Every once in a while I feel compelled to inject an extra dose of gratitude into the week. I’ve dubbed this series “Three Little Joys” and affectionately consider it to be the baby sibling of Happy Things Friday.
- The fact my children now sleep in. I never thought this day would come. After years and years (and years!) of never being able to walk out my bedroom door in the morning without either waking a child or being joined by an already-awake child. After years and years of Saturday just being another early morning. After years and years of knocks at my bedroom door and notes slipped none-too-subtly under that same bedroom door. After all of that…their doors usually stay closed when I walk by BECAUSE MY KIDS NOW SLEEP IN. I’m writing this post from our living room couch surrounded by twinkle lights while breakfast is baking in the oven. Did someone say June Cleaver? And it is only because (finally) my children will sleep in.
- The comment section of this blog. I just read something that made me snort with laughter. I laugh a lot. I learn things. My heart and my brain expand. Thank you! You are a huge joy in my life.
- Freshly trimmed fingernails. I hate when my fingernails get long. There is always a very abrupt transition when I’m out and about and suddenly realize my fingernails are too long for my liking and it drives me to utter distraction. It’s such a relief to cut them short again.
Your turn.
- What are three little joys in your life today?
- Do you like to keep your fingernails short?
- If you have kids, do they sleep in?
- If I asked you to define your version of sleeping in, what time would you suggest? (I think I’d land on 8:30 am?)
Photo by Raelle Gann-Owens on Unsplash
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Sophie
Kids sleeping in reliably is amazing! My kids do NOT sleep in – up anywhere between 5.30 and 6.30 am. But they are still quite young.
I like keeping my nails short too! My 3 joys today are that my daughter had a good first day of Year 2, I had a lovely walk at lunchtime beside a lake and the weather was lovely (30 degrees C but with a breeze), and Al just cooked us a delicious dinner, so I’ve relaxed with my feet up since getting home from work.
Elisabeth
I really did despair that my kids would never, ever sleep in. And now they do. And it really is every bit as wonderful as I had imagined it!
I’m so glad E had a good return to school. Those first days can really set the tone for a term.
I’ll take your weather!!! It’s cold and snowy here today.
Katie
Your comment section is so full of life and though I don’t often stop to comment I often read them!!
Sleeping in- not at all! But my middle son is 3.5 and still doesn’t come out of his bed or room on his own in the morning, ever. We have told him he can come out when he wakes up but he always just waits for us to come get him.. it’s too sweet.
My 3 joys- eagerly anticipating the birth of a niece today!!! I really have so much joy about this I can’t think of anything else!
Elisabeth
Aww. Thanks for such kind words <3
I LOVED going in to the kids in the morning when they were too little to get out of bed. They were always so bubbly and happy.
Congrats on the pending arrival. I hope everything went smoothly and enjoy the special delight that is newborns!
Grateful Kae
Just have to say you are NOT alone with the fingernails thing! I know exactly what you mean about that tipping point moment where suddenly I feel like I have claws on my hands (even though my nails are never, ever “that” long…). Haha. But there’s something that just suddenly and abruptly, as you say, makes me feel like, gross and annoyed about my nails! And then I have to cut them immediately.
Elisabeth
It really does become this fixation – overnight – of like OH MY GOODNESS HOW DID I DEVELOP TALONS ON MY HANDS.
I cut my nails two days ago and I am still so happy…though it’s much harder to grab certain things (like pulling labels off a container – a lot easier with slightly more fingernail!)
Nicole MacPherson
If I sleep past five, I consider that a sleep in! Sometimes on the weekends I am able to go back to sleep and I sleep until 6 or shortly after and now that I’ve typed that I need to reconsider all my life choices up to this point. Ah well, I’ve always been an early riser.
I like my nails medium. I was a nail biter for many years and now I keep them nicely manicured with a neutral pale polish, and sort of medium length. If they get too longer I find they get gross, and they poke through my dishwashing gloves and tap on the piano keys and even get stuck on my keyboard.
My coursework comes out on Tuesdays, so I’m looking forward to that. I had a good breakthrough on my character arc yesterday, thanks to being able to talk it out with Suzanne (HI SUZANNE if you’re reading this), that was pretty joyful. And of course I have a Rex walk in a couple of hours to look forward to. Less joyful but still kind of weirdly joyful, I’m going to Costco today. The joyful part is having a retired husband who will probably come with me, or at the very least help me unload the car.
