A Name

Do you ever look back and feel guilty that you didn't get someones name?  Especially when they helped you? 
Today the kids and I walked to "downtown" for lunch.  The place we picked had a nice outdoor patio where I parked the stroller.  While I was getting my wallet out from the diaper bag in the basket I was debating in my head whether to try and leave the kids outside (strapped in the stroller with my oldest in charge to watch the younger) or to just cart them inside.  I was leaning toward taking them inside when an older lady who was sitting outside said that she would stay outside with them.
She kindly moved her chair over then jumped right into asking the kids questions, I'm betting she has grand kids!
At this point I went right in without kids (reminder that I live in a small town and ''Downtown" is 4 square blocks and I could walk there from my house in 20 minutes.)
I was able to get everything ordered and carried out without having to try and balance a stroller, a crying child, wandering little fingers, and the food.  IT WAS GREAT!
Once I got outside she talked to me just a little bit as she got her stuff together then excused herself, saying goodbye by name to my kids.
I did tell her thank you, but as she was walking away (especially when she addressed my son by name) the thought that I didn't even establish any sort of common ground between her and I, like introducing myself and exchanging names.  Was that rude?
Here she did me a great favor and I didn't even get her name.
Again because I live in a small town there is a chance I would see her again, and knowing her name may let her know that because of the small act of service to me, I remembered who she was.
Lesson to learn for next time maybe!

Still Learning

I think that being a mother means that you are ALWAYS learning.  It never ends.  When you think that you have it, another child teaches you that you don't.  In a positive and/or negative way sometimes.  Well I learned in a positive way that children are more capable then thought.  My oldest likes to peel his own 'cutie' (small orange if you are not familiar with them) and the other day my almost 2 year old wanted to peel his...well I thought why not let him and you know what?  He did it, and he did a good job.

I read that kids enjoy food when they get to help prepare it or be a part of the preparation...well now my kids have one more task that I will let them do and something that will keep them busy and out from under my feet while I get the rest of lunch ready.
But my learning tip that is greatest from this event is that NEVER think that kids are not old enough to do something.  It they want or ask...LET them TRY. 
If they can't, help them or show them, then next time let them TRY AGAIN...and maybe again and again as long as they want to. 
It is HARD to do this.  It is much easier, faster, ans cleaner if I just do it.  I just have to remind myself again and again that being a mother/parent is being a teacher and letting them LEARN.  I'm sure as they get older some of their "learning experiences" will come with far greater consequences then a mess on the kitchen floor.