...today's thoughts...

My mom wrote me and my sister an email this week reminding us not to wish away the long summer days, the warm weather, and the other things this season gives us. My sister and I have mentioned looking forward to fall. I know that summer is a wonderful time, long sunshine filled days. Temperatures that are mostly delightful to be outside exploring and adventuring. Without the school year routine we have the freedom to go to the pool or the zoo while leaving the breakfast dishes piled on the counter and the laundry heaped on the floor. In the evening when it is getting long as we wait for the infamous daddy to arrive home we can putter around outside (yesterday each boy enjoyed 10 waterballons for about 2 minutes but the schnibbles floating in the kiddie pool and nets kept them busy for an hour).

However, the more I talk to moms you can tell by their tone, their faces, their energy, their hair (mainly mine..because it is covered in a hat most days), that it is time for a change in routine. This mom describes how all good things must come to an end and the end of summer is welcomed in her house. The lack of routine, the long hot days, the abundant time with family is starting to wear on everyone. She describes using the word NO far to often and the requests that aren't even normal demands her children make.

So even though I am not looking forward to the extremely long winter that stretches out before us with temperatures that keep us in doors and wishing for hot summer days again...I am looking forward to darker evenings so lamps can be lit, piano music can play, cookies can be baked, the crock pot can be simmering, and the boys are tired from a different kind of routine.

 Today we spent the morning at the pool and as I watched the boys I realized that I'm Going to Miss This. Charley was happier than a clam in the water and Henry too was splashing and jumping and totally happy. I sat there and just watched and couldn't believe the happiness that a blue sky summer morning at a sparkling pool can bring to two little boys. And someday I will drop them off with their friends and try and keep busy while they explore a local pool or water park. But watching them lay out on the towels today, side by side with their little buddies, eating gold fish crackers and not worrying about anything in life...I realized that these are some of the best days of my life. And I will look back and miss them. Go here to read a wonderful reminder that all moms parents need to remember.

So we will relish these next two weeks of summer and we will also anticipate the arrival of a new season and a new routine.  One of the wonderful benefits of living in the Midwest is that just as a season is starting to get long - a new season starts to arrive and one's energy is rejuvenated.  Summer days - stretch out these next two weeks and fill them with bliss.  Autumn - we are ready for you to fall upon us with your cooler temps, shorter days, and crunching leaves. 

August motivates me...

I can tell Fall is around the corner because this time of year is always motivating to me. I think it is from the years of teaching. I would return from the cottage and rev up to spend hours in my classroom setting up bulletin boards, organizing files, putting names on tags, pouring over teacher manuals, designing the layout of my room, just sitting and staring in awe of the job I got to do, and anticipating the arrival of these little beings who would wander in with new shoes waiting for the fun that I plan. Teaching is one of the few professions that allows for a start and finish.

This will be my 4th school year that has me home in August, instead of dropping off my guys at daycare and heading into the classroom to fall into friendships that a summer apart has no impact on. I find that being home and not having this creative place to venture to leaves me focusing on filling my calendar, organizing and cleaning our house, feeling like redecorating (with no skill to go for it with), setting goals, getting organized with chores, routines, meals, balancing our time, and just feeling refreshed. This year Charley will head off to school and that adds a new dimension to our fall. Some excitement and some sadness that has settled in my gut. It will pass once we are in a routine...but for now I am uneasy about this change.

It is that time of year when the farmer's market offers an abundance of fall, winter, and spring stash.

So the inspiration in the kitchen seems to be the first thing to hit. No, I am not making my own bananas....but last weekend I froze more corn, made pesto to fill our freezer with, and today I made a few batches of twice baked potatoes (otherwise known as potato boats) to pull out on cool nights when we are rushing to soccer. I have a load of green peppers to dice and freeze up for soups and other concoctions.  

My twice baked potatoes involve baking up a load of them in the oven.
Slicing them in half and removing the inside...leaving a little to secure a strong "boat".
Put the insides in my mixer bowl and add (for 4-5 potatoes) 2 pats of butter, some milk, a cup of shredded cheese, a little salt, and some pepper.  This time I added some diced up ham that I had in the freezer.
I mix it all up good and then fill the boats with them.  I sprinkle a little paprika on top to make them look pretty.

I am calling them boats because the boys LOVE them when I call them this.  Then I freeze them in a 9x13 pan and then either move them to zip bags or freeze them in smaller pans in amounts that are good for our family.  When we are ready to eat them I just thaw, reheat in the microwave or oven, and eat!  I am hoping that with the ham in them they can be more of a main dish. 

