It's supposed to be the happiest place one earth, right?So why are people there so pushy and rude?
(...including me.)
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Disneyland
It's supposed to be the happiest place one earth, right?So why are people there so pushy and rude?
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
"This Stage" Resolutions
Resolutions shouldn't just be for the new year. They should be for whenever you're ready to change. That's why I have a new resolution. I resolve to spend less time wasting time and more time with Zach and Kate. And by "with" I don't just mean in the same room, I mean WITH...actively engaged. I mean quality, let's-make-some-memories, TIME.
I used to think I understood what a gift it was to be a young mother of young children. I thought I did, but I didn't. If I really understood, I would have been doing more...teaching them more. What I realize now is that "this stage" is quickly passing. "This stage" is the one in which my kids want unlimited hugs and kisses and aren't embarrassed to express how much they love me and Adam. It's the one where they believe we know best and want to do everything we say. It's the stage in which they are utterly innocent and happy. "This stage" is incredible! But it can't last forever. The other day Katelyn told me, "I DON'T HAVE TO DO WHAT YOU SAY!!!" I didn't tell her so, but she's absolutely right. So before we hit the complicated school years, I resolve to make the most of this precious time we have together.
That said, here is an account of the beautiful day we enjoyed together...
Today we spent a peaceful afternoon at the Arboretum at CSUF. I didn't bring my camera because I wanted to have my hands free. We got our feet, pants, faces and hands dirty. We basked in the sun...me in my floppy hat, holding Littleman as he sucked his thumb, watching the turtles on the rocks, who were also basking. Katelyn found a sprig of white flowers and decided that they would be the flowers she holds on her wedding day...the very same ones!! That plan was thwarted when she lost them somewhere between throwing some of the petals in the pond and rolling down a hill. We learned that baby oranges are actually green, and that fallen cherries are very smoosh-able. We found a dead beetle in the grass and its colors were beautifully metallic...like the shimmery tail of a mermaid or a foil Lisa Frank binder, only better. That's when I decided that the next time we go we are bringing empty baby food jars so we can bring home our favorite treasures. Mine would have been the beetle, Zach's would have been a cherry, and Kate wouldn't have lost her wedding flowers. I think daddy would have loved to see them!
On our way home, we stopped at the Target garden department. I let Katelyn choose a plant to be hers. Hers to water, love and care for. She was so excited! She chose pink mini-roses without thorns. She carried them to the cashier herself. I bought her her very own watering can (she has been begging for one for months). We brought her plant home and set it out on our porch. She named it "Planty" and says she thinks that's a good name for a princess. She stayed on the porch to water Planty and tell her stories. She couldn't wait for her dad to get home...nor could I. She put Planty up on the ledge and stood on a chair next to her. She said she was waiting for kids to go by so she could tell them about Planty, and it was true! From the kitchen I could hear her telling all the neighbors about her new plant, wether they cared or not!
I used to think I understood what a gift it was to be a young mother of young children. I thought I did, but I didn't. If I really understood, I would have been doing more...teaching them more. What I realize now is that "this stage" is quickly passing. "This stage" is the one in which my kids want unlimited hugs and kisses and aren't embarrassed to express how much they love me and Adam. It's the one where they believe we know best and want to do everything we say. It's the stage in which they are utterly innocent and happy. "This stage" is incredible! But it can't last forever. The other day Katelyn told me, "I DON'T HAVE TO DO WHAT YOU SAY!!!" I didn't tell her so, but she's absolutely right. So before we hit the complicated school years, I resolve to make the most of this precious time we have together.
That said, here is an account of the beautiful day we enjoyed together...
Today we spent a peaceful afternoon at the Arboretum at CSUF. I didn't bring my camera because I wanted to have my hands free. We got our feet, pants, faces and hands dirty. We basked in the sun...me in my floppy hat, holding Littleman as he sucked his thumb, watching the turtles on the rocks, who were also basking. Katelyn found a sprig of white flowers and decided that they would be the flowers she holds on her wedding day...the very same ones!! That plan was thwarted when she lost them somewhere between throwing some of the petals in the pond and rolling down a hill. We learned that baby oranges are actually green, and that fallen cherries are very smoosh-able. We found a dead beetle in the grass and its colors were beautifully metallic...like the shimmery tail of a mermaid or a foil Lisa Frank binder, only better. That's when I decided that the next time we go we are bringing empty baby food jars so we can bring home our favorite treasures. Mine would have been the beetle, Zach's would have been a cherry, and Kate wouldn't have lost her wedding flowers. I think daddy would have loved to see them!
