No TV, week #1

I was really surprised how much I enjoyed not having the t.v. on this week.

We actually carted the t.v. back to the office, and didn’t watch any! (excepting family movie time after dinner a couple of nights, and a few Sesame street skits turned on long enough for me to snag a quick one shower yesterday afternoon )

I was really bracing myself for horrific meltdowns and running around and chaos and the day dragging by s-l-o-w-l-y, but was surprised to find the exact opposite! The weather’s nice here, so we spent a good amount of time on the porch or at the park or walking trails. They’re both really like little forest elves…they adore being out in the dirt and trees and rocks and leaves. It’s *amazing* how quickly time seems to fly when it’s pretty outside.

I want to pause time and not let the freezing rain of winter come…this area is famous for it. I’ll have to get more creative, I guess, lol. This is an easy time of year to wean off the poop tube.

We did some fun little seasonal projects together: we made a bird feeder with peanut butter and pine cones, collected leaves, baked some muffins, made some apple-star-stamp cards to send to family and I think we’ll carve another jack-o-lantern tomorrow morning.

It probably helps that I tend to be obnoxiously in love with all things whimsical and creative. I have to remind myself to pace myself and not rush from one project to the next. Savoring. Being in the moment, and embracing the rhythm of work, play, and savoring. I need to work on that. E tends to cure that tenancy by digging in her heels when she feels pushed or rushed, which is good for me.

I’m also working on not being quite so much of a shutter-bug. *gasp* Still taking pictures, of course, but spending most of my time connecting and enjoying the moment…not missing out on it by trying so hard to capture it. Special moments with children remind me of butterflies: try to hard to capture them, and you’ll crush them. But, if you remain very still and approachable, they just might land on your fingers.

Mostly…I guess I’m trying to live more than survive, which is, of course, a lot easier now that both girls are out of the all-consuming infant phase.

I’m happy to have reclaimed a little bit of rhythm. <3

Weekend

This weekend

N. ate his first funnel cake (and became an instant fan), we’re getting over some respiratory crud, Bessie Bug got her face painted, the girls and I had tea (something my husband strongly influenced, having grown up with it), we had a perfect October afternoon at a Pumpkin Festival with some good friends, my nearly broken toe is feeling better….

…all in all, a really nice and relaxing couple of days. <3

Three Year Olds and Schedules

My 3yo is a classic textbook high energy kiddo.

Since she turned 3, Nate and I have been running around after her non-stop. Lots of dumping, lots of messes, lots of smearing and stirring and mixing of things that shouldn’t be smeared or stirred or mixed.

I finally had an “aha!” moment one day when I walked into the kitchen and saw she’d poured an entire carton of rice milk into a half-empty jar of peanut butter, and was dutifully sprinkling the soggy mess with a bottle of oregano. I asked in exasperation (after muffling a big blue streak), “WHY would you DO that??” She answered proudly, “I’m sorry you’re mad. I’m making a recipe just like YOU, mommy!! It’s tasty!”

My anger melted as I watched her bravely wince and ladle to stuff into her little mouth, grunting in forced satisfaction.

Snorking down a secret giggle, I seriously sat her down and we had a talk about respecting things, how she wanted to do things for herself, and how we could do both at the same time.

The solution was that she would be allowed in the kitchen and could have access to the fridge, as long as she only took food from a special shelf designated for only Esther. She wanted a box with dinosaurs with snacks in it on the shelf. I went out the next day and got supplies to make the box, which ended up being decorated with dragons and knights after a failed search for dino stickers.

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In addition, that evening, I took a blow to my free-spirited side (as well as my adult-oriented nature) and made out a schedule for our weekdays. (A big “Thank You” to my friend Allison for prodding me in that direction )

So far, it’s working out well, and I’m staying a few steps ahead of her fairly easily! Whoot!! D

I’m trying to plan out “outside” time (at least 2 hours of it) every day, along with a general theme for the week that goes along with the season of the year. This week, it’s harvest time and apples.

Our schedule is completely subject to Ess and Nooms’ natural rhythms, more a general order of planned things rather than a rigid itinerary. A few things, like lunch and naptime are non-negotiable and sacred. No trips or projects or stimulating things during sleepy time of day, lol, or disaster will surely follow.

(Soapbox of the Day: I, btw, completely take issue with the notion that parents who attribute “bad” behavior to sleepiness or hunger or illness are simply making excuses for sinfulness, and that recognizing rough times of the day will set them up to be “wild” adults. I don’t know anyone who acts nicely when overly-tired. I agree that parents should teach children self-control for times when they feel badly…I just believe that doing so means teaching them to take good care of themselves and getting the needs for sleep and food met ASAP, if possible! Jesus slept when he was sleepy and ate when He was hungry- I can’t expect more than that from my kids! )

I found a lot of fun Waldorf-inspired hands on activities and nature themed verses to go along with our work and play. I love the playful teaching and structure it adds…

So far, so good! She’s like a wild rose with a trellis to climb now, and we’re all pleased with the result: the family’s things are treated with respect, and so is she!