ChewysPLANEjane--

You never really realize, that the small insignificant things you do in your daily life truly make a big impact in your children's. Something as simple as taking junk mail and in your child's eyes; making it the best airplane ever!!
My little guy is sooooo in love with trains and airplanes. He marvels when a plane soars overhead and in that moment he is there flying like the plane. He extends his arms and his chunky legs take him on his own private journey; gliding and swooshing through the backyard. His turns are smooth and effortless. So one day we decided to make paper airplanes out of junk mail. You know? your mailbox is usually overflowing with all kinds of junk you didn't ask for. In this case it so happened to be some nice paper stock; firm enough for good plane making.

I'm a mom! and I'm sure somewhere in the job description, right next to baking!!!! is the ability to make awesome paper airplanes! yea..yea! and even after three children, before my little guy came along I was making paper airplanes. So what's the deal? I can make one good enough to kinda, sorta fly. I know these said paper airplanes are not the best, but my son THINKS they are awesome and that's alright by me. My son thinks I'M awesome for making him paper airplanes and that's GREAT by me.

That is until my hubby gets home. My son is squealing with joy when my husband gets home and he runs to the door to say "look DADDY!, look at my awesome airplane!." "WOW" exclaims daddy "that is awesome son!." my son is again, twirling and swooshing through the air loving his paper airplane. Until.........his daddy says "I can make one for you better than that." My son comes to a screeching halt! the excitement and joy leaves his face; replaced with a question. I can tell he's thinking really! can you really top this super, awesome airplane mommy made me?

My husband starts scrounging around the house, all excited....looking for the perfect piece of paper to use. I am slightly irritated that he thinks he's going to TOP my airplane, but I give him the best junk mail we have left and with hesitation "Here. Use this!" He is actually humming and with each fold looks down into our sons big brown eyes and exclaims ahhhhhhhhh.................ohhhhhhhhh...............ewwwwwwwwwww........so much so that my little guy has his hands clasped tightly; barely containing his excitement. His face looks like Christmas morning, and he's Ewing and ahhhing...in perfect harmony with the hubby.

Later that evening, as I was cleaning up from the day I found my paper airplane behind the couch; lost and forgotten. I smiled to myself thinking about the day, and how wonderful it is that he has the Best daddy in the whole wide sea ; as my son had said.

In that moment I felt grateful. I felt grateful because I know not every little guy or girl has a Daddy to make them paper airplanes and that is so sad. I felt grateful for the simple things in life that everyone else (including myself) take for granted. I felt grateful for the family I have and all the craziness that comes with it (lol).

As I checked on my little guy one last time that night, and arranged his covers to keep him snug I realized he had his Daddy's paper airplane in the crook of his arm. My little angel asleep and angelic with his prize possession at his side. I didn't feel jealous or competitive, I just felt grateful and my heart was overflowing with LOVE..............