Notice

For an introduction to Five Minute Friday, click here.

This week's one-word prompt is: Notice

Ready?

GO.

My thoughts on the word "Notice" actually blend very well with the theme of giving thanks.  

First of all - who doesn't like being noticed?  I recognize that people differ in the way they prefer to receive recognition.  Some like some fanfare.  Some like a wordless pat on the back.  But we all like to be noticed in one way or another.

I am trying to become more aware of things people do that I am grateful for, and consciously and verbally acknowledge my gratitude toward them.  I especially try to do this with Mike (secret's out, Mike, now you know).  I think about how much I love it when Mike notices something I've done, so I figure if he filled up the car with gas while he was running errands, he would probably love it if I noticed and told him thank you (am I right, Mike?).  

Of course, we all notice when people don't do something.  Like if someone doesn't do the dishes or doesn't take out the trash.  When I was in high school, I remember thinking to myself "[they] Don't notice if you Do, Do notice if you Don't."  This is so true.  Homework.  Cleaning.  Brushing your teeth.  Putting on makeup.  So I want to focus more on "noticing if they Do" and complimenting people for whatever it is they've done.

Unrelated: I want to say thanks as well to those of you who read my blog.  Thanks for noticing me!  

STOP.  

Still

For an introduction to Five Minute Friday, click here.

This week's one-word prompt is: Still

Ready?

GO.

Yes.  Being still is good.  

But it is also fun not to be still.  My now-9-month-old is NEVER still.  I'm sure every parent says that.  However, if I were a betting woman, AND if I had a fitbit I could strap to her, I would bet GOBS of money that my baby would win any wiggle-worm-fit-bit competition.  Anyone up for the challenge?

I love that Caroline can't hold still.  She is EVERY MOMENT excited to explore and thrilled each time she discovers something new (when you've only been alive 277 days, this happens every 5 minutes, give or take).  Lots of clapping and squealing.

A good friend of mine recently blogged about her son going off to kindergarten and having a hard time sitting still to learn.  He misses his "freeplay" at home.  I can't imagine trying to get Caroline to sit still to learn; I can't even get her to stay put to change her diaper - I have to strap it to her as she's crawling away from me at a speed you wouldn't expect from something on all fours unless it was a cheetah.  

I have to admit, I don't do too well sitting still to learn either.  I remember trying to do my homework at home, and thinking "Oh, I wish Mom would come over and help me focus!"  She usually did.  I'm still not sure how I made it through college, I fell asleep in every class.  I don't mean every class maybe once a semester.  I mean every class, every day, every semester.  That was actually the main factor in me choosing to jump into a career after college instead of pursuing a masters, as most Poli Sci majors do.  Which means I met Mike.

So, not staying still is OK.  Keep moving, Caroline.

This is Caroline with her five month old cousin!  They're buddies!  And both bald.