Let them sleep!

Everyone has a say in whether or not to let your children sleep in or wake them up to keep on schedule.  For years, we have always woke them up to keep everyone together on schedule.  Most days, most of them were already up anyway.  But what we noticed is how much of a bad mood and cranky and whiny the kids were that we woke up.  Not putting much into this, we just dealt with it.

Fast forward many years later, and we are letting them sleep.

Along with our switchover to all natural/organic foods (which by the way, we LOVE), this has made sleeping actually happen. 

We have always had few good sleepers but I can say that sleep has always been a struggle for us.  My heart would sink when I heard other moms tell me or overhear them say that they have good sleepers or that they have slept through the night ( a whole whopping 8 hours+!).  Granted, there was usually a little baby around that would keep me up and that is not what I am talking about.  I mean all the other kids ages 1+. 

Our bedtime radically got later and later as the kids got second winds and my hubby and I were at our wits end.  We never had time together to talk or read or just watch a little movie.  It was at the moment the last kido fell asleep that our own bedroom light went off too.  Then first thing in the morning, our early birds would be awake needing us.  Where did we get to spend some 'we' time? 


We implemented our family night prayer time by around 7:30ish and put our energy into getting them to sleep and in there beds by 8-8:15pm.   All of them.  That's it.  They get to read till 8:30pm and then LIGHTS OUT for all kids.  If they come out of their rooms or keep their bedroom buddy awake, the consequence is that they get cold yucky oatmeal.  Seriously.  Hey, I am feeding them at least!!!  They decided it they want to eat it and if not, then go hungry.  There is always snack time and lunch.   And this also applies to waking up in the morning, if they wake up their siblings, they still get yucky cold oatmeal.  We have stuck with this and so far, so good.

We decided that it was worth the sacrifices we'd make to put our marriage needs first.  That's that.

With an earlier bedtime, they are sleeping in later.  Weird concept, huh?  My oldest still does not need a lot of sleep (never did!) and that is just his makeup.  He is up early and has always done that, and no way can we change it.  But now, we work with it.

I know it has been studied that kids under 12 need 12 hours of sleep at night.  How many of our kids actually get it?  Mine sure weren't and we were ALL paying the price.

Food and sleep are necessary to live and thrive and we wanted to live well, not just survive.

My oldest is 11 and I wish that I did this sooner, years sooner.  My hope is that a young mom or a mom with youn ones will read this and see the hope :)

Kids need sleep.  Did you hear me?--Kids need sleep!  12 hours is worth the sleep.  Most have an average of only 9 hours of sleep.  No wonder they were cranky and sassy.  Oh my.  I am not attributing all that crankiness  to just sleeping but in my own experience, it has a lot to do with it.  Of course, to everything-there is always exceptions but I would recommend always try to get the sleeping in order and then evaluate.

Hope you have a good nights sleep!
God bless,
Mary

Kid Funny!

Yesterday, my boys were playing a little soccer on the deck (we have a back yard that slopes).  Then my oldest daughter came up the stairs happily bringing me freshly picked flowers (love that!). 

I heard "Whoa, watch out!" then quickly followed by "I didnt' mean to."

Then here comes the hilarious part:

He goes on to say "You shouldn't be mad at me.  Be mad at your body that got in the way!"

haaaa haaaaa!!!

God bless,
Mary

Horse Hair Teeth

Weird title of this post, huh?

On Friday, one of my sons came up from the playroom to tell me something and all I heard was "Blah...blah...blah...horse hair...so I'm gonna brush my teeth."

My curiosity was peeked and I asked him again...this time I heard right:

"Sister said my breath smells like horse hair so I'm gonna brush my teeth."

HAA HAAA!!!

Now that's what I call motivation!!! HAAA HAAA!!!

God bless,
Mary

A glimpse into a 5 minute segment of my days....

