"Mommy bwoom!"

So today we spent our afternoon sweeping.  It might sound like forced child labor, but in reality it was forced adult labor.  I would have been perfectly happy sitting on the floor playing blocks or reading or something.  But no, Jayden insisted we sweep.  And not just the kitchen.  The hallway, the carpet, he even tried to sweep the chaise (I tried to explain that brooms are only for floors - I think he understood).  And if I sat my broom down (which was technically his broom by the way - he insisted on using the big broom), he'd stop, look at me, and say "mama!  bwoom!"  He's at the age where he just loooves feeling helpful.

Running with broom.  Not quite as dangerous as running with scissors, unless you're the grown up on the wrong end of the broom handle.

See Mommy?  I can use it as a baton and only miss the nice TV by inches!

Giggling.

While we were sweeping, we also took breaks to laugh.  At one point both of us were sitting on the stairs into the kitchen.  He scooted over so that he was sitting practically on top of my foot.  I leaned over and kissed him and said "Jayden, I love you."  He looks at me and says "ah-wuh-oo mama," which means "I love you" in Jayden speak.  I literally almost cried.  For as tough as the past few days have been, personally and professionally, it was so nice to have him remind me that I'm important to someone!  And it made the temper tantrum that he threw a few minutes later a little easier to deal with.

By the way, how cute are his shorts?!?  He looks like such a little athlete.  Thanks Grandma Enid!