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So while Peter was away I really tried hard to have some fun things planned for the kids. I took them to the store and tried to explain to Noah we were going to cook in the kitchen and make a snack. He was sort of excited but not really, he hates any time he has to go shopping, even Acme (similar to his father).
Everything was going great, they each got a spoon, and were mixing ingredients. No fighting, no tears, we were golden.
Then I poured the cereal into bags, each with their own bag. Then I soon realized that I needed to put the cereal back into the bowl in order to mix the chocolate goodness onto the chex.–MISTAKE #1
When I told them mommy needed to add chocolate, you would think they would be excited. The moods were somewhat unexpected and sour.
You may ask how could a mother take a picture of their crying child. I answer with it helps keep me sane. When I can take a picture it helps me see it from other peoples perspectives. That it is kind of funny that he would be so upset about me adding chocolate to his cereal. His grammy would be proud!
I used to get so upset when my kids wouldn’t enjoy something, or ruin something I had planned. Now I just let it roll off my back (and snap a photo!). Here they are finally enjoying their hard work!! It was their first time cooking together with me. I loved every minute of it!!!
We have been practicing smiling and saying cheese for the camera, if you didn’t already notice!!
I have been without my husband for the week, and he comes back tomorrow to only leave again a day later for a youth group trip. After 5 full days of single parenting, I am starting to look back on the effects. We ate fast food for dinner three times (my mom would die if she read this–sorry mom!), the kids were only bathed three times- the pool counts right?, Noah went back to a diaper for 2 full days until I got my act together that it would hurt me in the long run to not encourage him to use the potty again.
And although I tried to let some of the normal things go, there is still stuff you just have to do with a 3 yr. old and a 1 1/2 year old. Like 8 loads of laundry—- in one day, I had been saving up! The oddest part of the day is the night. When the kids go down around 7pm and its actually silent. Now don’t get me wrong the first two nights the silence was like a slight taste of what heaven will be like—no need for excedrin tension headache ever!! But then it started kicking in that I was just doing everything I needed to do, and not enjoying any of it. How do you enjoy 8 loads of laundry? I don’t think you can. But back to my point, not having my hubby around made me forget that these five days I had with the kids are gifts I can’t get back. Every morning I get to see their faces and enjoy them for one more day, how many times do we take that for granted? I want them to see me having fun, and I guess my husband has a good way of helping me neglect the things that can wait; dishes, laundry, cleaning….and just BE with the kids. I want them to see that mommy loves them more than a freshly cleaned floor or an organized closet.
As I look upon having another week of just the kids and I, I am setting a goal of doing a fun activity a day with them. Tonight we had special movie night, we just really meant that we going to take all the pillows off the couches and lay a special blanket down, turn off all the lights, and watch a movie. I let my son pick the movie-Cinderella, and tonight he asked me if he could be a princess!! (that’s another entry entirely).
Through out the day I get so exhausted and tired that I forget their watching me. Everything I do they see me and one day they will imitate it. If I want them to imitate Christ, I have to imitate it first—to them! I don’t know if we are ready for full on family nights but we can start small and work up! I am encouraged by mothers who are able to lay everything aside and just have fun with their kids. Thanks for the reminder, I needed it!
Come home hun!! We all miss you!
Peter will make fun of me, but these were the types of days I dreamed about before I had kids. Being a mom and getting to take your kids somewhere they have never been before and watching them experience it for the first time.
Taking them to the Aquarium!
Some of our favorite creatures!
Then we got to walk around the river, and got a beautiful view of Philadelphia and the battleship!
I want everyone to be aware of the fact that we were the only parents who let their child get soaked from the fountain! It was so hot out, and I knew I had extra clothes in the car. He loved it, and it felt good to throw out the rules, and let him be a little boy!
