I can hear DH upstairs pretending to stomp around like a monster, and the kids are shrieking with joy...

[SagaNorensLeatherTrousers]

...and I just got one of those, stop-and-smell-the-roses moments where you realise those sounds are a very temporary thing.

Some day they'll grow up and not find this kind of thing amusing anymore. And I won't be able to sit down here and happily listen.

Sniff, sniff.

I think I've had one too many glasses of .

STOP IT EVERYONE! I am now genuinely crying!

So nice. I love hearing my dh chatting to my dd and making her giggle and shriek (she's 15 months) and of course I love making her giggle too!

I had a little moment this week too, a song came on the radio and I picked my dd up and danced round the kitchen with her and by the end of the song I was crying! Very silly. My dd was giving me a very odd look and then demanded a banana as we'd danced past them several times and I hadn't noticed her trying to grab one! And there I was thinking she was enjoying the cuddle / dance too but no jist wanted a banana.

Is this going to turn into a drunk thread? I'm on elderflower cider!

Lovely thread

I am a boring grumpy mummy at the moment, 39 weeks pg, very sore and low on patience. Half term has been trying!!

So dh took over parenting duties today while I did sod all, and gave dd a real good run around burning off steam in the garden this afternoon. She kept bouncing back indoors to report on their latest adventures, and I could hear them giggling away outside.

Then over tea we all made each other belly laugh by pulling "lemon face" and "lime face" at each other.

It was just what we needed

The other night, I was running around, trying to get ds to bed, so I could get on with cleaning the house and dinner, as dh was out. 2 and a half year old DS called me into his room, patted the side of the mattress next to him, and said 'lie down, mummy? lie down with me?' For a split second, I was going to say no, as I had so much to do. I then thought that this won't happen forever, so I climbed in with him. I was turning over, and said 'right, where are you?'. He said 'I'm right here Mummy' and stroked my face. Totally worth it!

The lovely moments don't disappear, they just change. I remember walking DS to school holding his hand and telling him that one day soon he wouldn't want to hold my hand any more. He said he would always hold it, but of course he soon grew out of it.

On a walk recently with DS, now 6'3" and bearded, I slipped in some mud. He grabbed hold of my hand and helped me the rest of the way. He grinned at me and said "I told you I'd never stop holding on to you." I may have had to look the other way so he didn't see me filling up.

Lovely thread.

Saga, course it is

Oh, Dorothy! Like something in a movie!

Ok..I'm crying too now.
Dorothy you just pushed me over the edge!! How wonderful.
This reminds me of the time as a teenager I told my mum she was my best friend. I just said it matter of factly and couldn't understand why she went a bit funny...I now get that she was probably just emotional and trying to hide it! I now realise just how much I want my little dd to grow up and see me as a friend as well as her parent.

Aw Norks, now you've got me all teary eyed!...Pass the tissues

Dh is giving me funny looks as I'm sniffing.

What a gorgeous thread. I had one of these moments earlier.
Kids had just got out of the bath, and were dried and in pajamas. DH was laid in bed watching the football and we all climbed in together and had a snuggle.
Like a PP said I just looked around and realised my whole world was in that bed. Won't be long before we don't fit any more and the kids won't want to be in there with me.

Oh dear god, you've started me off. Phoenix and Dorothy...

Dorothy I'm bawling my eyes out here, thanks!!

God it's so lovely reading these.

Norks and Sparkling

Dorothy that is simply beautiful.

Last night DS spent his first night in a big boy bed. His big sister climbed in with him, kissed his cheek and said 'look at you, my big boy. I am so proud of you!'

She's 4. I love love love watching their relationship grow and develop. It's hard to know whether I want to stay right in this patch or race to the future to see them as they've grown.

I've now got the videos of DS on from when he was 2/3. Nostalgia and Prosecco. Saga there will more than likely be a thread tomorrow with me blaming you for my puffy eyes and hangover and thanking you for getting me to take the time to realise how much the wee moments and memories matter.

My dad used to play games like that with us when we were little.

That's it, I'm going upstairs and climbing into DS's little Thomas The Tank Engine Bed and giving him a proper snuggle.

I blame all of you for the emotional wreck I've become!!!!!!!

My Dad used to sing 'You are my sunshine' to me every night.

Oh god.... I'm done....

I'm actually bawling at this thread, and have only had one large glass of wine!

Been having a few stop-and-appreciate moments myself lately. My sons are 16mo and 4yrs. Cannot imagine them being 6ft bearded men! My 4yo sometimes asks me to stay with him whilst he falls asleep, and I used to say "no, Mummy's too busy, lots of ironing to do" etc, but now I just get in his bed and lie with him. We often have the funniest/cutest little sleepy chats.

The other day he held my hand whilst walking and said "I love you Mummy, and will never let you die!". I just smiled, and replied something along the lines of "I'll always be with you" and had to look the other way for a second and hold back the tears.

Some lovely stories on this thread

My 2 are 14 & 11 and are currently having a sleepover in dd's room and watching a film together. It's so lovely to see & hear. All your stories are really lovely.