Play-Learn-Grow-Repeat

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Last weekend, my husband and I surprised Jack and Tate with a trip to Disney World. The boys haven’t been to Disney in five years, and they both have been asking to see it again. They were both very young last time so they didn’t remember a whole lot. Needless to say, they were thrilled when we told them we were going back. 

My husband and I had wanted to make this trip for months, but we couldn’t find a convenient time. My husband’s work schedule doesn’t allow for long term plans. When we found out my husband had the week off at the same time the kids had winter break off from school, we finally had our chance. Luckily, we were able to book our favorite resort, which is usually full months in advance. We got our passes, magic bands, and itineraries planned with the help of our Disney expert friends.   

We started the week an hour south of Disney World at Legoland. The boys are obsessed with everything Lego, so we had to make a visit. They had fun, but they are in Disney heaven this week. They are so excited for every ride, show, parade, firework and treat. They want to stay at the resort for the rest of their lives. Ha! 

Five years ago, a day at the park involved a stroller full of diapers, bags, snacks, toys, and nap schedules. This trip has been much better, and we will never forget the memories we made this week. Their excitement is contagious. Even when we are tired, I love seeing Disney through their eyes, there’s just nothing like it. I can’t wait to book the next visit. 

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Tate’s sixth birthday was yesterday, and even while we celebrated, I couldn’t believe that my baby was turning six! I’m feeling sentimental, and I miss the sweet baby he once was. The days of him snoozing in my arms and all things babyhood are long gone. Thank goodness for cameras and all the moments we captured.

It’s sad to think about how quickly Tate is growing up. However, I look forward to the years ahead and watching him continue to develop into the little man he is meant to be. He is truly our little firecracker. He is full of fire, lots of surprises, and shines so brightly. It’s so fitting he was born the day after America’s birthday.

Since we moved a few weeks ago, we did not make any big party plans for Tate’s birthday. Instead, we enjoyed a fun, low-key day complete with dinner out, cake, and a visit from Tate’s grandmother. I’d say that is a pretty special day.

Cheers to the birthday boy!

From Monday Mom – Neetika:
It seems like in our family, there are about six months that are relatively quiet in terms of major celebrations. The next six months are the opposite. It starts with Halloween, goes through the holiday season with Christmas, then culminates with Valentine’s Day, Easter and Haley’s birthday. The natural product of these fun times? Lots of presents! I like when the kids get new outfits or books. But often it feels like the amount of toys we acquire is out of control!

Haley doesn’t love throwing out old toys, so it’s inevitable that her bins and drawers become overstuffed with stuff. I realize having a lot of people who love you enough to give you toys is a wonderful problem to have, but as a parent who is trying to keep her kids unspoiled and her house uncluttered, it’s a burden.

I try to hide presents and I’ll admit it—re-gift them when I can. I see no harm. If it’s a lovely present and someone else can use it, why not? To simply get rid of a toy, I implement a long con. I do a test run where I hide the toy to see if Haley notices it’s missing. If not, after another week I’ll throw it away for good. But you’d be surprised at the amount of time that can go by after which Haley will bring up an item I’d tossed! Usually a few half-hearted assurances that I’ll “be sure to look for it” will throw her off the scent.

I’m still figuring out how to manage all of the prized possessions that remain. Any moms or dads out there with tips, please share!

Thanks, and have a wonderful week!

From Monday Mom – Neetika:
I’m so proud to announce that we had our baby—it’s a boy! For the second time, I was surprised by labor with my water breaking in the middle of the night. By the next afternoon, I was holding my precious, healthy baby in my arms. We named him Hudson. I was so prepared to have a baby that is his own individual person that I was stunned when I gave birth to child who looks exactly like my previous child. Hudson looks just like Haley, in boy version.

Haley clearly loves her baby brother, but there have been the inevitable adjustment issues. She is now saying she doesn’t want to go to school. She sometimes says she wants the baby to go. For a girl who is usually very independent and tough, she has been crying and whining a good bit. The vast majority of the time she is great with him and very excited, but the moments she isn’t can be very grating. It makes performing the simplest tasks incredibly complicated. I keep telling myself it’s just a phase. It can’t last forever, can it?

My patience is wearing thin not only because of Haley’s regressions but also because of the lack of sleep that comes along with having a newborn. Hudson is too young to have any discernible pattern, and is still feeding on demand, but I really look forward to consolidating a few more hours of sleep at a stretch.

So that’s my life these days, fully in the throes of babyhood. It’s not easy at all, but it’s wonderful to have him here and enjoy the new configuration of our family. I’m proud to join the ranks of the “mom of two” club, and thrilled to share the next part of my journey with you.

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Before I moved to Mississippi, Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) was just a giant party on Bourbon Street full of debauchery.  I didn’t know a whole lot about the celebration, but what I did know wasn’t very suitable for young children.

