I like puppets. I’ve been a puppeteer since I was in the 6th grade. I even auditioned at Disney World to get a job as a puppeteer! So, whenever there is a new puppet television show out, I have to watch it! When Lydia was little I found a DVD called Sesame Beginnings: Beginning Together. Have you seen it? It shows all the regular Sesame Street characters as babies: baby Elmo, baby Big Bird, baby Prairie Dawn, etc. The puppets are  totally adorable.

The coolest thing about the DVD (it’s a whole series, actually) is that it is designed for parents and kids to watch together. In fact, in between the songs, there is not video of the puppets, it’s parents singing the songs with their kids. The show goes through the puppets’ day and while they are learning songs from their parents, it’s teaching you and your child songs to sing together, too. It’s basically a great example of how you can connect to your child during everyday activities.

All the songs are fun and very catchy. We’ve continued to sing them over the years. One says, “Where’s your wiggly giggly toes?” another one says, “Who’s that baby in the mirror? That baby looks just like you!” But our favorite one says, “You did something new today! Hooray! Hooray! Hooray! You took your first step today! Hooray! Hooray! Hooray! Elmo, you did something new and I’m so very proud of you! Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!” Well, Lydia LOVES this song. It’s kinda jazzy and Elmo’s dad has this great gravely voice.

Anyway, I sing it to Lydia and Asa whenever they do something new. This could be folding the socks for the first time, using a fork, obeying or literally taking a first step. The other day Asa did something new (I think he wore big boy shoes insted of Robeez! This was practically a miracle!) and Lydia said, “Mommy sing the song!” So, I did. Then she wanted me to sing it about her. But she hadn’t done anything new. So, I sang,

You didn’t do anything new today. Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!
You didn’t do anything new today. Hooray ! Hooray! Hooray!
You didn’t do anything new today but I am always proud of you!
Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!

We were hugging and dancing together as silly as ever. But suddenly, it felt so real! I so wanted my daughter to know that I am ALWAYS proud of her–no matter what she does. And I guess my voice or my intent was felt by her. When the song was done, she hugged me tightly and stayed in my arms for a minute after the song was done. It felt like a significant moment. Like maybe she might remember it her whole life. Or at least I would!

I don’t tell you this to make sure you rush out and buy that DVD (although it is cute), but to remind ourselves to make every moment count. You don’t have to be teaching your kids a scripture, or making a craft or baking or teaching them to spell to make an impact on their lives. You can use any and every moment to teach them a lesson, to show them God’s heart, to display your love for them. Be on the lookout for those moments today!