I have pictures to post! But I won't be putting them on right now. I'll see about doing those later today.
We are one week in from Hubby's second absence this spring. He made it home from workups in one piece, came home a whole day early and surprised us all. We had three full, amazing days with him then dropped him off at the airport for Borden. One week down, four to go!
Where the girls in particular took April hard, they seem to be settling back to their normal personalities now. In more recent days and weeks it's Sergeant who is acting out more and finding it harder to adjust. But we have our calendars up, putting a sticker on each day that passes until Daddy is home. That seems to be helping. And the good news is that apparently these are the last set of courses he'll need from Borden for a while.
I had parent teacher interviews with the boys' teachers this week and they are doing great. Well adjusted, wonderful to have in the school, great friends, responsible. Everything a mom wants to hear about her children :) And they are right where they should be academically, if not a bit ahead.
My time out from reading has held! The house work still isn't getting as done as I'd like, but it isn't as bogging down as when I ignore the state of affairs in the house.
When the kids play outside so much (happily a lot in the last couple of weeks) they've started asking if they can play café. That means I fill a pitcher with water and bring it and some cups out onto the deck as well as cookies or fruit or muffins and they have snack. They started out serving each other but now it's more of a self serve set up. Seems like it was Sergeant's idea to begin with so he called it Sergeant's Café. This was all well and good until Smarty wanted to have a turn having it named after him. I broke in before it got ugly and suggested Mac Café, since it was Momma who was baking and cooking. They all thought that was a great idea. So now I have an idea floating around in my head about making a sigh with that name and framing it either for the kitchen or dining room.
I'm loving the brief time with sunshine, learning to take advantage of it because we know the rainy foggy days are coming too. Seems like those still outnumber the sunshiny days, but it's nice getting that break. I have had the windows open more this last week. Loving the fresh air!
After stocking up on new markers, coloured paper, and stickers a couple weeks ago I'm being driven crazy! I love that the kids help themselves to the craft supplies, that's why we have them. But having little pieces of paper all over (because you have to cut out your pictures, right?) and markers and crayons not put away when they are done, and then them complaining that they weren't finished yet when I put it away when they've left the table like that for more than a half hour... Sigh. I'm not really complaining though ;) Girlie has gotten really, really good with scissors, their imaginations are incredible! Then they sometimes make puppets, then do little puppet shows, yesterday they built a fort in the living room with chairs and blankets (without any instruction from me!). It's very cool.
But I should probably sigh off now. This post has taken forever to write because of child and life interruptions, but I'll make the attempt to do another one in the next few days
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Progress!
It's raining. Again. I know I shouldn't be surprised, and I am very glad it isn't the white fluffy stuff that (apparently) we had much more of this year than usual. (Funny side note: every place we move to has a bad winter at least for the first one we're there for. First winter in Saskatoon they had the worst blizzard in 50 years, first winter in Spruce Grove had the coldest, highest snowfall in years, and now here. If weather hadn't been off all around the country, I'd think we are jinxed!)
We've made it through the week. And I think we've even made progress! Every time we went to go out Girlie would throw a fit. Yelling and screaming that she doesn't want to leave the house. Just wants to stay home. I totally get that, but she's my little social butterfly normally and having her yell and scream and sometimes try to hit me (NOT tolerated in this house!) was very trying at times. But we went on a playdate after school Thursday and she was fine (as long as we remembered to bring banana muffins to share). We went for a walk in the beautiful sunshine, found salamanders, worms, little sleeping frogs, wood peckers, heard mourning doves, the Sea Kings flew really close by a few times, and puddles were splashed in. Then when I dropped the girls off at casual care so I could attend the coffee group, there was no fuss from either of them! They walked in, took boots off, coats off, shoes on, kisses goodbye, and left! I was in shock!!
This week has been a busy one. I had to put myself on a novel reading time out, since things just weren't getting done and in this house with these children, that isn't a good thing. Things don't just add up, they grow exponentially! The laundry, the toys, the books, the dishes, food really should be planned and cooked, otherwise that balanced (or mostly balanced) diet just doesn't happen. So after we had that big rain on Tuesday where I did read all day, the novels have been put away and I've been doing really well! Stayed on top of tidying (after playing catch up), actually made meals instead of thinking that canned soup would work. Again. Nothing wrong with the soup, though...
