The day had been long.
Dinner plates still sat in the sink. My younger one had just fallen asleep, and my five-year-old was humming in the background while building yet another LEGO tower. I sat on the floor, slowly clearing the chaos around me — paper scraps, open glue bottles, crayons missing their caps. The usual.
That’s when I saw it — tucked under a cushion, slightly bent, its color faded, and edges curling.
A paper rocket.
It was barely holding together with too much tape and a wonky wing that refused to stay flat. I smiled. “Oh, this thing…” I thought. “Time to throw it out.”
I picked it up, about to drop it into the trash.
And then —
he came running in.
“No, Mumma! Not that one! That’s the rocket we made when the lights went off and it was raining and we couldn’t go outside!”
He was almost breathless, his eyes wide with urgency.
I paused, still holding the crumpled craft mid-air.
That night came flooding back.
The power had gone out during a heavy rainstorm. The house was dark, lit only by a few flickering candles. We couldn’t play music, couldn’t watch cartoons, couldn’t call anyone.
So we sat by the window, listened to the thunder, and built this little rocket.
We didn’t have fancy supplies — just old chart paper, tape, scissors, and our time.
We laughed.
We guessed rocket names.
He asked if it could fly to the stars.
We promised to keep it forever.
🚀 It Wasn’t Just a Craft
To me, it was paper and tape.
To him, it was an evening of magic.
It was:
- A stormy night turned into an adventure
- A quiet house filled with stories
- A rocket that carried imagination instead of engines
That rocket held more than color and folds.
It held a memory of us — choosing joy in the simplest moment.
💛 And So, I Kept It
It now sits in a small box on his bookshelf.
It doesn’t sparkle.
It doesn’t fly.
It’s imperfect in every way.
But it carries a moment that made his heart soar — and mine too.
Because one day, when I ask,
“Do you remember when we made this?”
He’ll smile and say,
“Yes. It was the night we made a rocket while the whole world was quiet.”
🌿 What I Learned That Night
We often chase perfection.
We spend time and money looking for “the best” activity, toy, or gift.
But our kids?
They just want us. Our presence. Our attention. Our time.
The memory they’ll hold close won’t be the expensive toy.
It’ll be the rainy night with candlelight and a flying paper dream.
💬 Tell Me…
Have you ever saved something that looked like “junk” to everyone else — but meant the world to you or your child?
Let’s share these little love stories that remind us what really matters.
Drop your story in the comments or message me on Instagram @momkidhub — I’d love to read them all.
💬 Share with Me:
What’s the messiest, funniest, or most imperfect craft you’ve ever made with your child — that still makes you smile?
Tell me in the comments or tag me on Instagram @momkidhub — I’d love to feature some of your perfectly imperfect creations! 🎨
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