Archive for May, 2017

Double Digits

Wednesday, May 31st, 2017

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Today is Jack’s tenth birthday. I can’t fathom how that is possible. He is extremely excited to be double digits, a whole decade, and a rising fifth grader.

I think ten is a magical age. Jack’s no longer a little boy, but not yet a teenager. Although he is concerned about his hairstyle looking perfect, and he prefers to walk into school by himself, he still likes his mommy to tuck him in at night. That makes my heart happy. Jack has experienced a lot in his 10 years of life. More than I did for sure. He inspires us daily with his kind heart and his silly sense of humor.

We plan to celebrate the day with some pool fun, cake, and a movie. Jack gets to pick where we go to dinner, and I made him a cake. I’m looking forward to the next decade of Jack’s life. He has already made us so very proud.

 

 

Hello, Summer!

Wednesday, May 24th, 2017

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Another school year is in the books. Jack and Tate finish 4th and 1st grade on Friday. Yet again, I can’t believe how quickly the time passed. I remember being a nervous wreck anticipating the transition to a new school. Thankfully, the boys settled in nicely and ended up having their best year yet.

As the artwork, projects, papers, notebooks and the remains of random desk trash come home, there is always a sense of heartache as I throw away or file away Jack and Tate’s work. It’s sad to know they will never be this little again. Having older nephews keeps me aware just how quickly college will come. But, I will focus on a fun summer we have planned ahead.

We are looking forward to lots of excitement this summer. Swim season starts next week and a trip to the beach shortly after. I’m looking forward to these carefree days and the memories we make this summer. Cheers to a successful school year!

Visiting the Farm

Monday, May 22nd, 2017

From Monday Mom – Neetika:
Last week, I accompanied Haley’s class on a highly anticipated field trip to a farm about an hour away from our town. We had an amazing time! They kids rode ponies, fed goats and sheep, and saw giraffes, zebras, tropical birds and lemurs. There were also jungle gyms and little clubhouses to explore. The kids loved the choo-choo train and the animatronic rooster show! It was a lot for a group of five and six year olds to take in, but they rose to the occasion.

As luck would have it, the day of the field trip was the hottest day we’ve had so far this year. The kids enjoyed themselves, but they were also hot and sweaty and thirsty. If you have any experience at all with this age group, you know that these children won’t hold back on complaining. During even the briefest lull in activity, they will tell you their problems and demand that you fix them. This is where my hands were a bit tied. I was a designated chaperone, but I’m not their teacher. I might dislike—a lot—that the kids didn’t have access to water bottles and had to wait until designated breaks to visit the water fountain. But there’s nothing I can do about it.

At one point, Haley’s classmate complained that her stomach hurt. I told the teacher, who basically told to ignore the girl because she says that all the time. The poor kid had tears streaming down her cheeks. As the others played, I told her to sit by me. When I thought no one was looking, I pulled out a small extra water bottle I had in my backpack and gave it to her. She drank it in one gulp, which I’m sure any of the other children would have done as well. I threw away the bottle and the moment I turned back around, another girl was standing there and said, “How come she got a water bottle? I want water.” I felt terrible. She was right! Luckily a “water fountain stop” was minutes away. There’s got to be a better way!

Volunteering does have its setbacks, but I love it. I’ve built a real rapport with Haley’s classmates, and I really value that I can be another adult they can turn to. I look forward to many more fun adventures as they move passed Kindergarten and beyond.

Cultural Arts

Thursday, May 18th, 2017

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
This week is Cultural Arts week at our elementary school. It’s a cultural festival where the students learn about foreign cultures, traditions, and entertainment.

Each day, every grade gets to sample several different countries and their specialized arts, including bagpipers, opera, flamenco dancing, Chinese dance, an assortment of sand art, chalk art, bubbles and brushes, Chinese brush painting, as well as Native American Indians, an adventure through Mexico, and art in the film industry. The list continues, but you get the idea.

Today, Jack learned about Chinese dance. He played the drum and kept the beat. Jack enjoyed being part of the vibrant show and learning that cultural significance of traditional Chinese dance. Tate’s favorite, so far this week, were the life stories from a guest Native American who displayed some handmade jewelry, weapons, and clothing.

Parents may attend the festival, so I am planning to later this week. I’m happy my kids have the opportunity to see, hear and learn all about different cultures throughout the world. It is a fun way to finish up the school year.

Momma Musings

Thursday, May 18th, 2017

Motherhood is a challenge. Over the years, I’ve realized that nothing is perfect, children don’t always do what you want them to do, when you want them to do it, and sometimes life just isn’t fair.

Learning the best ways to raise children is a struggle. I’m constantly questioning my actions. I try to teach, discipline, and live, by example. I’ve read countless articles, books, and mom discussions about the best way to hold it all together when it comes to parenting. I’ve concluded it is hard…very hard.