And so August continues to roll around.  We'll see what I conquer next.

Thirsty Thursday

I have always enjoyed a cold beer.   But mixed drink cocktails are something that always taste good.  Now that I am pregnant and passing on the cold summer beverages in the fun glasses with umbrellas sticking out of them, or the sweaty tumbler filled with a cold Honeyweiss and a lemon floating lazily in it....or a Blue Moon with a slice of orange....

What summer beverage makes you happy on a hot summer evening?  When your day has your childrens' cheeks kissed with sun.  When your feet are asking to be propped up on your husband's lap or the front porch swing squeak is calling for your hinder to plop itself down and breathe deeply.  Let me live vicariously through you. 

Shredded cheese...what's your opinion!?

I have shared my preference for real carrots on here in the past. Yes, I do not buy those tiny mini carrots unless I am in a bind.  Instead I buy a huge bag of real carrots and take 15 minutes to clean and slice them up for a week of crunchy healthy snacks and side dishes. They actually taste like carrots! It is amazing.

Well, I have another food thing that has been bugging me lately. Shredded cheese. Growing up I know my mom always had to shred the cheese for meals like tacos or even lasagna. They didn't make shredded cheese like they do now...or maybe she just didn't buy into it.  So I am challenging myself to buy LESS shredded cheese. I am not committing to not buying it at all because as a mom with kids, a mom in a meal group that makes four pans of lasagna at one stretch, and a wife to a husband who loves his cheesy quesidillas, I know there will always be times when buying already shredded cheese wins out.

BUT SERIOUSLY! Have you bought a block of cheese lately and shredded it and used it on your tacos. It tastes like cheese! It feels like cheese! It is cheese! There are no weird enzymes, chemicals, or bacteria added to make it mold slower, not stick etc. I have a friend who had to go gluten free and she pointed out that they use gluten to keep some cheese from not sticking. This is what got me thinking...what is that powdery stuff on the cheese.

So in our house, from now on, I am going to try and challenge myself to shred my own cheese more often. It really doesn't take all that much longer. My shredder goes in the dishwasher. And while reading up on what they use to make shredded cheese keep in your fridge for weeks....seriously, weeks - kind of disturbing...I read that if you spray your grater with Pam spray it washes/rinses up really easy....I am going to try that next time.

So carrots...shredded cheese....is there another food that I should be thinking about?

Magically delicious...

Some mornings are cereal mornings.  And to have a pantry with some choices makes it that much more fun for my boys.  So occasionally when we grocery shop I let them to wander the entire row of cereal and pick any one box of cereal.  I am never let down...they always pick one that advertises some toy or prize...most of which aren't included in the box anymore.  They never rationalize the prize as not being in the box or being dinky and worthless - and on the trips when I let them pick any box I don't argue.  Instead, I watch as they excitedly pick up different boxes announcing that they want "dis one mama?"  And when I say, "If that is what you want..."  then they hesitate and put it back.  They hug those boxes for the rest of the shopping trip ...which also means they aren't grabbing other end aisle attractions. 

Other mornings we indulge in mama's home cooking.  The boys love having eggs, pancakes, or waffles and I actually find peace in making them a yummy hot breakfast.  And it really doesn't take any extra time...because I have found Lucky Charms marshmallows are a pain in the hoo-haa to clean off little bodies and furniture.

Breakfast is their big meal.  No matter what they are eating - they fill up those bellies for full days of fun!

What breakfast gets you going in the morning?

Be honest...how often do you...

At the start of summer I told myself that it was going to be a summer of maintaining. I would maintain the house...keep it picked up, clean what needed to get by, not worry about falling a bit behind...the focus was going to be on the boys and survival. Getting through the first trimester of this pregnancy where not feeling great, eating, and being exhausted impact the day to day moments. I wanted the boys to have a great summer - fun, time outside, friends, mama's attention.

But as we hit the mid-summer days I am feeling a lot of pressure because it is driving me nuts that I go to bed with toys scattered ALL OVER OUR LIVING AREA. The kitchen is often piled with dishes and projects. Our garden is totally overgrown with weeds. The boys clothes are in laundry baskets, not hanging in closets or put away in drawers. The bathrooms could use a good scrub and the floors a good vacuum.   And dinner has been a mish mash of quick fixes.

Beach towels get washed, grapes are washed and bagged ready for the lake or park playdates, the car is actually clean and not a disaster with sand toys, waterbottles, sunscreen and lawn chairs ready for any pitstop....

