Mason's mud pies

As I scrub the dirt out from under my ragged fingernails I am coming to terms with the fact that:

a. my nails will never be the picture of elegance that I would hope they could be

b. digging up worms and rocks in my back yard is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon

and c. making mud pies with my little Mason can be very rewarding.

I could have been (should have been) handcuffed to the washer and dryer today in an attempt to tackle the mountain that has become my laundry to do list.  But, I'm sure we all have ATLEAST one more pair of clean undies in our drawers (fingers crossed).

I could have been finishing the all consuming taxes that keep calling my name.  But, as fun as that sounds, the taxes are not going anywhere and I have tomorrow (or the next day) to look forward to the task of number crunching and itemizing. 

The toilets need scrubbing and the  dishes are piled high on BOTH sides of the sink overflowing to the countertop.  We are almost out of milk and (gasp) my sugar-free french vanilla coffee creamer.  But, I'm sure I can squeeze a few drops out to make Monday morning worth waking  up to.

The car has a layer of dust 3 weeks old forming a crust on the not-so-shiny black exterior.  But, I feel this lends itself to the rugged, manly nature of our beast of a car.  

I could have spent the day at the spa getting the royal treatment.  Covering those gray hairs, plucking the strays, polishing the nails and massaging the stress and strain from every inch of my body.  But, but, but, ok ...next weekend....or maybe another lifetime.

The mud pies were just what I needed.  How does  a 4 year old - dressed in his darth vader costume topped with a snowsuit in 80 degree weather mind you - have so much wisdom to share.  I must listen to this boy more often.  Clearly his persistance paid off..."Mom, p...l...e..a..s..e.. come dig in the dirt with me, I need you to help me find more worms".  Honestly, I was just going to squat over the dirt for a minute or two to give him the impression that I WAS playing in the mud with him (and to get him to stop asking me to get in the mud) and then get back to my business of checking things off my list.

As I plopped myself next to Mason (er...darth vader) I entered his world.  And let me tell you, Mason's world is much more fun than mine.  He named his first worm "pretty YOU" and told her that she shouldn't be scared because she was part of the family.  I was just hoping he wouldn't ask to keep her as a pet (we really have run out of room for aquariums)...or worse feed her to Paco or Buffalo.  I then showed Mason how to make his first mud pie.  We had an assembly line going  on and as I formed the most perfect pie patties he topped them with rocks and leaves "to make them beautiful Mom".

And so today I learned...from a four year old...to stop and smell the roses even if they really smell like mud and not roses.