Finally got a chance to talk on an important phone call for a few minutes....kids playing play dough in the kitchen so quietly and nicely...
get ready....

kids asked if they could have peanut butter and marshmallows...I said yes.
I finish up phone call and walk into kitchen smothered in peanut butter and marshmallows bag 1/2 eaten...2 kinds of jellies with jelly chunks spread around the counter...I am stepping on gooey jelly and pb on the floor and mixed up with old homemade play dough pieces all over...table covered in play dough toys so kids eat elsewhere their sandwiches....i knock into the refrig and a toy soldier on top of it falls off into the area that is our water jug area where kids have their cups filled up to the highest part of their cup (why?! i have no idea since the jug of water is RIGHT THERE!>?!? argh....) and 2 tall plastic cups of water fall over from the falling knight...water everywhere on counter into our pile of napkins...all over counter and all over floor...baby crying and screaming....kids fighting over who knows what....kids out on the deck in the pouring rain screaming...or is it dancing and singing? not so sure!....I pull out the hand towels (there goes my supply) and soak up all water...child #5 asking me the 150th question of the morning/day from the deck (window open b/c I am sweating at this point) and baby still whining....I pull another hand towel off another part of the counter only to topple over my tall glass of milk (why milk?  I have not had milk and a PB&J in SO long!) and goes all over my counter and under my coffee maker (no! not my coffee!!!) and child #5 STILL asking me questions..even more loudly at this point....children coloring with crayon on the screens and shades, or maybe I just hope it is just a a chunky chalk...oh, pllllleeeeeeelease let it be just chalk...baby still whining....kids having running race throughout house.....water boiling for the noodles for tuna casserole dinner tonight.

OK. 
Phew...

I am tired...are you after reading that?

oh my.

God bless,
Mary

Bugs and Insects and Reptiles...oh my!



It's a good thing that I don't mind bugs and insects and anything else my kids seem to find and catch and run up to me in great wonder and amazement and with great confidence and joy! 
I was looking through my pics on my computer to send some overdue pics of the kids and their bday parties to my family members and came across TONS (and I really do mean tons!) of pics of all the little creatures my kids (girls included, thank you!) that they found. 

One of my favorite...praying mantis' are sooooooo cool!!!!  Yes, it is one of my favorites...if there is such a thing? 
I guess so...for this momma!: )

Look at this little guy!  We have found about 5 or 6 over the summer and they are always a huge hit.  Here is one enjoying our little baby pool (and we were done using it!) so it became his little home for the day.

WOnder and amazement of God's creations...

Looking at his every move--close ups!  My 4 yr old loved to see him pop his head out and then quickly in when he raised his voice at the poor little guy.  It was quite funny, though!

Our little habitat for a friendly toad

Can't get enough of these creatures...

Mr. Praying Mantis-see this one is brown?  The other one in the top pic is green.  They are really cool! :)


God bless,
Mary

Two Tornado Turtles

Tornado central? 

Yes (1- 10 miles away, and 1-15 miles away--ugh..Soooo not a fan of these).

31 cent SCOOP baskin-n-robbins ice cream?  Definite Yes (last night).

Rain?  Yes, off and on.

Sun?  Yes, off and on.

Humid?  Oh yes.

TURTLES? 

YES YES YES

Let me introduce you to:

"Storm" and "Chaser"!!!

(Thanks, K, for the names! LOL.  These are the boys name for them)

A.K.A

"Henry" and "Hannah" (what the girls have named them)

here is a video:

God bless,
M

On my mind...

It is 11:01 am right now and I should be teaching math and reading and our study on bugs this week and everything else that makes up one of 180 days we should be fulfilling this year.  

But I'm not, you see. 

Instead, I am thinking.  Remember how to do that?  Somehow in the midst of motherhood, that gene got lost and I am re-learning how to do that.

So, here I am thinking.

Thinking about motherhood, of course.

And about why I like to take photographs of my kids so much.  Why do I?  I am thinking about that answer and I think I have a swell answer.  B/c life is moving so fast that I don't want to miss it or forget it.  That's about it and that is pretty deep, if you ask me.

I read on another blog this morning, thanks to a friend sending me the link, that 'life is not an emergency'. 

That, my dear readers, is another deep thought, huh?

And when I do that thing called thinking...of course I need to blog, right?  Any good blogger would.  Well, then again, I am not a self proclaimed good blogger.  Just a momma trying to do right. 

