It seems appropriate that on one of the busiest weekends we've had in a while, we lost an hour somewhere thanks to Daylight Savings Time. However, as rushed and busy as this weekend was, it was also very enjoyable. It started with me meeting a friend for a glass of wine Friday night and staying out much later than I had planned, which led to an early morning on Saturday. Jayson had to go into the office, so I took the girls to the gym so I could get a little bit of time to myself before the busy day, and also so I could shower without three girls running in and out of the bathroom, pulling the shower curtain back, and yelling, "I see your butt!" Besides, the girls love the gym. We are very fortunate that our gym has excellent childcare. Charlie is in a room with other kids her age, and on Saturday, a student of mine who I trust very much was working in the room too. Lydia and Audrey go to the area for the older kids where they can run around and play games or sit and color or play with toys, etc. On this particular day, they apparently were allowed to run around the basketball courts, and Lydia told me she ran 100 miles. I told her that probably wasn't true, but she assured me her teachers told her it was 100 miles.
After the gym, we went directly to Lydia's skating lesson. I thought ahead and packed sandwiches to eat in the car on the way there. Skating was pretty uneventful. The hardest part of skating lessons is the actual walk into the building because there is a huge parking lot that is very busy and I feel like cars come out of nowhere. Usually Jayson and I both go or one of us stays home with Charlie, but with Jayson at the office, I was with all three, and I'm pretty sure plenty of people stared as I made the girls hold hands and walk in a row and snapped at them if they got out of line. I know it seems extreme, but on the way back to the car, Audrey got behind me and out of my sight for one second and it seemed like there was immediately a car behind her.
From skating, we went back home to get Jayson so we could head downtown to the birthday party our friends were having for their sons. We first had to stop to get the gift (we didn't realize until a couple days before that we would be able to make it), then find a spot by the Irish pub where the party was being held. It also happened to be the same day of the St. Patrick's Day parade, so there were drunk college students in matching T-shirts everywhere. Jayson and I finally got to sit down and eat while the girls happily played with the other kids.
On the way home, we stopped for a few errands (pick up some hockey tickets for a game in a couple weeks, grab some dinner, grab a Red Box movie, coffee at Starbucks because we got a half-price coffee with Jayson's receipt from that morning.)
When we got home, Charlie was exhausted after skipping her nap so she ate and went right to bed. The other two stayed up with us and we watched Hugo. I was ecstatic that they loved it because it means we have moved into watching movies that are actually good and Jayson and I can enjoy them along with the girls. Surprisingly, neither of them fell asleep during the movie, but I think they did as soon as we got them in bed.
Today we debated skipping church, but were able to get things together and made it. After church, we made a stop for ham and rolls and then came home for lunch. Lydia and Audrey begged to clean the windows, so I acted like it was a big deal, and of course I let them. Then it was nap time and quiet time. Audrey watched Hugo again. I made Lydia take a nap so she was rested for her birthday party in the afternoon. After naps, we ran to Target for an addition to the birthday gift and some diapers. Jayson took Lydia to the party and I took the other two to the park. We met back at home just before bedtime and got everybody to sleep.
That was a long post about a lot of things that probably sound pretty boring, but it's a typical weekend for us. I like weekends like that because everybody stays busy and it seems like the busier we are, the better the girls are. Plus, it creates memories and experiences for them and for us.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Organized Chaos
As I get older, I find myself craving order. I used to be able to live out of laundry baskets and have piles of clutter scattered about in such a way that I insisted I still knew where everything was. I still have my little stashes, but now they're in Rubbermaid bins. So that's completely different.
If the house gets messy, I can feel my stress levels elevating. Having three little tornadoes running around doesn't help. They can absolutely destroy a room in less than five minutes. What is it about kids wanting to dump things out? It doesn't help that when I get really stressed about their messes, I insist on doing the cleaning myself. I really, really try to get them involved, and usually I do, but when I come across a hopeless mess or I want to do a very thorough cleaning, I distract them with a movie or coloring at the table or eating (they're always good for eating), while I go at it.
