Tuesday, January 13, 2015

TImes are a changin'

I had another surreal moment today. Another reminder that this season is coming to an end and new one is just around the corner. Today we received the notice of intent for next year’s school enrollment. I did not list Hannah to be enrolled in the school that she has attended since kindergarten. It was very strange not to include her with her siblings on the piece of paper, the reservation of a “space,” of a belonging. Just a simple listing of our children, but she is missing. It is a bittersweet moment.

 I will be listing her on another piece of paper of college enrollment, another place to belong, and the other three children’s name won’t appear on that list. I know it shouldn't, but it does feel like our little unit, one that I have desperately held onto for dear life at times, is flouting, like I have had a breach of contract! Wait, you weren't supposed to grow up this fast, that wasn't part of the deal. Hey! This isn't what I signed up for…or was it.  


Parenting, mothering is pretty incredible. Often times I feel the burden of utter failure, but I do have moments where I think, “damn, I've done pretty good considering the circumstances.”  And, they are still breathing, walking and talking, so that must count for something! And tonight is one of those moments. We have made it to a monumental moment - my oldest will be graduating from high school in May and will be enrolling in college for the fall semester. Hooray for us! Hooray for me! Hooray for her!

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Pretty Pantry and Meal Planning

Look what I can do! I love, love to be organized. On January 1, I spend all morning organizing our pantry. What a better way to start the New Year than organizing the heart of the family. Yep, heart… our pantry. My family loves food, I love organization and tada – a pretty pantry. So far all things have stayed in their place. 

I also took the challenge of creating a meal plan for the entire month. THAT. WAS. HARD. Holy cow. I got so frustrated because, for the life of me, I couldn’t remember a single meal that my family enjoyed. It is also very had to find a meal that every single member of the family likes, hence we keep a supply of peanut butter and jelly on hand. That is our solution – you don’t like what we are having for dinner, you may fix yourself, by yourself, a PB&J sandwich. Back to menu planning. The planning was hard, but I am loving the benefits of coming home and dinner requiring very little thought. I do believe I am going to continue this new adventure. I have however, now that the menu is complete, thought of all kinds of meals for our family…and I am writing them down so I won’t forget when time for plan for next month. It really has been great for this working mama!

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Time for the tooth fairy to pay us a visit...no pun intended.

 I was helping Viv brush her teeth and her tooth was really wiggly. I don't do blood, teeth, or any bodily fluids. I am a terrible nurse in that regard, so I called in the reinforcements, thinking that dear ole dad could be the hero and pull it out. Viv decided she could do it by herself. There is NO WAY I could do something like that! But she did it! It was fairly impressive.


Bubbles

 
Viv loves to take a bath in the Jacuzzi tub with lots of bubbles. Hannah came to see what Viv was so excited about.  I stepped out of the bathroom for just a minute and this is what I came back to...

 Yep, apparently Hannah wanted to play in the bubbles too. :/