But really, I just feel soooo behind that I can't seem to catch up.  Yesterday I worked on the kitchen floor and while I did that the boys trashed two other rooms that I never got on them about picking up.  So this morning when I wander downstairs that overwhelming feeling is going to hit.

But does it really matter?  Is it okay to just let it go for now?

A day is all I need...a day where I can clean up without more stuff being taken out.  Without distraction.  Where I have energy to use the day to get caught up. 
So I want to know...

HOW OFTEN DO YOU:

Clean your bathrooms?
Change sheets?
Scrub floors?
Vacuum?
Clean/ scrub the fridge?
Wipe down cabinets?
Dust?


And do you have a strategy so it isn't overwhelming?  I have made cleaning schedules, lists, etc.  Breaking it down does help but right now breaking it down seems so overwhelming and pointless.

Do you have help?  Would you give up your month gym membership to have someone come in and do some of the jobs that you like to think you can fit into the day but when reality hits and you are busy breaking up light saber fights and toting them here and there and just maintaining the baskets of laundry and the unloading and loading of the dishwasher...a little help isn't such a out of this world thought. 

Friends + Farm = Fun

Yesterday we ventured on a bit of a drive to a farm.  It was totally worth the time in the car (and when you go with others and have a fun friend to chat with...the drive is nothing!). 

Our first moments were spent gazing into the cleanest chicken coop one could ever imagine. 

The chickens were amazing.  Charley thought maybe one was laying an egg and sure enough...when it stood up there sat a beautiful warm brown egg. 

We got to tour inside the barn...we expected this meant looking over a fence or through the bars of a cage...NOPE!  We were encouraged to enter the chicken coup.  We found ourselves surrounded by the birds.  The farmer left us for a moment, door open, and about 10-12 chickens escaped but Melody and I herded them back into the coup.  Both of us laughing...a little nervously. 

We got to learn about eggs and why some are white and some are brown.  That chickens lay one egg a day...taking a day off here and there (made me appreciate the eggs we got from our local farmer).  We learned to test the freshness of an egg you can see if it sinks or floats!  Charley explained that the eggs we have in our fridge come from a chicken farm like this.  He was so proud - and so was I. 

Next we got to hand feeds some little piglets.  So cute.  So friendly.  So amazing! 

Yes, the entire time I am watching my boys kneel in the hay where I know they are exposed to dirty stuff...but the energy and awesome-ness of the whole experience was worth it!  So we washed hands often. 

After the piglets we hiked a bit through the farm area and then returned to Millie the cow.  She and her 4 day old calf entertained the boys for a bit.  We got to brush her, milk her by hand, and just pet and talk with her. 

The whole experience was TOTALLY awesome.

It rained as we ended our outing so we sat in the van and ate...gotta love the 30 cup holders!  And by the time we got home it was 1 oclock and time for Henry's nap.  

 

 Many days we stay close to home, doing the same old routine things.  I love those days.  But I also love pushing myself to drive a little farther and go somewhere out of my comfort zone.  I am usually totally proud and happy that I took the time to do it.  It gives me a chance to live life with these two little guys who look at the world from a different perspective.  They take my hands exiting our minivan and excitedly tell me what they hope to see or do.  And even though I am stressed at moments because the bottom of their shoes are caked with poop...I am thrilled to have given them this new experience that has broadened OUR horizons. 

If you live in my area I would TOTALLY encourage you to take advantage of this farm.  If you live somewhere else..I encourage you to pack a lunch and go have an adventure.  Getting out of the daily routine and challenging yourself to a new thing makes this time home with your children that much more rewarding.  And today - in our pjs still at 10:45, we all are a little happier. 

Things I love Thursday: Farm Fresh Eggs

Charley has a buddy who lives out on a good chunk of land where they will give raising chickens a try.  We got to visit the chickens yesterday during his playdate. 

On the way to pick him up the last few months I drive by a farm that has a sign out front that says Eggs.  Every time we pass by, I write the phone number down and about a week ago I finally stopped PROCRASTINATING and called. 

Yesterday we picked up three dozen eggs straight from the farm where the chickens run around happy as can be!  

 

I am hoping to ask the farmers for a little tour of the chicken coop...once they realize that we are committed customers. 

I don't do everything perfectly healthy in our house.  I also don't do everything organic.  But the two things that I am firm on are the eggs and milk.  The little bit I have read and heard leaves me feeling better when I know that our milk and eggs have come from cows and chickens that are raised happy and healthy - not modified, shot up with antibiotics, cramped in pens, filled with hormones (that some say are part of the cause of young girls maturing faster).  