We have had palydates after school twice, so I planned the meals so that they would either be ready when we got home (LOVE crockpot meals!) or for pick up. Yesterday we just got some hot and ready pizzas from Little Caesar's. And then I got to go out last night for a board games evening with friends. So I got a sitter and got to play Clue for the first time in what seems like forever. I remember playing with Hubby when we bought the game back in Calgary (wow, was that really 5 years ago!) but before that, the last time I had played was with my sisters years ans years ago. I can remember laying on our parents' water bed, playing the game, fighting over who got to be Ms Scarlet...
Hubby had the chance to call us yesterday. Maybe that's why I'm in such a good mood despite the rain. It was wonderful to hear his voice instead of only emailing, but even the emailing has been nice. They are in Charleston, two days off, then more work again. 13 more sleeps until he's here! Wish it would be for longer, but at least we'll have those couple of days.
My children are a bunch of turkeys! Regular goof balls. And I love it! They try to sneak attack (they aren't very good at it yet), tickle fights, and just being silly. It's great.
Monkey actually sort of has a few words! I am so excited about that. You can tell that she wants to be understood better and is sorta kinda trying harder. But she still makes herself understood without words. Very well.
Smarty and Sergeant are taking their role of boys of the house very seriously. Every morning they are in my room with me, making sure I'm not lonely, and Smarty has offered on more than one occasion to stay up later with me for the same reason. And as long as it doesn't interfere with what they are already doing (they have the same reading addiction I have. So does Hubby for that matter, although he can usually put the book down...) they will accomplish the tasks I ask them to with minimal fuss.
But I should probably start the day. We've already breakfasted (tasty pancakes!) and my coffee is almost done, so I should likely shower and get moving. Need some groceries, would love to go for a walk but I don't think that'll happen in the rain right now... I don't mind it, but I don't like hearing the complaints. We'll have to see what the afternoon will bring. I may brave it yet. And hopefully we'll get a chance to Skype with Daddy. That would be beyond awesome :)
We've made it through the week. And I think we've even made progress! Every time we went to go out Girlie would throw a fit. Yelling and screaming that she doesn't want to leave the house. Just wants to stay home. I totally get that, but she's my little social butterfly normally and having her yell and scream and sometimes try to hit me (NOT tolerated in this house!) was very trying at times. But we went on a playdate after school Thursday and she was fine (as long as we remembered to bring banana muffins to share). We went for a walk in the beautiful sunshine, found salamanders, worms, little sleeping frogs, wood peckers, heard mourning doves, the Sea Kings flew really close by a few times, and puddles were splashed in. Then when I dropped the girls off at casual care so I could attend the coffee group, there was no fuss from either of them! They walked in, took boots off, coats off, shoes on, kisses goodbye, and left! I was in shock!!
This week has been a busy one. I had to put myself on a novel reading time out, since things just weren't getting done and in this house with these children, that isn't a good thing. Things don't just add up, they grow exponentially! The laundry, the toys, the books, the dishes, food really should be planned and cooked, otherwise that balanced (or mostly balanced) diet just doesn't happen. So after we had that big rain on Tuesday where I did read all day, the novels have been put away and I've been doing really well! Stayed on top of tidying (after playing catch up), actually made meals instead of thinking that canned soup would work. Again. Nothing wrong with the soup, though...
We have had palydates after school twice, so I planned the meals so that they would either be ready when we got home (LOVE crockpot meals!) or for pick up. Yesterday we just got some hot and ready pizzas from Little Caesar's. And then I got to go out last night for a board games evening with friends. So I got a sitter and got to play Clue for the first time in what seems like forever. I remember playing with Hubby when we bought the game back in Calgary (wow, was that really 5 years ago!) but before that, the last time I had played was with my sisters years ans years ago. I can remember laying on our parents' water bed, playing the game, fighting over who got to be Ms Scarlet...
