I should be wrapping up my 2014 Reflections A-Z Series. However, to be honest, I’m close with it but not quite happy with it yet (the letter Q is still giving me problems).

Plus, this week was the last week of school break for my oldest son, and last weekend, we were able to have a little family getaway. So I’ve been thinking a lot about family and savoring time with my little ones.

I decided to take things a little light this week with a look at lessons I’ve learned from my kids recently. All are valuable. Enjoy.

* Sugar is NOT your friend.

My youngest, who is 3, had one of his worst-ever public tantrums, and I blame sugar. Typically, we eat something healthy for breakfast, but recently we headed out the door before eating, and a nice woman we know at a bakery gave the boys donuts. It was sweet, so I said yes, and we all thanked her. However, about an hour later when Caterpillar (my blogging nickname for my youngest) had an utter meltdown at the coffee shop that left me rushing out the door as quickly as possible, I realized pure sugar in the body of a small child first thing in the morning when he hasn’t eaten in about 12 hours is a REALLY BAD IDEA. I do not recommend it.

* Friendship is a beautiful thing.

At a friend’s wedding, Wild Thing (my blogging nickname for my oldest, who is 5) made a new friend. Their instant ability to embrace each other as friends in just a few minutes reminded me of the magic of childhood and of the beauty of friendship. They announced to me: “We’re best friends.” Then, they looked at each other and asked: “Wait – what’s your name?” Classic.

* Learning opportunities are everywhere.

This week, breakfast became a science lesson (liquid eggs becoming solid, solid butter becoming liquid); a bike ride became a study in opposites (slow-fast, stop-go); and, according to Wild Thing, anyplace and anytime is an opportunity to teach me something new about Star Wars.

* Clumsiness just might be genetic.

I am not graceful. I am absolutely prone to minor accidents. I trip often, and to be honest, occasionally I run into things (when perfectly sober). Well, so does my oldest son. In fact, just this week he knocked over an entire box of wine bottles at a store, and he trips over his own feet at least three times a day. Sorry, Wild Thing. It’s in the DNA.

* Cereal is a perfectly acceptable dinner.

The other night I was tired, and we arrived home later than usual. My husband and I had enjoyed a lunch date, so we weren’t really hungry for dinner. What to do? I kept it simple and gave the boys cereal for dinner, and they were ecstatic. I love cooking healthy, yummy meals for my family, but I also know it’s OK to skip it sometimes and give myself a break. In this case, the choice made everyone happy.

* The more things change, the more they stay the same.

The most popular activities at our house this week have been Lego play, puzzles, wooden blocks, trains (on wooden train tracks), Play-Doh, books, and simple drawing and coloring. I recall my own childhood being quite similar. Many, many hours were spent with Legos and puzzles, and I realize that many of their favorite activities are the same activities children have enjoyed for decades. It’s fun to see my sons enjoying some of the same activities I enjoyed so much as a child and even more fun to connect with my playful side and enjoy those activities with them now, even though I’m all grown up.

Hope you don’t mind my digression from my 2014 reflection this week. I promise, I’ll wrap up the series next week. In the meantime, if you’ve got a letter Q, send it my way.

Jennifer Fischer is co-founder of the SCV Film Festival, a mom of two, an independent filmmaker and owner of Think Ten Media Group, whose Generation Arts division offers programs for SCV youth. She writes about her parenting journey on her blog, The Good Long Road. Her commentary is published Saturdays on SCVNews.com.