So from now on we will be supporting a local farmer and enjoying farm fresh eggs! 

This post is linked to Anti-Procrastination Tuesday on Amy's blog New Nostalgia and Things I love Thursday. 

Letting the Zoo Consume us for a WHOLE day!

This week I planned on enjoying my boys to the max.  I wanted to let go of some of the routine chores that I feel I need to accomplish during the day and just let my boys have me.  Charley is on his spring break from preschool and we have had some fun days. On Tuesday we ventured to the zoo with some friends who have boys that match my boys in age.  Henry and S. are great friends, whether they know it or not.  And Charley and T. enjoy each other to the max.  I always enjoy the mommy chit chat with Melody.  And this outing included her other children-which is fun!

Normally, we go to the zoo for a max of three hours - since we live so close, have a membership, and that is all I can usually handle.  But the weather was gorgeous and springish.  The boys set the pace and we just sauntered about enjoying the sunshine, seeing animals, balancing on curbs and walls, climbing and sliding at the park, picnicing in the fresh air, and even enjoyed an ice cream cone...a splurge I never do. 

Our 3 hour trip turned into 6 hours and when the announcement came that the "ZOO WILL BE CLOSING IN 30 MINUTES!"  Melody and I looked at each other shocked that the day had gone so long but had been smooth and happy.  

Not rushing home for Henry's nap..or so that I could tidy up...was such a good feeling.  We were all wiped out but I had such a good feeling of having spent the day being with my boys...and good friends.

When you find friends who match up with your family - moms and kids enjoying each other - you have found a gift...especially when you choose to stay home and can find yourself isolated, doing things with just your kids day after day.  So to join together to enjoy a spring day, it makes a trip to the zoo that much more fun!

How do we make family dinner happen...most nights!

This week the family meal is on my brain.  So today I thought I would share how we make a family dinner work most nights.  Here are just a few my thoughts on family dinner time. 

TIMING:  Ed and I communicate on when he thinks he will be home that evening.  Sometimes he runs late becuase of his commute and that means from time to time that we have to eat without him.  But most nights he is able to give me a rough estimate and I use this to begin planning.

FLEXIBILITY:  If our dinner hour is going to be normal then we go about our afternoon like normal.  But if I know he is going to be later ...then I organize our late afternoon activities and snacks so that this hard time between naps and dinner goes as smooth as possible.  Moving snack later and going on an outing like the library or the park helps.

FIRM:  I am NOT a short order cook. I make one meal and that is what we will all eat - if we choose. AS THE ADULT I believe my job is to decide:

What food is offered.

When the food is offered.

Where it will be eaten.

And my boys can go from there and decide:

  If they will eat.

What they will eat.

How much they will eat.

However, because I don't make my boys something different than the main meal, I do make sure that within the meal presented there is something that I know they like...whether it be the maindish or a side dish.  If I am making something new and "scary" then I make sure to provide at least one side dish that is safe and "not scary".  Last night my boys ate a TON of cantelope and not too much of the main dish...which was fine with me.

Fun:  Talk, laugh, and enjoy the time together.  Ask about your days - Peeks and Valleys or favorite parts.  Teach your children to talk among themselves while mommy and daddy talk about something "adult".  Pick a topic to discuss like summer fun, sports, their favorite toy, dream vacations.  Talk about worries or use the time to go over safety information...fire drills, answering the phone, stranger danger.  Enjoy the quiet and let your children be a little silly or lead the conversation.  Have everyone come to the table with a fact to share or a joke to tell (decide the night before so there is time to prepare).  Take turns saying prayer or go around and give thanks.  Eat out on the picnic table or on a blanket in your yard. 


A little thought can make things flow and make this time of your day the best!  Does it have to happen EVERY night- Nope!  But in our house, we make an effort and we are starting early so that it is an expectation when the nights roll around when the boys are older - making their own plans and having their own commitments.  I figure, if we make it a habit and we make it fun - then it will be something they don't want to miss. 

This is linked to Tuesday's Unwrapped and 30 Minute Blog Challenge.

Packing my boys a lunch!

Now that I am a parent I have moments where I think back to my childhood and wonder why/how my mom chose to do certain things.   How she made her choices and why she made them?

Tonight I turned on the TV and caught Jaime Oliver's Food Revolution...it begins next Friday! So tonight they must be previewing it to get people talking.   LOVE THAT!  It has the potential to ROCK this country to a core! ONLY IF PEOPLE TAKE TIME TO WATCH!

