I am so lucky to be able to do this. My children love it and I love being there for them!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Sofia's field trip to The Blast
I chaperoned Sofia's recent preschool field trip to a local community center and it was a blast! I had 3 girls in my group and they were all great! They all knew me and weren't shy at all. I got to play with them and then observe. Sofia plays well with everyone and doesn't stick to just one group of kids. As usual, she ditched me for Mr. W. On the way home. Sofia always starts the day with me and never stays with me. If that's not a metaphor for motherhood, I don't know what is!
Here are "my" girls with smiles and funny faces...
I am so lucky to be able to do this. My children love it and I love being there for them!
I am so lucky to be able to do this. My children love it and I love being there for them!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Let them be who they are
I often tell people that I have no control over my children. I couldn't make them stop kicking me in the womb so why would I delude myself into thinking I can make them do anything now? All I can do is model the behavior I want to see from them and know them well enough to see what's coming if I don't get them out of a situation.
There is a cliche in self-help programs referred to HALT. It's a signal to never let yourself get too Hungry, too Angry, too Lonely or too Tired. Everyone will start to fall apart when they hit those breakpoints. Think about it... it's the beginning of desperation, which leads to those things you can't ever take back.
Our children are kind, caring and full of enthusiasm for life! They love each other and are sisters, meaning they are the best of friends and the worst of enemies. They miss each other, but savor the time away from their sister. A little adventure alone is a good thing and necessary to everyone's sanity.
Today we spent a calm day as a family. We played games, read some books and did gymnastics. The girls held hands in the car as we went to Nana and Papa's house for dinner to enjoy some extended family time. The kids loved seeing their cousins as usual and tonight Ashley was there too. She commented on how intelligent and observant Samantha is, and how Sofia and Samantha's personalities are so opposite. Sofia is free with her affections and has no fear of jumping in while Samantha prefers to watch the dynamic initially, though she has no fear either. They are so different, but in our family they complement each other well.
It's a good thing and I am proud to say that I have no control over my children!
There is a cliche in self-help programs referred to HALT. It's a signal to never let yourself get too Hungry, too Angry, too Lonely or too Tired. Everyone will start to fall apart when they hit those breakpoints. Think about it... it's the beginning of desperation, which leads to those things you can't ever take back.
Our children are kind, caring and full of enthusiasm for life! They love each other and are sisters, meaning they are the best of friends and the worst of enemies. They miss each other, but savor the time away from their sister. A little adventure alone is a good thing and necessary to everyone's sanity.
Today we spent a calm day as a family. We played games, read some books and did gymnastics. The girls held hands in the car as we went to Nana and Papa's house for dinner to enjoy some extended family time. The kids loved seeing their cousins as usual and tonight Ashley was there too. She commented on how intelligent and observant Samantha is, and how Sofia and Samantha's personalities are so opposite. Sofia is free with her affections and has no fear of jumping in while Samantha prefers to watch the dynamic initially, though she has no fear either. They are so different, but in our family they complement each other well.
It's a good thing and I am proud to say that I have no control over my children!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Spring Break 2012
Since I spent most of the week working, Daddy handled Spring Break Week all by himself. This was his reflection of that time.
As a parent who travels a lot for work, I've felt very removed from my family as of late. I miss seeing the things the kids enjoy like gymnastics and swimming. After 3 straight weeks on the road, I took a week off - no cell phone, no computer - to dedicate to time with the kids during their Spring Break. Unfortunately, mommy had to work so not only did I get a lot of time with the kids by myself but I also got a window into what she juggles while I'm away.
The girls and I made a list of all the things they'd like to do. We played on the trampolines at Skyzone, visited the zoo with Nana, went to gymnastics, played lots of games, read stories and they even convinced me that an afternoon at Chuck E. Cheese's would be fun - and it was.
I have to say that the week, although not relaxing for me, was a true pleasure and something I wish I could do more often. We basically did whatever they wanted and I feel like I accomplished my goal of giving them a fun week doing things with them that they enjoy. I know they needed time with me but I needed time with them too.
My kids are growing up fast. April is almost over and it feels as though the school year just started a few weeks ago. I'm a bit jealous of the fun summer I know they'll have and I'm already looking forward to the next time we can spend a week together. Ideally I'll work it out so it can be two weeks over the summer because as soon as we know it, fall will be here and school will start again. As I sit here watching their gymnastics class - now on Saturday's - I'm reminded yet again of how fun it is to be a kid and how privileged I feel to be able to share this time with them.