Hubby had the chance to call us yesterday. Maybe that's why I'm in such a good mood despite the rain. It was wonderful to hear his voice instead of only emailing, but even the emailing has been nice. They are in Charleston, two days off, then more work again. 13 more sleeps until he's here! Wish it would be for longer, but at least we'll have those couple of days.
My children are a bunch of turkeys! Regular goof balls. And I love it! They try to sneak attack (they aren't very good at it yet), tickle fights, and just being silly. It's great.
Monkey actually sort of has a few words! I am so excited about that. You can tell that she wants to be understood better and is sorta kinda trying harder. But she still makes herself understood without words. Very well.
Smarty and Sergeant are taking their role of boys of the house very seriously. Every morning they are in my room with me, making sure I'm not lonely, and Smarty has offered on more than one occasion to stay up later with me for the same reason. And as long as it doesn't interfere with what they are already doing (they have the same reading addiction I have. So does Hubby for that matter, although he can usually put the book down...) they will accomplish the tasks I ask them to with minimal fuss.
But I should probably start the day. We've already breakfasted (tasty pancakes!) and my coffee is almost done, so I should likely shower and get moving. Need some groceries, would love to go for a walk but I don't think that'll happen in the rain right now... I don't mind it, but I don't like hearing the complaints. We'll have to see what the afternoon will bring. I may brave it yet. And hopefully we'll get a chance to Skype with Daddy. That would be beyond awesome :)
Monday, April 7, 2014
One week down!
One full week in! Yay!! I've had a few emails from Hubby since he's left, they are doing well, everything is on schedule as far as I know. And they are keeping really, really busy, so that's good.
For us, it's been up and down. Girlie has been having a rough go of it, adjusting to Daddy being gone. A lot more tantrums, even more volatile emotions, but I can see progress being made. All the kids have been ending up in my room with me by 6am every day so far, and I've noticed a correlation between the amount of time the girls spend in my bed and their grumpiness during the day. I'm working even harder to get them to stay in their own room as much as possible during the night. The boys (Smarty in particular) likes to bring his pillow and blanket and stay on the floor beside the bed to keep me company so I don't get lonely. Sergeant will do that too if the bed is occupied by the girls. This morning he came in before Girlie, so got to snuggle with me. Everyone misses Daddy, but we're doing well, I think. Overall better adjusted than the last time he was away this long. It helps that we get to see him for a day or two in the middle before he heads off to Borden for courses. Another benefit this time is that we've started making more connections with the people here, and so are getting more and more support.
Yesterday, while we were driving, Girlie started talking about dinosaurs. Not that uncommon a topic in our family, but she was saying how the largest dinosaur was/is the Nautilus and it has super long sharp teeth! "Do you know how big they are, Mommy? 100 meteors! Almost as big as my pinky!" Now for those who know what a Nautilus is, you know that they are not huge, they are a cephalopod that has been around since the dinosaurs (at least that's what I remember. You can read about them here). She is such a funny girl!
Girlie and Monkey have been playing puppy a lot this week, with Monkey being the puppy. I keep hearing "Come on, Jemimia! You're such a cutie!" (we have friends who's dog is named Jemima) So Monkey goes around on her hands and knees, licking everything! I really wish she would understand when I tell her that her tongue shouldn't be licking what she's licking! Building her immune system, right?
I am so excited about the boys' reading! Sergeant has been starting to pick up chapter books, and I love watching them sit, learn, and explore other worlds, other realities. We've done painting (kept Girlie's attention better than anyone else's!) and posters have been drawn and coloured.
I've been getting the boys to do more around the house too. Dishes, sweeping, putting laundry away, giving them a task and just letting them do it is so satisfying, especially when they do a great job at it! We had a super lazy week last week, I couldn't seem to get my nose out of a book or three, so we had to catch up on Saturday. When I let them know what was going to happen and the time frame it needed to happen in, they were more than competent at getting it all done. With minimal fighting too!
