“The days are long, but the years are short.” This quote has always rung true for me, and it slapped me in the face again last weekend. Over the past few days, I’ve realised just how grown up my kids really are! For example… Bella (aged 4) bathed Noah (aged 2) last night, bathed herself, and got herself dressed for bed. She also tidied the bathroom for me when she was done. I watched as she role played going to school, dressed in her full school uniform (hat and shoes included) and packed her lunch box with healthy snacks, too. I clapped and cheered for Noah as he did his first wee wee on the toilet, haha! (The things you do as parents)! And I spent lots of extra time cuddling and comforting him with pats on the back, as this week was the week we stopped breastfeeding, and we’ve had to find a new rhythm for sleep times. And I’m sure there’s so many more examples to share! As parents, we obviously know that our kids are going to grow up, but I find that sometimes, it all happens a bit too quick and we get hit with a big dose of reality – our babies are not our babies anymore! And as I sat with my journal in hand last night, I was just overwhelmed with gratitude and pride. For so many reasons, but mostly for the gift of being able to watch these little people grow and transform before my very eyes. It actually made me a bit emotional (but that may just be the breastfeeding hormones slowly disappearing)😂 I was struggling a bit towards the end of last year; feeling stretched way too thin, and as a result, not enjoying motherhood as much as I had been. More often than not, I was counting down the hours until bedtime so that I could be on my own for a bit, and I hated that I felt that way. I wanted to enjoy my days with my kids because they really are so numbered when you think about it. But I’ve found my groove again (thank you, holidays!) and I’m relishing the time I have with the kids once again. That’s not to say every day is smooth sailing and rainbows and butterflies. Motherhood is relentless, and some days feel like they go on f-o-r-e-v-e-r… On the other hand, time really does pass us by so quickly, and I’m sure we will look back on it all one day in the not too distant future, and wish we were right back here in the trenches. Because that’s where it all happens – the best, most tiring, entertaining, mundane, rewarding days of our lives! ❤️