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!