advice from mary poppins
We watched Mary Poppins with the kids this weekend, a movie my five year old had requested. One minute I was tapping along to "Step in Time" and the next minute I was getting a little teary as Bert delivers this wise little rhyme to Mr. Banks:
"You're a man of high position, esteemed by all your peers.
And when your little tikes are crying, you haven't time to dry their tears.
And see their grateful little faces, smiling up at you.
Because their dad, he always knows just what to do.
You've got to grind, grind, grind at that grindstone.
Though childhood slips like sand through a sieve,
All too soon they've up and grown.. And then they've flown.
And it's too late for you to give."
I watched my 6 year old ride down a huge hill on his bike yesterday, flying down as fast as he can, weaving in and out of obstacles in his way. My firstborn, my little boy.. all grown up it seems. Marching off to first grade with his backpack slung over his shoulder, spending more waking hours at school than he does at home. And I keep thinking "When did this happen?". When I look at him I still see my baby boy, his bright eyes and tiny fingers. I get busy just being in the thick of it everyday, but every once in a while I stand back and think... this is all flying by way too fast.
02.21.2011
Reader Comments (31)
good advice : )
This post has made my day. Thank you x
my 5 year old has ben asking for a movie night with mary poppins as well! i will be sure to bring the kleenexs! childhood movies seems so different when i watch them all grown up... :)
I love this movie. Before being a stay at home mom I was a nanny and I would play this movie for the little girl I watched. This song you pointed out is very true and sad =( A good reminder though.
A sweet and sentimental post. One nice thing though, when they grow up and marry they might come and live near you. Thanks. Dad
I LOVE Mary Poppins. It was one of my favorite movies growing up!
So crazy: my five-year-old and I just watched this movie together for the first time last week as well. And I teared up at the very same moment. Bert's tenderness while delivering that knife-to-the-heart message was what got me. I also had fun explaining what a suffragette was. That women were once not allowed to vote was beyond my girl's ability to process. "But WHY Mommy? That doesn't make any sense!?" : )
Agreed.
I just added you to our blogs we {heart} list and to our free design printables directory with your ABC cards. Thank you they are beautiful...love it! We have an exclusive printable from our design co. we will be sending you but I just wanted to drop a note and say thanks here too.
My little boy is only two, but that verse of song cut me to the quick, as well.
Thanks for making me cry at work Brookie. xo
I've seen Marry Poppins a gazillion times and never cried before I had kids. Now I tear up every time that scene comes on. It's so poignant.
What a sweet post. I remember watching Mary Poppins for the first time with my oldest when he was one. He had his first cold, which is probably why he was willing to sit still through the whole thing. Don't tell him I told you this, but even now (at 12) he's willing to snuggle with us if we let him stay up late to watch TV. And I can still see that one-year-old when I check on him before I go to bed every night. So, yes, the years fly by but your little boy will always be there.
thanks for this post. our oldest is a year behind your oldest. the days go and go. i want eyes to slow down more and enjoy these times for what they are. precious.
It flies by so quickly, my best friend's youngest daughter is 2, I remember feeding her at 3 months as if it were only a couple of months ago
I love Mary Poppins as well. I love watching old movies too every now and then. This is a great post. I know what it’s like to take a step back and enjoy everything that happens to you. I have a cousin who just turned 13 and I’m starting to wonder when did he grow up so fast. It was like yesterday when I was imitating his mumble and now he is as tall as I am.
You might enjoy this documentary about the Sherman brothers, who wrote the music for Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Jungle Book, etc.
http://www.theboysdoc.com/
I watched it this weekend, and their dynamic and relationship as brothers made me appreciate the music in Mary Poppins even more.
aw, brooke, i love that. this made me tear up :) joannaxo
Eegads. I didn't really "get" that portion of the movie as a kid. Now I know all too well. My baby is off to Kindergarten in September...how did this happen?! Cherish all those tiny, quiet moments. It goes by so quickly. Thanks for helping me to remember that!
Beautiful post!