Kids are so good at stating the obvious. Tonight, at dinner-
Lilly: I don't like this. It's too spicy.
Me: You have it for dinner all the time, because we have leftovers for lunch all the time.
Lilly: But it's too spicy.
Me: What usually happens when you have it for dinner?
Lilly: Well mommy tells me to, and I throw a tantrum, and Daddy and Patrick feed the dog.
(Feeding the dog, by the way, is one of the incentives for eating a nice dinner.)
I love how matter-of-fact she was about the common progress of events.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Monday, April 9, 2012
Ikea
With the twins' parents gone, I have more freedom than usual to do what I want with them. For a long time, I've wanted to take them back to Ikea; with V around, it's even easier. We packed dinner, ate in their cafe, and then went through the store a bit because we needed shelves.
When we reached the main beds section, Lilly shrieked, "I've never seen so many BEDS!!!" We cracked up for a good long time.
They each picked a desk and worked for awhile, answering the phone, typing away, looking at the computer screen.
In the kids' bed area, Patrick curled up in a big pink plastic bed and announced that it was his favorite. I took a picture and sent it to his mom. This is the same child who was distressed in the van because we accidentally left the house without a hairbow for him. (A ponytail in my purse placated him, thankfully.)
Who says Ikea isn't a playground? Or, for that matter, is just an adult's playground? We all had a blast.
When we reached the main beds section, Lilly shrieked, "I've never seen so many BEDS!!!" We cracked up for a good long time.
They each picked a desk and worked for awhile, answering the phone, typing away, looking at the computer screen.
In the kids' bed area, Patrick curled up in a big pink plastic bed and announced that it was his favorite. I took a picture and sent it to his mom. This is the same child who was distressed in the van because we accidentally left the house without a hairbow for him. (A ponytail in my purse placated him, thankfully.)
Who says Ikea isn't a playground? Or, for that matter, is just an adult's playground? We all had a blast.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Saturday
Curled up on the couch with V, breakfasting/snacking on yogurt, leftover pancakes, blackberries, and whipped cream (of course!). Photoshoot in an hour and a half, with a four year old and a two year old, at a playground. Good friend coming in tonight on her way from home to college. Ham and potatoes and corn and eggs and pudding and no family to look forward to tomorrow.
Monday morning through Wednesday at 5: living at Patrick and Lilly's while their parents take their first trip without the kids since the kids have been around. I'm so excited. I love when it's me, V, and some kids. Especially those two.
There are few things happier than Lilly running across a room, arms open, to dive into your lap for a hug.
Monday morning through Wednesday at 5: living at Patrick and Lilly's while their parents take their first trip without the kids since the kids have been around. I'm so excited. I love when it's me, V, and some kids. Especially those two.
There are few things happier than Lilly running across a room, arms open, to dive into your lap for a hug.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Entertainment
Today, we had zero tantrums. Quite a few near misses: quick redirection, a brief stint of ignoring, or being silly averted them, though. And we had a blast! I've been on a creative streak this week - finally coming out of the depression fog I've been in for far too long. Yesterday, we made picture frames out of popsicle sticks, which they glued buttons onto and decorated with glitter glue. Then I cut out cardboard from a box in the recycling, glued paper to it, let them color it, and glued it into their frames. Patrick's is now in daddy's office upstairs, and Lilly's went to mommy's office this morning where she put it on her big white board (she sent me a picture to show the kids).
Today, we used toothpicks and mini marshmallows to build towers, chains, shapes, etc. They'd never seen toothpicks; Patrick tried to tell his dad what we were going to play with and he called them chopsticks. When they ate all their marshmallows and were still playing with the "sticks," I realized we could make mini kabobs. I gave them bowls of cut up apples and bananas, cheerios, fruit snacks, and a few more marshmallows, and they strung them on and ate them. Or rather, Patrick stuck an apple on each toothpick, stood it up, and pretended it was a candle to blow out.
I think those two things literally kept them occupied for an hour. It was amazing. No fighting or arguing, plus it was adorable. Just goes to show that if I can put forth a little effort, I can engage their minds enough so they won't be quite so bratty. Not always, but definitely a helpful start. Hopefully this creative streak will continue a bit longer.
Today, we used toothpicks and mini marshmallows to build towers, chains, shapes, etc. They'd never seen toothpicks; Patrick tried to tell his dad what we were going to play with and he called them chopsticks. When they ate all their marshmallows and were still playing with the "sticks," I realized we could make mini kabobs. I gave them bowls of cut up apples and bananas, cheerios, fruit snacks, and a few more marshmallows, and they strung them on and ate them. Or rather, Patrick stuck an apple on each toothpick, stood it up, and pretended it was a candle to blow out.
