Hubby had to work early this morning, so when he got back home he took a long nap. The boys played with their dinosaurs and I bit the bullet and started to work on our taxes. So far I am pleased by the estimated return, we could really use the money right now. During my frustation a friend called and asked about getting together. She really brought me out of my computer/tax daze. Once we made plans I looked around the house and was mortified by what I saw....a disaster zone! I quickly showered, enlisted the help of the kids and hubby to get this place ship shape since we only had an hour to do so. We did pretty good...it usually takes company for us to do so. We are usually in CHAOS mode (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome), someday when the kids are long gone the house will be spotless (yeah right)!
The boys were excited to see my friend's daughter. They treat her like she is a little doll to be spoiled. When she comes over I quickly remember how much toddler's like to climb. It also makes me realize what a transition our living room has gone through since Ehric was a baby. There have been times when the living room had a padded floor, a swing set and climbing structure for the kids. The room has gradually lost a lost of its baby proofing as the boys have matured. Not to say they don't still climb though.
Its nice to have people over our house. We don't have guests very often since we live out in the boondocks. If we had guests over more often I think the house would stay a lot cleaner. Maybe.
We all enjoyed some bbq and chatted for a while. I think we all needed a change of pace on this Winter Saturday. It is hard when we are cooped up all winter.
We spent most of the afternoon and evening catching up on our shows that we tape. The boys were sent to play with their train set when there was adult content much to their dismay. But at one point Aiden fell asleep next to me and took a good long nap, until I felt my leg was wet. Into the bath he went as I changed. Luckily the couch was dry.
I was really tired last night so I went to bed around 10pm. This is early considering for about a month now I have been going to bed around midnight/1am, because I usally can't fall asleep. On the flip side, Daddy and Ehric stayed up a watched a Harry Potter movie. We thought that was funny because hubby usally goes to bed by 7pm because of his early shift.
For the most part our Saturday was pretty low key.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Legos, Library & More!
This morning was our Lego Group's Valentine's Party, so you would have thought that the boy's would be chomping at the bit to get there. But, no! It seems lately that they do not want to leave the house. Atleast I say that because they are never interested in getting dressed or hurrying as much as me to get out of the house. Why would they when they have a houseful of toys? But eventually they got moving and we got there before anyone else. Go figure!
Today's challenge was to build a mailbox for the Valentine's exchange. Ehric didn't seem to care too much that he needed to build one himself. He felt his time would be best served helping other's with theirs. What a great kid he is wanting to help others! Aiden on the other hand was being very clingy to me. But he and I eventually made a pretty cool mailbox out of Duplo blocks. He was so possessive of his mailbox that he stood guard watching over it so that no one would take it apart.
As time was winding down I started to feel anxious because Ehric had not built one for himself yet. I looked over and saw that he was getting started. I tried to offer him some assistence but he didn't want any help, so in between keeping Aiden company, I just started building with Legos. It was kind of cathertic. I think the kids enjoy building for that reason too. Eventually time ran out and the kids needed to set up a spot for their mailboxes. So bad Momma forced Ehric to stop building. I felt bad but he forgave me when he saw how much Valentine's loot he got. It felt like Halloween all over again.
After the boys were sugared up we went to the Children's room at the library. What a mistake!! The boys ran circles around the room at the dismay of the librarian. But I did get them to sit still long enough to read some books and make Daddy a Valentine Card. Finally I got fed up with their behavior that I pleaded with them to leave. I felt such relief when I got them in the car.
The day was so beautiful so when Daddy got home he decided to take them for a long hike in the woods. While they were gone I decided that I wanted to go to the movies and see Dear John. So I called my Mom up and we went to see the movie together. Hubby assumed it was because I needed a break from the boys, but I was over the morning festivities by that point...I just really wanted to see Dear John!
The boys had fun on their walk with Daddy. They explored the woods and spotted deer tracks and scat. Once they got out of the woods they visited with friends of ours. I am so glad that hubby took them outside because they have been cooped up a lot lately. Daddy needed the time outside too.
