Friday, September 7, 2012

Mr. E. Goes to the Beach and Other Summer Round Up Pics (#2)


I didn't mean to take so many of just the baby...but aren't these photos of him enjoying the beach so fun?  I love watching babies discover something for the first time.











Here are some at home from the end of the summer, from the kids making a cardboard bed to baby climbing on the piano when I wasn't looking to kids playing with their animals (from craft jars), to my sister visiting (my kids LOVE my sisters...she was shocked when the baby, who never goes to anyone, plunked himself down in her lap for a photo!  He was still a little wary of her, though).














Thursday, September 6, 2012

End of Summer #1 Pics and Update


As far as doing hair and making school lunches, two thumbs up!  I've gotten some good ideas for hair on Pinterest here (my girls love this twist...we've been doing our own easy variations).



If nothing else, I'm aware that doing acts of service large and small are things that contribute to their emotional well-being and not just physical well-being.  I'm looking at some of my tasks very differently now and trying to find ways to help my kids feel loved through those tasks.  I have some new ideas to try, too, such as finding out what a favorite meal is, for example, and surprise a child with it.  Since I am doing these things anyway, I may as well make someone feel special, right?

Enjoy these pictures of a county fair we attended in August. 



 Isn't that the cutest baby camel you have ever seen?











 Walking back to the car, the sun was low in the sky and smoky red.


Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Family Motto and Animal Craft Jar Idea

Last month when I learned about teaching my kids how to work, I gleaned some great ideas from The Parenting Breakthrough from Merrilee Boyack.  Finally, after all this time, I've (mostly) finished this one.  Update, 1.1.2014: I have mixed feelings about this book after thinking about it a little longer.  Not sure I would recommend it for parents of kids with ADD after reading Smart But Scattered by Dawson/Guare.

Her idea was to write down all the things you'd like to teach your children by the time they leave home at age 18.  She also talked about creating a family motto or slogan.  I read about this on this blog, too.

A couple of years ago, I decided if I could teach my kids only one thing, it would be "Love like His Son."  I made some vinyl lettering and it is now on our wall in the living room. 

Here is what my husband and I came up with to supplement the first slogan, with a few more nitty gritty details:




Below you'll find the sheets I made from www.Wordle.net to correspond to each part of the motto. They go in order Learn, Do, Be.  I know some of the things on my list wouldn't appeal to everyone, nor will they even apply exactly to each of my children (Eagle Scout, for example).  That is why I'm making individual ones for each child.  Plus, there needs to be some wiggle room as children get older and make their own choices.  For example, on the "do" list, I put "learn the Norweigian Concerto."  This is just symbolic of mastering an instrument, doesn't have to be that specific song or instrument.  I still haven't figured out how to display the sheets I made...this is just temporary.




We did another craft at the same time.  I wanted to make something for my kids to keep their tithing in when I saw a cute idea in Parenting magazine (so far, I wouldn't recommend this magazine, but I did enjoy this craft idea-- you can also see it with instructions here -- if I were to to it again, I'd do it exactly as it was done in the instructions...including using spray paint instead of acrylic).  It's meant to hold crayons and craft things.  My kids were playing so cute with the animals before we made them that I felt really badly taking their little playthings to make this craft.  Then they didn't want to paint "their" animals.  So I gave in and let them paint their own jars the way they wanted to.  They actually turned out really cute.  And my kids enjoyed themselves.  They even said to me "Mom, look how creative we are!  Aren't you glad we didn't paint our animals?"  I think they are right.




Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Kindergarten Poem

That day has come.  The day when I close the chapter of a little one's time with me. 



Little Pink Backpack
This morning I watched

The back of your little pink backpack

As you marched with golden

Curls into a fall

School.

I think when I hugged you

Goodbye,
A string from my heart

Must’ve
Attached itself to that

Little backpack,
Because with each

Step
I feel it stretch

As if it might burst.
Yet I realize

This means
You’re not looking back.

You’re happy,
Progressing,

Moving forward
To meet your life without regret or remorse.

I hope I’ve done right.

From that first moment
When they placed you in my arms,
Your tiny baby cry

Made me cry too.
I loved you,

Watched you grow,
Smile for the first time,

Take first tentative steps,
Smear baby food on

Your head,
Dance,

Look for bugs,
Read books,

Welcome little siblings with
love.
Now maybe you’ve packed up

Those memories,
With my love,

Into your tiny backpack,
Ready to see what
New

Adventure

Awaits.
The strings are still attached

To my heart,
You’ll never know.

But I’ll be watching my baby,
And loving you,

And remembering
Our time together,

As my little girl
Marches toward Womanhood

On this sunny autumn morning.


   (with Grandpa)
 
Speaking of something sentimental that reminds me of my own childhood, I heard a story on NPR about John Boswell's PBS remixes.  Some are funny and quirky and inspiring.  This one with Mr. Rogers brought backs some serious memories and made me cry.  :)