I think those two things literally kept them occupied for an hour. It was amazing. No fighting or arguing, plus it was adorable. Just goes to show that if I can put forth a little effort, I can engage their minds enough so they won't be quite so bratty. Not always, but definitely a helpful start. Hopefully this creative streak will continue a bit longer.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
No baby
I don't want a baby right now. I want a preschooler. And I want him/her in order to make the right decisions, as opposed to the ones Patrick and Lilly's mom make.
Let me back up. I do love their mom, and I know she wants what's best for them. But in her mind, they aren't three and a half. I think they're more like two and a half.
We have such different clothing styles. I really, really wish I could buy the kids' wardrobes. Because what I have to work with this summer? Sucky.
I think they'd thrive in preschool. Now. Not when they're almost four. For goodness sake, Lilly wants something to challenge her, wants a fight. She'd love an environment where she was actually engaged. Instead, we go to the zoo, and we go to the park, and we take walks around the neighborhood.
Those are all good things. I think we should keep doing all of them. But I also really wish they were in some more structured activity.
Their mom asks me to keep a schedule with them that she doesn't stick to on the weekends. That lack of consistency is hurting them, I think.
When I started with them, I considered it lucky that I'd found a family whose views I could mesh with. It was true then. Apparently, the older they get, the less we mesh, and it's becoming a source of tension. Not between us, but within me. And that's coming out, in my lack of patience with the kids, who are acting out, because they aren't stimulated and on a regular schedule...
I hate nannying.
Let me back up. I do love their mom, and I know she wants what's best for them. But in her mind, they aren't three and a half. I think they're more like two and a half.
We have such different clothing styles. I really, really wish I could buy the kids' wardrobes. Because what I have to work with this summer? Sucky.
I think they'd thrive in preschool. Now. Not when they're almost four. For goodness sake, Lilly wants something to challenge her, wants a fight. She'd love an environment where she was actually engaged. Instead, we go to the zoo, and we go to the park, and we take walks around the neighborhood.
Those are all good things. I think we should keep doing all of them. But I also really wish they were in some more structured activity.
Their mom asks me to keep a schedule with them that she doesn't stick to on the weekends. That lack of consistency is hurting them, I think.
When I started with them, I considered it lucky that I'd found a family whose views I could mesh with. It was true then. Apparently, the older they get, the less we mesh, and it's becoming a source of tension. Not between us, but within me. And that's coming out, in my lack of patience with the kids, who are acting out, because they aren't stimulated and on a regular schedule...
I hate nannying.
Head
There is too much going on in my head. I've been fighting a lot of unexpected stress and depression yesterday; it's very much taking its toll. I've dreaded going to work both yesterday and today, and already do for tomorrow.
I'm going to start back to yoga on Wednesday nights. I've dropped that, and I think it was helping keep me balanced.
I'm going to make a more conscious effort to have a community when I'm with the kids. We've been going places with Kali, Laura, and Danielle's mom, and one of her friends. It's so much nicer - and I realized that, were I a stay at home mom with the twins, I would have this sort of group.
I'm still fighting motivation, though. I did stick to the meal plan tonight! Then I ate too much cookie dough, and now I'm reading the internet.
Have you all see leasthelpful.com - because if not, go prepare to laugh and shake your head.
I'm going to start back to yoga on Wednesday nights. I've dropped that, and I think it was helping keep me balanced.
I'm going to make a more conscious effort to have a community when I'm with the kids. We've been going places with Kali, Laura, and Danielle's mom, and one of her friends. It's so much nicer - and I realized that, were I a stay at home mom with the twins, I would have this sort of group.
I'm still fighting motivation, though. I did stick to the meal plan tonight! Then I ate too much cookie dough, and now I'm reading the internet.
Have you all see leasthelpful.com - because if not, go prepare to laugh and shake your head.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Shoot
Anyone want to donate to the get V a new camera fund? She's been shooting with a pretty bottom of the line body, and has gotten amazing results, but it's time for a step up into the world. But I've learned that big steps cost big money.
I asked why she had to have such an expensive hobby. Her response was that hopefully it will stop being a hobby and start being an income (it already is, though sporadically). In the meantime...can anyone convince Canon to have a half off sale?
I asked why she had to have such an expensive hobby. Her response was that hopefully it will stop being a hobby and start being an income (it already is, though sporadically). In the meantime...can anyone convince Canon to have a half off sale?
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