I was thrilled when I got home and was told that the boys were in their pjs, brushed their teeth and were playing upstairs. Aiden came down stairs to see me and gave me the biggest hug...it is rare that I am away from them to warrant such returning home hugs. Ehric on the other hand wasn't phased that I was home. :(
Hubby read the boys some books:
'Abe Lincoln Loved Animals' by Ellen Jackson (since it is Lincoln's bday today)
Dinosaur Tracks by K Zoehfeld (The boys are big into dinosaurs right now)
and Shape Capers by C Falwell
Then they all went to bed and I spent the evening catching up on shows online. All in all it was a pretty good day!
Today's challenge was to build a mailbox for the Valentine's exchange. Ehric didn't seem to care too much that he needed to build one himself. He felt his time would be best served helping other's with theirs. What a great kid he is wanting to help others! Aiden on the other hand was being very clingy to me. But he and I eventually made a pretty cool mailbox out of Duplo blocks. He was so possessive of his mailbox that he stood guard watching over it so that no one would take it apart.
As time was winding down I started to feel anxious because Ehric had not built one for himself yet. I looked over and saw that he was getting started. I tried to offer him some assistence but he didn't want any help, so in between keeping Aiden company, I just started building with Legos. It was kind of cathertic. I think the kids enjoy building for that reason too. Eventually time ran out and the kids needed to set up a spot for their mailboxes. So bad Momma forced Ehric to stop building. I felt bad but he forgave me when he saw how much Valentine's loot he got. It felt like Halloween all over again.
After the boys were sugared up we went to the Children's room at the library. What a mistake!! The boys ran circles around the room at the dismay of the librarian. But I did get them to sit still long enough to read some books and make Daddy a Valentine Card. Finally I got fed up with their behavior that I pleaded with them to leave. I felt such relief when I got them in the car.
The day was so beautiful so when Daddy got home he decided to take them for a long hike in the woods. While they were gone I decided that I wanted to go to the movies and see Dear John. So I called my Mom up and we went to see the movie together. Hubby assumed it was because I needed a break from the boys, but I was over the morning festivities by that point...I just really wanted to see Dear John!
The boys had fun on their walk with Daddy. They explored the woods and spotted deer tracks and scat. Once they got out of the woods they visited with friends of ours. I am so glad that hubby took them outside because they have been cooped up a lot lately. Daddy needed the time outside too.
I was thrilled when I got home and was told that the boys were in their pjs, brushed their teeth and were playing upstairs. Aiden came down stairs to see me and gave me the biggest hug...it is rare that I am away from them to warrant such returning home hugs. Ehric on the other hand wasn't phased that I was home. :(
Hubby read the boys some books:
'Abe Lincoln Loved Animals' by Ellen Jackson (since it is Lincoln's bday today)
Dinosaur Tracks by K Zoehfeld (The boys are big into dinosaurs right now)
and Shape Capers by C Falwell
Then they all went to bed and I spent the evening catching up on shows online. All in all it was a pretty good day!
Our Day at Home
I had planned on taking us to the Toy Library this morning but Ehric slept in until 9:30am and Aiden kept crying over every little thing. So plans changed. I spent most of the day sorting papers and then filing papers into my new filing cabinets upstairs. I also worked on laundry and cleaning up the house. So the boys had a pretty lazy day and watched a lot more TV than they should have. Atleast it was educational TV.
Usually the boys go outside when Daddy gets home but Daddy was tired today. The boys didn't mind, because they had fun making Valentine's cards for our party with our Lego group tomorrow. They also spent quite a bit of time blowing up balloons and drawing on them. Ehric said he was blowing them up for the party tomorrow.
Aiden's eye area and cheek are so yellow. I think his suture area looks good, no infection.
Tomorrow I really want to get the boys outside...we have been cooped up too much lately!
