Time for a Mommy-confession. I have NOTHING good to say about having a preschool-aged child who no longer naps. NOTHING.
The honest truth is that I would love to be blogging more...just one quality post per week. Each week there are thousands of moments that I want to record, and to share with friends and family, espcially those out of town. I would settle, realistically though, for just one quick snapshot each week. But the only time that I used to have for blogging was when both children were napping...which hasn't happened since JUNE.
Ben stopped napping at 3-and-a-half, and since that time, days have been a struggle of balancing an endless stream of needs, some mine, most other people's. There is no quiet moment in which to catch one's breath, fold one's laundry uninterrupted, or write cute and witty stories about one's children.
With all the other big schedule transitions, from cat-napping to regular baby napping, from 2 a day to 1, etc., there was always a bright side to the change. A trade off that seemed to make it equitable enough.
But this time...nope...its all bad. Nature is just 100% mean with this one.
These days, (since this is a confession) I let Ben watch a show just about 100% of tiem time. It's too cold to go out, we don't have a good yard for playing out anyway, and I am usually completely exhausted for about 20-30 min. So I put something on, and watch/zone-out/doze on the couch with him as my "down time" each day. But this isn't very refreshing anyway because I still dislike using tv much at all, so I never really feel great about doing it this way, and Thomas the Tank Engine is blaring in my ears. Darn that Thomas and his cheeky self!
So, in short, I am having a pity party for myself because I am bummed that I have had so many wonderful stories to share lately, and have done so little sharing.
Here's hoping I find the time somehow!!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Monkey Joe's
You know how there are some kids who LOVE to try new things? You've seen them...the kids, who at 1-yr-old are charging up the "big kids" section of the playground and zooming downt the slides like they are Olympic lugers. The kids who, when they sense that a bounce house is within 2 miles, start laughing from pure joy and excitement at the jumping that is coming their way. You know these kids?
These are NOT my kids. My kids are the ones who, upon walking into the entry way of a bouce house place such as "Monkey Joes", start covering their ears and ask to be taken home. The kids who insist they would rather go home and eat brussel sprouts than put one foot into one of the big, loud, boucy contraptions.
Well, we have finally had a break through!!! Recently, it was one of those cold, windy, grey days...one of those days when you just HAVE to get out...no matter where you go or what you do, you just can't be in the house for one more minute. So I decided to give Monkey Joe's one more try. We have been before, and it just never went well. But, honestly, what kid never learns to enjoy a bouce house? So I just periodically take them again, and give it another try.
For whatever reason, we finally crossed the terror-line, and both kids had a WONDERFUL time! I only had to get in and bounce with them a couple of times, and they really enjoyed bouncing by themselves, and playing with each other. Yea!!
Now, I will admit that we spent all our time in the 3-and-under section, though Ben is already 4. But still, we did it! We went and we actually had a good time!! Here's hoping for many more!!
These are NOT my kids. My kids are the ones who, upon walking into the entry way of a bouce house place such as "Monkey Joes", start covering their ears and ask to be taken home. The kids who insist they would rather go home and eat brussel sprouts than put one foot into one of the big, loud, boucy contraptions.
Well, we have finally had a break through!!! Recently, it was one of those cold, windy, grey days...one of those days when you just HAVE to get out...no matter where you go or what you do, you just can't be in the house for one more minute. So I decided to give Monkey Joe's one more try. We have been before, and it just never went well. But, honestly, what kid never learns to enjoy a bouce house? So I just periodically take them again, and give it another try.
For whatever reason, we finally crossed the terror-line, and both kids had a WONDERFUL time! I only had to get in and bounce with them a couple of times, and they really enjoyed bouncing by themselves, and playing with each other. Yea!!
Now, I will admit that we spent all our time in the 3-and-under section, though Ben is already 4. But still, we did it! We went and we actually had a good time!! Here's hoping for many more!!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Comments
Also wanted to mention that I changed the settings on "comments" for this blog. Now, anyone can leave a message, you don't have to have a Google account to sign in.
So if you want to leave a few words, go right ahead!
So if you want to leave a few words, go right ahead!
Zoo Fun!