One of their favorite things to do is take an empty backpack or basket and just fill it up with crap. Naked Barbie dolls, dead cell phones, random puzzle pieces, chapstick, books, etc. They fill them up and then walk around with them. Sometimes they pretend they're shopping, or going on a trip, or going to school (because really, who goes to school without their naked Barbie doll?). In fact, my girls have absolutely no interest in Barbie dolls other than the fact that they make great filler for their piles of junk.
It's gotten to the point that all bags, backpacks, baskets, etc. are off limits and stored where the girls can't reach. Which doesn't really work because then they just empty baskets that really are supposed to hold stuff (like legos, puppets, hats, etc.) and fill them with their crap and later on I find a lonely pile of Mr. Potato Head parts and the basket which they belong in filled with silly bands, a dress-up shoe, a ZuZu Pet, and one dirty sock.
I'm tempted to just start putting the piles of junk in Rubbermaid bins and wait until they notice that they have no toys left. Think it will work?
If the house gets messy, I can feel my stress levels elevating. Having three little tornadoes running around doesn't help. They can absolutely destroy a room in less than five minutes. What is it about kids wanting to dump things out? It doesn't help that when I get really stressed about their messes, I insist on doing the cleaning myself. I really, really try to get them involved, and usually I do, but when I come across a hopeless mess or I want to do a very thorough cleaning, I distract them with a movie or coloring at the table or eating (they're always good for eating), while I go at it.
One of their favorite things to do is take an empty backpack or basket and just fill it up with crap. Naked Barbie dolls, dead cell phones, random puzzle pieces, chapstick, books, etc. They fill them up and then walk around with them. Sometimes they pretend they're shopping, or going on a trip, or going to school (because really, who goes to school without their naked Barbie doll?). In fact, my girls have absolutely no interest in Barbie dolls other than the fact that they make great filler for their piles of junk.
It's gotten to the point that all bags, backpacks, baskets, etc. are off limits and stored where the girls can't reach. Which doesn't really work because then they just empty baskets that really are supposed to hold stuff (like legos, puppets, hats, etc.) and fill them with their crap and later on I find a lonely pile of Mr. Potato Head parts and the basket which they belong in filled with silly bands, a dress-up shoe, a ZuZu Pet, and one dirty sock.
I'm tempted to just start putting the piles of junk in Rubbermaid bins and wait until they notice that they have no toys left. Think it will work?
Monday, February 20, 2012
Napping House
Lydia stopped napping shortly after she turned two. We were not too excited about it until we realized that she would go to be earlier, and even then, we weren't too excited. Audrey stopped napping daily just a few months ago. She still takes maybe one or two good naps per week. Charlie is still napping, but she's not even two yet.
Every so often, Lydia turns into a devil. She is horrible. Her ears stop working, her eyes get red, and she is completely and totally exhausted. When then happens, we try to get her to take a nap. It took us a long time to figure out how to get it to work, but now my method is foolproof.
She lays in my bed with me. I close the blinds. She must cuddle up to me. There can be no distractions. No toys, no TV. We lay in silence. If she speaks, I shush her. I tell her to close her yes. Within ten minutes, she's snoring. Often, the added bonus is that I can take a quick nap too. However, usually after sleeping for ten minutes, I can't stop thinking about all the other things I should be doing now that all three of them are sleeping.
Here's the tricky part. Remember how she has to cuddle up to me? That makes my escape pretty difficult. I slowly ease one limb at a time away from her, each time pausing at least a minute be extra sure she is still asleep. Once I get out of bed, I take a second to look at how cute an peaceful she is. Except, she sleeps with her eyes slightly open (you can actual see her pupils and the blue of her irises), and her mouth wide open. So, while she looks cute and peaceful, she also looks really creepy.