We have another rain fall warning on for tomorrow, so today we're going to prepare. New boots for some, new splash pants for others, another umbrella or two. Our stereo died Saturday so I'll be finding a replacement for it today too. I'm so old fashioned, I'm still using CD's and I know it's going to be more and more difficult to find one that plays them. I'm up for the challenge, though!
For us, it's been up and down. Girlie has been having a rough go of it, adjusting to Daddy being gone. A lot more tantrums, even more volatile emotions, but I can see progress being made. All the kids have been ending up in my room with me by 6am every day so far, and I've noticed a correlation between the amount of time the girls spend in my bed and their grumpiness during the day. I'm working even harder to get them to stay in their own room as much as possible during the night. The boys (Smarty in particular) likes to bring his pillow and blanket and stay on the floor beside the bed to keep me company so I don't get lonely. Sergeant will do that too if the bed is occupied by the girls. This morning he came in before Girlie, so got to snuggle with me. Everyone misses Daddy, but we're doing well, I think. Overall better adjusted than the last time he was away this long. It helps that we get to see him for a day or two in the middle before he heads off to Borden for courses. Another benefit this time is that we've started making more connections with the people here, and so are getting more and more support.
Yesterday, while we were driving, Girlie started talking about dinosaurs. Not that uncommon a topic in our family, but she was saying how the largest dinosaur was/is the Nautilus and it has super long sharp teeth! "Do you know how big they are, Mommy? 100 meteors! Almost as big as my pinky!" Now for those who know what a Nautilus is, you know that they are not huge, they are a cephalopod that has been around since the dinosaurs (at least that's what I remember. You can read about them here). She is such a funny girl!
Girlie and Monkey have been playing puppy a lot this week, with Monkey being the puppy. I keep hearing "Come on, Jemimia! You're such a cutie!" (we have friends who's dog is named Jemima) So Monkey goes around on her hands and knees, licking everything! I really wish she would understand when I tell her that her tongue shouldn't be licking what she's licking! Building her immune system, right?
I am so excited about the boys' reading! Sergeant has been starting to pick up chapter books, and I love watching them sit, learn, and explore other worlds, other realities. We've done painting (kept Girlie's attention better than anyone else's!) and posters have been drawn and coloured.
I've been getting the boys to do more around the house too. Dishes, sweeping, putting laundry away, giving them a task and just letting them do it is so satisfying, especially when they do a great job at it! We had a super lazy week last week, I couldn't seem to get my nose out of a book or three, so we had to catch up on Saturday. When I let them know what was going to happen and the time frame it needed to happen in, they were more than competent at getting it all done. With minimal fighting too!
We have another rain fall warning on for tomorrow, so today we're going to prepare. New boots for some, new splash pants for others, another umbrella or two. Our stereo died Saturday so I'll be finding a replacement for it today too. I'm so old fashioned, I'm still using CD's and I know it's going to be more and more difficult to find one that plays them. I'm up for the challenge, though!
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Puttering along
Two days in on this sail, and things are about as on par as I thought. There were a few casualties Monday, a paper airplane thrown by Sergeant knocked down a figurine and smashed it. Smarty broke a glass while washing dishes (at least he was cleaning, right?). Monkey hollered and hollered until I started singing one of the hymns Daddy always sings to the girls at bedtime. He may not be her "preferred" parent, but she is certainly fairly attached to him in her own way.
Last night was an easier bedtime, fewer stalling tactics from the boys, Monkey fell asleep in my arms during story time, Smarty cried a bit because he wishes Daddy didn't have to be away for so long, but it didn't last long. The girls didn't sleep well, as a result I didn't sleep well. But I can nap and go to bed early if I want. So that's something.
Yesterday was a very lazy day. Spent it reading and cuddling. This storm that blew through was not what I needed. Especially after the last one that was only a couple days earlier! Lots of shoveling and salt (since it's all ice under the snow). But today I think I'm going to be back on track. Keeping busy, baking, cleaning, that's what I want to have today. I'll feel better if I do anyway, and it's always nice to have even a little bit to show for your work at the end of the day. Plus I want to start a couple of projects and some tidying needs to be done before I do that.