Living in the south for over six years now, I finally learned what Mardi Gras is all about.  It’s a carnival celebration prior to the fasting season of Lent.  It’s about celebratory events such as parades, dancing, music, sporting events, and of course, collecting beads, candy and other favors.  This celebration dates back hundreds of years and landed in the United States in the early 17^th century.

We attended our town’s Mardi Gras parade a week ago and really enjoyed the festivities that went with it.  The boys had a blast watching the dog parade and seeing all the pups dressed up in their costumes.  There were also live bands, a gumbo cook-off competition, and many fun activities for the kids.  We all enjoyed some delicious King cake.  This popular cake is a large cinnamon roll iced with the traditional Mardi Gras colored sprinkles, purple, green and gold.  For fun, the cakes have a small plastic baby inside.  If you end up with the baby, you are the lucky King/Queen for the day.  Jack was the lucky one.

Tate’s preschool celebrated Mardi Gras with their own little celebration.  Each student was asked to make a themed float out of a shoebox to walk with in the parade they put on for the parents and other members of the church. It was great seeing all the creativity these little children put into their float.  Tate’s float was decked out in shiny streamers, beads and masks where other children chose, Batman, ponies, the popular characters of the movie Frozen, etc.  The children were very proud to show off their own float creation as they walked all over their school.  The kids were dressed in the traditional colors as well as masks and beads they put together earlier in the week.

I’m glad my children will have a better understanding of this celebration and know a little history behind it.  Who knows maybe someday we’ll make it to New Orleans to see their fabulous parades and celebrations.

Laissez les bons temps rouler! ~ Let the good times roll!

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
I sat down with Jack and Tate and asked them to define the meaning of Thanksgiving.  Jack was quick to reply that Thanksgiving was a time to give thanks. We try to teach both of our boys say, “thank you” as a matter of habit to all the people who help them throughout the day.

For fun, I asked Jack and Tate to recite a list of ten things they’re thankful for.  The results are rather interesting. Here they are in no particular order.

1. Corn – a healthy vegetable that I really like to eat.
2. Toys – they keep us busy and out of trouble.
3. Clothes – help our bodies stay warm, especially socks.
4. Family – without our family, we wouldn’t have anything.
5. School – learning is fun and it’s where I see my friends everyday.
6. Van – it lets us travel and gets us to school on time.
7. Water – it cleans up our messes and I like to drink it.
8. Disney World- FUN, FUN, FUN
9. Rubber bands – keeps all my cards together so they don’t get lost.
10. Electricity – without it I wouldn’t be able to see in the dark, stay cool in the hot months and toast my bread.

Through the minds of a six and three year old, I think these thoughts are precious.  Jack and Tate are aware of the world around them and grateful for things they already have.  Things they thought just existed.

I’m thankful for many things.  Most importantly I’m thankful for my healthy family, the good, the bad and in between times we share together, finding joy everyday in motherhood and peace in unlikely places.

From Monday Mom – Neetika:
Many years back, Joe and I were at the movies. This is before we had a child, obviously. People with children rarely go to the movies. (This is something they should put in the owner’s manual.) Anyway, when we were buying our tickets that evening, we witnessed a couple of young children getting set to see a children’s movie. I suppose they realized that they were off of their regular schedule because all of a sudden they started jumping up and down and screaming, “we’re gonna stay up late tonight!” over and over. It was really sweet. Since then the phrase has become an inside joke between us. Anytime we have exciting nighttime plans we invoke the special phrase.

Haley usually goes to bed between 7:30 and 8. Yet her sleep habits are always in flux. Lately it takes a long time to get her down and she’s been waking up through the night. The question we are always wondering is “why.” I don’t know what the reason is. Sometimes it seems like separation anxiety, other times it seems like teething is the culprit. Mostly, I think her sleep problems are developmental in nature. She’s at an age at which she’s maturing and learning new things at a very rapid place. That tends to screw things up at night. The wheels in the brain don’t stop.

Which brings me to staying up late tonight. Now the question is, do we let Haley stay up a little late and enjoy New Year’s Eve? Despite the reputation for very adult debauchery occurring on the last day of the year, I always spent New Year’s Eve with my parents and thought of it as a family holiday. Our family friends are throwing a party, and I thought it would be fine to bring Haley. After all, how much worse can her sleep get? Of course, over the weekend, Haley’s sleep improved! She slept as many as 9 hours straight. Best practices in child sleep dictate that most usual sleep problems are caused by overtiredness. One wayward night is not going to ruin everything—but we just got things back on track. Should we push our luck?

Survey says yes! Haley’s sleep problems have been frustrating and felt never-ending, but I know in the grand scheme of things, this is just a small moment of her childhood. It may be hard to believe it now, but soon I’ll miss the nights spent rocking her and singing to her. I can deal with whatever comes. It’s going to be a fun night with family and friends, and I want to enjoy it with my girl.