My mom packed our lunches from grade school through high school.   She still packs my dad a lunch.   I did get to pick one day a week for hot lunch in elementary school.  I remember sitting down for lunch as a sophomore with a lunch that looked unlike most of my friends' lunches (they had a pop and bag of pretzels).   My mom always made sure our lunch included a sandwich, some fruit (I remember the baggie of orange pieces that she sliced up), a crunchy something, and a little dessert. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY!

Tonight as I watched Jaime show what goes on in the lunch room of many schools in the USA, I am IN AWE that my mom made this incredibly healthy choice for us that I know helped me be the healthy eater that I am today, when there was an easy lunch ticket option.  And she made our lunches fun with notes and surprises from time to time.  The time and discipline to make 4 lunches EVERY. SINGLE. DAY boggles my mind. I try to make my husband's lunch every once in a while but I fail - ALL TOO OFTEN.

I have a really hard time watching these kinds of things - they overwhelm me. Especially when children, who don't know and don't have the power to make healthier choices for themselves, are involved.

I have always planned to make my boys' lunches when they are school age.   And watching tonight's show just solidified this goal for myself.  Friday night the show premieres! Watch it - give it a chance! I know I will be watching!

And Jaime Oliver ended the show saying something along the lines about helping this community learn to take some ingredients, make some real food, SIT DOWN TOGETHER and break bread.
...making my point about family meal time - real - important.  I hope the mom from last Friday, who thinks obesity comes from making dinnertime social, takes time to watch this show. 

Keeping this short!  Here is a blip about the show.

Getting it off my chest - Family Meal Time

This morning at Henry's ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education), the parent discussion topic was picky eaters. The facilitator was going over the list of ways in which we can help keep our children from being picky eaters and how to work with our picky eaters to keep expanding their world of food. I truly believe our children are born with some of their eating habits - Charley ate EVERYTHING and Henry is very picky. I did very little different with them from the start. But I do believe there are things we do as parents that can emphasize picky eating habits or help our children move onto stretching their diet horizons.

One of the points made this morning focused on sitting down and making meal time social. One of the moms brought up that this makes her uncomfortable because she thinks one of the problems with obesity in America results from thinking of eating as a social experience - and I understood where she was coming from. Lots of social is associated with eating. I only got a second to think about my response and when it got to me I did have a second to share my view - but on my drive home I got frustrated that I didn't have a chance to explain my ideas further - and I know the facilitator didn't get to either. So here is my thinking:

My issue with kids and obesity revolves more around snacks. I pointed out that today most mom's can whip out at least 1 and sometimes 3 snacks from her purse at any moment. I have done it - when I need them occupied in a waiting room, when they are whining in the car, when they ask at a park etc. I really, truly think, that family dinners are not to blame! So strongly - I can't begin to tell you how strongly.

There are children that graze all day - on healthy and unhealthy choices but they never sit down and eat a balanced meal with conversation and table manners. And yes, maybe what they are consuming is more healthy in many instances - but, for most children, snacking is not the healthiest food intake of their day.

I will admit that I do not sit down with my children at breakfast and lunch every day. I know I probably should. However, this is my chance to get the kitchen cleaned up, laundry switched etc. My boys chatter away and their relationship grows with every meal.

Family dinner time for me has always been about our family (mama, daddy, Charley, and now Henry) sitting down together at dinner time. One mom countered that her family spends plenty of time with each other so meal time isn't important.

Yes, we spend plenty of time together.  I, for sure, spend my whole day with my boys. However, I do not spend my whole day looking at them, asking them questions about their day, letting them see me ask their daddy how his day was etc.  Family dinner to me is about a balanced meal, conversation revolving around sharing and problem solving, table manners, learning how to converse and sit quiet.

I know that at this age we also get this conversation time with our little ones before bed - BUT, when my boys are 10 or 15.... I am thinking I won't be tucking them in at night and having some cozy conversation cuddled up after reading a book or two. So when else am I going to get them to sit down DAILY, showing them that they have a FAMILY that supports and cares for them. I am plan on depending on family meal time as our chance to remind our children that we are here, we are strong, we are grounded, and we CARE ABOUT THEIR DAILY LIVES! And when sports and evening activities start to invade our family meal time - adjustments will be made - but they will ALWAYS KNOW that dinner will be served in our house. And their mom and dad will be waiting, ready to listen.

This is how I grew up and I really believe it gives a family a strong foundation. Yes, there are instances where a parent works in the evening or children have extra curricular activities - I would make adjustments and make weekend meals a priority or make sure to have breakfast with them...or set up a family meeting time.

