Ten Things I've Learned from My Children

Absolutely Bananas is kindly offering weekly prompts for post topics and linking up everyone who participates. Oddly enough, while I'm rarely at a loss for words -- even, some would say, inclined to over-write at times -- for this prompt I was inspired to follow her lead and let my pictures largely speak for themselves.

So, rather than disquisitions on deep philosophical points, rather than funny anecdotes or heartwarming stories, I'm simply giving you a list of the top ten lessons my children have taught me. Some are more profound than others. But all are things I think I really could not have fully appreciated before having children, no matter how often they were drummed into my head.

Without further ado, then, the list:

1. Any word can become an insult, if you master the proper intonation. Or follow it with the word "butt."

2. Art is most satisfying when you use the supplies in unexpected ways.


3. Temper tantrums happen more often out of frustration than out of contrariness.

4. Improvisation is a super power.


5. Looking forward to tomorrow can sometimes interfere with having fun today.

6. It's worth looking at the world upside down on a regular basis.


7. Good sleep is as important as air, water, and food for survival.

8. Cleanliness is overrated.

9. The most mundane things become exciting and new again, if you simply change the setting in which they occur.

10. Slow down. Life is magical.