Have a great night! Stay up late tonight.

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Christmas morning was a blast in our house.  All the kids were excited to see Santa had come and delivered a plethora of gifts.  It was a little crazy at first, but so much fun to see the excitement on the boys’ faces.  For the first time, Tate understood what tearing into presents was like.  He saw what Jack and his cousins were doing and demonstrated he could tear open everyone’s gifts.  He still loved to play with the wrapping paper, but quickly realized all the fun toys that were inside the wrapping paper.

My sister and family have been here several days now and my kids (and I) couldn’t be happier.  A weeklong play date for my kids is better than all the cookies they’re eating. The boys are interacting so well together I couldn’t be happier.  Also, extra helping hands for mommy and daddy is a wonderful Christmas present.

We finished off our evening with some yummy cheesecake and tornado sirens.  Again, we were in another tornado warning.  Thankfully, we dodged any severe weather and were able to continue on with our evening.  The boys fell asleep early and the adults shared some quality time.

I hope you and your family made many memories this holiday season.  Happy New Year to all!

From Friday Mom – Jaime:
My dad’s birthday was last Friday. (I apologize for not doing the birthday shout out in last week’s post, dad.) It was the day before Andrew’s kid party and he could talk about little else. Friday night he was an absolute crazy man. His rendition of singing happy birthday to my dad went on for…forever. When I got back on the phone my mom told me that this was normal birthday craziness and that my sister and I did the same thing before our parties. Actually, she told me we were completely unbearable and no one would want to be around us – but we’d return to normal shortly after the party.

Turns out, she was absolutely right.

He was in full on cranky kid mode all morning. He refused to take a nap and managed to conk out less than 30 minutes before his party. We woke him up out of a dead sleep to get ready, which prompted a massive temper tantrum about why we were even having a “STUPID” party at that “STUPID” place. (Ummm… you begged for it, kiddo. What do you mean you don’t want it????)

Despite the rockiness leading up to walking through the door, once we got there, the party went well. Everyone – especially Andrew – seemed to have a great time. His friends were really cute coming over thanking me for inviting them. Only one actually did it without parental prompting. (I was duly impressed) Andrew and my dad eat cake the same way – icing only – and I’m still not sure which one of them consumed more of it.

Afterwards, in the midst of a total sugar high, Andrew tore into all of his presents. His was totally impressed with all the new loot. His friends got him lots of artsy stuff, which is great, and we’ve been playing his new games all week.

Just as predicted, Andrew settled back into being himself after all the presents were open and the wrapping paper was thrown away. He curled up in my lap and thanked me for his party.

Because I’m a glutton for punishment, I took him out to see Beauty and the Beast later that night. He remembered to say please and thank you, held my hand through most of the movie (unless he was using those hands to shove Skittles into his mouth) and reminded me where I parked my car so we wouldn’t get lost in the parking lot…again… (LONG story – don’t ask)

I’m glad I had my mom’s warning that what we were experiencing pre-party was totally normal and, more importantly, temporary. I’m also glad that we’re a year off from having this kind of experience again 🙂

Have a great weekend everyone. And thanks (again) to my parents who are watching Andrew while hubby and I are away in New Orleans.

Oh…and for all you baseball fans…yes, it may be time for the Super Bowl, but pitchers and catchers report very soon. Can’t wait for the official start of Spring!

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
“Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on all that I am grateful for. It’s very easy to get caught up in the stress of everyday life, and not focus on the good, of which I have plenty.  Every day I tell myself how thankful I am to have a healthy family, a roof over my head, and food to serve on the table.  I know some people aren’t as lucky.

Below are ten little things I’m thankful for; the ones that make life easier every day… the things I wouldn’t want to live without.

1. I’m thankful for the 10+ hours my children sleep at night (and nap time bonuses).

2. I’m thankful for hearing the words “I love you” many, many times a day.

3. I’m thankful for baby wipes.  What did I do without them before I had kids?

4. I’m thankful for TV/internet.  I’m not sure how I’d get a shower in the morning or wait at the pediatricians office.

5. I’m thankful for pizza delivery.  A hot meal I don’t have to cook plus watching both of my kids enjoy every single bite is a beautiful thing.

6. I’m thankful to be able to stay at home with my kids.  Watching them grow and learn every day is priceless.

7. I’m thankful for antibacterial gel.  I have a bottle in my car, purse, diaper bag.  You name a place, it’s there.

8. I’m thankful for nice weather.  Getting my kids outside makes them happier, healthier and even sleep better.

9. I’m thankful for having at least one of my boys potty trained.  One less mess for me.

10. I’m thankful for my mini-van, even if saying that makes me shiver.  It is the best thing our family bought and the only way we go anywhere.

Happy Thanksgiving!