But if family dinners can work in your family- take the opportunity and don't waste the chance. It can be a life long opportunity to connect with your children - and in today's day of technology and lifestyle - connections are key for children when making the healthy choices in life.

Do you do anything fun with family meal time to make it fun or special? Or do you have a different opinion on family meal time? PLEASE SHARE!  I have more posts related to family dinner time coming in the next week!


Welcome friends from NEW FRIEND FRIDAY...thanks for visiting. 

Crab Cakes with a side of laundry

Tonight my husband stopped at Target on his way home to pick up some new laundry detergent for our new front load washer. I told him to pick something up for dinner since, the fridge is bare. So what did he bring home....some crab cakes...which I had to laugh since I was exploding with 'crab'biness. We got the boys down and then went down to do the first load of laundry in our new machines....and make the crab cakes.

I wish someone could have taken our picture...we literally, stood in the laundry room eating our crab cakes watching the washing machine do it's thing. Bending over occasionally to get a better look.

I AM IN COMPLETE AWE at the quiet, still machine that now resides in our laundry room. Great work husband! I can't wait to do more laundry tomorrow....

But what is with the hour long wash cycle...yikes!

Learning from Others

1. KNOW WHAT CARDS YOU CARRY!

Recently a friend's car was broken into and her purse was stolen. She had parked at a nature center (last place you would worry about) and ran in to get her daughter from a class. This gal can't remember if she shoved her purse under her seat, she usually does. But the criminal was lurking and watched as she left her car without a purse on her shoulder. Creepy! They used 2 or 3 of her cards within a half hour...over $2000 worth of purchases.

Anyways, WAKE UP CALL and GREAT REMINDER to make a photocopy of all your credit cards etc. Take a front and back copy of them so you have all the numbers and phone numbers that you need to immediately cancel cards. I am not sure where I would want to carry that information but I know at least having a copy at home would be helpful! It also reminded me how important it is to NOT leave your purse in the car...or other valuable items!

2. GET TO KNOW AT LEAST ONE NEIGHBOR!

This morning our neighbors next door were trying really hard to get into the neighbors across the street. Ed and I watched and wondered what was going on. They finally got in and the went in....we lost interest but about an hour later another car pulled up and they went in but were also looking all around the house too. So I called our neighbor and found out carbon monoxide detectors were going off...you could hear the alarms outside. The owners of the house were out of town.

DING! DING! DING! GREAT reminder to give a neighbor the code to your garage or a key to your house so that they can get in if you ever needed them to. I called my neighbor today and we exchanged cell numbers, door codes, security system instructions etc. Now if we are out of town, we have someone to call if we need to get in the house. And that also reminds me to make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector upstairs near all of your bedrooms. I can't remember the exact rules with that but I think it is within 10 feet of each bedroom.

SATURDAY

Slept until 7 - the boys slept until 7 this morning!

Ate these pizza pockets today for lunch - they were great!

Toaster and coffee maker were purchased this morning.

U doing?....Henry says, "Hi, You doing?" when playing with 'guys' with Charley.

Reading to my boys tonight before bed, I had two little bodies snuggled up against me.

Diet coke....I had one last weekend and it didn't taste as good as it used to...but I still can't stop craving it.  It is always on my mind.

Actually left the house with a girlfriend to see the movie Valentine's Day!  Loved it!

Yesterday the sun was shining.  Today it was shining again.  Tomorrow we will do more outside in the sun - my goal.  Maybe snowshoeing!

Our week so far...

Monday Charley attended a birthday party at Chucky Cheese...and I had planned to hover and be there...I am so not ready to leave him at a public place like that.  But I did it, I gave him the freedom and the chance to be a kid without hovering too close.  Granted the party was for one of my closest friends little girls so I knew he was in safe hands.  Henry and I wandered the halls of the mall and grabbed up some deals at GAP.  

Today, Tuesday, I bustled the boys out the door and we spent the morning at the zoo. We were lucky to be joined by friends at the last minute. We have a zoo pass and it is one of the best investments for our family. I am able to take the boys for a couple hours (without the feeling of having to spend the entire day), we pack our lunch, they run...and run...and walk...and walk. Today Henry walked the entire time. Granted, we only did the indoor part of the zoo - but for two hours the kid tromped along. I spent NO money - yes, the goal of a SAHM.

