Friday, June 19, 2015

Presenting... "Mom"

I positively love my children. Yes, I have to convince myself of that on some days. Summer time makes me realize how underpaid teachers really are. I know...." love your children. You only have a few years with them." I hear this constantly. And I DO love them. Even when they are having their battle of who can stick out their tongue at each other the most...without Mom seeing. Or when they have the whole "I'm-not-touching-you" game in the van while I'm in a drive thru picking up lunch because I'm positively exhausted. All the while, the youngest is crying because I didn't say "french fries" when I ordered her meal and she thinks that she is stuck just eating chicken nuggets.  (insert eye roll here) It doesn't matter how many times I tell her "When mommy says MEAL that includes french fries." Oh, the drama.

Oh, these glorious children. They know when it's a rough day, the oldest suggests I have another cup of coffee. Haha. One thing I can say for sure, we've been active. Out and about almost everyday....even if it's just to the store or the park. Earlier this week, it was to the gym each morning. Due to the rainy weather from Tropical Storm Bill (did it turn into a tropical storm?? I don't watch the news as often since the kids are home) 

So, The reason for this posting is something I hear quite often. I know it's all said in jest, but ya know.....

I am no Super MOM
I mean, seriously, have you seen me in tights?!?! and a cape?!?!  Totally unflattering. Hahahaha


But no, I can't claim that title. Yes, it seems as if I do a lot of things with my children and of course you see my posts on Facebook or Instagram. Lots of pictures. I LOVE pictures. (I do this for my family who lives far away...a great way to keep in touch) I love capturing all the fun times with my kids. I have tons of memories growing up, but few pictures. Way back then, it wasn't a big deal to always have the camera out. If you had pictures, it was more from studio sessions at Olan Mills. I want my kids to have pictures to look back on to help them remember all the fun times they had. So, yes, in a social media aspect, my kids have the best life. And in reality, they truly do. Oh, they may think that my having them do chores, read their books, and help me do things around house are THE WORST EVER. But they do them to get their electronic and/or fun privileges. Yes, we go to the park A LOT! Always at the park it seems. But we don't have a driveway compatible to scooter riding and we live on a busier street. That's our reason for the constant park days. And this can come back to bite me on those days and days of rain. The kids get cabin fever pretty fast.

I know, there's no reason to justify my actions. I'm a mom. Most of my readers are moms. We're trying to stay on top of normal housewife duties on top of entertaining, refereeing, chauffeuring, and loving our small ones. We are ALL "Mom enough" for our children. So, before you feel inferior to other moms, turn and look at your children. You see that smile on their faces. The look of contentment, that all is right in their little world (excuse this if your child is currently throwing a tantrum refusing nap time, etc......I'm dealing with one right now, too). That right there is what proves you are a GREAT Mom. Exactly the Mommy that your kiddos need. They love you more than that sippy cup of chocolate milk they've been whining about all morning. Believe me. :)




While my big kids are finishing up their happy meals and playing their games (yes, I buy them fast food), I'll bask in the quietness until the youngest realizes she's not going to take the nap that she desperately needs. But her standing at her door, whispering "I love you, Momma" kinda makes this mothering thing all worthwhile. 
The job never ends....I'm off to check on something the youngest is now calling "poopoo finger". Oh Joy (insert another eyeroll)

-enJoy



Friday, June 12, 2015

Drawing a blank????

That moment you're all pumped up to post on the blog.....
Then, you sit down and your mind goes blank. Your body shifts into near comatose state and your hands become so heavy even typing out these few works feel like a major cardio workout for your fingers.

Can you tell it's Friday??????

I'm ready for the Weekend. Ready to relax and hand the reins over to my dear husband. 
One good thing, the girls slept in this morning....til 8:30!!!! It's been the crack of dawn rising every other day this week. I was thankful for that extra hour or so.


My girls....crazy are they. (haha, Yoda talk there)
Their conversation in the van last night was all about when they are older. The fun they'll get to have.
"ya know, when I'm older like Mom. I get to ride in the front seat and drink coffee."
Oh, they have A LOT to look forward to. Apparently, that's life as a mommy.

Here's a few pictures from today....we're getting our money's worth from this pool. 