Just me.

I am also thinking about how my kids need my enthusiasm and motivation to do school.  For example, like right now, they are not doing their school work?  Dare I stop typing and re-direct their sweet hearts back to doing what they should be doing?  Noway.  I am as ready for this school year to end as they are.  No doubt about it. 

Instead, my mind is elsewhere and my ears are open to all those noises behind me.  What are they, you ask?
Let me fill you in on a secret.   A secret that all mommas of many children know, it is never quiet.  Ever.  We truly want it to be quiet --sort of that "kids are to be seen, not heard" type of life, but we know that won't ever happen.  We want quiet but the minute it goes quiet, we stop what we are doing, dig around the household to find those little munchkins getting into things that will take us Mommas all day to reconstruct before Daddy comes home to make it good like new.  So, we  get used the loud as normal.

Oh, yeah, loud means noise and I forgot to mention what those noises are behind me.  Let's see....

• A big kid looking for his red sweatshirt that a little kid hid on him.... "Where did you put it?  Where did it go?  I don't want you to look for it, just tell me where my sweatshirt is.  Uhhh...!"  then he says "Hey Mom, did anybody ever been born only a ounce?"  That is how this big kid's mind works.  Interesting, very interesting...

• A little boy pounding on his big brother's bedroom door to go in. 

• 2 little kids playing Zingo!

• A big girl trying hard to organize her room that she shares with a little girl who is a bit clean & organized-challenged...if you get my drift.

• A piano now being played for a private audience of little lady.  She seems to be enjoying it.

• A little boy on my lap, wiping his tears, b/c big brother won't let him into his room with that audience member b/c we all have the house rule of this child not allowed to be that close to little lady.

• A big girl asking to try on her special Easter dress to make sure it still fits.  Good idea, so I let her.  And besides, it gives me a few mins left to finish this post. 

• Some little guy playing around with my answering machine.  I wonder what the message will say today.... :)

Big brother carrying little lady over to me..."Uh, Mom, I think she wants to nurse now."

"Yup, hold on big guy."  I say.

So, he gets out the Atlas of the World to show her instead.  Yeah, that will keep her interested for the next 5 minutes or so.  haaaa

Life is not an emergency. 

So why am I acting like it is?

Why am I in a hurry? 

Why do I rush from one house duty to the next? I have that running list of things to do all day long.  If that list is not that familiar w/me, I have 7 reminders. 

"No, I cannot go to war without an I.D.   One last time, tell me where my sweatshirt is.  That is where my ID is."  is what the biggest brother says walking around with his Nerf gun and  ammunition ready but can't fight the war... yet...

Life is not an emergency. 

Dear Lord, help me to realize this and to give you my life for you to render it not an emergency.  Only you can slow me down and help me to see the beauty of these fleeting moments. 

I don't just want to take pictures to remember them,

I want to be in them too.

God bless,

M

Breakfast keeps going and going and going...

Somdays, like today, breakfast never seems to end.

How does someone get lost in the passing out of breakfast foods, only to alert me an hour (or 2!) later that this person never had any breakfast or OJ?

I don't get it. 

How can an easy breakfast turn into a 2 or 3 hour meal? 

Just wonderin'.

Back to cleaning up eggs off the floor and cheerios covered in honey off the walls...

These are the days I'll remember... (remember that song?)
...and I am trying to remember that NOW!

God bless,
M

800th post~! Why Big Families rock!

Reasons why big families rock: :)
There are so many reasons but here are a few from the last few days):