On our way home, we stopped at the Target garden department. I let Katelyn choose a plant to be hers. Hers to water, love and care for. She was so excited! She chose pink mini-roses without thorns. She carried them to the cashier herself. I bought her her very own watering can (she has been begging for one for months). We brought her plant home and set it out on our porch. She named it "Planty" and says she thinks that's a good name for a princess. She stayed on the porch to water Planty and tell her stories. She couldn't wait for her dad to get home...nor could I. She put Planty up on the ledge and stood on a chair next to her. She said she was waiting for kids to go by so she could tell them about Planty, and it was true! From the kitchen I could hear her telling all the neighbors about her new plant, wether they cared or not!
Today was a special day. I feel very blessed!
To all the Mothers and Grandmothers out there:
No one else can take your place, so do what you love everyday!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Free My Gym!!
Free play at MyGym today (and tomorrow). And by free, I mean gratis! The kids had a blast. They were really excited to meet Elmo. He's like a celebrity to them, but when he came out he ended up being huge and creepy-looking and didn't talk. The girl that works there had to pretend like he was whispering things that only she could hear. The pictures crack me up!
The Abominable Snow Elmo. Grrrrr!
This was as close as Katelyn would get. I don't blame her.
Zach didn't know any better, bless his heart.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Loving Jesus
I was tucking Katelyn in to bed tonight. We usually have some some of our best conversations during the tucking. Mostly about things we did that day or what we would dream about. Tonight I asked her, "What was your favorite part about today?" It was a preschool day, so I expected it would be something exciting, but that little sweetie told me that her favorite part of the day was: "Loving Jesus."
Then there's Zach...ooooooh my little Zach! Today I tried taking him to a mandatory music teachers meeting. About 15 minutes into the two-hour-long meeting, he becomes comfortable with his new surroundings...aka he begins to scream. Not the type of screaming that makes sense, either. More like baby Tourette's Syndrome. Totally random. The first scream threw everyone off guard. My funny memory of today will be watching 50 grandmas jump out of their seats in perfect unison. Hilarious! Not to mention, embarrassing.
He also said the word "avocado" very clearly today. This is a big deal, since he is a Littleman of little words. For the longest time, about the only words he would use were "mommy" (even when he was talking to daddy) and "joo!" meaning "give me juice...or milk!" A few other words he's added to his vocabulary this week are: "milk", "apple" and "fishy" meaning Goldfish Crackers of course...it's all about food with this kid. I'm so proud of my Littleman!
And then there's Adam. I'm always proud of him. He is smart, handsome, a great husband and father, he motivates me to be healthier, and advocates Chiropractic...just like me! He has so much positive energy. He makes healthy living easier!
And last, but not least, there's me. I used to think it was wrong to be proud of myself, but I think I was wrong to think that. As a mom, if I don't feel good about myself, the whole family's going to feel it. But then there's that scripture that says "pride is a sin", so if I call it "well-pleased" then it's okay, right?
Right.
So...Today I was well-pleased with myself. I was decisive; I was assertive (well...as assertive as I can be, which isn't much, honestly). I decided to take Katelyn out of preschool and I turned in her two weeks notice. Her last day will be on her birthday and we will bring Harry Potter muffins to class and celebrate. She is doing awesome in her class, it's not that, but I feel good about my decision. Something my mom said made me realize that this could be my last year with her before sending her off into "the system", and by golly, we're going to live it up together! I feel like I'm the only mom in the area not doing preschool, but my friend Beth posted a story a few weeks ago that helped me decide with confidence, and I encourage you to follow this link and read it if you haven't heard it already. I also worked up the courage to confront one of her teachers about something she had said to me earlier which I felt was out of line. Let me tell you, it was a BIG deal for me to call her aside and tell her how I felt and what I expected of her in the future. People who say things that make me feel diminished (like she did) are very hard for me to confront. It scares me to death. Last night I couldn't sleep and I felt sick at the thought of it. This morning I wore my heels because I knew that if I broke down and cried in front of her, all I would have left going for me would be the height advantage, and I needed all the advantage I could get. Luckily, I managed to hold it together...just barely. I may have shed a few tears on the walk back to the car, but hopefully nobody noticed. :) Man, I feel good now!!
