Hard life lessons

I heard Max and Claire discussing drama quite loudly. I go to find out what’s going on when I learned that Claire gave one of her favorite toys to a boy in school today because he just kept asking for it and she didn’t know how to tell him know. So she treated him the below artistic masterpiece and he took her Bay Blade home, never to be seen again. 

The mother bear in me wants to contact the school and reach out to this child’s mother and make this child return the toy. But instead, I’ve chosen to let this be a heavy lesson to all the kids about standing up for yourself and not letting somebody talk to you into something you don’t want to do. The boy didn’t push her the boy didn’t take it she just needed to say no it’s mine. She didn’t feel she could do that. That’s not acceptable. 

This picture is been sitting on my dresser for a week because it’s a sad picture for Claire. I took a picture and I threw it away today. I wanted to record this lesson. This is definitely not one of the proud parenting moments or stories from my childhood that will make me happy. But, it is important that we take lessons and learn to stand up for her self some for what is right. (Even if we learn them with losing a cherished toy. )

Playing in my head

Clair’s mind is so busy. She talks often and thinks always. She has triple focusing because her thoughts get away from her. 

Last night I came into the bathroom to check on her after about 10 minutes to find she hadn’t done much. I try to talk to her about staying focused and she proceeds to tell me that she has gotten lost in her head, playing and she is sorry. 

😂

I ask her to explain. She says that she likes to play games in her head and it’s fun to imagine different things happening. 

She has this same problem going to sleep. We were talking this morning about why she has trouble falling asleep. I’m snuggling her on the couch. She picks up here hand and holds it beside her head and moves it swiftly across in front of her face and to the other side of her head when exclaiming that’s ideas just come flying in and distract her from getting to sleep. 

I love this kiddo. I’m sorry I afflicted her with this condition and I understand it. 

Hiding the Girl Scout cookies from Mommy!

Samoa’s are kryptonite, even more then Oreos. I don’t buy too many because I can devour them fast! 

The girls have clocked this and are now taking to hiding them from me at night. 

Clair hides my eyes while Ellie hides the cookies! Team work! 

A favorite breakfast

Over the past year 3 of us - Max, Clair and Mommy- have grown to have a favorite and pretty healthy breakfast - Blueberries and Cherries with Milk! On mornings that I have fresh delicious berries everyone seeks happy!

How long this will last, no one knows. And for now, I love these happy mornings! 

Playing together

One Sunday afternoon I was tired and I was home alone with Max and Clair. I asked them if they would play nicely for an hour while I have a nap. These two not only played nicely together but they were super creative. They created a whole city out of all the different blocks that we have in the play room and I was really impressed with it. They had a story for each little building. And they weren’t fighting! The best thing with the way they work together to build this massive set up. I ended up leaving it set up in the living room for a week and every time I walked by I secretly admired how well they played together.

It should be noted that Max and Clair actually do a great job of playing together quite often.

Working hard on her hitting

This winter we’ve invested in upping Ellie’s hitting game. Her hitting coach, Brett, has provided some great tips for her. She’s making good progress. 

There’s still more to do to get the adjustments to become habits. I’m proud of Ellie’s focus and efforts in this area. I’m looking forward to seeing how it helps her this spring. 

Morning snuggles

It has become a daily ritual for Clair and me to snuggle on the couch in between seeing Ellie off each school morning. These early morning cuddles are a favorite for us both. We had David take a picture to commemorate them. So sweet. So warm. So perfect! 

Harvesting the carrots

We decided to plant carrots again this year, and like last year, wait for winter to harvest them. One Sunday afternoon while David was out with Ellie, clair convinced me it was time to harvest the carrots. It was a beautiful warm day, so it was a great idea. 

Clair, max and I spent a good half hour digging up about 100 carrots. It’s fun to harvest root vegetables and for us, a surprise as well. We can’t tell how big or small they will be before we expose them. Many were too small to harvest so the bunnies got a nice pile in the garden. And we were still able to find well over 50 that were at least 2-6 inches. We washed them and topped them. The kids were very helpful. They enjoy the taste of fresh garden carrots a lot. It is very different, crisp and sweeter with a very nice, non-bitter flavor. 

The next day I also made a carrot cake with them. This has become traditional now. We enjoy this little winter harvest and will be doing it again. Max is already planning for the 2020 planting. 

Family adventure

We decided to take an overnight trip to Easton, Pa over the long weekend. During this busy life we are not getting away and exploring as often as I’d like. In 2020 I hope we can do more little trips over weekends where we can escape the sports commitments. 

We told the kids about this mid week. Ellie and max were mildly entertained by the idea. Clair was ecstatic at the idea that we would be going on vacation in winter and this early in the year. She just couldn’t wait. Her enthusiasm was admirable! She counted down the days. Not only was the adventure exciting, but the promise that she could share a bed with me and it wouldn’t count against her 1 year of sleeping in her bed to go on a special vacation with mommy was just the cherry on top for her. 

Easton has an exhibit I have always wanted to visit, The Crayola Experience. It’s full of fun with regards to art. There was drip art making with all things melted crayons, there’s coloring, painting and learning about how crayons are made. It’s also in a cute town that borders New Jersey. 

The kids were most excited about the hotel I booked because it had a heated indoor salt water pool. 

Sunday after Sunday school and softball practice, we headed north. We arrived in Easton for dinner time. We had an okay dinner and topped it off with ice cream at a local spot. On the walk from dinner to the ice cream shop at 8 pm when the temperature outside is in the low 20s, Ellie cheers “this is one of the things I like about our family. We aren’t afraid to get ice cream in winter.” This made me smile. 

David had fun messing with Max and Clair in the restaurant. I love the smile on his face as he plays with them. This is a sign of a good life in your 40s. 

After ice cream we spent an hour is so in the pool. We nearly had it to ourselves the whole time. The kids had a blast and we all played together. It was a relaxing Sunday night and the highlight for Ellie I think. 

After showers I let the kids lie in bed and watch Harry Potter until almost 11pm. This was another activity that made them feel like big stuff and make this short trip special. They would’ve watched all night I think. 

A night of cuddles, a morning breakfast in the hotel, pack the car and a walk to New Jersey later, we found ourselves passing time until the Crayola experience opened in a very cute little coffee shop where all of us indulged in a delicious warm beverage. It was 10 degrees outside and even Ellie was cold! 

Vegan hot chocolate for Max was a success!

The Crayola exhibit was mad crazy busy, and we still had fun. Lots of great artwork, some climbing, some playing, some crayon making, and more. 

Even David and I participated in most of the activities. It was fun. I love art!

We visited a local bookshop before leaving town that afternoon and heading towards home. 

The timing was perfect to stop for dinner with my dad. We enjoyed seeing him. I enjoyed watching Max tell him jokes and Dad really laugh at them. Max is like my dad in many ways, looking for a laugh. 

The kids all said they had fun and really enjoyed our adventure. David and I enjoyed it too. Here’s hoping for more adventures this year, not just to ball fields.