• There is always someone to play with or annoy
•  If one does not want to play baseball, go play soccer w/another
•  There are extra hands to make this Momma breakfast in bed for no reason at all...like this morning! ... for when I asked them they said "B/c your our Momma, that's why."  I LOVE THESE KIDS!  BTW, their breakfast was awesome, homemade waffles and fruit salad :) 
• Extra hands make work light! (esp. when this Momma decides to totally rearrange our home-move bedrooms and make the old living room a play room and trying to make a pantry out of a closet b/c our kitchen is extremely small and everything else to make a big homeschooling family run smoothly...)
•  Older siblings to hold a new baby so this Momma can actually take a shower or cook dinner.
•  
• There is always someone to read a book to you
•  The older kids make an obstacle course outside in the (dare I say?!) 70* weather for all the kids-so creative :)
•  Big kids helping to put socks and shoes on their little buddies
•  Bigger siblings wanting and willing to hold our new baby and burp her too! :)
• Someone to always crack a joke or make me laugh
• Never a dull moment-always keeping busy-never have to think or wonder if I am lazy or wasting my time :)
• Enough hands to push 3 carts to go food shopping at our food shopping outing last night-what a sight that was!!!!
• Many times you are asked by God to sacrifice, given the chance to give up selfishness and isn't that what life is all about?  Sure is.

More to come someday I have more time....

********I was asked this week how many kids I have and I almost slipped and said 6! haaa!! :)  First time I've been asked and I happily responded 7 :)

She said "And you homeschool too?  Wow, you must be so patient." 

You get that response too?  Well, I laughed out loud and said:

"Not really but I sure ask for it all the time." 

So true.  Just b/c us mommas of big families have lots of kidos it does not mean that we are so patient!  haa haa LOL. 

....But we have plenty of opportunities to practice it I guess :)

I think that 7 sure feels SO much mroe than 6 and I am getting used to thinking and realizing we fit that category of a "big family". 

When does that start anyway...after that 2.1 kid mark?  Who knows...

God bless and enjoy your weekend!  I know I will-my 2 sisters (w/none of their kids) are coming to visit...just because...oh I love them!  Plenty of wine, chick flicks and laughter w/my sisters...good times...I am so grateful we live near each other now (well, one is 4 hours away and one is 3 hours away-way closer than before!). 

Thank you God for this gift of family- I am forever grateful.

God bless,

M

Be ye thankful

I have been able to see things through different lenses lately and I am seeing some perks in life right now that are superb, and most of these I have been missing or failed to see b/c of my selfishness.  I am grateful to God for helping me to see these. 

Since I have had time to wait upon this new baby's arrival, and I am at the point that I cannot do much at all... God has graced me with letting go and sitting back and taking it all in.  I am thankful for this time.  Obviously, in no time at all, life will get busy (as if it ever slows down! haaaa) yet again.  But a great busy with our little gem of a bundle of love. 

We all are so very very excited to meet our new blessing-boy or girl --so excited to find out! 

My kids notice when I have a contraction and sometimes more than just one random one, they note the time and ask "Are you having them consistent, Mom?" , "Do you want me to get the exercise ball for you?" , "Is it time, yet, Mom?", "Should I call Dad now?", "Do you think the baby is coming TODAY???!?!?!?!"

Soooo cute!  Having a baby now with a 10 and an 8 yr old also is so very different than any other pregnancy that I have gone through.  They are so in tune with what is going on, as you can see with the questions above.   I just know they are going to be great helpers. 

Here are my latest perks in life that God has graced me the ability to see and appreciate during this time of waiting:

1.  What?  You need me to mention my #1 perk?  Ok.  Coffee!  Duh! ;)

2.   When not drinking coffee, I found a tea that I really like. 
It is called Stash Premium White Christmas white tea. YUM!  It really is quite good and now since Christmas is officially over, it is nice to still have a bit of the Christmas feeling and taste around.   We have yet to take down our tree-this is a hard thing for me to do!  It is just so pretty, so comforting, so calming.   It has to be done, I am sure it will be this weekend sometime.... ;(

3.  Watching and hearing my kidos play NICELY together! 
Those big Lego's and the Lego table are still such a huge hit around here!  My 10 yr old down to my 2 yr old can play together and feel a part of our 'team' family playing together, not feeling left out.  It is so interesting to see that there needs not to be tons of different toys around to keep kids occupied and happy.  The smallest things and the simplest things in life will please them very much and keep their attention. 

4.  Watching my boys in the woods. 
They have made some bridges over our little stream.  They have found a frog (YES! a FROG!) hibernating and then after playing some w/it, they finally put him back. 