I'll write more anecdote stuff either later tonight or tomorrow, but for now I wanted to let everyone know that we're doing alright, planning ahead, and looking forward to Hubby coming home on the 25th. 23 more sleeps!
Last night was an easier bedtime, fewer stalling tactics from the boys, Monkey fell asleep in my arms during story time, Smarty cried a bit because he wishes Daddy didn't have to be away for so long, but it didn't last long. The girls didn't sleep well, as a result I didn't sleep well. But I can nap and go to bed early if I want. So that's something.
Yesterday was a very lazy day. Spent it reading and cuddling. This storm that blew through was not what I needed. Especially after the last one that was only a couple days earlier! Lots of shoveling and salt (since it's all ice under the snow). But today I think I'm going to be back on track. Keeping busy, baking, cleaning, that's what I want to have today. I'll feel better if I do anyway, and it's always nice to have even a little bit to show for your work at the end of the day. Plus I want to start a couple of projects and some tidying needs to be done before I do that.
I'll write more anecdote stuff either later tonight or tomorrow, but for now I wanted to let everyone know that we're doing alright, planning ahead, and looking forward to Hubby coming home on the 25th. 23 more sleeps!
Friday, March 21, 2014
Change is the new normal
We have a 6 year old in the house!! Wednesday was the big day, and he was thrilled when he opened his gifts of a fart gun (yes, you read that correctly) and a magic loom. The fart gun lights up and makes farting noises when you pull the trigger (thanks to the minions of Despicable Me for that!) and the Magic Loom loops small elastics together to makes rings, bracelets, and necklaces. The two things he'd been talking about for the last few months were finally in his possession, and he is loving them!
We had a cake and movie night that night, birthday party will be tomorrow with some school friends, and he is so excited. This morning we went to the dollar store to pick up goodies for the loot bags. So much fun!
More big changes here. Hubby finished his course, had this week off for leave, and then a week from Monday he'll be sailing again on the Halifax from the 31st to the 25th. After that he flies from here to Borden from the 27th of April to the 31st or so of May. At least this time he'll be home for a day or two in the middle!
Last Saturday was busy and fun. We got Girlie into a big girl bed (yay, because now she can get snuggies in her own bed!), moved Monkey into a toddler bed (yay, because now I don't have to get out of bed when she starts crying at night, she can just crawl into bed with me), got our spare room set up downstairs, and we picked up and set up a new bed frame for Hubby and I. Saturday night was absolutely horrible, but the nights after that seem to be much better. I think we're all sleeping better now too.
It's been neat this last couple of weeks listening to the kids. Smarty is getting so big and responsible, and super creative. Last night Sergeant picked out a book to read before bed and I was going to just read it, but Smarty asked if he could sing it. So I told him to go ahead. He made up a little tune to sing the story to and did great. Held the attention of the other three.
Sergeant has broken out into random songs lately. Usually this one or this one and then those songs get stuck in everyone's heads. And he'll stand on the hearth, jump up and down, singing his heart out. Girlie gets into it, Monkey starts dancing along, Hubby and I smile at each other.
Blankets all over the girls' room floor as they play at putting stuffed animals and dolls to sleep. Moving the rocking chair, stools, pillows, they get little aprons on when they see me getting mine on so they can "help". Monkey is starting to rock the wardrobe changes. Girlie used to do it, need to change her clothes if they got wet or dirty. Monkey just has to see another pair of pants and she'll try to take the ones she's wearing off and put the new ones on. Lots and lots of laundry.
Our snow is nearly gone, I've been hearing bird song that I haven't heard in t few months, but the wind is still quite chilly. Yesterday was raining, pouring even, all day long. No letting up, river running down our street. Made me glad we live on a hill and there is no water in the basement!
We had a cake and movie night that night, birthday party will be tomorrow with some school friends, and he is so excited. This morning we went to the dollar store to pick up goodies for the loot bags. So much fun!
More big changes here. Hubby finished his course, had this week off for leave, and then a week from Monday he'll be sailing again on the Halifax from the 31st to the 25th. After that he flies from here to Borden from the 27th of April to the 31st or so of May. At least this time he'll be home for a day or two in the middle!