Some other things the boys did today:
Living Skills:
Vacuumed rug (they initiated this activity)
Got out cereal when hungry for a snack
Hands-On Activities:
Made Valentine's Cards and drew pictures for Momma
Blew up balloons with a balloon pump and then drew on the balloons with dry-erase markers.
Played with various toys.
Aiden- built a speed boat w/Handy Manny kit
Ehric-added to train track setup and built a brick wall with Duplo blocks
Books Read-Aloud:
Farmer Smart's Fat Cat by James Sage
How Kind! by Mary Murphy
DK Fire Engine Book
Good Night Gorilla-Peggy Rathmann
Ehric Read-Aloud:
Catch Me, Catch Me: A Thomas the Tank Engine Story
When the TV Broke by Harriet Ziefert
Listening:
Momma made up a story about Red the firetruck from CARS and a story about a Bat in Diego's house.
Watched:
Various PBS Kid's Shows
Lost (w/parents)
Computer:
PBS Kid's Island games
Jumpstart.com
Usually the boys go outside when Daddy gets home but Daddy was tired today. The boys didn't mind, because they had fun making Valentine's cards for our party with our Lego group tomorrow. They also spent quite a bit of time blowing up balloons and drawing on them. Ehric said he was blowing them up for the party tomorrow.
Aiden's eye area and cheek are so yellow. I think his suture area looks good, no infection.
Tomorrow I really want to get the boys outside...we have been cooped up too much lately!
Some other things the boys did today:
Living Skills:
Vacuumed rug (they initiated this activity)
Got out cereal when hungry for a snack
Hands-On Activities:
Made Valentine's Cards and drew pictures for Momma
Blew up balloons with a balloon pump and then drew on the balloons with dry-erase markers.
Played with various toys.
Aiden- built a speed boat w/Handy Manny kit
Ehric-added to train track setup and built a brick wall with Duplo blocks
Books Read-Aloud:
Farmer Smart's Fat Cat by James Sage
How Kind! by Mary Murphy
DK Fire Engine Book
Good Night Gorilla-Peggy Rathmann
Ehric Read-Aloud:
Catch Me, Catch Me: A Thomas the Tank Engine Story
When the TV Broke by Harriet Ziefert
Listening:
Momma made up a story about Red the firetruck from CARS and a story about a Bat in Diego's house.
Watched:
Various PBS Kid's Shows
Lost (w/parents)
Computer:
PBS Kid's Island games
Jumpstart.com
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Things I've Learned about My Boys
Today I started thinking about all the little things I've learned about my boys. I started making a list and thought it would be fun to share.
1- They love to carry small things (toys, decorations, items from nature, etc) around in anything with a handle (Baskets, including Easter baskets, old purses, lunch boxes, book bags, etc).
Aiden got a new Lightening McQueen lunch box the other day and it has seen a lot of use since we brought it home. He has been carrying around all his special toys, such as his prized Dirt Track Lightening McQueen, a spider man doll, and anything else that fits.
2-Kids love to climb. The higher, the better! Fear is not in their definition.
Yesterday with our 4-H group we took a cold winter walk at a nearby park. At the park we stopped at the playground which has a really cool log cabin structure for kids to climb. Aiden, who is my daredevil, was walking across the beams without a care in the world. I on the other hand was bracing myself because only a few days before we had to take him to the ER to get 9 stitches on a 2cm gash in his cheek. Despite my worries he was having a good time.
3-Kids have no concept of time or deadlines. They do not care if we have to be somewhere at a certain time. Time is irrelevant to them.
The other day I had to pick up my niece from school at 11:30am. I told the boys several times that we needed to leave the house by a certain time so that we would be there before she got out of school. Said time came around and they had no urgency to leave like I did. As I watched the clock creeping forward my stress level started to creep up, but they were cool as a cucumber and did not know what the rush was all about. Even when I tried to evoke empathy about how cousin would feel if there was noone to pick her up they still didn't budge. Why worry about this thing Time when they could play with their toys?
4-Kids love finger food or anything they can eat with their hands. Put the food on a stick and it's even better.
