kids

In the last couple days, I read this...and then I felt inspired by this and this.

I LOVE my summers at home with Keatin and Will...I wouldn't trade them for the world.

But this is hard work sometimes...

And when I took a moment to think about the times I was feeling flustered, frustrated, or angry with my kids...I thought to myself - was I being the best mom I could be? I realized I shouldn't jump to be upset with them...instead, I need to take a look at myself and what I have been doing (or not doing)...and that is hard to "see" sometimes. I was thinking about all the times I have said to Keatin "hold on a minute" or "just wait" - I am sad to say it is a lot. And I know "life" has to happen and there are times she needs to wait, but I don't want her to always hear that as my initial response.

SO...on Friday afternoon, I decided, for lack of a better word, to be more "intentional" with my kids. Do something fun...and different...a new activity that they would enjoy together (this is a hard one folks)...something I did with their sole enjoyment in mind. And turns out...my heart enjoyed it too. :)

I was inspiried by some other moms who had made rainbow noodles...and decided to give it a whirl. In the end, I could have cooked up way more noodles...but Keatin and Will didn't seem to care and they happily played (together!!!). I had a great time watching...and snapping a few pictures. :)

They spent lots of time filling plates of noodles...

 

Will kept walking around the deck with noodles behind his back like this...and then he would drop them...like I wouldn't notice he was doing it???? :)

 

Keatin used the trucks to try to scoop noodles...

 

...and spent a lot of time squishing the noodles between her fingers.

 

Ah - he has a great smile. :)

 

I knew getting into the noodles would happen at some point...

 

...and then you have noodles on your bottom. :)

On another note...

My mom recently gave me this book...

...and this book.

I think they are both circa 1975 (ha ha ha)...but they are good...and I hope Josh and I can get some good ideas about how to help encourage Will to talk more.

He is cutting some teeth and I know that hurts...but man oh man, he was VERY grumpy this morning. I was trying everything to keep him engaged, doing activities he likes...giving him extra cuddle time....but he had pooped (thank you God and Miralax) and needed his diaper changed...and he was not having it. I was wrestling him while trying to change this dirty diaper...he he hit me hard across the face. I hate when he hits....I hate it, hate it, hate it. Urgh - and I just found myself so angry at him...and that is an awful feeling as a mom.

Anyways...my point is...I think his lack of expressive communication is frustrating to him...he is quick to get frustrated and hard to get turned around when he is.

But man oh man - I love him to pieces...and I just wanted to throw my "angries" away.

So I read this...and I felt rejuvenated. :)

  Whew...enjoy your Sunday! :)