Elisabeth
Oh my sweet Nicole. FIVE! Sleeping in!!!
I think it’s amazing you get up so early so easily. I really do think the world is best designed for morning people.
Yay for writing breakthroughs and writing buddies.
Jenny
Oh yes- having older kids that sleep in is amazing. When they’re little you can’t even imagine that day will come- but it DOES.
I have to keep my fingernails short for work, but I probably would anyway- long nails annoy me.
My version of sleeping in is right around yours- as a matter of fact I think I woke up around 8:30 on Sunday, and that felt amazing.
Three joys- it’s my husband’s birthday! We’re going to a movie tonight! AND I DON’T HAVE TO COOK DINNER!!!
Elisabeth
It really did feel like there was no chance my kids would EVER not wake up early. And it also feels like it literally happened overnight.
8:30 is my sweet spot, though anything after 7:00 feels amazing. I don’t very often sleep past 7, but over the Christmas break we started waking up after 8 and it was lovely.
Enjoy the celebration, the movie, and NOT HAVING TO COOK!
Katy @ Practical Walk
Three Little Joys:
– Better sleep. The last couple of years, I’ve had off and on waking up at night. Lately I’ve been sleeping great!
– My hot water bottle, it’s wonderful to sleep with!
– Fun, encouraging blogs to read. 😊
Elisabeth
Insomnia and other sleep issues can suck so much joy from our lives. I’m so glad you’re sleeping better.
I don’t use a hot water bottle anymore (grew up with them though, and my mom still uses one), but my beloved Magic Bags are always and forever a joy and I often take TWO to bed (one for my feet and one to “hug”).
mbmom11
I’ll try for 3 :
*The sun is shining and it will reach 50degreesF today! (10degrees Celsius).
*I found the pangram in Spelling Bee right away.
*My colleague and I just had a nice chat, and I made her laugh.
Elisabeth
You did three (which is the same as 3 FIGs and…it didn’t require you to use up “hot shower”.) You’re on a roll <3
No sun for us today, but it's a bit warmer and snowing. The kids were off school because of the weather, but a little (big) joy is it's so much easier to handle those unexpected cancellations now that they're older.
It's such a delight to laugh, but a unique joy to be able to make someone else laugh. Gold stars for sharing the joy.
Michelle G.
Now that we’re semi-retired, we’ve been sleeping in until 4:00! I know!! 🤣 It’s a luxury!
I also don’t like long nails. Three little joys today: Getting all my errands done early, a second cup of coffee after finishing my errands, and I have time to draw for a bit before lunch!
Elisabeth
Nicole is practically lazy compared to you – ha. I thought a 5:00 “sleep-in” was outrageous. Michelle, 4:00 am isn’t sleeping in BECAUSE IT’S STILL THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.
It reminds me of my neighbour growing up – he was a milk man and had to leave for his rounds at 3 am. It was always thrilling to wake up in the middle of the night and see their house lights on. His wife always got up with him and just imagine the peace and quiet she had! They went to bed early, of course, but she had hours each day to read and clean and work in peace while the rest of the world was still asleep.
A second cup of coffee sounds delicious. I meant to make myself a decaf but never got around to it. That will make tomorrow morning’s caffeinated one taste even better!
Joy
I agree about nails. I noticed that mine were too long at my Bible study on Saturday and could hardly wait to get home and cut them.
My children are all grown but now my cats wake me up early. Ah well, at least they don’t talk to me. 😉
Beautiful sunshine, San Pellegrino water in my glass, and a good book to read at lunchtime.
Elisabeth
I am always amazed by how early people are woken up by their pets.
Sunshine makes every day more joyful. As do delicious drinks and a good book. Sounds like a trifecta of tiny joys, indeed.
J
Oh, the joys of having kids that sleep in! Once peri-menopause hit, I had trouble sleeping past a certain time, which was a bummer, but occasionally I can sleep as late as 7 or 8.
Three little joys…my breakfast this morning was tasty. My yoga streak is strong. I got to say hi to a darling dog on my walk this morning, who was just the sweetest.
Elisabeth
I don’t find I can sleep in very late (but I’ve never been someone who can sleep until noon – EVER). But I do think as I get older my body is naturally shifting to an earlier and earlier wakeup. Maybe because for years I didn’t really have a choice since the kids would wake me up?