On a website a few years ago I found an entry about Muffin Tin Monday... On Monday you serve up finger food in a muffin tin. Occassionally I will serve lunch this way and it is always a hit with the boys. Just the other day Ehric was asking when the next Muffin Tin Monday would be. I have found that when I serve food in bite size pieces that they can pick up that the boys eat a lot more.
5-Kids are messy! The mess doesn't bother them. So get used to it!
I love this quote "Cleaning the house while your kid's are still growing, is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing." So true!!
6-Kids love to help if you let them.
My boys love to load the washing machine. In fact sometimes they fight over who gets to load the washer, because loaded the dryer apparently is not as much fun. To make it fair to both parties I have had one load the washer and then when they were done take all the clothes out and have the other boy load the washer again. You want to fair right?
Besides loading the washer they love to help cook. Lately Ehric has been getting more helpful by using sharp knives to cut fruits and veggies. Just wish he would wait for Momma to help him.
7-Just when they frustrate you they do something to make you proud.
Today I spent most of the day conquering clutter upstairs. Occassionally the boys would come up and spin circles around me and get into everything. At one point I told them to go downstairs. Later, I heard the vacuum cleaner going downstairs. I peaked down and saw the boys vacuuming the carpet. When I later came downstairs Ehric said, "Do you like how we cleaned the carpet?" Amazing how fast my frustration melted.
8-Kids never go to sleep when you want them too!
Until recently we had always had a family bed, and the boys would go to bed when we went to bed or vice versa. I loved having the boys follow their own natural rhythms but I would get agitated when it was 10pm and they were still up and I couldn't get done the things that I wanted to do. I love my boys dearly but I am the type of person that really draws energy from alone time and having them around me 24-7 was really depleting my energy and making me grouchy.
So recently the boys have graduated into sleeping together in their own room and going to bed earlier. I miss the snuggles, but I really relish the time I get to just do my own thing. However, now that I am trying to carve out that "me time" I start to get antsy when it is 7pm or 7:30pm or 8pm and they are still not in their bed or the lights are not out. I am up in the air about setting a set time for them to go to bed because I know they really enjoy our bedtime routine and life happens. Besides someday they won't be begging me for one more book or to tell them one more story. I guess I just need to go with the flow.
9-They love us unconditionally!
There are days that go as easy as pie and then there are days when things hit the fan. On those days I scream like a banchy when I step in a spilled drink that no one bothered to clean up, or freak out that we are running out of time to get someplace and no one cares. But despite my behavior my little men still want me to read them a book, draw me a picture or tell me they love me. I love that they love me unconditionally and love me for who I am.
10-They are not afraid to be themselves. They are whole persons and are utterly amazing!
Throughout the day my boys go through so many ranges of emotion. They laugh, cry, leap for joy and do it all over again. They express their likes and dislikes and do not stiffle their emotions. They lay it all on the line whether we like it or not. If Aiden is hungry and wants a PB& J he doesn't care if we have a to-do list a mile long. His hunger doesn't have a pause button. If Ehric has something to say or if he is curious about something he is going to ask. If only we were all so intune to ourselves the way children are...what a different world would we live in.
Wow! They truly have taught me a lot. Motherhood is quite the learning experience and I am only 5 1/2 years in!
1- They love to carry small things (toys, decorations, items from nature, etc) around in anything with a handle (Baskets, including Easter baskets, old purses, lunch boxes, book bags, etc).
Aiden got a new Lightening McQueen lunch box the other day and it has seen a lot of use since we brought it home. He has been carrying around all his special toys, such as his prized Dirt Track Lightening McQueen, a spider man doll, and anything else that fits.
2-Kids love to climb. The higher, the better! Fear is not in their definition.
Yesterday with our 4-H group we took a cold winter walk at a nearby park. At the park we stopped at the playground which has a really cool log cabin structure for kids to climb. Aiden, who is my daredevil, was walking across the beams without a care in the world. I on the other hand was bracing myself because only a few days before we had to take him to the ER to get 9 stitches on a 2cm gash in his cheek. Despite my worries he was having a good time.