Henry has been loving a book about a dolphin...yet, he is stubborn and insists that it is a shark. But today at the zoo he immediately let me know that he does in fact know the word dolphin! Charley took in the zoo at his usual pace (fast!) but I think he paused longer at each animal today.  He was in awe watching the lady feed the fish.  In the picture below she had the children put their hands on the glass and then she came by and put her hands on the glass to show them how thick it was.  Meanwhile, Henry touched a bearded lizard type thing. What a brave boy!

 

  

The afternoon was definitely filled with a nap for Henry.  Charley played with a friend and I got a few things done around the house.  Another spur of the moment late afternoon playdate is heavenly for us mamas.  A  little chat time and help getting our kiddos through that 'bewitching hour' before dinner and daddy/or bedtime, can do wonders for a mother's soul.   The 'big' kids played outside and the two little ones watched from the window.

Tomorrow it is back to the normal routine of Charley heading off to preschool and Henry and I hitting up the grocery store.  HOWEVER....tomorrow afternoon is going to be huge! 

One afternoon last winter we got Charley up on downhill skis.  Ed took him and Charley loved it.  We promised we would sign him up for lessons this winter.  So tomorrow at 1 o'clock think of my little five year old...send a few prayers for a safe lesson.  I am so excited for him.  He is signed up for three 90 minute lessons and tomorrow is his first.  Ed is taking the afternoons off and will enjoy a few runs himself (is that what it is called...runs, ha!  I have no idea - I am not a ski bunny.)  My stomach will be in knots as we strap to pieces of wood to his little feet and send him down the hill.

The first two days of our week have been full and busy.  I have not forgotten to pause and relish the fact that our household has not been hit by the nasty stomach bug that is creeping into households and taking over for a day or two.  We have been blessed with many healthy days this winter.  I hope that your week is off to a healthy and happy start.

Happy Wednesday!

Many proud moments this week...

1.  I have consumed water consistently all week.  I have averaged 5-8 glasses a day.  I am almost thirstier than I used to be.  I used to drink one diet coke all day - nothing else.  This is hard. This is good.

2.  I have worked out every day this week in some form...except Tuesday.  I am most proud of the ache I feel from the wii fit and weights I have worked into my routine.  My trick - do them during lunch/dinner prep (while the water boils I bust out a few reps).  Whatever works...right?

3.  Henry went pee on the potty for the first time this week.  Nothing else since then but it was a fun first step.

4.  We also had Henry's second class at his new little school together.  Amazingly, he survived the small separation part again this week.  He did need his nuk for a little bit but he survived.  What makes me so happy ...I can watch him from a one way window.  I can see him but he can't see me.  And when I do reappear he is soooooooooo proud.  He walks taller and has this little attitude that pushes his shoulders back and gives him a bit more strut down the hallway...instead of the distracted toddler dawdle that usually occurs. 

5.  Charley has been enthusiastic about doing a little "mama school" lately.  His adding and writing of numbers are done seriously.  His reading and word work are done slowly.  He created his own snowman, played sight word bingo, and is excited to see what his journal question is.  Henry sits with us and putters in his notebook on his "work." 

6.  Right now I am feeling really balanced with our out of the house fun and our cozy in home fun.  The boys are seeing friends yet are also having plenty of time together and alone.  Both boys have times during the week and day where they entertain themselves or each other.  The balance feels healthy.  I admit that I go in spurts where I over schedule playdates, outings, etc.  When we do slow down I find that we are happier.  

7.  The last two mornings the boys have slept in until after 7 am.  Makes for a little more rushed "get out of the house routine."  But I am not complaining. 

8.  I have cut out cocktails during the week and this has been going great.  I feel like I sleep better...not that one glass of wine has a huge impact.  But tonight with our pizza I am really looking forward to a cold beer.

9. Today the boys were so busy giggling and playing up in Henry's room.  Listening to them is joy.  All of a sudden Charley was crying and all I could hear was Henry repeatedly saying, "Sorry.  Sorry. Sorry Charee."  He threw a flashlight thingy at Charley, and it hit him in the nose.  I am so proud of his instinct to apologize and give a hug.  I explained to Charley that throwing stuffed animals with Henry isn't maybe a smart thing because he doesn't get that a flashlight isn't like a stuffed animal. 

The weeks are busy.

The days fly by.

There are very few moments that drag around here. 

Thankfully we have had some low key weekends to slow us down, give us time to breathe, pause, and take in the moments. 

Did you have a proud moment this week?

What are you filling your weekend with?

Doesn't this look fun!

Let me tell you ...it is ...IF you are a two year old boy who has gotten his hands on his brother's underwear and sock basket (and a couple other random pieces of laundry). 

