...your shirt looks like a used kleenex
...YOU are the one who has to do all the undesirable household tasks (ex: those certain dishes that NOBODY wants to wash! Sorry, mom, that we always ignored those growing up!)
...you know what clipping all those box top and best choice labels is for
...you know why it's crucial to keep the toilet lid closed
...you pick up the same things over and Over and OVER
...part of your 'workday' includes playtime and storytime and naptime
...you get to give Kissing Hands (The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn)
...your reading list includes parenting how-to's (the latest one I'm reading through is 'Shepherding a Child's Heart' by Tedd Tripp. It presents kind of a different perspective from a lot of other parenting books out there. More focused on changing the heart than just the outward behavior. Neat.)
I also recently read 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. I don't think I'd ever read it before. My sisters have a little book club, and that was their latest selection. I think society was so interesting back then--some of the things would have been neat for a while, like dressing up for balls and such; but there was such an apparent prejudice based on money and your name. I'm glad that's changed a little.
My time is up--I'm being summoned to the sunny table to check out the latest tomato sprouts!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Projects
I finally put together an envelope journal kit from over a year ago from reddiva. It's a Celebrate Life album, and my thought was to write down and put in the envelopes our favorite ways we celebrate different holidays, birthday traditions, etc. I also saw an idea for putting recipes in, and thought that would be a handy way to keep some of those holiday recipes right where you need them! Here's a couple pics, I will try to get more up on my 2 peas page sometime.
Another accomplishment this week: I finished up Honey's baby album. Woo-hoo. Now only 12 months behind in our family scrapbook...
And a random thought: I wanted to share a successful Christmas gift I found for Hubby (those guys are hard to shop for!) It was a dessert-of-the-month club one year membership. I printed out a coupon for each month and he could pick any dessert he wanted. It was nice, he got some desserts that he craves that I probably wouldn't have made otherwise, and I tried several new recipes. And found out that I CANNOT make meringue. :)
Another accomplishment this week: I finished up Honey's baby album. Woo-hoo. Now only 12 months behind in our family scrapbook...
And a random thought: I wanted to share a successful Christmas gift I found for Hubby (those guys are hard to shop for!) It was a dessert-of-the-month club one year membership. I printed out a coupon for each month and he could pick any dessert he wanted. It was nice, he got some desserts that he craves that I probably wouldn't have made otherwise, and I tried several new recipes. And found out that I CANNOT make meringue. :)
Time
I was pondering last night (as I was thinking of plans to be made and activities to partake of for St. Pat's and Easter, and how FAST they are coming up) how when you're little, it takes absolutely FOREVER for each holiday, birthday, or thing you're looking forward to to arrive. Is it being grown-up and busy with so many to-do's; or being a mom, trying to cram learning, and traditions, and fun, and sugar cookies into each season; that makes the months SPEED by?
And now the minutes that drag are the ones spent waiting for the mail to arrive, or wondering if it's really only been 3 minutes of wailing since you put the baby down to cry it out in the crib! And you want those babies to be out of diapers and quit whining...but at the same time not too old to cuddle up for a story or for their hands to grow out of that sweet size that fits so well in my hand...
And how 24 hours in a day used to seem too many--I don't even remember what it's like to have time to be bored and wish time was passing faster!
And now the minutes that drag are the ones spent waiting for the mail to arrive, or wondering if it's really only been 3 minutes of wailing since you put the baby down to cry it out in the crib! And you want those babies to be out of diapers and quit whining...but at the same time not too old to cuddle up for a story or for their hands to grow out of that sweet size that fits so well in my hand...
And how 24 hours in a day used to seem too many--I don't even remember what it's like to have time to be bored and wish time was passing faster!
Old Soul
Sometimes I wonder if Princess is 4 years old, or 94 years old. Like last week when I went to change her sheets and there were a bunch of tissues crammed between the mattress and the headboard.
