Figuring it out

What you ask? Something.

Under Surveillance

Do you ever feel this way? Like, your life and everything you say and do is being watched VERY closely? Too closely? This winter has been L-O-N-G! Every winter is long for someone like me who loves sunshine and warmth and flip flips! We have been "stuck" inside more days than I care to count and with each day we're couped up, I feel more and more like I am under the watchful scrutiny of 2 little, yet, overly observant detectives. How will I handle ANOTHER snow day? ANOTHER day of dress-up? ANOTHER tea party? ANOTHER re-enactment of Superman overpowering Batman who just beat up the Hulk? ANOTHER play-doh creation? ANOTHER painting session? They watch me so intensely and imitate me to a "T" that it is scary, a little flattering, but mostly scary. Am I warping them for life? Am I teaching them what's important? Am I instructing them with love and patience? Are they picking up my bad habits and poor attitude along with the good stuff? I think that all this bad weather is forcing me to sit (with lots of coffee mind you) and think. Think about this job of parenting and this responsibility. I don't want to think. It makes me feel guilty. It makes me feel blessed too. Blessed that I have 2 small warm bodies to snuggle and read books with on cold snowy days. Blessed to have little helpers who love to help me cook and clean. There is no doubt that we have made more fun memories this winter than previous ones. I was looking back at all the pictures I have taken since the holidays and there are SO many good ones of us "just hanging out." As a matter of fact that has become Parker's phrase of choice. When I ask what he wants to do or what his favorite part of the day is, he always says, "Oh... just hanging out with our family." Hanging out. That is what we have done on a consistent basis around here for the past 3 months. It's been fun. It's been a blessing. It's been refreshing. But I need a hanging out break! Before I start complaining and whining about all of this snow and ice and my kids imitate me and make me feel bad about my lousy attitude.

Lord, hurry up and send Spring... or at least a broken pair of binoculars.

Gonna get a whoopin...

We often joke that even though Parker was born in KY and has lived here all his life (so far) he has very little redneck in him (hopefully it will stay that way). With Trev from MI and me from NY he has a northern sense about him and even his verbage (he says dog(dawg) and coffee (cawfee) like me:) Which just makes this afternoon's conversation so funny.

We were playing Playdoh and making pretend birthday cakes... when I asked him what was on his he answered, "Well, I decorated it with a cherry and some icing and oh, I put a whole lot of Whoop Cream on it! I just love Whoop Cream!!!"

You've seen one icestorm...

...you've seen them all! And we sure have seen A LOT this winter!

Homemade Superhero!

We are on our like 4th icestorm of the month! It's ridiculous, really. Anyway, we outplayed all of our toys weeks ago and now we are in the homemade/craft/arts/creative play stage. The kids decided they wanted to be superheroes so we made them some cool masks. Lillie was not willing to have her photo taken in hers (such a girl) but Parker was more than willing to show off his superhero moves...

Pajama Mama

Puzzle Mania

We are pulling out all the toys around here. Anymore icy cold days and we're in trouble b/c there is nothing we haven't played with (a dozen times!)

Ice Age

Ahhhh!!!!! We're on our second day of freezing rain and ice around here and our second day of being couped up inside. Unlike some of our luckier friends south and north of us (you know who you are), we never got snow to play in. Just ice! Definitely not much fun!

Anyway, we actually had a great day making homemade pizzas (yes, like handtossing the dough and picking our own toppings). The kids were sooo serious about this activity that I had to laugh (and take pics). They were meticulous about where the meat went and how far to the sides they put the sauce and what color peppers went where. Here are their yummy creations. We had to get creative with the topping choices since I was not anticipating 2 consecutive snowdays and grocery shopping was on my list of things to do. For those curious as to what in the world is on their pizzas:

Parker: Veggie burger crumbles, green peppers, and several different cheeses

Lillie: Red, yellow, orange peppers, onions, cheddar cheese and corn (the girl has a corn addiction)

Living a fairytale (of sorts)

Today, Lillie spilled 2 cups of crushed ice, a dish of oatmeal and a cup of peas on the floor. I felt like I was cleaning all day long! On the final spill of the day, I was on my hands and knees scrubbing the kitchen floor and my sister looked down at me and goes to Parker, "Oh look it's Momarella!" Parker then replies in a mocking tone, "Momarella oh Momarella... when you are done cleaning that up, there is more for you to clean!"

There always is! I was just glad when my Prince walked in the front door at 6:00!

Warmth

I love this photo of Lillie. She found the one sunny spot on the floor to take a rest. It reminded me so much of the warmth I long for from God on gray days. When I find it, I can't move and am happy and content to just stay there in His care...

Art: By Parker

Parker LOVES to sit and color (in between shooting baskets and throwing a football!) He is getting so good and is really meticulous when it comes to staying in the lines and making sure the drawing is true to color. One of my favorite moments in the day is just sitting at our kitchen nook with a cup of coffee (hot cocoa for the artist) and coloring to our hearts content.

where the magic happens...

Birthday Shout -out!

I just wanted to give a Happy Birthday "shout-out" to my dear dear friend Lela! You really deserve more than a blog entry dedication and I hope you don't mind the meager expression of love and gratitude I have for you!

Thank you for making me laugh (til I cry), crying with me (until I can laugh again), being a true confidant (in a world full of big mouths), being honest(when the truth can hurt), sharing in the joys of parenting (b/c the joys are pretty darn big), sharing in the trials of parenting (b/c the trials make us wiser and stronger...so they say), being there in any and every capacity (even when the capacity calls at 2 am and spit up or cleaning poop is involved),freely giving of all you have (including but not limited to lawn mowers, trailers, clothing, movies,food, shelter, vacation spot, toys, Wi's, your time, your energy.

I love you Lela and your friendship. Thanks for enduring late, cold night runs, VERY rainy beach runs (do you see a theme here), sitting on my counter late night chats, sharing kids, sharing husbands (in a platonic way... hee hee).. You are amazing and truly a gift (one of the best I have ever been given). The memories we share are wonderful and the ones yet to be made anticpated.

May you be showered with abundant blessing this year! Happy Birthday!