We finished putting the kids to bed and I mentioned for probably the 20th time that it was such a great day. My husband, Carlos, laughs at me because that is what he does when I get all hyped up about something. The day really ranked up there as one of my favorite days of the year, a day that I would repeat if possible. I don’t even know how it happened, but it did.

The Saturday began with my kids and I watching some Netflix in the morning until Carlos woke up around lunchtime (he lets me sleep in just as long on Sundays!). We had lunch while asking Alexa (Amazon Echo Dot) to tell us jokes.

We went to a walking path near our house so Levi could practice with Carlos for his race. There was some moaning on the way there because no one but Levi had an interest in going to a walking trail. Once there, we ran and then spent probably half an hour watching the kids (and Carlos) do flips and cartwheels. There was a lot of laughter and silliness.

When we got home, we did yard work for 2 hours while the kids happily played and looked for bugs. After showers, I made pizza from store-bought crusts and Carlos made sopapillas (fried flour tortilla sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon and drizzled with honey) and ice cream for dessert.

After dinner, Carlos and I sat and watched all 4 kids play Lego together without fighting. That in itself is rather impressive.

This seems like a typical, ordinary Saturday. So why was the day so great? I can’t really say for sure, other than I was fully present and engaged.

I used to think I needed something special for a day to be exciting. Going out for dinner, going to a museum, buying something fun. I am learning more and more to be mindful of where I am right now and to embrace the ordinary to make it great. It definitely doesn’t mean the kids will miraculously get along all the time or that I won’t still get frustrated or grumpy, but it does mean I will be more intentional. Intentionally present. Intentionally silly. Intentionally less rushed.

This day has reminded me that any ordinary day can be great.