Last Saturday was busy and fun. We got Girlie into a big girl bed (yay, because now she can get snuggies in her own bed!), moved Monkey into a toddler bed (yay, because now I don't have to get out of bed when she starts crying at night, she can just crawl into bed with me), got our spare room set up downstairs, and we picked up and set up a new bed frame for Hubby and I. Saturday night was absolutely horrible, but the nights after that seem to be much better. I think we're all sleeping better now too.
It's been neat this last couple of weeks listening to the kids. Smarty is getting so big and responsible, and super creative. Last night Sergeant picked out a book to read before bed and I was going to just read it, but Smarty asked if he could sing it. So I told him to go ahead. He made up a little tune to sing the story to and did great. Held the attention of the other three.
Sergeant has broken out into random songs lately. Usually this one or this one and then those songs get stuck in everyone's heads. And he'll stand on the hearth, jump up and down, singing his heart out. Girlie gets into it, Monkey starts dancing along, Hubby and I smile at each other.
Blankets all over the girls' room floor as they play at putting stuffed animals and dolls to sleep. Moving the rocking chair, stools, pillows, they get little aprons on when they see me getting mine on so they can "help". Monkey is starting to rock the wardrobe changes. Girlie used to do it, need to change her clothes if they got wet or dirty. Monkey just has to see another pair of pants and she'll try to take the ones she's wearing off and put the new ones on. Lots and lots of laundry.
Our snow is nearly gone, I've been hearing bird song that I haven't heard in t few months, but the wind is still quite chilly. Yesterday was raining, pouring even, all day long. No letting up, river running down our street. Made me glad we live on a hill and there is no water in the basement!
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Spring Break
The museum was so much fun! They had the new exhibit up and running (bugs), and there was an Australian area that wasn't there before. We saw a kangaroo, breaded dragons, blue tongued skinks, and there was a man playing a didgeridoo. So awesome!
We filled Monday with painting, practicing our sorting by sorting laundry and sorting toys to put away. Tuesday was filled with a morning play date, cowboy cookies, blueberry bread pudding with a toffee sauce that Hubby did (sinfully good!). Yesterday I decided to make tortellini. Yup, you read that right. I used the spinach we had in our fridge (with Parmesan cheese) for the filling and the boys helped seal and form them. Now they don't want to go back to dry pasta! I think that's awesome.
Today we went to a friend's for tea and cookies in the morning and came home for lunch and naps. While my two angelic and very tired girls were sleeping, the boys and I got busy. We started washing floors, doing dishes, sweeping, cleaning, putting books and toys away. At least the ones on the main floor. The basement is still a mess of cars, blocks, pillows, and dolls. When Girlie woke up she had to help wash the living room floor too. And the boys helped sort more laundry. Since that really is a never ending job.
All in all, it's been a busy, fun, and fast March break. Tomorrow Smarty will be making cookies, I'll be making a peanut butter pie, and we'll make another trip to the library. The girls have really enjoyed having the brothers home all day. And that they can have their nap and not have to be woken up to pick the boys up from school. I mentioned to Girlie that preschool was on for next week and she just started saying that she couldn't go to preschool because she was too tired. Poor girl didn't hear when I said next week, I guess.
Tuesday night Hubby decided to grab an ice cube and put it down Smarty's pants. Lots of giggling, more ice cubes, Smarty grabbed some, Sergeant grabbed some, Girlie got involved. They kept it going for quite a while. Then Wednesday afternoon Smarty decided to get it going again with Sergeant, and then again at bedtime yesterday. Good thing ice cubes are renewable!
We filled Monday with painting, practicing our sorting by sorting laundry and sorting toys to put away. Tuesday was filled with a morning play date, cowboy cookies, blueberry bread pudding with a toffee sauce that Hubby did (sinfully good!). Yesterday I decided to make tortellini. Yup, you read that right. I used the spinach we had in our fridge (with Parmesan cheese) for the filling and the boys helped seal and form them. Now they don't want to go back to dry pasta! I think that's awesome.