5.  Fun times with the bigger kids.
During school yesterday in Religion, we were discussing morning offerings and prayers.  We talked about offering everything in our day-our prayers, works, joys and sufferings.  Then I read off certain things off a list and discussed which category it would go in.  Great discussions we had!  Amazing how little minds think.  And then last night, the little boys were playing and after dinner, we all sat at the table playing "Telephone Game"-remember that?  We had some serious loud laughing time!  We all needed those laughs so much!  It was great! So fun!


6.   Talking with my hubby.
Having great talking time with my hubby last night till way too late.  But  it was way needed.  It is very easy to get caught up in life and the busy-ness of it all that we forget some of the most important things-to keep the communication open between hubby and wife.  He is not a night person, so this was quite an offering up for him and I appreciate it so much.  Love you honey!

7.  Waking up at 5:50am to my 2 yr old calling for me....
Wait!  That's not it.  That is not the perk!  The perk is that after I brought him into bed w/me so that I could actually wake up, he planted tons of kisses on my cheeks and forehead, 'loving me up'!!!  So sweet, how could anyone get mad at that little guy waking up like that?  It lasted almost 1/2 hour with him snuggling next to me.  Priceless.

8.  Watching my 2 yr old play with the little army guys and cowboys and Indian figurines.  So cute and it keeps his attention fairly well, even for just a measly 10 mins!

9.  Having quite the conversations with my almost 4 yr old big teddy bear (as I call him!  He is so tender and so big and so darn cute!).   He has these big blue/green eyes that pierce right through me.  He has great eye connection while talking and I just melt as he stutters taking his little ol' time to tell me his stories, his thoughts, his concerns.   I should have posted the tons of these that are happening lately-they have just started with him a few weeks ago and well, I guess he is growing up!  He still loves his Momma so much, he needs me so much, he needs my hugs and my attention for him...and I love that, of course!  His latest one was last night after going to the store with Daddy to pick up chicken for dinner..."

Ya know, Mom...when I get big, ya know, when I wear big boy underwear like all the time and no more diapers?  Like when I am 17.  I am gonna get a fancy red car.  And you will give me money for it, right?  You have lots of money and you give it to me and then I can have a fancy red car." 

HAAAA!!! Is that adorable or what????? Oh my. 

God bless,
M

And Sometimes...

Sometimes...you just have to stay outside in the hot and humid 93* while pregnant with the children and then you get to see your son catch a butterfly.

And then sometimes you allow your children to set up their school desk and make a sign that says:  "Butterflies for sale for $2". 

And then you smile.

And you are delighted.

And you are at peace.

And you are sweaty.

And you remind the children that they are in charge of making dinner tonight, even if it is 5:14pm b/c for a very long time this Momma has made dinner after dinner after dinner and they have not eaten it. 

And sometimes you allow them to make that creative crazy weird "I don't know what that is" dinner along with the 'safe' dinner of pasta and sauce.

And then you wonder if you will eat that stuff.

So, then you gently ask them if they'd be interested in making quessadillas and they respond with squeals and joy knowing that we'll all actually eat this dinner.

And sometimes this Daddy arrives home with questioning looks and smirks to his wife.

And you are happy.

And you are at peace.

And you say "Thank you Lord."


God bless,
 Mary

Swing like Tarzan!

Seeing my kids swinging from the long hose hung over our deck is so much fun!

Hearing them laugh and shout as they swing like Tarzan is sure to wake up all our neighbors! 

They keep cheering as each one takes a turn. 

It's 72* out right now.  AWESOME! 

Life is good. ;)

God bless, Mary

And I just want to cry

My kids took all their comforters/blankets off their beds along w/their pillows.  They dragged them out the back door to the woods area of our backyard (plain ol' dirt).  They are playing "camping like real". 


What is a pregnant momma who can't move supposed to do?  (besides blogging about it)???

I. just. want. to. cry.  ......  a lot.

God bless,
Mary

Bring out the towels and swimmies!

We went (well...actually just the kidos!) swimming today!  (it was 90*!)

AND it's not even Memorial day...yet! 

