life lessons from the 3 year old

Trying to quiet 4 little ones at the same time for even 30 seconds is most often a bit tricky. One (or two) needs ample creativity, diversions, off the cuff games to be played to get it to work...if it even WILL work.

Every morning at 8:30 we gather round the kitchen table to have a short family meeting. To talk about what day it is (and how you spell it and sound it out) the schedule for that particular day. What chores need to be done and who needs to be where and when, etc. And most importantly (at least to the kids) who's turn it is to say the prayers for the whole day. We have to have this planned out and written on the white board calendar so they won't argue about who's turn it is as they all want it to be their turn - everyday. There are worse things they could argue about!
This whole meeting should only take 5 minutes or so since we most often don't have anywhere to go. But it usually takes about 10 minutes...at least it seems that way! 5 minutes to get everyone quite. 1 minute of talking. 2 minutes to get everyone quiet again. And so on. We've been working on raising our hands to have a turn to talk. Now we need to work on doing it quietly. HA HA!

Is there a point to this? Of course...hang in there

This morning, the kids were being extremely charming (catch the sarcasm?) Oh goodness were they wiggly and loud! And here's what happened this morning.

(Warning - the following story is not a proud moment for Pat but with his permission I am sharing it anyway. Cause its good!)

After I don't even remember how long trying to get everyone to calm down and co-operate...
Pat (frustrated): Kyle! Do I have to throw something at you to get you to listen to me for 2 minutes?! Good Grief, son!
Kyle (raising his hand): Dad, I want to tell you something.
Pat (up to 11 frustrated): No Kyle, its not your turn right now. Its my turn. You just have some patience for a little while and then it will be your turn.
Kyle (still raising his hand): But Dad, I NEED to tell you something!
Pat (Use your imagination):Son, thank you for raising your hand. I see you. When I'm done, then it will be your turn.
Finally Kyle's turn: Dad, if you throw something at me and you hurt my feelings then you won't have the Spirit of God with you!
Silence...
Pat: You're right, Kyle. I wouldn't. Let's talk about that.
How awesome is that? Pat and I were both hugely humbled! It turn into a great learning opportunity. And we all took turns (quietly and politely) sharing situations where we could lose having the Spirit of God. And what we could do to be better to each other. Just when you think they can't possibly be soaking anything other than T.V, show's in.
But seriously! How can a sweet 3 year old be an example of Christlike love and stinker at the same time?
And, how come he can't remember that same lesson he taught us when 30 minutes later he is beating his sister's head with his dirt digging spoon while they are both screaming?

Love You K.G.!

June

She hasn't had much face time on this blog. This should take care of it - for a while anyway.

Even though she rarely sleeps more than 2 hours at a time...day or night. And leaves her parents exhausted! We can't helping loving her cute face. She is such a sweet little girl!

LOVE YOU JUNE!

Spring II

We've talked about the plants and flowers and the delight that they are. Now, let's review what makes this possible...their life source...rain.

Yeah, we've got that.

Spring Part II

We had amazing 74 degree weather today. We had a great time kicking soccer balls and such. But then I went inside to put June to bed. I thought it was safe for them to play on their own. Apparently not.

(btw - I'm glad I captured this picture. It was the last time they were smiling while standing that close to each other. The rest of the day was WAR!)

ALWAYS, always in all of our pictures, there's at least one child pant-less.

They loved the mud when it was "ooey-gooey" Not so much when it dried.

Gearing up for her second wind. And most likely planning her next attack on Kyle.

I am glad that they were able to play and have a crazy time in the mud. Soaking up all of that Natural Vitamin D! It was the hour long - 3 bath fulls of water to get them all clean that I could've done without.