These are just some fun fall shots that I am finally able to post. (Sorry I got SO behind on pics, but at least I am catching up now!!)
It was one of those gorgeous St. Louis fall days...warm enough for just long sleeves without heavy jackets, a fun and blustery wind, beautiful sunshine. There was hardly anyone at the zoo, so we had the place to ourselves, and got to tromp around and play in the groundskeeper's leaf piles. It was a perfect day for a mom of 2 little cuties!
And I love the pics of the two of them, standing together and checking things out as a twosome. This fall, it seems, we have really emerged into the world of Ben and Molly as a sibling unit, able to play together and check things out together. And it is so wonderful as a mom to see this relationship develop. It just wasn't something I could conceptualize before, but now it is something I love to see, blossoming more every day!
It was one of those gorgeous St. Louis fall days...warm enough for just long sleeves without heavy jackets, a fun and blustery wind, beautiful sunshine. There was hardly anyone at the zoo, so we had the place to ourselves, and got to tromp around and play in the groundskeeper's leaf piles. It was a perfect day for a mom of 2 little cuties!
And I love the pics of the two of them, standing together and checking things out as a twosome. This fall, it seems, we have really emerged into the world of Ben and Molly as a sibling unit, able to play together and check things out together. And it is so wonderful as a mom to see this relationship develop. It just wasn't something I could conceptualize before, but now it is something I love to see, blossoming more every day!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Halloween 2009
We had a lovely Halloween this year. We stayed close to home, and were joined by cousin Anna, and some dear friends Lauren and Braeden.
Ben spent weeks changing his mind as to what costume he would wear. Initally, he planned on being Bob the Builder, as he had been last year. It would have worked fine because the costume still fit. But then, Aaron's coworker offered up a cool fire fighter costume that Ben liked. He ended up wearing that one to his preschool party, and you can see pics if you check out blogs from November. And, finally, he had a pumpkin sweatsuit that he was also considering.
Well, when we got up that morning, he was leaning toward the fire fighter outfit, but we decided to wear the pumpkin outfit just for the day, since it was something he could wear all day. And, when it came time to trick-or-treat, he just decided that he was happy with what he was wearing, and he would stick with that for the night. I think it helped that he had gotten several compliments on it throughout the day!
Molly wore a lady bug outfit that Granny found for her. She wore it well, and didn't seem bothered by the wings or antennae at all. I was impressed.
And you will be able to see from the pics that Anna was a dragon, Lauren was a cat, and Braeden was a scary Scream guy.
The trick-or-treating went well. Molly said "trick-or-treat" very well, and used her "thank you" very politely, despite spending most of the evening with a look on her face that suggested disbelief that total strangers kept dropping candy into her basket:).
Ben also did a great job, and was really "getting" the whole thing this yaer. He loved watching his basket fill, and, after about 15-20 houses, announced, "Alright, I'm ready to go home now." I told him he could keep going to get more candy, but he insisted that he had what he wanted, and was ready to go home and start eating. Way to know when to stop, buddy!
Here are some pics. Note Molly two-fisting the suckers:)
Ben spent weeks changing his mind as to what costume he would wear. Initally, he planned on being Bob the Builder, as he had been last year. It would have worked fine because the costume still fit. But then, Aaron's coworker offered up a cool fire fighter costume that Ben liked. He ended up wearing that one to his preschool party, and you can see pics if you check out blogs from November. And, finally, he had a pumpkin sweatsuit that he was also considering.
Well, when we got up that morning, he was leaning toward the fire fighter outfit, but we decided to wear the pumpkin outfit just for the day, since it was something he could wear all day. And, when it came time to trick-or-treat, he just decided that he was happy with what he was wearing, and he would stick with that for the night. I think it helped that he had gotten several compliments on it throughout the day!
Molly wore a lady bug outfit that Granny found for her. She wore it well, and didn't seem bothered by the wings or antennae at all. I was impressed.
And you will be able to see from the pics that Anna was a dragon, Lauren was a cat, and Braeden was a scary Scream guy.
The trick-or-treating went well. Molly said "trick-or-treat" very well, and used her "thank you" very politely, despite spending most of the evening with a look on her face that suggested disbelief that total strangers kept dropping candy into her basket:).