Today we went to a friend's for tea and cookies in the morning and came home for lunch and naps. While my two angelic and very tired girls were sleeping, the boys and I got busy. We started washing floors, doing dishes, sweeping, cleaning, putting books and toys away. At least the ones on the main floor. The basement is still a mess of cars, blocks, pillows, and dolls. When Girlie woke up she had to help wash the living room floor too. And the boys helped sort more laundry. Since that really is a never ending job.
All in all, it's been a busy, fun, and fast March break. Tomorrow Smarty will be making cookies, I'll be making a peanut butter pie, and we'll make another trip to the library. The girls have really enjoyed having the brothers home all day. And that they can have their nap and not have to be woken up to pick the boys up from school. I mentioned to Girlie that preschool was on for next week and she just started saying that she couldn't go to preschool because she was too tired. Poor girl didn't hear when I said next week, I guess.
Tuesday night Hubby decided to grab an ice cube and put it down Smarty's pants. Lots of giggling, more ice cubes, Smarty grabbed some, Sergeant grabbed some, Girlie got involved. They kept it going for quite a while. Then Wednesday afternoon Smarty decided to get it going again with Sergeant, and then again at bedtime yesterday. Good thing ice cubes are renewable!
Sunday, March 9, 2014
A sunny afternoon
So, last night's post was written because I decided that I needed to, not because I felt like writing. It felt disjointed for me to write, and I'm sure it wasn't the most enjoyable to read. But now I'm feeling like writing, so this one should be better :)
This morning I decided that whomever decided that there should be no school the week following the time change was brilliant! The plus side is that the kids didn't wake up until 7, the downside is that we were pushing it to get to church on time this morning. But we did make it. Of course. We are a well oiled machine of cooperative parenting.
As I was thinking of ways to fill the week and keep the kids occupied and involved I came to the conclusion that I was going to let Smarty make our bread this week. It's a (nearly) foolproof recipe and I think he'll enjoy it. He does like participating in the kitchen and will sometimes ask me if I'll trade him my washing dishes for his sweeping the dining room. I think I want to nurture that more. All of them already have some input on our meal plans, but it'll be good getting them slowly more involved in reading and following recipes and seeing first hand how a meal comes together.
And I'm sure we'll have our fill of painting, play dough, dolls, and building. The tent will likely come up this week too. And we'll try to fill it with play dates and outside time. I hope this hint of spring we've been glimpsing will stay long enough to get to some parks and maybe some longer walks.
This afternoon I think we're going to make it out to the museum (Yay!) and then play the rest of the week one day at a time, see what play dates solidify. And weather seems to be fickle, so that'll have a lot of bearing on what we do.
Right now it's gorgeous out, Girlie and Daddy are starting to stir as I send the boys outside to play. Time to gear up and roll to the museum!
This morning I decided that whomever decided that there should be no school the week following the time change was brilliant! The plus side is that the kids didn't wake up until 7, the downside is that we were pushing it to get to church on time this morning. But we did make it. Of course. We are a well oiled machine of cooperative parenting.
As I was thinking of ways to fill the week and keep the kids occupied and involved I came to the conclusion that I was going to let Smarty make our bread this week. It's a (nearly) foolproof recipe and I think he'll enjoy it. He does like participating in the kitchen and will sometimes ask me if I'll trade him my washing dishes for his sweeping the dining room. I think I want to nurture that more. All of them already have some input on our meal plans, but it'll be good getting them slowly more involved in reading and following recipes and seeing first hand how a meal comes together.
And I'm sure we'll have our fill of painting, play dough, dolls, and building. The tent will likely come up this week too. And we'll try to fill it with play dates and outside time. I hope this hint of spring we've been glimpsing will stay long enough to get to some parks and maybe some longer walks.
This afternoon I think we're going to make it out to the museum (Yay!) and then play the rest of the week one day at a time, see what play dates solidify. And weather seems to be fickle, so that'll have a lot of bearing on what we do.
Right now it's gorgeous out, Girlie and Daddy are starting to stir as I send the boys outside to play. Time to gear up and roll to the museum!
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