Monday, January 18, 2016

A Mommy Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the one extra holiday I get off each year and get to spend it with me and the kids. Today was a really good day for me and the kids. I tried to let them lead. We did a lot of things that they wanted to do.

We had a bit of a treat for breakfast and then it was requested by max that we get the drum set up. We inherited some drums and he thinks this is the best thing ever. Today, after two hours, I got the drum set set up. I think you told me three or four times it was the best day of his life!

The girls were also pretty interested in the drums, and they all helped a little bit as well. After lunch he also helped me take down the Christmas tree. Each of them was helpful. It is amazing to me how much clearer really wants to help and do big things when she is just 2 1/2. The little scary the number times I find myself saying to her because you're two.  David and I talk tonight about needing to find some chores that we call hers. She really wants to be a big girl too. 

During nap we played a game for a while. Then, they got out dolphin tale. I spent a good 2 Hours helping Ellie with a craft project she got for her birthday- a tie quilt.  I even skipped my exercises. 

For snack we made our pop-pop with butter, salt, and Parmesan, and this is always a special for us. Everyone enjoys it!

The other thing we did was make the fixings for a dessert that Ellie picked out of her hairy Potter cookbook. This was very exciting to both her and Max. We proceeded to enjoy this dessert after a dinner of tacos. Mostly, everyone had a good day. There were a few moments of fighting over the new drums. And always a few moments disagree with mommy's rooms and Waze. But overall they were friendly, kind, helpful, loving, and just all around great to spend a day with. I wish we could have one mommy day a week without having to have anything to accomplish. I need to work on making more of these in my life!



Sunday, January 10, 2016

Coloring with the boss

After nap, snack and business were taken care of today, Clair and I sat down to draw and paint. Basically, she mostly told me what to do and I created her vision. Her vision was as specific as Clair sitting in her high chair buckled inside our house. 

In another skit, Clair is at swimming with mr Zach blowing bubbles. Except she doesn't want to blow bubbles and wants to get in the bus instead. 

I'm expected to draw every story and skit that comes to mind. 

This girl is something else. 

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Max first school class birthday party

One of the little girls in Max's kindergarten invited the whole class to her party. Max was so excited to go, that he had a hard time sleeping last night. It so happened the party was at Pump It Up, which everyone loves. But I think it was much more about having fun socially with his classmates. 

Max was counting down the hours to the party. He mentioned it several times during the week, but them Friday night it was all he talked about, he woke up like 5 am to pee and came to tell David he was so excited about the party that he couldn't go back to sleep, and finally when we all got up he was counting the minutes and seconds until they got to leave for the party.  It was adorable!

The adrenaline rush was so strong that he is exhausted and now down for his first Saturday nap since being sick. What a cutie pie! He's growing up!

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Dinner Drama

Family dinners are supposed to be one of the pillars of a good childhood. For Ellie, i'm not sure she'd agree. 

Ellie is 8. She has always been a slow picky eater. I see Max and Clair coming around with their eating habits, but poor Ellie Bean is holding strong in being slow, picky and drama ridden when it comes to eating her dinner. If it's not spaghetti or pizza, we have a problem. 

Last night she was struggling once again and I took this photo. One day I hope to look back on this and laugh at the long painful dinners that ended with timers and lost desserts. One day I hope that this challenge has resulted in Elli becoming the healthy eater that puts her in the right path in life. One day, I hope to look back and safe I was right to keep fighting this fight with often ends in tears, frustrations, and Ellie saying things like "I feel like you don't love me or care about me." 

I love her so much and I will fight for her health. I will not give in to the junk food diets that prevail at dinners around America today. I will stay strong. 

I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. 

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

12 Days of Christmas

Christmas 2014 we counted down all 12 Christmas days. Ellie has always been fascinated with the song the 12 days of Christmas. She really enjoyed the Christmas countdown and Christmas celebrations that came in 2014. For some reason the way it went we actually had celebrations nearly every day for at least the first five or six days. Anyway, in 2015 Ellie and Max both decided they would also appreciate the 12 days of Christmas countdown. Although we didn't do as much stuff for most of the days, she still hold true in celebrating every day and appreciating that it was Christmas.

As day 12 closes our Christmas tree is still standing and Ellie's Christmas hat is right beside her bed. She even said a prayer for the 12 days of Christmas and the Christmas spirit. This makes me smile. I love my Ellie Bean!

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Clair can't sleep

Clair has a really hard time getting to sleep at night, but for afternoon naps it's not an issue at all. So she still naps and we still struggle to find the right bedtime routine and practices to help her. Each night is a unique challenge and who knows what it will bring. 

Tonight I went into her about an hour after bedtime because she was crying. I asked what was up. She said I forgot to give her nose medicine. I gave it to her. Her response, " you forgot to give me my nose medicine you silly!" In squeals and giggles of delight. 

She's that kid that will keep me straight forever. Love her and hope that she learns to sleep better.