 I walked outside to check on the kids. You see, while they're occupied, I clean up the kitchen, etc.

 This was taken through the kitchen window. She saw me with the camera and of course, had to pose. Love her ♥

relaxing in the pool... Summer fun

yes, I try to keep the kids busy during the summer. Each day, we're doing something, anything. I want them to have to the same if not similar summers that I had growing up. Mom would usually send me and my siblings outside to play. Of course, we had to do our chores first. Because if we didn't, it was a mad rush to do them before Little House on the Prairie came on at 4 pm each afternoon. No chores done= no watching TV. That was the rules.
But back to creating summer memories....
We'd play outside. We did everything from play war (battle from tree house to tree house), dug tunnels, acrobats off the chain swing (originally used to pull the engine out of a vehicle), pick weeds and grind them down to make our own "Feed n Seed store". We'd build "huts" in the woods. You see, we grew up at a motel. My parents ran the motel. We played on the property....large property that once held an orange grove (before one those freezes of ____ that destroyed it all....it was Florida, of course.)
Yes, we had a fabulous life growing up. There was no limit to our imagination. We could be anything, do anything. I LOVED it!! I want my kids to experience the same. 
The biggest struggle with not having the same is the widespread technology use. I'm attached to it. Almost everyone is. It's hard not to do things in this day and age without some sort of technology. So, for us, we limit it. Let's try to do it ourselves first...then ask Google. Lol Gone are the days of researching a subject with an encyclopedia. I used to love those books. I wonder if Mom still has a set of Encyclopedias at the house?????

Wow...was that a rabbit trail or what?!?!
And to think I'd drawn a blank on what to post. Oh glorious mind! 

Summertime and swimming in barrels...I'll have to tell you about that another time. Yes, I had a great life growing up. Summertime was fun time. Memories <3 p="">
-enJoy

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Summer break is here

It's Summer break!!! And so far *knock on wood*, it's going good.

We're kinda on a schedule. The big kids are still waking up at the crack of dawn but considerate enough to just play together than to wake up the whole house. I'm enjoying not having an alarm clock to contend with...except on the mornings we have plans to attend a gym class.

Kids are adapting well. That first week or so is a change. A change of schedule, personal space, order, etc. Leia is getting used to not having Mommy ALL to herself ALL day Long. And the big kids are getting used to our "fly by the seat of your pants" schedule. Well, it's not really that lax. We get up, have breakfast, go for a walk or to the park....you see, the heat is getting to the unbearable status now. After "40 days and nights" of constant rain, we're just not used to all the sunshine. haha! but we're adapting.



Our afternoons consist of "quiet time". This can be anything from movies to playing games on the TV. The big kids usually chose Minecraft on their tablets. Leia and I watch a movie together. Today, we're watching Brother Bear2. I don't think Leia's ever actually watched it...because she's glued. Which gives me the time to write this blog post. (YAY!!) I have implemented something new this summer break. The kids have to read (even Leia) for a certain amount of time each day before their electronic privilege is earned. 2 days into it and we're having success. Leia has been "reading" the same Dinosaur chapter book so far. But she's making up her own words to the store...and giggling a lot. Love the giggles♥ 

Dakota's (our oldest) is doing soccer camp this week. It's in the evening which is good. Not too terribly hot. He was awarded most improved with dribbling last night!! Pretty proud of him with this being his first active season of soccer. 

Lily (our middle child) is just loving life. She enjoys scootering at the park. I borrowed Dakota's scooter and raced her today. She won. Momma needs to get with the program, haha. 
Leia (our youngest) is having her moments. Terrible 3's are rearing their head again. But I think that's just her way of adapting to "sharing" her mommy. We're working on this together. She is enjoying that the pool is now out of the box. Even if she does have to share it with the big kids. oh, this child!!

Jed n I just celebrated our 11th anniversary. I'll be bold enough to say that sometimes it seems like just yesterday he was asking me out. And other times, I'm thinking "it's literally been FOREVER!!!" haha 

Well, the movie is over. So, now I'm being beckoned for this and that. Until I sit down and post again.....
keep stepping (fitbit humor) and drink your water.
-enJoy