, Mary. You've been a blessing!
ReplyDeleteLove to see your smiling face, Joanne!
DeleteGreat story! What a wonderful picture of your entire family, but that one of your husband with his grand baby is special.
ReplyDeleteIf I'd have known dancing made you smarter I'd have danced more! These days with all the weddings that seem to be happening we're getting our fair share of dancing. My wife loves it... now that I know I'll get smarter I'll pay more attention...
So glad I approached it from an intellectual angle then...happy to hear you dance with your wife. Smart people. Have fun.
DeleteSo glad I approached it from an intellectual angle then...happy to hear you dance with your wife. Smart people. Have fun.
DeleteAw, what a nice story you got here Mary! i wish i could share that with my future children someday---oh and the dancing part, nope! hahahaha,as i am into singing, our God must be wise in giving as diversity and talents---not all person has that all talents after all--- lemme just exercise to have those sweaties! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know how to tell you this, Brother Steve....but we will be dancing in Heaven so you better get on board and start learning the steps.
DeleteOh, gosh. She'll value naps when she starts college. :P
ReplyDeleteBut it's a fun story. Oh, to be a child again.
So happy it brought out the kid in you, Lux!
DeleteAHA! Mary I enjoy dancing a lot maybe!
ReplyDeleteI can feel your joy from where I am sitting.
Hope you are well?
Enjoy your weekend dancing friend.
Hugs and Blessings
I did have a great week, Ifeoma, dancing, laughing and building high rises with blocks. My love tank is so full right now.
DeleteGod bless you!
What a fun post! I hope you had a good time with your sweet grandbaby. I'm not much of a dancer, but thinking it's time to change that and take a Zumba gold class.
ReplyDeleteThat is one going workout, Carol. The girls Zumba class looks like so much fun at the Rec Center where I workout!
DeleteSweet toddler stories - I love them. and as for dancing, I wonder if jumping or running would count. Sorry I am so late in reading your shared post . I do so much appreciate your entries with us here at Tell me a True Story.
ReplyDelete