Sibling sleepover

The kids love to get a chance to share rooms. Tonight at dinner max and Ellie were reminiscing about some of the fun they had at the old house when they shared a room. I’m not sure if it was all real or fantasy memories but I’m so glad they have them either way. 

This led them to ask to have a sleepover tonight, all together. I don’t like to let them because it means less sleep. But I love that they want to spend time together and I want them to have these memories, so I said yes. 

They’ve been in Ellie’s room on the floor for over an hour and are finally settling down. A little drama sorting out the level of night lights but after that we heard a lot of giggling.  before they settled. 

A more common site

This is an image I am increasingly seeing as I rush in and out of my room during the day. Notice he precious little blanket, “cold blankey,” lying in the middle of our bed. This is a sign my baby girl came to join me at some point during the night or wee morning hours.

She tells me I give the best snuggles; she tells me this daily. She calls for me on nights that she doesn’t just get up and come crawl beside me. For months the sound of “I Neeeed Moooommmmmmyyyyyy, I Neeeeeeddddd Moooommmmyyyyh!” Would come streaming into our room almost every night. I would send David because of I go then I end up beside her, half sleeping, cuddling her to make her happy (and me happy too.)

Snuggling isn’t easy as my back hurts a lot when she takes up the space my legs need to rest and ensure the back alignment is what I need it. As mighty progresses I spend a lot more of the time than I do when I’m alone. But when I wake I see her gentle soft face happy and still beside me. If I move away she shuffles close to me. She needs to touch me and feel me near. 

I love snuggling this girl. It warms my heart how much she loves to be connected while she’s sleeping. I know she will outgrow it. I know that soon she won’t need me this way. She is independent in so many ways. Four is a great age. She is thoughtful, loving, kind and emphatuated with me. I will try to appreciate this more then be frustrated by it. 

Max is playing basketball again

Max is playing on his first structures team this winter. He’s on a team of second and third graders trying to learn the skills and rules of basketball. I am helping the couch out when he asks. I do like coaching I’ve figured out. I probably enjoy this more then Max on most days. 

He has a team of 9. He goes along for the ride. I am not convinced he loves it. We do want him to find something he enjoys. He may try karate or soccer in the spring. He really enjoyed playing soccer at the kids museum last week. 

Restful weekend

Ever since being gone in December I feel like I’ve spent more time at home playing games and relaxing with the kids. That trip was good for me in many ways. 

Today after the morning church and grocery run I’ve managed to read stories, rest on the couch, make dough ornaments with the kids for our valentines tree (stay tuned for those pictures) play games, exercise, and I’m about to make a healthy dinner. This is success! 

The weekdays are crazy. Finding the balance of should we go more places or rest is always challenging. Softball will start soon. So for now, more rest wins. 

I’m constantly learning and trying to figure out how to Love life. I hope the kids find the right balance for each of them, David too. 

Learning to play Pokémon

Friday night our babysitter taught Max and Ellie how to actually play the game Pokémon. I’m so glad. Now there’s something more to do then trade these cards. Max and Ellie have been playing a lot this weekend. There’s definitely some arguing and bickering going in with it. Hopefully that’s all part of learning how to work out dissagreements with others later in life. 

Joey pouch

Each week at preschool they cover a different letter. During that week they do arts and crafts and stories specific to that letter. Last week was the letter J. 

One of the crafts they made was a “Joey pouch.”  Clair loves her Joey pouch very much. She’s spent some time hopping around in it at home this weekend. 

Sisters are the best

Yesterday evening I came down to find the girls sitting together on the couch quietly working on clears reading together. It was the sweetest thing. I love listening to Ellie patiently teach things to Clair. And I love the way Clair response to Ellie and Max as well. These are the moments that make me feel like we’re doing something right parenting. These are the moments that make me see the wonderful young lady Ellie is. 

Ellie was teaching Claire to read the Sam and Matt books which she learned to read before she started kindergarten. Both Max and Ellie love to work with Claire to teach her things they have learned.

Snuggles are best

Christmas snuggles

New Years snuggles

Snowy days snuggles

Clair is full of them and I’m a lucky Momma!