I am so proud of your yoga streak. I’ve been doing it most days in January and now have a little routine memorized that I really enjoy.
NGS
If I sleep past 7:30, that is a real treat. I hate this about my life. I remember being able to sleep until ten easily, but my bladder does not allow for that any longer.
Three small joys today:
1) My husband making me tea in the mornings.
2) Hannah gleefully jumping at sticks on our morning walk.
3) Learning some good news about a colleague getting some well-earned recognition (she doesn’t know yet, but I do and keeping such a fabulous secret is KILLING ME)
Elisabeth
I think I’ve stayed at the same point for most of my life. 8:30 is sleeping in and anything much beyond that makes me feel kinda gross/like my whole day is wasted. That said, in my ideal world I would NEVER have to leave my bed before 7:30 am.
Aww. I love all your joyful things. Sweet gestures like tea-making are lovely, I’m glad Hannah is no longer furious with you about the booties and the bath, and that’s AMAZING about your colleague. I’m so glad you can feel so happy for her success and it’s also a little extra special you know it’s coming her way before she does.
Karen A.
I had a similar revelation last night: we are finally at the stage of life where we can GO TO BED BEFORE THE CHILDREN DO. That is to say, most of my kids are 18+, the youngest just became a teenager, so realistically this happened a while ago, but I just realized it. I don’t think it occurred to me how life-changing this has been. To be tired, so very tired, but have to stay awake until the kids are at least in bed, if not asleep, and then be on edge wondering if they’re going to get up in the middle of the night..that time is gone. The sheer bliss of getting into bed at a decent hour and being able to read until sleepy is wonderful.
Other little joys: A bowl of oat bran cooked on the stove, as opposed to my usual quick microwaved oats. A nice change.
Our ridiculous cat trying to get our attention during a chemistry lesson by rolling around on the desk and then falling off in a fluffy heap.
Elisabeth
I sometimes go to bed before my kids as well. Belle, in particular, can stay up SO late these days. She likes to putter in her room and do little craft projects. Though she’s an introvert, I think that time to unwind is a treasured time for her. But sometimes I cannot keep my eyes open.
It is LIFECHANGING. You are 100% right. I hated fighting sleep but having to stay awake to help with bedtime routines. Now, if the kids need something they can almost always handle it on their own.
Oh and the on-edge feeling you describe. That is the worst. Now it’s only ever if they’re sick and generally they handle that fairly independently.
I haven’t made oatmeal on the stove in a decade, but I know the texture is quite different! I should try it some time.
Ally Bean
I’m with you about the joys of my blog comment section and short fingernails.
My three joys of late are:
1) learning I like dark chocolate almond milk;
2) shopping for Valentine Day candy and gifts to put in a package to send to my MIL who lives in a nursing home; &
3) watching snow melt so that I can go for a walk in a park without fear of falling on my butt.
Elisabeth
We went through a very short – but intense – phase of the kids adoring dark chocolate almond milk. I think they’d still be in the phase, but I prefer when they drink mostly water and of course all they wanted was the almond milk. It’s delicious.
Allison McCaskill
I have terrible sleep issues, and my lovely husband would try to let me sleep in, but sometimes a kid would park him or herself outside my bedroom door and sing The Elmo Tape is Not Working Mommy over and over, or similar. Would you show us how you use twinkle lights when it’s not Christmas anymore, because it is January and I miss the Christmas lights.
Good things right now: I made a beef stew that smells really good. My dog is snoring on the couch. It was supposed to snow overnight but there was only a sprinkle so I don’t have to shovel (husband in California, back and hands in bad shape).
Elisabeth
Kids have an incredible ability to always need “Mom” and know just how to get at her…
I’m making beef stew for supper and I’m very excited!
Yay for no shovelling. My husband is always away (Germany) and I DID have to shovel, but I had kids to help me. It looks like tomorrow might be a THIRD consecutive snow day. *Sigh*
Melissa
I hate long nails, too. I need to trim them as soon as they get close to even with the end of my fingers. I would love to sleep in until 8 am, but probably for my overall getting moving 7:30 am makes the most sense.
Three joys: Beautiful weather and open doors in our living that allow the cool breeze to blow straight through. Steak night at the pub with the family and two friends last night. Strawberry smoothie bowl for breakfast.
Elisabeth
You had me at being able to open doors. It’s supposed to be -23C with windchill overnight. Brrrr.
