Kate's High for the Day

Thanks to a college roommate, (thanks, Cori), we have this fantastic thing we say to our kids at the end of the day. When they’re all tucked in, we ask them, “What was your high and low for the day?” They usually need our help, but eventually come up with something wonderful that happened that day and something that disappointed them. It has led us into the most enjoyable bedtime conversations. Kate is really starting to get the idea of it—-which I realized today at Kmart.

I’m a Martha Stewart fan. I know, it’s shameless. When it comes to unrealistic expectations for women, I put Martha's standards on par with Barbie's. But I can't help myself. Martha is the main reason I find myself back in K-mart this time of year, to check out her line of holiday stuff. The kids spotted the Christmas trees from halfway across the store. As we approached, they were in awe. The display wasn’t as discerning or tasteful as, say, Target’s, but it was magical. Bricks were lined up along the floor to hold in snow-looking stuffing and to make paths the kids could wander though to gaze at the lighted wicker reindeer and wicker Winnie the Pooh, the giant snow globe with Mickey and Minnie riding a carousal, the ferris wheel carrying Christmas characters that spun higher than my head, and of course, the forest of Christmas trees. I was taken back to childhood as I watched Kate. She stood in front of each display, lost in thought and trying to take it all in, completely unaware that she was smiling. She was so excited, she kept thanking me for bringing her to this store. And then she said, “Mom, this is my high for the day!”