Tea party for one, hidden in the corner please?

Yesterday afternoon, Clair was discovered hiding behind the big red chair in the corner of the living room. We looked over to see what was going on she was having her own little tea party back there. I thought it was adorable. It was surely a nice quiet place to get away.

As I tried to capture the moment before it faded, monkey see monkey do also thought they should join in the fun. When that much space for the three of them back there and private tea party for one was disbanded day quickly.

Sisterly love

Max was sent to time out. Clair followed him. I asked her to leave him alone. As he sat there Solomly in time out, she quietly turned around, backed into the corner, and planted herself silently beside him to serve out the rest of his sentence with him. 

First Movie

Sunday I took Max out to the movie theater for the first time. It was a Date!

I had promised a really long time. So that was finally a movie seen appropriate opportunity to go with it. We went to see planes which was a Disney Pixar animation film. It was cute and write up Max is Allie. There's not a theater masterpiece, but it was a great first movie.

If I were to guess there were two highlight neither of which was the movie. First it was the treats in the theater. We shared a hot pretzel, which Max refers to as a pencil. And then we shared some milk duds. He thought it was heavenly being able to take into those things.

The second highlight was when he realized that he could walk up steps behind us and go to the top of the movie theater and look down on all the other people watching the movie in the screen. He thought that was fantastic.

We enjoyed the morning, and was tired when it was all done. My little four-year-old boy still needs his naps.

I'm glad we were able to spend this time together. I took a few photos to remember the event. Being my date, and my little boy intently watching the screen, and looking just like his daddy.

Shoe shopping

Shoe shopping for the kids is one of the few things I still want assistance from a knowledgable expert around. I think this is because my kiddos have wide and extra wide feet!

Sunday we ventured out to get everyone measured and stocked up. I thought it was Ellie who desperately needed new shoes, but turns out it was Clair who had outgrown her four month old shoes by a full size and a half!!!! She's a size 7 extra wide at 15 months old! My little big foot. 

Ellie managed to win though. She convinced me to buy her princess pink light up shows just for fun! David thinks I'm a sucker. I guess I am. I thought these were a better compromise then those silly sparkly sketchers the girls are wearing these days

After shoe shopping we had lunch. Max was determined to hold Clair still for a photo of the three of them. It was his idea honest!

Treasure hunt

Saturday was a rough day of cleaning like mad men due to the flea warning given by the vet at lady greys check up. 

Ellie worked much if the day preparing a treasure hunt for us. Finally at bedtime we took the time to find the treasure. She was so cute. She had drawn a very detailed map. At the end of the hint she placed a shoebox full of all the jewels and jewelry boxes she had found. She was so  cute. 

She had put this together all on her own. She is so good and coming up with an idea and implementing it well. I need to remind myself she is only 6! What a girl. 

Vacation Days sure have changed

When I graduated college my eyes were opened to the amazing places that exist in out world to visit, the number of cool things there are to experience and just all that I truly enjoy. Since I started work I've been the kind of person to assure I use all my vacation days each year. It isn't always a easy but it's imperative to life!

This year, since going back to world with three little kids, I've managed to use my vacation days quicker then ever. But the difference is that I have not had a single new adventure or visited any place new. Instead my vacation days have been spent running chores, changing diapers, fighting with children and when I'm lucky visiting a local park for a play with the kids. What a different life I live these days!

I surely wouldn't trade it for the world. I do long for. Week of travel and lack of worries. However, I wouldn't give trade my children and the responsibilities they bring for anything in the world. They are my new experience. They are the new adventure. Going new places I see a familiar place new again. 

My prayer is that I find more grace and patience with my children. I want them to know how special they are. 

Today I had to take a vacation day because Sarah is off. Today I totted Ellie and a friend to ice skate camp, followed by a long trip through walmart with Max and Clair, and a short visit to a neighborhood park. We have spent the last 45 mins sitting in the car while Clair slept. What a vacation day! 

I love my children and I love their nap times

I really do love spending time with my kids. But I also love the quiet afternoons that naptime provides. Sometimes, I find myself wanting to extend it a bit longer than I should. For example today, I really should have woken Max a half hour ago. However, Claire just fell asleep what he five minutes ago. So I am using a little quiet time to catch up on chores and do things like write my blogs.

David just took Ellie to a play date and I have a quiet house. It is priceless and Rare. I like a quiet house while they are sleeping. However, I would hate a quiet house if they were gone and not here. I love them dearly.

This would be one of those things that makes me wonder, "am I a bad mom?"

I know that generally I am not. But I also should be taking advantage of this time to wake Mac sup and play something special with him.

Will go wake my boy now. Maybe we can find something fun to do quietly until clear wakes and Ellie and David return.