30
I think of things all day to put on my blog, but then when I have the chance to sit down--they're all gone. :) Whew. I feel like I've spent the last two weeks taking care of sickies. And it stinks, Hubby got very sick last night, and was in bed all day today. On my birthday. Oh well. I helped the kids make and decorate my cake; we tried out some new decorator bottles from Pampered Chef. They don't get a glowing recommendation yet, but it is a much less messy way for kids to be able to help out. They are kind of tedious and messy to fill, and I didn't feel like had as much control for detailed decorating as the typical bags.
I finally got a picture of Honey's 'cheese' face--the one she first started using after she sneezed.
I finally got a picture of Honey's 'cheese' face--the one she first started using after she sneezed.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Queen of the Castle
:) When I put those words by my picture on the blog, I was kind of making a pun with our Halloween costumes, since I was dressed as a princess. I received this cute tale on one of the many email listservs I subscribe to, and thought it would be fun to share:
QUEEN OF YOUR CASTLE
Homebodies
By Cheryl Gochnauer
homebodies@comcast.net
Copyright 2008
Once upon a time, there was a fair Princess who was very
beautiful, especially in her parents' eyes. But though she was
beautiful inside and out, the Princess was also very confused.
Her mother, the Queen, loved the castle and was content to
raise her family within its walls. But every day, rabble-
rousers outside the castle banged on the gates and tossed
rocks with messages tied round them into the courtyard. The
Princess would untie the messages and read them:
"The Queen is wasting her life, just staying in the castle
with you and the young princes."
"Princess, the Queen is a coward. Or maybe she's just lazy.
Then again, I bet she's not very smart. Because brave, busy
and bright queens leave their castles and become part of the
real world."
"I can't believe how selfish the Queen is. She makes your
father, the King, work like a serf to take care of her while
she watches Oprah the Great spin tales all day."
The Princess, who up until this time had been happy to play in
the castle with her brothers and the Queen, began to mope. "If
the Queen would get a job outside the castle, my life would be
so much better," she thought. "There would be money for more
toys, I could play with other kids all day at Wee Royal
Daycare, and the Queen could drive me about in a brand-new
carriage."
The King noticed the Princess pouting, and beckoned her to
him. "What's the matter, Child?" he asked as she crawled up in
his lap. When the Princess told him about her plight, the King
realized it was time for a royal chat. He summoned the princes
and the Queen, and the entire royal family gathered to hear
his words.
"Alas," the King began, "I fear a plague has entered the
castle grounds, transported here by the rocks thrown over the
castle walls. It is affluenza, a dangerous and fast-growing
affliction that brings sorrow to almost every family it
infects.
"Affluenza's victims are stricken with a warped perception of
true wealth," the King explained. "Instead of valuing what
they have, they want more. They trade their time for things,
and then have no time to enjoy the things they've traded for.
"Princess, don't you like to play with the Queen and the
princes?" he asked. She nodded. "Well, if you spend ten hours
everyday in Wee Royal Daycare, you won't have much time to
play with the Queen. And since Wee Royal Daycare doesn't take
princes under two years old, you'll be separated from your
youngest brother, too." The Princess scooted a little closer
to the Baby Prince.
"With the gold the Queen made from working outside the castle,
we could afford to buy the new carriage," the King
acknowledged. "But you wouldn't spend much time in it, except
driving back and forth to Wee Royal Daycare. And carriages
cost so much, there wouldn't be much money left over for new
toys, either."
"It's nice having the Queen around to help you learn and to
answer questions, isn't it?" the King asked. "At Wee Royal
Daycare, there are nice teachers, too. But with one teacher to
ten children, they are very busy, and what's important to you
and the Queen isn't always important to them."
"Tell me what you saw the Queen doing today at the castle,"
the King said.
"Let's see," the Princess thought. "She cleaned the castle,
bartered with shopkeepers, washed and mended our clothing. She
soothed the Baby Prince, counseled the Teen Prince, and helped
me with my letters. Then she prepared the feast, and listened
to you talk about fighting dragons outside the castle."