Here's a bit from Skyzone:
As a parent who travels a lot for work, I've felt very removed from my family as of late. I miss seeing the things the kids enjoy like gymnastics and swimming. After 3 straight weeks on the road, I took a week off - no cell phone, no computer - to dedicate to time with the kids during their Spring Break. Unfortunately, mommy had to work so not only did I get a lot of time with the kids by myself but I also got a window into what she juggles while I'm away.
The girls and I made a list of all the things they'd like to do. We played on the trampolines at Skyzone, visited the zoo with Nana, went to gymnastics, played lots of games, read stories and they even convinced me that an afternoon at Chuck E. Cheese's would be fun - and it was.
I have to say that the week, although not relaxing for me, was a true pleasure and something I wish I could do more often. We basically did whatever they wanted and I feel like I accomplished my goal of giving them a fun week doing things with them that they enjoy. I know they needed time with me but I needed time with them too.
My kids are growing up fast. April is almost over and it feels as though the school year just started a few weeks ago. I'm a bit jealous of the fun summer I know they'll have and I'm already looking forward to the next time we can spend a week together. Ideally I'll work it out so it can be two weeks over the summer because as soon as we know it, fall will be here and school will start again. As I sit here watching their gymnastics class - now on Saturday's - I'm reminded yet again of how fun it is to be a kid and how privileged I feel to be able to share this time with them.
Here's a bit from Skyzone:
March 2012
We had a very full March with school events and time with friends.
Samantha's self-portrait... I love it!
Conner's "big bandage" for a "big wound". We were happy to host them on St. Patrick's Day! The kids had fun especially after dark with all the flashlights, while the adults never stopped talking.
Shabbat dinner with the Murphy's was a fantastic way to end the month... thanks for the yummy desserts, including peanut-free for Sofia!
An interview with Sofia... I just love the way she says, "Because I love her so much."
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
February 2012
February came and went quickly! There was too much going on at work for me and it has been crazy! Our family life certainly didn't suffer too much though, thanks to caffeine, Daddy, grandparents and friends!
A birthday party where Sofia got to play in a waterpark...
A visit from Antie She...
A cute moment between Daddy and Sofia...
Friday, February 17, 2012
Sofia's Masquerade Ball
Sofia's preschool had a Masquerade Ball which I took her too. At first she was shy, but relaxed quickly after finding her friends. We ate, danced, played games and had a blast!
Friday, February 10, 2012
The First Sleepover
Last Friday night Samantha and Sofia each had a friend stay over at our house. I opted for more kids to prevent fighting over just one friend. It was the first sleepover for all the girls, though both have been here to play multiple times. I was cautiously optimistic and hopeful for little drama. Daddy was in bed struggling with bronchitis, so I was effectively on my own.
I left work (it was a long week), picked up all four girls and we headed home. The older girls ran to Samantha's room for privacy. The younger ones ran to the living room to immediately play. I stood there wondering what to do with myself. I don't want to hover, but I don't dare relax. Yet I needed to "project" casual and be the cool mom. I had to feed them too.
Sofia is usually tired Friday nights and she struggled a bit. Sofia wanted Samantha's friend, not her guest. I tried patience, but it culminated in Sofia being in her room while Daddy entertained her friend. Sofia came out of it for the most part and all was well.
I left work (it was a long week), picked up all four girls and we headed home. The older girls ran to Samantha's room for privacy. The younger ones ran to the living room to immediately play. I stood there wondering what to do with myself. I don't want to hover, but I don't dare relax. Yet I needed to "project" casual and be the cool mom. I had to feed them too.
Sofia is usually tired Friday nights and she struggled a bit. Sofia wanted Samantha's friend, not her guest. I tried patience, but it culminated in Sofia being in her room while Daddy entertained her friend. Sofia came out of it for the most part and all was well.
Everyone stayed up later than normal, there was plenty of junk available though no one binged, and it was only Samantha and Sofia that were up in the middle of the night. Daddy made pancakes in the morning and the rest of the day went well. Whew! Another first for us has passed and I'll cherish it forever. The girls have good friends and we are friends with their families. Life is good and moving quickly.
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