Last night I took my daughter for a ride around 3:50p. It was just before sunset. When we moved to Clinton last year, I learned pretty quick that the Wachusett Dam is a popular place to catch the sunset. As I was wrangling her to get in the car, I told her we could go watch the sun set in the water if we hurried... and although she may not have understood completely, she hurried along. It wasn't a great sunset - but a spectacular burst of color and sun rays from behind the clouds. She could see the water and the pretty sky and had some 'oohs and ahhs' about it. We'll try to 'catch the sun' next time.
We moved along, continuing our journey to Target. Along the way I realized it would be dark when we came out - could we see some Christmas lights on the way home?! (And would she actually see them from her seat?). Well, yes, yes she could! I started giving her a heads up - "Look out your window - I see a snowman!" or "Look out Ryan's window, I see a house lit up!" Her reactions were adorable. "Cool! Awesome! Ooooooh! Wow!" every few houses. She was so excited!
We were almost home when I saw two deer on my left. They came out into the street and darted across, and stopped. I was on a side street, so I stopped completely. I rolled down the rear window - "Can you see them?" I asked her, "can you see the reindeer out there?" - - - "Wooooow," she said. "I wonder where they're going, maybe to find Santa?" "Uh huh," she said. What a moment! So simple, so easy, so fleeting.
We were out for less than two hours. But we had some pretty magical moments! Who spots Santa's Reindeer on the way home?! Was it a perfect night, not exactly (every kid screams in Target at least once per visit, right?); but she said Hi to the cashier unprompted for the first time, too! Sometimes being a parent just means enjoying the magical moments while you're creating them for your kids.
I hope that December continues to create magical moments for you, too!
Emily