Ben also did a great job, and was really "getting" the whole thing this yaer. He loved watching his basket fill, and, after about 15-20 houses, announced, "Alright, I'm ready to go home now." I told him he could keep going to get more candy, but he insisted that he had what he wanted, and was ready to go home and start eating. Way to know when to stop, buddy!
Here are some pics. Note Molly two-fisting the suckers:)
Friday, January 22, 2010
Finally some pics! Thanksgiving 2009
We are finally good to go with our pics and our new computer. Time for me to play catch-up!
Here are some pics from Thanksgiving 2009. We had a wonderful, relaxing visit to Nana and Papa's house in Iowa. The kids loved every minute of it, and I think all the rest of the family did too.
Some highlights...Nana and Papa brought up Uncle Marty's old "Lego Train". It is a little Lego train that, once put together with the motor added, will run from a battery for countless hours of fun. Ben LOVED this train, and still talks about wanting to go back and play with it, almost daily. He is such a train addict!
Also, Nana and Papa brought up a Molly-sized rocking chair, and a baby-sized rocking chair to go along with their regular rocking chair in the living room. The first picture here is a good representation of how all 3 chairs spent the week:)
Here are the 2 cutest kids on the planet, loving on their Mama!
We also got a really beautiful family pic. Some of you might recognize it from our Christmas card. Can you believe this was taken right in Nana and Papa's back yard?!
Lots of good snuggle time with Nana and Papa!
Ben provided the table centerpiece for our wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. It had been a project of his from preschool.
Here are some pics from Thanksgiving 2009. We had a wonderful, relaxing visit to Nana and Papa's house in Iowa. The kids loved every minute of it, and I think all the rest of the family did too.
Some highlights...Nana and Papa brought up Uncle Marty's old "Lego Train". It is a little Lego train that, once put together with the motor added, will run from a battery for countless hours of fun. Ben LOVED this train, and still talks about wanting to go back and play with it, almost daily. He is such a train addict!
Also, Nana and Papa brought up a Molly-sized rocking chair, and a baby-sized rocking chair to go along with their regular rocking chair in the living room. The first picture here is a good representation of how all 3 chairs spent the week:)
Here are the 2 cutest kids on the planet, loving on their Mama!
We also got a really beautiful family pic. Some of you might recognize it from our Christmas card. Can you believe this was taken right in Nana and Papa's back yard?!
Lots of good snuggle time with Nana and Papa!
Ben provided the table centerpiece for our wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. It had been a project of his from preschool.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Long time no post! Quick Molly update:)
Sorry I've been MIA again. But any readers here have probably also been busy over the holidays, too, so hopefully you understand:)
Things have been good here. Part of the reason I have been offline is because we have been in the process of getting a new family computer. Our shiny, new laptop is finally here and working well, but I haven't been able to explore downloading pictures yet. I have many cute stories to tell of the past few weeks, but most of them would be better with pics, so I will hold off until I have the pics uploaded and in working order.
In the meantime, I had to write a quick update on Molly. She has been developing and learning at the speed of light lately! Not that long ago, I was writing about her ability to combine words, and about her cute sound substitutions.
Well, these days, we have forgotten all about days when she didn't have many word combinations, and are instead feeling like we can actually see her brain grow and see her make new connections every single day. And, she still has lots of cute sound substitutions, but I think most people can understand her basic words pretty well, especially in context. (Though keem keem for cream cheese is still a bit tricky for new people:)
Here are a few cute stories lately:
1. We had a whole pretend play scheme on the bed the other day. She and I were snuggling on a cold morning under the blanket, and we pretended that it was a bear cave. I asked her, "Do you see a bear in the cave?" She replied, "No bear, just baby!" and pulled her baby doll under the blanket and into the cave. Then I told her she had a sweet little baby, and she suddenly announced, "Baby crying!" And then looked lovingly at the baby and asked, "Need Blankie?"..."Need pie pies (paficier)?"..."Need kisses?"...Meed Ben?" She finally decided that her baby just needed "nuggles" (snuggles), and the two of them got things sorted out perfectly:)
2. She has been amazing with pronouns lately. She says "I do it" and "My turn now." She, of course, still mixes up I/me/my all the time, but just the fact that she is using so many pronouns, and getting so many of them right, is crazy to me!