It was great to see them splashing around and having a blast in the water.  It reminds me how much I love these warm days near a pool and that it will wipe them out so that they sleep well too!  We do have soccer tonight as well so indeed our night may be a great sleep for all. 

Tis a great day.

God bless,
Mary

The Giving Tree

Dear Big Tree in my front yard,

Please do not let your long and strong branches break as my children swing from them.  They enjoy you so much and love how you pick them up and swing them high in the sky.  So very high that I get a bit frazzled watching them do this.  You are a great tree, don't let us down.  Thank you.

Kindly,
Momma Mary

p.s.  This reminds me of the book The Giving Tree.  Terrific book-I remember my elementary principal and pastor of our school/parish would read this to us a few times a year.  What great memories! ;)

Peanut butter and boys

Note to self:

Beware of your 7 yr old daughter who will say she can get lunch ready.  You just may find bowls of peanut butter (with spoons at least!!!) in front of 2 little boys (age 1 and 3) (Good thing no one has any nut allergies in our house or this would be terrible!!!).  Now, use your imagination of what the scene will look like.  Beware...Just sayin'.

So, you too? *updated*

...still vacuuming up all that Easter grass.
...still playing hide and seek w/ plastic Easter eggs.
...still eating chocolate kisses, chocolate bunnies, all things chocolate-yum! ( I can't believe we still have candy in this house!)

Hey, it's still Easter, ya know.  Happy Easter Wednesday! and so... we're still celebrating!

*Update*:  ...we even broke out the little baby swimming pool!  I know, I know... can you imagine?!  It is only April 7th and it is 88* right now!  I did insist on no swimsuits, but I wish I caved in and just let them with all this laundry I quickly acquired.  Oh well!  Just last week this time, it was rainy, cloudy and cold. We are lovin' it!  Thank You dear Lord, thank you!
God bless,
Happy sweet eating!
Mary

I love my 18 month old

and how he puts up his leg or arm and says "boo boo" and I kiss it.  Then he says "all betta!" and off he goes playing again.

I love how when he bumps into the car with his ride on toy that he looks at me and says "stuck" and then I help him around the car and off he goes playing again.

I love how when he finishes his meal in his high chair, he holds up his hands and says "all done!"

I love how he follows his older brothers and sisters everywhere and anywhere.  You will never find this baby turning toddler anywhere by himself and that is a very good thing!

I love how he says "Daaaa-deeeeee!!!" and goes running up to our Daddy the second he walks through the door after a long day at work.  And he says it while at Mass when I come back to the pew after being in the back vestible for a while.  And....I think others delight in hearing it too!

I love how he can still lay next to me and snuggle; how he still (occasionally!) goes into my pouch/sling to be close to me.

I love how he plays on his emotions and pretends he is sad and crying when we say no to him.  He puts out his bottom little lip and crinkles his top lip and puts his precious head in the crook of my neck.  He begins to do a weeee little baby sob and holds tightly onto my shirt. 

I love how when he smiles, a deep dimple appears.  Then again, it appears so easily without a smile-you can't miss it!

I love how he is not crawling anymore and is off and running to play, esp. outside-he would spend the whole day outside if possible. 

I love how he is not afraid of animals, instead he is eager to get close to them!  (what a difference with some of my other children!)

I love how he calls his pacifier a "pie" and he knows exactly where to find them---under his crib!

I love how independent he tries to be, yet always glancing back for approval of Mommy's watching and that I am only a- hop-a-skip -and -a-jump away from him.

I love how he runs to me for security if he gets scared or is hurt or is saddened by a sibling, having total confidence that he knows he will get what he needs to feel better.

I love how he calls his sippy cup "guck".

I love this baby incredibly much. I love this age of 18 months.  I will continue to call him my baby even though he is 18 months old (God willing, until another one arrives!).  In my eyes and in my heart, all my children are still my babies, no matter how old!!!  This is absolutely the longest stretch between babies and I wonder what plans God has in store for us.  If you ask my children if they want another sibling, they will undoubtfully squeal with delight in saying "Yes!  Yes!  Yes!"  We pray that this prayer will be answered...according to God's awesome will for our family. 