"The Queen doesn't sound lazy or scared or dumb to me,"
observed the King.
"She's wonderful," cried the Princess, as she threw her arms
around the Queen.
"Yes, she is," said the King. "And I should have let you know
I thought so earlier. Sometimes I get so busy fighting
dragons, I forget to say how much I appreciate her creating a
safe haven inside the castle.
"Princess, there's a wide, often whimsical world beyond these
walls. You have many choices of what you might do with your
life when you grow up. But no matter what you do, remember
that simply becoming queen of your castle is a noble choice."
*****
Are you Queen of your castle? Write Cheryl at
homebodies@comcast.net and spin a tale of your favorite moment
with your royal children.
***Now, you working moms, I'm not trying to disinclude you--I don't know how you do all that you do! Just thought this was cute, and true for me. I'm very thankful my mom stayed home with us while we were growing up. There are sacrifices, but it's worth it!
QUEEN OF YOUR CASTLE
Homebodies
By Cheryl Gochnauer
homebodies@comcast.net
Copyright 2008
Once upon a time, there was a fair Princess who was very
beautiful, especially in her parents' eyes. But though she was
beautiful inside and out, the Princess was also very confused.
Her mother, the Queen, loved the castle and was content to
raise her family within its walls. But every day, rabble-
rousers outside the castle banged on the gates and tossed
rocks with messages tied round them into the courtyard. The
Princess would untie the messages and read them:
"The Queen is wasting her life, just staying in the castle
with you and the young princes."
"Princess, the Queen is a coward. Or maybe she's just lazy.
Then again, I bet she's not very smart. Because brave, busy
and bright queens leave their castles and become part of the
real world."
"I can't believe how selfish the Queen is. She makes your
father, the King, work like a serf to take care of her while
she watches Oprah the Great spin tales all day."
The Princess, who up until this time had been happy to play in
the castle with her brothers and the Queen, began to mope. "If
the Queen would get a job outside the castle, my life would be
so much better," she thought. "There would be money for more
toys, I could play with other kids all day at Wee Royal
Daycare, and the Queen could drive me about in a brand-new
carriage."
The King noticed the Princess pouting, and beckoned her to
him. "What's the matter, Child?" he asked as she crawled up in
his lap. When the Princess told him about her plight, the King
realized it was time for a royal chat. He summoned the princes
and the Queen, and the entire royal family gathered to hear
his words.
"Alas," the King began, "I fear a plague has entered the
castle grounds, transported here by the rocks thrown over the
castle walls. It is affluenza, a dangerous and fast-growing
affliction that brings sorrow to almost every family it
infects.
"Affluenza's victims are stricken with a warped perception of
true wealth," the King explained. "Instead of valuing what
they have, they want more. They trade their time for things,
and then have no time to enjoy the things they've traded for.
"Princess, don't you like to play with the Queen and the
princes?" he asked. She nodded. "Well, if you spend ten hours
everyday in Wee Royal Daycare, you won't have much time to
play with the Queen. And since Wee Royal Daycare doesn't take
princes under two years old, you'll be separated from your
youngest brother, too." The Princess scooted a little closer
to the Baby Prince.
"With the gold the Queen made from working outside the castle,
we could afford to buy the new carriage," the King
acknowledged. "But you wouldn't spend much time in it, except
driving back and forth to Wee Royal Daycare. And carriages
cost so much, there wouldn't be much money left over for new
toys, either."
"It's nice having the Queen around to help you learn and to
answer questions, isn't it?" the King asked. "At Wee Royal
Daycare, there are nice teachers, too. But with one teacher to
ten children, they are very busy, and what's important to you
and the Queen isn't always important to them."
"Tell me what you saw the Queen doing today at the castle,"
the King said.
"Let's see," the Princess thought. "She cleaned the castle,
bartered with shopkeepers, washed and mended our clothing. She
soothed the Baby Prince, counseled the Teen Prince, and helped
me with my letters. Then she prepared the feast, and listened
to you talk about fighting dragons outside the castle."