3-Kids have no concept of time or deadlines. They do not care if we have to be somewhere at a certain time. Time is irrelevant to them.
The other day I had to pick up my niece from school at 11:30am. I told the boys several times that we needed to leave the house by a certain time so that we would be there before she got out of school. Said time came around and they had no urgency to leave like I did. As I watched the clock creeping forward my stress level started to creep up, but they were cool as a cucumber and did not know what the rush was all about. Even when I tried to evoke empathy about how cousin would feel if there was noone to pick her up they still didn't budge. Why worry about this thing Time when they could play with their toys?
4-Kids love finger food or anything they can eat with their hands. Put the food on a stick and it's even better.
On a website a few years ago I found an entry about Muffin Tin Monday... On Monday you serve up finger food in a muffin tin. Occassionally I will serve lunch this way and it is always a hit with the boys. Just the other day Ehric was asking when the next Muffin Tin Monday would be. I have found that when I serve food in bite size pieces that they can pick up that the boys eat a lot more.
5-Kids are messy! The mess doesn't bother them. So get used to it!
I love this quote "Cleaning the house while your kid's are still growing, is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing." So true!!
6-Kids love to help if you let them.
My boys love to load the washing machine. In fact sometimes they fight over who gets to load the washer, because loaded the dryer apparently is not as much fun. To make it fair to both parties I have had one load the washer and then when they were done take all the clothes out and have the other boy load the washer again. You want to fair right?
Besides loading the washer they love to help cook. Lately Ehric has been getting more helpful by using sharp knives to cut fruits and veggies. Just wish he would wait for Momma to help him.
7-Just when they frustrate you they do something to make you proud.
Today I spent most of the day conquering clutter upstairs. Occassionally the boys would come up and spin circles around me and get into everything. At one point I told them to go downstairs. Later, I heard the vacuum cleaner going downstairs. I peaked down and saw the boys vacuuming the carpet. When I later came downstairs Ehric said, "Do you like how we cleaned the carpet?" Amazing how fast my frustration melted.
8-Kids never go to sleep when you want them too!
Until recently we had always had a family bed, and the boys would go to bed when we went to bed or vice versa. I loved having the boys follow their own natural rhythms but I would get agitated when it was 10pm and they were still up and I couldn't get done the things that I wanted to do. I love my boys dearly but I am the type of person that really draws energy from alone time and having them around me 24-7 was really depleting my energy and making me grouchy.
So recently the boys have graduated into sleeping together in their own room and going to bed earlier. I miss the snuggles, but I really relish the time I get to just do my own thing. However, now that I am trying to carve out that "me time" I start to get antsy when it is 7pm or 7:30pm or 8pm and they are still not in their bed or the lights are not out. I am up in the air about setting a set time for them to go to bed because I know they really enjoy our bedtime routine and life happens. Besides someday they won't be begging me for one more book or to tell them one more story. I guess I just need to go with the flow.
9-They love us unconditionally!
There are days that go as easy as pie and then there are days when things hit the fan. On those days I scream like a banchy when I step in a spilled drink that no one bothered to clean up, or freak out that we are running out of time to get someplace and no one cares. But despite my behavior my little men still want me to read them a book, draw me a picture or tell me they love me. I love that they love me unconditionally and love me for who I am.
10-They are not afraid to be themselves. They are whole persons and are utterly amazing!
Throughout the day my boys go through so many ranges of emotion. They laugh, cry, leap for joy and do it all over again. They express their likes and dislikes and do not stiffle their emotions. They lay it all on the line whether we like it or not. If Aiden is hungry and wants a PB& J he doesn't care if we have a to-do list a mile long. His hunger doesn't have a pause button. If Ehric has something to say or if he is curious about something he is going to ask. If only we were all so intune to ourselves the way children are...what a different world would we live in.
Wow! They truly have taught me a lot. Motherhood is quite the learning experience and I am only 5 1/2 years in!
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