Hope you had a Happy Easter-may God bestow many blessings on your families!
God bless,
Mary

Go outside and play!

This was one of the most deserving beautiful weekends that we've had in a long long time.  Perfect temps of 65*-75* Sunny!!!  We, pretty much, spent the entire weekend outside.  Lots of vitamin D and fresh air makes everyone a much happier crew.  They say rain tomorrow-bummer!  I was getting used to these sunny days :)

On Saturday, I brought my oldest son into the doctors b/c he banged up his toe a few days prior.  How?, you ask?  He was running UP the slide barefoot and banged it going up.  Yes, I did tell him to put on shoes.  Yes, I did remind him to put on shoes and keep his shoes on.  Along with all the other kidos.  Oh well, the poor kid had to learn the hard way.  It really is not that bad, though.  He got some x-rays to make sure the break was not in a bad place and it wasn't.  So, the doctor sent us on our way with the orders of no running, no biking, no hopping, no roughing it for 2-3 weeks and taped up his toe.  Ok.  A 9 year old boy who is not allowed to run or bike?  His 2 favorite things to do and that keep both him and me sane?  Are you kidding me?  Yikes. 

That led us to the library to stock up on books to keep his mind busy, even if his body can't be!  The librarian checked us out our usual boat load of books and asked if one of my girls took ballet, since there were quite a few books on ballet in the pile.  I replied she enjoys it immensely but she is not in a class right now.  She agreed that her daughter who is in the second grade has friends who are doing so many activities and sports and groups etc... that she is missing some simply b/c she is so tired, literally.  She wondered why so many parents do not simply tell their children to go play outside or rather push them out the door and tell them to play outside, like we were pushed out the door.  We were told to get out there and figure out something to do and play with.  And we did.  We had a nice little conversation about that.

That got me thinking later on about how the world is tempting us to put our children in so many sports and 'fun' activities fulfill their interests and keep them busy.  And forgetting that these little minds have the best imaginations ever!  They do not need a lot to be creative and be playful and simply be children.  Instead, parents are not giving them the opportunity to enjoy the simple life.  They are crowding them with gadgets and gizmos and noise.  They get used to that so much so that when they may have that rare opportunity to be outside, for example, they don't even know what to do and dare say those words..."I'm bored."

I am so very grateful to God for my children, their innocence, and their playfulness.  Many times these past few days, I would stop and glance for a good while at my children and sigh.  Yes, just about the entire contents of our playroom were outside but it didn't bother me a bit.  Yes, they had mismatched clothes, and no bother there either.   Yes, they used the yellow/orange extension cord to make some type of real life size spider web, but I didn't care.  Yes, they were running around in their slippers at times, but hey -they sorta had shoes on.  Yes, they got dirt under their nails and dirt smudges all over their clothes, so what. 

Happy.  Content.  Creative.

No TV.  No Internet.  No Nintendo.  No IPhone.  No IPod. 

Just being children.  And I loved every minute of it.   Thank you, God.

God bless,
Mary

Mint-y Breath

One of the things that I have been using to keep the kids more focused and more into their school work is gum. Yup, gum. Amazing how the little piece of chewy gum keeps them going and going. There is bound to be some article or study on it but I don't have the time to go look for it right now.

(FYI-I only give it a few times a week and it only lasts a short while till they complain it is too hard to chew. Oh, and I am proud to say that they really only know of mint tasting gum, none of that strawberry -kiwi -pina -colada- strawberry- daquiri -kind! haaaa haaaaa)

This morning my 7 yr old says to me that she is glad she did not brush her teeth this morning.

Watching that I do not freak out at this comment, I say "Oh really, honey? Why would you say such a thing as that?" (with my nice, calm and in-control smiling face ;))

To which she responds "Well, chewing this mint gum is just like brushing our teeth with the mint toothpaste. Right, Momma?"

Okay, I get it.
I just hope she has not been using this technique for too long.
Either way, I have some serious work to do on this topic and the importance of good habits!

I got it. Off to go do it, now. It is 1:45pm but at least she will have clean teeth now! ;)

God bless,
Mary