"The Queen doesn't sound lazy or scared or dumb to me,"
observed the King.
"She's wonderful," cried the Princess, as she threw her arms
around the Queen.
"Yes, she is," said the King. "And I should have let you know
I thought so earlier. Sometimes I get so busy fighting
dragons, I forget to say how much I appreciate her creating a
safe haven inside the castle.
"Princess, there's a wide, often whimsical world beyond these
walls. You have many choices of what you might do with your
life when you grow up. But no matter what you do, remember
that simply becoming queen of your castle is a noble choice."
*****
Are you Queen of your castle? Write Cheryl at
homebodies@comcast.net and spin a tale of your favorite moment
with your royal children.
***Now, you working moms, I'm not trying to disinclude you--I don't know how you do all that you do! Just thought this was cute, and true for me. I'm very thankful my mom stayed home with us while we were growing up. There are sacrifices, but it's worth it!
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Highs & Lows
To encourage dinner conversation, sometimes we'll talk about each person's highlight and lowlight of the day. Last night, Hubby and I were talking, and Speedy said "Excuse me!" EX-CUSE ME!" EEXXX-CUUUUSE MEEEE!" (he gets louder and louder till we stop talking). We look at him, he says, "Excuse me, mommy, what was your high today?" Yes, our 2-year old is leading us in highs and lows! Amazing! :)
Definite low today--waking up to find Hubby taking Princess to puke in the bathroom at 4:30 am. She picked it up visiting Grammy and A. Stephie. Hopefully (fingers crossed) it's the same strain that Speedy, Honey, A. Natty and I already had this winter. Cause that would mean we can't get it again, right? RIGHT???
So, really haven't made any progress on all those one-year errands--Speedy had a fever off and on from a week ago Saturday till Monday, so moved back our portrait sitting. Then Honey got a fever Wednesday--so moved back her immunizations. And moved back our portrait sitting again. And took her to the doctor (not for well-child, but for sick-child) and she has influenza. Why did that groundhog have to see his shadow?? I am tired of winter!
On the plus side, it was a beautiful day today, extremely windy, but beautiful. We (mostly Hubby) started on the unnecessary but interesting task of relocating the fishpond out front to a better spot where all the leaves from the entire neighborhood wouldn't be corraled into the pond, choking out the fish. Maybe I'll get a pic on here of before and after. I should be able to have some fun landscaping the old pond crater, too. Theoretically. Since Honey really can't be unattended at all outside, because she's still putting EVERYTHING in her mouth. And our driveway slopes toward the street, so that's where the balls she chases head quite quickly. But in theory, it would be fun to have time to pick out plants and plant them. :)
Anyway, have a great day!
Definite low today--waking up to find Hubby taking Princess to puke in the bathroom at 4:30 am. She picked it up visiting Grammy and A. Stephie. Hopefully (fingers crossed) it's the same strain that Speedy, Honey, A. Natty and I already had this winter. Cause that would mean we can't get it again, right? RIGHT???
So, really haven't made any progress on all those one-year errands--Speedy had a fever off and on from a week ago Saturday till Monday, so moved back our portrait sitting. Then Honey got a fever Wednesday--so moved back her immunizations. And moved back our portrait sitting again. And took her to the doctor (not for well-child, but for sick-child) and she has influenza. Why did that groundhog have to see his shadow?? I am tired of winter!
On the plus side, it was a beautiful day today, extremely windy, but beautiful. We (mostly Hubby) started on the unnecessary but interesting task of relocating the fishpond out front to a better spot where all the leaves from the entire neighborhood wouldn't be corraled into the pond, choking out the fish. Maybe I'll get a pic on here of before and after. I should be able to have some fun landscaping the old pond crater, too. Theoretically. Since Honey really can't be unattended at all outside, because she's still putting EVERYTHING in her mouth. And our driveway slopes toward the street, so that's where the balls she chases head quite quickly. But in theory, it would be fun to have time to pick out plants and plant them. :)
Anyway, have a great day!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)