Birchie
OMG OMG I had forgotten all about the stage of life where the kids start sleeping in! It is magical to have mornings alone, and it’s not a passing phase. I don’t think I’ll ever see the boys before noon until they are 30. There is also the “stay in your room” phase which hit both boys in the high school years.
Today was a rough one for work, but I enjoyed getting out for a walk, taking breaks to watch the webcam at doggy day care, and getting a big project done and off my plate. Out of nowhere two interesting social events opened up for the weekend, so I’m looking forward to those. And I’ve got something really exciting lined up for next week.
Hey now that you mention it this gratitude thing really works! I’m in a better mood after leaving this comment.
Elisabeth
It is MAGIC.
Although I am a bit worried about the noon stage because most things DO require kids to be up before noon and I know it is going to be a fight. Right now, we’re in a golden zone and I’m recognizing it and holding as tight as I can for as long as I can.
Oof. What a tough time you’ve had with work lately, Birchie. I’m sorry this new job has been so stressful, but I’m also glad you found some little joys along the way.
A webcame at doggy day care? How fun!
ernie
I love how you described your mornings of days gone by. So funny.
My three little joys:
* My mom wanting to go to Curly’s home b-ball games. (she has Alzheimers and never wants to go anywhere, but she still wants to go to Curly’s games)
* The most amazing sunset I’ve ever seen (Monday night) since living in our home (or our first home), so in like 25 years. It gave me a reason to interrupt the girls’ homework and tell them to go check out the sunset and I called my folks who live a few blocks away and told them to walk outside and check it out
* It seems like the severe cold might be behind us, and I’m ready for warmer temps.
My teenagers sleep in. Totally – some to the point of me calling, “OK, it’s noon. Let’s get going.” My younger daughters, not exactly. One will on the weekend, the other one – almost never except if we had a late night over break, but that’s not a sure thing. I like to be awake before all of them, so I can do my workout in peace.
I don’t mind if my fingernails get long-ish. They break often, so they aren’t usually very long. I hate when they are too short, I can’t get my contact lenses out.
If I sleep until around 8 am, then that’s sleeping in for me. If my kids sleep till 10 am, that’s sleeping in for them. Mini is the master, Oh, it’s almost 1? Ha.
Elisabeth
Alzheimers is such a sad, hard disease; my grandmother suffered with it for years and it’s hard to slowly lose someone you love so much. So it is WONDERFUL she wants to go to the games. And I’m sure it’s great for her to be out and active and to stay involved. Yay (and gold stars to you for, I’m sure, being the one to facilitate the arrangements).
I’d say I want to see a picture of the sunset but I know not a single sunset picture can ever compare to the beauty of seeing one in person. I’m so glad you were able to enjoy the moment.
Lisa’s Yarns
My children do not sleep in! Nor does the youngest reliably sleep through the night. Womp womp. More often than not heels for us during the night we have to go in and just tend to whatever need he has which is usually to cover them up with blankets in particular order. It sucks! There’s no other way to put it. But Paul is a much better sleeper these days so I can see the light at the end of the tunnel on the weekends. He sleeps until seven or later, which feels like sleeping in for us! This is probably going to disgust you, but I bite my nails rather than trim them. I’ve never got good at trimming my own nails for some reason so when they get too long, I bite them until they are short enough. I’m a little bit ashamed to say this as an almost 44-year-old woman!
Now my three things!
1. I’ve been using Vanicream after I get out of the shower. It’s the lotion that I use for my eczema prone boys but I’ve stolen it from them for the winter! Such a nice creamy rich lotion. I should buy a tub for my bathroom.
2. I didn’t get a raise this year because of budget cuts, but I did get a four rating for the second year in a row which is sadly not typical but my firm. My boss was really complementary and told me that my bonus will make up for the fact that he couldn’t get me a pay raise so I’m trying to be optimistic about that.
3. I’ve been focusing more on resting in the month of January which means that I read 10 books!
Elisabeth
You are in the parenting weeds but I promise it DOES get less exhausting.
We all have hard-to-break habits and that just makes us human. I don’t bite my nails, but I’m sure I do plenty of things other people would find horrifying.
Love your little joys and will have to look up the Vanicream. I really need to up my hydrating game.
Sarah
YES to kids who sleep in and/or do not need to bother me when they wake up– a perfect parenting stage.
Elisabeth
It really is life-changing! I absolutely LOVE being able to hear them getting their own breakfast. Like…without me!