Missing the Mountains

I'm missing the mountains today.  And also remembering how awesome this hike through Bryce Canyon was.  I can't tell you how many people looked at us like we were crazy when they saw us trudging up the steep inclines with 4 babies, a toddler and 4 kids.  Hard work, but so worth it. 

Treasures

Please tell me that I am not the only one who has to sneak around at night, finding my kids "treasures" and tossing them out while they sleep.  I feel kind of guilty writing that, but really there has to be a line somewhere.  We have found however, that taking a picture makes it easier for the kids to be able to let go.  So here are a few of our most treasured possessions from the last week.

A very old and nasty toothbrush.

A napkin scrap with a small note.   Since I write a napkin note almost everday, I did determine that she could not keep them ALL.

A cockroach that we trapped in a mason jar.   Honestly Andrew cried and cried when I tried to flush it down the toilet.  I don't know how one can possibly get attached to a cockroach, but I guess it is possible. 

And now for a picture of my real treasures.  I'm posting this for my Mom who wanted to know what I put on the wall in my kitchen/dining area. 

Mom, since I did this for you, it does necessitate that you leave me a comment. :) ha ha.

Wordsearch

Andrew asked me to make him a wordsearch yesterday and so I made the one on top.  He made the adorable one underneath.  I think he did a pretty good job.

Parenting Expectations

Sometimes parenting carries with it some pretty unreasonable expectations.  I don't know when it first happened, but I imagine it was pretty liberating the first time I read an article in Parents magazine and didn't feel compelled to follow it so that I could be a "good mom".  Now that I have a few kids and a little more confidence I can laugh.  Like when I laughed at this:

 This article includes 11 super-healthy lunch-box recipes.  Make sure that your child is getting not only a tasty treat but something to keep her going all day long. 

We've got:  Whole-Grain Hummus Sandwich with Vegetables, Tropical Turkey Spring Rolls and Aloha Chicken with Pineapple Dip. 

So... in case you didn't get the memo... PB&J - OUT.  Carrot sticks  - OUT.  Apple slices - BORING. 
Pomegranate juice reduced in a sauce pan until syrupy, mixed with mango, cilantro and sprouts and wrapped in blanched cabbage  - IN. 

Better get to work.

Watch Me Grow

One Year Ago

One year ago.... this adorable baby swept into my heart and took possession of it.

And now, a year later, he has still not given it back.  Not even a teensy weensy tiny little piece of it. 

Isn't that a rotten thing to do to a mother?


Happy Birthday Sam.  I love you more than you can possibly know.

Simplicity

Life feels slower now. 

I don't know if it is Texas, the heat or just that we have fewer family and friends around to keep us busy now, but life feels slower.  I'm rarely in a hurry.  If Andrew wants to take 20 minutes to put his pants on... that is usually okay.  We stroll to the bus stop each morning to drop Lizzy off and then stroll back again in the afternoon.  We've been reading lots of stories and making lots of cookies.  (Probably too many).  We also spend more time doing things like mopping floors, baking bread and planning our garden. 

One part of me tells me that I need to fill this time up.  I somehow think that if I'm not running about all day, I wasn't productive or that it just wasn't, somehow, enough.   As I was thinking about this... a quote came to mind:

"Sometimes we feel that the busier we are, the more important we are—as though our busyness defines our worth. Brothers and sisters, we can spend a lifetime whirling about at a feverish pace, checking off list after list of things that in the end really don’t matter. That we do a lot may not be so important. That we focus the energy of our minds, our hearts, and our souls on those things of eternal significance—that is essential." Joseph B. Wirthlin




And so... I am on a quest to determine what is most worthwhile.  What really does matter.  What is essential.  Eventually piano lessons, PTA, and playdates will squeeze into our lives and those are good things.  But... I won't be rushed.  And maybe I will simply enjoy, for awhile, this quiet, SLOW time with my boys.

Back to School Checklist

This post was meant to be published 2 weeks ago when school started but then our computer crashed.  Here it is 2 weeks late.

Try to buy school supplies.  Check

Realize that you can't by all the school supplies because they have such wierd specific requirements here in Texas that it is impossible to find what they want.  Check.

Return the ones you bought and by a pre-packaged kit for twice as much.  Check.

Buy back to school clothes.  Check.

Find out that the school district has a dress code and nothing you bought can actually be worn to school.  Check.

Return everything you bought and buy cacky, blue and black clothes for a lot less $$. Yeah.  Check.

Take first day of school picture.  Check.

Make a giant 1st day of school cookie just for fun.  Check.

And... I think we're good to go.