I’m your favorite

Today as I get Clair out of the bath she said to me “you are the best Mommy in the world!”

I’ll admit she says this a lot. I love it, but try not to feed into it. 

I respond with a big smile, “And you are the best Clair Bear in the whole wide world!”

Clair looks at me and says hopefully and expectedly, “But you love me the most if all your kids right?!”

I get down to her level and look her in those beautiful blue eyes as I dry her off and try to explain, “I have a special place in my heart for Ellie, Max and You. I love you all to the end of the world and forever. “

Clair looks at me and says, “But mommy I cuddle you the best and the most, so you should love me the best. “

All I could do was to laugh and smile. 

Playing the Sax

Ellie doesn't practice the saxophone much. But, like many things she does, she has an amazing skill of really doing a great job with very little practice.

Today I was admiring from a far how great the tunes sounded coming out of the saxophone having not heard it for weeks at home. She really is amazing when she decides she wants to do something!

Pokeman and Amazon

For Max's last Christmas present I ordered a few GX (the good ones). These were supposed to come on Jan 4-9th. Max was disappointed they would take so long, but very excited to get so many special cards.

Today, they came early. He was beside himself with excitement - both over the cards and the fact that they came earlier then Mommy's phone said they would come.  He talked about this all night long.

I tried to explain to him that sometimes things come faster or slower, and this time we got lucky. Grannie is convinced this has set him up for disappointment next time. She may just be right!

Clair's wedding

Tonight at bedtime I made a joke with David that the song he sings to Clair to put her to bed, Daisy, would be their father daughter dance at her wedding.

Clair quickly asks, "Mommy, will you and Daddy come to my wedding."

"Of course honey, you couldn't keep us away."

Clair, "Will you be alive when I get married?"

Mommy, "I sure hope so. But we have a few years for that. Let's focus on finishing pre-school first."

Clair, "Okay."

Mommy, "Night. Night. Clair. I love you." closing door behind me.

Being sick is a little bit fun

We are in the bathroom today and as Clair washes her hands she looks at me seriously and says, "Mommy, being sick is a little bit fun isn't it?" This was a half question half statement on her part.

I looked at her quizzically and said, "No, not really. Why do you feel that it's fun Clair?"

"Because at least you get to go to the doctors when you are sick."

This statement is really no surprise and explains why Clair doesn't hesitate to tell me her ears hurt when she is looking for some excitement. It also makes telling the truth a bit challenging as well.

I just chalk this up to the fact that my girl may truly be in the medical field when she grows up. She has determination and an amazing memory, so it's totally possible. We often joke about her being the doctor that takes care of Mommy when I am old.

Laser Tag New Years Eve

For Christmas Santa brought Max a set of 4 laser tag guns. They have proven to provide a lot of family fun over the holidays. They were so much fun that I decided to buy two additional guns off Amazon so that we could play 6 at a time. It was worth it and so much fun.

New years eve we had 15 of us here from ages 65 to 2! We played games of laser tag that involved almost everyone (except the two youngest 4 and 2) for almost the entire time. We played adults, kids, mixed teams, teams of 2, teams of 3, and it just kept going. It was so much fun for everyone and good exercise too.

We only stopped for eating and for playing the electric shock game that David gave Danny for Christmas.

All the kids made it to watch the ball drop at midnight and celebrate with noise makers, hats and bubble juice. (The adults made it too; although there were two of the three men who were ready for bed hours before. I won't name names, but it wasn't David :-) )

The kids were tired by bedtime, but all slept well and mine recovered nicely the next day.

This holiday season was so relaxing and nice. The kids play quite nice together and really enjoyed time at home and with Grannie here. We played a lot of games. Clair's favorite right now is Sorry. Ellie is loving her new Harry Potter Clue game. Max has enjoyed spending a lot of time doing legos. He made this amazing Ninjago dragon himself which is one of the coolest legos I've seen.

Today, as I right this, we all revert back to the daily grind, I want to try to remember the relaxation we had and bring some of that to our daily routine if we can. Finger cross for a great 2018!