So this is what Spring can look like

Shortly after moving into this house (which is old and needs lots of TLC but is perfect for us) we discovered that it smelled like the Humane Society. Then we found out that the 81 year old lady who previously occupied the house in fact worked with the Humane Society and housed MANY stray and abandoned CATS!
Not knowing anything about wood floors, we didn't notice that the deep dark staining was a problem. When we walked through it for the first time, all the windows were open allowing the fresh air and many scented plug-ins to circulate throughout the house, we didn't notice the SMELL! (Yes, we should have noticed the plug-ins and wondered what they were hiding.)

Oh, the smell!
This offense is mostly in our front room...where we have our only couches and where we greet guests. We thought having the baseboard heaters on all through the winter would be awful. But no - we didn't even notice it at all. When the outside temps get above 50 - its hard to even be in the front room at all. Someday, we will be able to replace the wood floors and breathe easy. But for now, we have the gift of the Humane Society room.
Why am I sharing all of this?
Because of the other gifts left to us from the previous owner.
So, one rainy day I was driving up to the house and noticed these:



There are still other flowers and plants getting ready to bloom and show themselves. I can't wait. New surprises every few days! Being from the desert, I have never experienced Spring like this. It so amazing. I love how the bare trees turn white and pink and purple before they have their leaves again. And when those blossoms fall of the trees, the streets are lined with them. It really is so beautiful.
I despise the Humane Society room but I am so glad for the flowers and plants. I've been cutting the fragrant flowers and bringing them into the house so I can smell those gifts instead.

Yeah I know, I can hear it..."Thanks Pollyanna!" It doesn't matter because she really knew what she was talking about!

Why?

Some have asked...
Why have your postings been so few and far between?
Why haven't you posted in a month?

I'm not going to give excuses or long drawn out explanations.
First thing that came to mind?

Radiohead - Karma Police - particularly one phrase:

"Phew, for a minute there I lost myself. I lost my seh-eh-elf."

I'm ready to move on...

Want to know what spring in the Northwest looks like? Stay tuned...

Green thing

My kids are strange!! Or is it me? Or both?

I made them some 'special drink' (smoothie) for lunch today. Which is a common thing. Normally the recipe is:
Costco triple frozen fruit
banana
vanilla rice milk
spinach or kale
carrots
beets (if I have them)
and sunflower seed butter

They love it and can't get enough. Weird, you say?

Today I decided to branch out. The recipe was:
carrots
frozen apple juice
ice
kale
banana
and sunflower seed butter

It was the grossest color. But they LOVED IT! And begged for more when it was all gone.
"I LOVE to eat spinach everyday"
"Yeah, spinach makes me big and strong!"

Maybe this sounds weird but great cause they love their veg. But getting them to eat a regular meal? That is one of the most painful and exhausting chores around here. They are AWFUL eaters! And its not because they are picky eaters...they'll eat just about anything. Any veg, fish, or weird concoction that I throw together. Its just a fight to get them to focus and sit still long enough to eat anything. Oh and stubborn! Lane will sit for an hour insisting that he doesn't like something that he hasn't even tried. Then miraculously, what do you know?! He likes it! Eats it all in 10 minutes then he's on his way. And it was probably mac and cheese. SO Annoying!

I'm sure they think..."Ifsonly all my meals could come by way of special drink!"
Should I try more dinner like creations in the blender? If it will get them to eat? Why not!

Joking aside. I'm so glad that they do like all these special drinks. What a great way to get all those good foods. Especially since they are all safe for Nora. It is one if the easiest ways to get her to eat and not feel left out!

Tonight's dinner? Spaghetti 'special drink' I think as long as I say the words special drink they'll drink it. YUM!

Hooray for Special Drink!

Still Got It

Last April I posted why I felt I deserved the prestigious Mother Of The Year Award.

How am I doing a year later?

Still making sure they are fed enough...and properly

Still ensuring that they are well rested...


And their freedom? At least there are no tears - they're learning to except it

Are haircuts necessary? Maybe not to some. Just when he gets kinks in his neck from constantly looking up to be able to see. A clue to mom? "Hey mom! When the sun gets in my eyes I can just cover them with my hair!"

I've Still Got 'IT'

Whatever 'IT' is...


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