I’ve been a mother for nearly a whole decade. I look back over the years and hope that my trial and error approach on this journey results in good values, good morals, and well-rounded children. I still have a lifetime of parenting in front of me, but I’m proud of my work so far. Dealing with challenges and struggles are what makes me so proud. Meeting life’s challenges is what life is all about.

Mother’s Day is just past, and I want to thank all the mothers out there who have inspired me to do my best. I want to thank those who have given me the strength to start a new day, and to shake off/learn from failure. I owe a lot to my own mother, who raised three children, and still teaches me what being a mother is all about.

From one mother to another, enjoy your day. You deserve it!

Frenemies

Thursday, May 18th, 2017

From Monday Mom – Neetika:
I had a fun weekend with the kiddos, when they weren’t driving me crazy! See, the thing about Haley and Hudson is that they are 100%, bona fide best friends. I’m talking besties. They want each other from the moment they wake up to the moment they go to bed at night. They are upset when they are apart. However, this does not mean they always get along.

Quite the opposite. Their physical and emotional closeness means that they are constantly on top of each other. Inevitably, they fight over toys, or who pushed whom, or who has the snack the other wants, etc. etc. Then come the tears and complaints, and the need for Mom to understand the grave injustice suffered. Finally, we get to the point where they completely forget why they were fighting in the first place and they are back together again.

Obviously, I’m so glad the kids are close. In the day-to-day, their antics frustrate me. But I know from my own experience it’s a bond that will last a lifetime. And that’s something that is very special.

Sick Mommy

Monday, May 15th, 2017

I had a lovely Mother’s Day. Homemade cards from the kids, little gifts, quality time. Unfortunately, I wasn’t feeling my best. I have a terrible cold I just can’t kick! It started off with a pretty mild sore throat, but then it just kept building till now, when I break into coughing fits constantly. It’s so annoying.

Unfortunately, Hudson has picked it up as well as has been running around with a runny nose. Actually I know a ton of people who are sick right now. I know the “changing weather” is to blame. But that doesn’t make it any easier. It is annoying to be unwell under any conditions. When you’re a mom, dare I say, it’s worse! You’ve got stuff to do! Cooking, cleaning the house, playing, listening and responding to thousands (OK, maybe hundreds) of inane requests—it takes a lot out of you!

My fingers are crossed that this bug leaves the house soon. We’ve got warm days ahead and some serious playtime coming up! Can’t miss it.

Pool Time

Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
The temperature and humidity are creeping up here in Georgia. I’m ready for pool season, but the oppressive heat of summer is right around the corner.

This Monday, our neighborhood pool opened for the summer. Jack and Tate immediately jumped up and down and begged to go swimming. After school, we headed to the pool. The boys did cannonballs, dove for toys, and practiced their strokes for the upcoming swim season. The water was too chilly for me, and eventually the boys’ lips turned blue. I sat back and watched the boys enjoying the water. It was amusing to watch them have fun.

My kids are finally at the point where I don’t have to hover over them in the pool. They can both swim and float with at least a bit of confidence. It is a great feeling. I still have the mom reflex to always keep an eye on them, but they are like little fish in the water.

My goal this summer is to get them as excited to put on sunscreen as they are about jumping in the pool. It is extremely important, especially since I recently had some skin procedures myself, to hammer into their brains the benefits of protecting their extremely fair skin. Wish me luck.

Kids’ Clothes

Monday, May 1st, 2017

From Monday Mom – Neetika:
It’s that time of year! Finally, it’s getting warm enough to actually, once and for all, ditch those winter coat and gloves, break out the sunblock, and get ready to donate all those too-small winter clothes. I know the kids need more shorts and tees, but Step One is making room in their drawers. This process takes longer than you would think! So many items are on the borderline of too small, not quite too small but totally worn out, or just favorites the kiddos don’t want to part with. It’s like each garment has a lengthy trial complete with arguments on both sides and a judge and jury determining its fate. Things can get very heated!

But then it’s up to Step Two, procuring new clothes. My little ones are pretty easy to please. But it’s always a battle to get Haley to not wear all her brand new clothes right away. She’ll have a pretty new dress she’ll want to wear during a day of relaxing at home, where she’ll inevitably spill something on it. I’d rather she “save” new clothes for a special outing or at the very least, a day at school. It’s an ongoing battle. And the weather report does little to dissuade her from wearing something totally inappropriate.

It’s pretty bittersweet to go through this cycle. And they grow so fast that it feels like something you’re constantly managing. So much of parenting is about the need to be hands-on and react to the ways they change every day. The wardrobe is but a small part of the ongoing journey.