And last of all, I am well-pleased because I pulled out my old Brahms Ballade from college days and played it for my kids...and it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I think that if I can get over my fear of disturbing the neighbors (growing up I always practiced in perfect solitude...all that heard me were the cows)...if I can get over that fear, I think I can get it polished again. Maybe even totally memorized.
P.S. Katelyn and I wrote a book today called "Zach's Bedtime". This is one of my favorite pictures she drew. Other than being so abstract, it is very true to life. His eyes are closed and he is sucking his (incredibly long) thumb. If she had only drawn his other hand resting inside his pants it would be a perfect likeness!
Then there's Zach...ooooooh my little Zach! Today I tried taking him to a mandatory music teachers meeting. About 15 minutes into the two-hour-long meeting, he becomes comfortable with his new surroundings...aka he begins to scream. Not the type of screaming that makes sense, either. More like baby Tourette's Syndrome. Totally random. The first scream threw everyone off guard. My funny memory of today will be watching 50 grandmas jump out of their seats in perfect unison. Hilarious! Not to mention, embarrassing.
He also said the word "avocado" very clearly today. This is a big deal, since he is a Littleman of little words. For the longest time, about the only words he would use were "mommy" (even when he was talking to daddy) and "joo!" meaning "give me juice...or milk!" A few other words he's added to his vocabulary this week are: "milk", "apple" and "fishy" meaning Goldfish Crackers of course...it's all about food with this kid. I'm so proud of my Littleman!
And then there's Adam. I'm always proud of him. He is smart, handsome, a great husband and father, he motivates me to be healthier, and advocates Chiropractic...just like me! He has so much positive energy. He makes healthy living easier!
And last, but not least, there's me. I used to think it was wrong to be proud of myself, but I think I was wrong to think that. As a mom, if I don't feel good about myself, the whole family's going to feel it. But then there's that scripture that says "pride is a sin", so if I call it "well-pleased" then it's okay, right?
Right.
So...Today I was well-pleased with myself. I was decisive; I was assertive (well...as assertive as I can be, which isn't much, honestly). I decided to take Katelyn out of preschool and I turned in her two weeks notice. Her last day will be on her birthday and we will bring Harry Potter muffins to class and celebrate. She is doing awesome in her class, it's not that, but I feel good about my decision. Something my mom said made me realize that this could be my last year with her before sending her off into "the system", and by golly, we're going to live it up together! I feel like I'm the only mom in the area not doing preschool, but my friend Beth posted a story a few weeks ago that helped me decide with confidence, and I encourage you to follow this link and read it if you haven't heard it already. I also worked up the courage to confront one of her teachers about something she had said to me earlier which I felt was out of line. Let me tell you, it was a BIG deal for me to call her aside and tell her how I felt and what I expected of her in the future. People who say things that make me feel diminished (like she did) are very hard for me to confront. It scares me to death. Last night I couldn't sleep and I felt sick at the thought of it. This morning I wore my heels because I knew that if I broke down and cried in front of her, all I would have left going for me would be the height advantage, and I needed all the advantage I could get. Luckily, I managed to hold it together...just barely. I may have shed a few tears on the walk back to the car, but hopefully nobody noticed. :) Man, I feel good now!!
And last of all, I am well-pleased because I pulled out my old Brahms Ballade from college days and played it for my kids...and it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I think that if I can get over my fear of disturbing the neighbors (growing up I always practiced in perfect solitude...all that heard me were the cows)...if I can get over that fear, I think I can get it polished again. Maybe even totally memorized.
P.S. Katelyn and I wrote a book today called "Zach's Bedtime". This is one of my favorite pictures she drew. Other than being so abstract, it is very true to life. His eyes are closed and he is sucking his (incredibly long) thumb. If she had only drawn his other hand resting inside his pants it would be a perfect likeness!
I guess I had a lot on my mind tonight. Thanks for listening!
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