The best is when she wakes up and comes downstairs, full of smiles and the sweetest little girl ever. The good behavior usually lasts at least a couple days.
Every so often, Lydia turns into a devil. She is horrible. Her ears stop working, her eyes get red, and she is completely and totally exhausted. When then happens, we try to get her to take a nap. It took us a long time to figure out how to get it to work, but now my method is foolproof.
She lays in my bed with me. I close the blinds. She must cuddle up to me. There can be no distractions. No toys, no TV. We lay in silence. If she speaks, I shush her. I tell her to close her yes. Within ten minutes, she's snoring. Often, the added bonus is that I can take a quick nap too. However, usually after sleeping for ten minutes, I can't stop thinking about all the other things I should be doing now that all three of them are sleeping.
Here's the tricky part. Remember how she has to cuddle up to me? That makes my escape pretty difficult. I slowly ease one limb at a time away from her, each time pausing at least a minute be extra sure she is still asleep. Once I get out of bed, I take a second to look at how cute an peaceful she is. Except, she sleeps with her eyes slightly open (you can actual see her pupils and the blue of her irises), and her mouth wide open. So, while she looks cute and peaceful, she also looks really creepy.
The best is when she wakes up and comes downstairs, full of smiles and the sweetest little girl ever. The good behavior usually lasts at least a couple days.
Musical Fruits
The girls got out their instruments last night. I love when they find something all three of them can do together. I hate when it involves a lot of noise, but all three of them doing anything together tends to involve a lot of noise, so there's really no way around that.
So, here are my girls, making a lot of noise.
On Friday night, after the girls had been in bed for a while, I could still hear Audrey talking. I went in there, and Audrey was still awake, but Lydia was sleeping like a log. I asked Audrey what she was doing and she said, "I sang four songs for Lydia so she could fall asleep." I asked her what songs and she said, "Songs I made up." I asked her if she would sing them to me in the morning and she said she would. Here she is singing one of them last night.
So, here are my girls, making a lot of noise.
On Friday night, after the girls had been in bed for a while, I could still hear Audrey talking. I went in there, and Audrey was still awake, but Lydia was sleeping like a log. I asked Audrey what she was doing and she said, "I sang four songs for Lydia so she could fall asleep." I asked her what songs and she said, "Songs I made up." I asked her if she would sing them to me in the morning and she said she would. Here she is singing one of them last night.
Friday, February 10, 2012
More Food
Today after dinner, the girls were still hungry, which is pretty standard. Jayson and I gave them some hummus and pita chips. They ate happily. Charlie was confined to her high chair and screamed every time the hummus got too far from her, but her sisters made sure she got some too. After a while, the chips were gone, so Lydia and Audrey got down from the table and played. After a few minutes, I realized Charlie was still in her high chair, and she wasn't screaming like she normally would when everybody else was away from the table and she was done eating.
Then I looked over at her and realized she had the container of hummus in her lap and was scooping it out with her finger and licking it off. Jayson rescued it before she was able to finish it off.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Where We Are Now...
Just little updates for now!
Lydia - Has been having a hard time behaving at school, but always feels badly when she gets into trouble. Skating lessons have been going great. We're working on reading and she doesn't really like it, but does well. She gets sick of sounding out words herself and just wants me to do it. I'm looking forward to her getting just a bit older so we can read Harry Potter.
Audrey - Quite possibly the goofiest girl I know. Makes silly jokes and laughs at everything. Finds the word "butt" to be particularly hilarious. She has the best facial expressions. She has been taking swim lessons and is very proud of the fact that she puts her head in the water and blows bubbles. She refuses to wear jeans, so she lives in leggings and athletic pants.
Charlie - Talks SO much. She knows so many words and is learning new ones all the time. She loves to give her sisters hugs and kisses. She loves eating too, and if somebody else has food and she doesn't, she screams and points until she gets some too. She chases her sisters around the house and wants to do whatever they do.