Good Morning Friday!

Peaks and Valleys

Peak:  Got my boys bundled and out calmly out the door in enough time that we could do a Target run from 8:10-8:30 before the 8:35 preschool drop off!  YES!  The boys were down to business and moved quickly and we didn't see anyone we knew.

Valley:  I wasn't showered so my hair looked Gorgeous!  Which I luckily forget about until I get back in the car and look in the rear-view mirror to back out...then BAM! AHHH!  I scare myself! 

Peak:  Henry had some nice quiet together time putting together a puzzle and playing the Cranium game Cariboo.  He also helped me make a double batch of banana bread...in mini loaf pans.  We. are. stocked.

Valley:  Henry adding the sugar means half the sugar goes in the bowl and half the sugar doesn't quiet make it.  ugh.

Peak:  Even though Henry doesn't go right down for a nap...and sometimes has to show he has the power by throwing all his nuks and blankets out of the crib, he goes up for nap without hesitation.  After flaunting his power he curls right up and goes down, every afternoon, for a good 2 hour nap.

Valley:  Today he called for me after putting him down.  When I entered he held up his hands, with a disgusted look and said, "poopy?!"  Yes, he had poop on his hands! UGH!  Thankfully, he seemed just as disgusted and agreed NEVER to do that again.

Peak:  After putting Henry down for a nap and dealing with the poopy hands, I came down and could here "tinkering" and blocks clicking together in the guest/toy room.  I decided to let him be busy without interruption and Charley entertained himself for a good 30 minutes.  I got a good start on my meal for meal group.  Of course I washed my hands thoroughly!

Peak:  I got four chicken pot pies made for meal group...which met today...

Valley:  I am late on passing out my meals...which means I am late receiving our meals...which means...I am not sure what we will have for dinner...

Peak:  Even with an overwhelming evening last night experiencing Charley's Kindergarten orientation...I have felt very at peace and calm today.

Valley:  I have not worked out yet and I have not showered....and we are verging on the hour when I just want to shower...

Peak:  There are so many fun things that I look forward to in the evenings...my husband and I could play a game, I have books to read, tv to watch, blogs to read, bubble baths to take, or a pillow that calls my name.

Valley:  There just isn't enough time to fit everything in and for me...the choice is so important because I want to make sure I spend that time doing what will revitalize me for tomorrow.

Peak:  As I drift off to sleep, I know that tomorrow is a new day - new peaks and valleys.  Blessed.

And all of this seems so silly and trivial compared to the tragedy that occurred in Haiti yesterday afternoon.  Keep all those who are living through these circumstances in your thoughts and prayers.  My heart is heavy for this part of our world today.  

"MAMA! Out."

So our day was going along smoothly   Henry had ventured upstairs...he had a poopy diaper - wow, I was impressed that he actually WANTED me to change it and was taking the first step towards getting that accomplished.  But then I heard a door close...odd...normally he doesn't close doors.  And then quiet.

I finished picking up our lunch dishes and then Charley hurried down to inform me,
"Henry is locked in MY room and I don't want him in there.  I want to be in there." 

WHAT!  WHAT!  WHHHHAAAAT!

So I hurry upstairs - calmly of course.

I say, calmly, "Henry?......Henry?.....no response....HENRY!?"

I am freaking out now...

Finally,  Henry responds meekly,  "Mama.     out."

My first calm response, "Honey, turn the little thingy on the knob."

Henry's response - spoken very shortly and firmly, "NO!" 
The back and forth of trying to calmly get him to unlock it resumes.  I also grab the little key type needle thing that comes with these dumb doors.  When it isn't working I turn to Charley who is doing his own thing and yell, "GO GET THE PHONE!"  He slowly goes and gets it so I yell at him all the horrible things that could happen at this moment, "Henry freaks out...like I am doing ....there is a fire and we can't get him out...he gets hurt and we can't get him....Charley's eyes widen and he gets it."  Good!  I feel better.  Ugh.  At this point Henry is going back and forth crying, "Mama, out!" and silence. 

So I decide calling Ed at this point would just cause him panic - since he works 45 minutes away.  So I call my trusty friend Lynelle...and just being on the phone with her calms me..and I am able to get the needle/key thing to catch...or Henry finally figures out how to turn the lock back and WAA. LA!  The door opens and a very proud little 2 year old emerges and says with a smile, "Hi!"  in a yippy skippy little happy voice. 

And to think it was going to be a blog-less day. 

Today I was reminded how much I HATE the gold door knobs in our house.  Add that to our to do list.