One little hard part, though, is that she has found a new way to tug on my heartstrings. She has started requesting, "Nuggle (snuggle) me, Mama!". Now, this is a perfectly darling phrase, so I'm not trying to complain. Its just that it is terribly difficult to resist!!! So in the middle of the night, if she wakes up and says, "Nuggle me Mama!"...I have been known to give in and nuggle a bit before laying her back down. And if I am in the middle of doing dishes but hear a little "Nuggle me Mama" behind me, the dishes get delayed for some nuggle time. I can't get anything done around here!
3. She has picked up the word "actually". It is histerical!! She will throw it in at random, but totally appropriate times. I'll ask, "Molly, is this your water cup?" and she will respond, "Actually, Ben's cup!"
I'll ask, "Molly do you want couscous?" She'll reply, "actually, noodles peas (please)". SO funny. And she'll hesistate for a moment too as if she's thinking about it carefully before responding..."...actually...noodles please!".
4. She has also been throwing out "because!" as an answer to questions too, lately. Seriously, when did she turn 13??! I'll ask, "Molly, why did you pour the salt out and all over the table?" She'll respond, "Because!". Can't tell you how much I love this one. ;)
Things have been good here. Part of the reason I have been offline is because we have been in the process of getting a new family computer. Our shiny, new laptop is finally here and working well, but I haven't been able to explore downloading pictures yet. I have many cute stories to tell of the past few weeks, but most of them would be better with pics, so I will hold off until I have the pics uploaded and in working order.
In the meantime, I had to write a quick update on Molly. She has been developing and learning at the speed of light lately! Not that long ago, I was writing about her ability to combine words, and about her cute sound substitutions.
Well, these days, we have forgotten all about days when she didn't have many word combinations, and are instead feeling like we can actually see her brain grow and see her make new connections every single day. And, she still has lots of cute sound substitutions, but I think most people can understand her basic words pretty well, especially in context. (Though keem keem for cream cheese is still a bit tricky for new people:)
Here are a few cute stories lately:
1. We had a whole pretend play scheme on the bed the other day. She and I were snuggling on a cold morning under the blanket, and we pretended that it was a bear cave. I asked her, "Do you see a bear in the cave?" She replied, "No bear, just baby!" and pulled her baby doll under the blanket and into the cave. Then I told her she had a sweet little baby, and she suddenly announced, "Baby crying!" And then looked lovingly at the baby and asked, "Need Blankie?"..."Need pie pies (paficier)?"..."Need kisses?"...Meed Ben?" She finally decided that her baby just needed "nuggles" (snuggles), and the two of them got things sorted out perfectly:)
2. She has been amazing with pronouns lately. She says "I do it" and "My turn now." She, of course, still mixes up I/me/my all the time, but just the fact that she is using so many pronouns, and getting so many of them right, is crazy to me!
One little hard part, though, is that she has found a new way to tug on my heartstrings. She has started requesting, "Nuggle (snuggle) me, Mama!". Now, this is a perfectly darling phrase, so I'm not trying to complain. Its just that it is terribly difficult to resist!!! So in the middle of the night, if she wakes up and says, "Nuggle me Mama!"...I have been known to give in and nuggle a bit before laying her back down. And if I am in the middle of doing dishes but hear a little "Nuggle me Mama" behind me, the dishes get delayed for some nuggle time. I can't get anything done around here!
3. She has picked up the word "actually". It is histerical!! She will throw it in at random, but totally appropriate times. I'll ask, "Molly, is this your water cup?" and she will respond, "Actually, Ben's cup!"
I'll ask, "Molly do you want couscous?" She'll reply, "actually, noodles peas (please)". SO funny. And she'll hesistate for a moment too as if she's thinking about it carefully before responding..."...actually...noodles please!".
4. She has also been throwing out "because!" as an answer to questions too, lately. Seriously, when did she turn 13??! I'll ask, "Molly, why did you pour the salt out and all over the table?" She'll respond, "Because!". Can't tell you how much I love this one. ;)
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