Lydia - Has been having a hard time behaving at school, but always feels badly when she gets into trouble. Skating lessons have been going great. We're working on reading and she doesn't really like it, but does well. She gets sick of sounding out words herself and just wants me to do it. I'm looking forward to her getting just a bit older so we can read Harry Potter.
Audrey - Quite possibly the goofiest girl I know. Makes silly jokes and laughs at everything. Finds the word "butt" to be particularly hilarious. She has the best facial expressions. She has been taking swim lessons and is very proud of the fact that she puts her head in the water and blows bubbles. She refuses to wear jeans, so she lives in leggings and athletic pants.
Charlie - Talks SO much. She knows so many words and is learning new ones all the time. She loves to give her sisters hugs and kisses. She loves eating too, and if somebody else has food and she doesn't, she screams and points until she gets some too. She chases her sisters around the house and wants to do whatever they do.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Human Vacuum Cleaners
I'll admit I'm a bit smug about the fact that my kids love healthy food. But, in reality, they love all foods. They love brussel sprouts, but they also love chocolate chips. They will devour salmon, but they also beg for chicken nuggets. They eat edamame like they're M&M's, but they'll also eat, well, M&M's like they're M&M's.
I am convinced Audrey would sit at the table all day long if we let her. Some days, she gets down from the breakfast table and immediately asks what's for lunch. When we have parties at our house, she bellies up to the food table and stays there longer than anybody else.
All three girls were raised on Flamin' Hot Cheetos. Lydia doesn't like them so much any more, but every time we eat them, Charlie throws a fit until we give her some and then looks at us with confusion as her eyes water. Then she asks for more.
A couple months ago, Lydia was Star of the Week at school. I came to visit her on Friday of that week during her lunch period. I surprised her with a Happy Meal. She looked at me with fake excitement. I could tell she was a little disappointed and then she asked me, "Can I still have my chef's salad?" It was only after other kids in her class got excited about her Happy Meal that she decided to forego her school lunch.
Last Saturday night, Jayson and I took Audrey and Charlie for a quick visit to the grocery store on our way to pick Lydia up from a birthday party. When we were in the frozen vegetable aisle, Audrey begged for brussel sprouts. We grabbed several bags and threw them in the cart. She asked if she could eat some as soon as we got home and we told her it would be bedtime when we got home, but she could have some tomorrow. A couple people stared as Audrey cried for brussel sprouts.
I'm sure their tastes will change as they get older and realize they're not really supposed to like healthy foods, but for now, I'm enjoying the laugh Jayson and I share when the girls think tomatoes off the vine are a special treat.
I am convinced Audrey would sit at the table all day long if we let her. Some days, she gets down from the breakfast table and immediately asks what's for lunch. When we have parties at our house, she bellies up to the food table and stays there longer than anybody else.
All three girls were raised on Flamin' Hot Cheetos. Lydia doesn't like them so much any more, but every time we eat them, Charlie throws a fit until we give her some and then looks at us with confusion as her eyes water. Then she asks for more.
A couple months ago, Lydia was Star of the Week at school. I came to visit her on Friday of that week during her lunch period. I surprised her with a Happy Meal. She looked at me with fake excitement. I could tell she was a little disappointed and then she asked me, "Can I still have my chef's salad?" It was only after other kids in her class got excited about her Happy Meal that she decided to forego her school lunch.
Last Saturday night, Jayson and I took Audrey and Charlie for a quick visit to the grocery store on our way to pick Lydia up from a birthday party. When we were in the frozen vegetable aisle, Audrey begged for brussel sprouts. We grabbed several bags and threw them in the cart. She asked if she could eat some as soon as we got home and we told her it would be bedtime when we got home, but she could have some tomorrow. A couple people stared as Audrey cried for brussel sprouts.
I'm sure their tastes will change as they get older and realize they're not really supposed to like healthy foods, but for now, I'm enjoying the laugh Jayson and I share when the girls think tomatoes off the vine are a special treat.
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