The Smallest Things are Treasures || A Lesson Learned from a Two Year Old

I got to spend quite a bit of time with my favorite 2 year old over the past few months while I was in Utah helping after Braden was born, over Christmas break, for Jordan and Leo’s sealing, and for Braden’s blessing, and then two weeks later to help the week Michael passed away.

I love watching Tyson be Tyson. He gets excited at the smallest of things—like he’s won the lottery. And when he finds one of his treasures, or discovers a new treasure, he’ll often yell, “Hooway!” with both arms up in the air. Like that treasure is the best. thing. ever.

Here are some of his favorite treasures, and this can change daily. Or even hourly:

• Paint brush
• Grandma’s combs and hair brushes. Right after I got to Utah this last time, I heard a cute little voice asking for “Gwandma’s haiw bwushes.” I travel with my combs and brushes in a Tom’s shoe bag, and he loves to carry it around with the drawstring over his shoulder like a purse. He’s gotten lots of hours of entertainment out of some simple hair brushes, and he once used one as a microphone for singing his favorite songs!
• Ruler
• Plastic shovel
• Airplanes in the sky
• Soops (scoops)
• Stick (aka Super Sword)

• Shoelaces. In fact, I found one of his shoelaces from his lacing set in my glasses case (my glasses case was a treasure too!) when I got on the plane to come home this last time, and seeing that bright yellow shoe lace really made me smile at a time when I was already really missing my two little Utah boys.
• Clouds
• Foam paint brush
• Medicine syringe
• Star Christmas tree ornament
• Grass
• Flowers
• Cracks in the sidewalk

• Snow shovel. Tyson sized. 😉
• Favorite blankie. For Tyson, it’s this elephant blankie.
• Leaves
• Formula soop (scoop)
• Rag. Or three.
• Bugs
• Bubbles
• Little rocks. Perfect for putting in his pocket.

This is Tyson’s bag after he got done packing for a recent trip. His mom had started packing (diapers), but I guess he decided she was missing some very important things—his treasures! Let’s talk about the treasures Tyson put in his bag:

• His new xylophone. This boy loves all things music!
• Some of his favorite rags. He loves those little microfiber baby wash cloths and keeps a few in his crib just in case.
• 2 fatulas (spatulas) because 1 isn’t enough!
• His stacking rings
• A water bottle because traveling makes you thirsty!
• His tool box with his tools—you never know when you might need some tools!
• His new box of crayons, which he’s so proud of.
• And probably some things you can’t see…

I’ve had so much fun watching Tyson with his treasures, and it got me to thinking…

Why don’t I appreciate the small treasures in my life more?

What changed from when I was Tyson’s age to now?

Nothing…except my perspective.

I think I’m often too busy to notice the small things—small things I really take for granted.

So I’ve made it a point to try and view life through the eyes of a 2 year old and look for the smallest reasons to yell “Hooway!” with both arms up in the air!

Here are some of my treasures that make me smile, and some might even make me want to yell “Hooway!” sometimes. And to be honest, I really had to do some thinking to put this list together, which tells me I REALLY need to change my perspective. One of my goals is to add more small treasures to this list:

• A piece of JoJo’s Chocolate
• Hershey’s chocolate chapstick
• My favorite cocoa concoction
• A piece of Dove Dark Chocolate (I’m seeing a trend here)
• Chapstick, in general
• A beautiful sunset
• A beautiful sunrise
• A sunny day
• Tulips

• Daffodils randomly blooming in my backyard even though it’s still dreary and extra rainy this year
• Cute post-it notes
• A cute notebook
• Yoga pants
• Watching a movie with my favorite guy
• Jif creamy peanut butter
• My favorite slippers
• Georgia in the spring time
• Cute birds in our backyard (they can be really fun to watch!)
• A smile from a stranger
• Random acts of kindness from others

What are some small treasures you might be overlooking in your life? Try out Tyson’s perspective and see how much those simple little treasures can enrich your life!