my budding chef...

OK, that is probably an overstatement, I can't really claim that my son is a budding chef but he has been helping out in the kitchen a little bit.

The first time he "cooked" was back in February. Mom and Dad were coming up to watch the kiddos and Wythe made dinner for them. I had the ingredients set out in bowls and let him assemble them into the pan, he really enjoyed that.

Of course he is more than willing to help with the clean up as well as the food prep.

Then we have some days where he is really excited about making something and not so happy with the result. I'm sure every cook can relate to that.

"mmm...I'm making pancakes for breakfast!  I love pancakes!!!"

"what is this???  pancakes??? I don't want pancakes!!!"

'til next time...

A week of doubting my parenting skills...

Most days I feel like I am a pretty darn good parent. I take care of a 21 month old and a 6 month old 24/7 and don't have the luxury of having relatives in the area to help out. But some days I have doubts and lately I've had a week of those days.
I am sure that I am not the first, nor the last, mommy to feel this way. I am sure we all second guess ourselves at times and wonder if we are doing things right, or are we doing enough with them??? Yesterday I left my son playing with his toys while I folded laundry. I later had the guilty thought that maybe I should have had him right there beside me, helping to fold clothes, that way I could be talking to him and teaching him things as I folded laundry. My logical side tells me that it is perfectly OK for mommy to have a few minutes of quiet time in another room from the kiddos. My neurotic/guilt laden/self doubting side wonders if by missing those 10 minutes out of my child's life explains why he doesn't know all his colors by the age of 21 months?!?
This week has probably been one of the most difficult since my daughter was born. My son has been under the weather and has been on a week long crying, no sleeping, no eating, tantrum throwing, doesn't want to be inside, doesn't want to be outside, doesn't want to get in the car, doesn't want to get out of the car, doesn't want to play with toys, doesn't want to read books, you name it binge!  I think all of his frustration is only made worse because he doesn't talk yet. He seems to know what he wants but I am having trouble figuring it out, and the more I guess and get it wrong the more frustrated he gets. I know that once he does start talking there will be days I will pray for silence but I also know will not miss these days of having my little boy stare at me with tears running down his face and his big eyes just pleading for mommy to "figure it out"! 
So, it's been a tough week, a week that I have really wondered if I'm a bad parent. And no it is not just because I found my son walking around with a steak knife that he had pulled off of the counter!  Yes, I know, (hand slap to the side of my head) I know that he can get stuff off of the counters, so why did I leave a knife out???? Good question!!   When I saw him, I took a deep breath, and calmly removed the knife from his hands - disaster adverted!
Then there are moments like this afternoon when my son crawls up in my lap and cuddles with me for a long time, or I pick my baby girl up and she gives that heart melting smile, then I remember that I may not have all the answers or do everything right but my children will never have to doubt my love for them.

'til next time...

My weight-lifting program...

The other day I was commenting to my husband about how tired I am when I get home from running errands with the babies. Not only mentally tired from trying to keep my toddler from tearing down the store and trying to keep my baby from screaming at everyone, but physically exhausted.  Typically, I carry both of them in and out of the store, at least until we can find a cart. Although Wythe is old enough to walk it is too difficult to hold his hand and walk while carrying a baby carrier and diaper bag. So, when I got home the other day I decided to find out how much weight I am actually toting around.  We won't talk about my weight which is way over the acceptable limit but will focus on the weight I am actually carrying in my arms.

Wythe - 34 pounds
Ainsley in the carrier - 29 pounds
diaper bag/kitchen sink - 10 pounds (more or less)

Grand total = 73 pounds

When the kids are grown I will qualify for a job as a pack mule or Sherpa.

'til next time...

To the park and Daddy's birthday...

Yesterday we met some friends at a little park not too far from where we live. Wythe had a great time playing with his buddy Abbie, and the mommy's had a great time visiting. I figured out a way to swing both my kids at the same time without hogging the swings.

That night was Peter's birthday. He is not a fan of parties, so I decided to let him off the hook this year. Because next year is a "BIG" birthday and he won't get off so easy then! When I asked him what he would like to do for his birthday he said "I would like to invite a couple over for dinner and have New York strip steak, baked potatos, salad and lemon merange pie for dessert instead of a cake." So that is what we did. Our friends and neighbors, Wayne and Raquel, came over for dinner and dessert and we had a great time!

'til next time...

Easter egg hunt...

the most adorable children!

We spent Easter with our neighbors as we have the past several years. We had a yummy brunch and an egg hunt at their house that morning. Our sweet neighbor put together great baskets for Wythe and Ainsley, they even got Peter Rabbit books!

The egg hunt was conducted mainly by the parents with token participation by the children. Our neighbors helped their daughter collect eggs, we helped Wythe find eggs and tried to convince him to pick them up and put them in the basket. A couple of times we succeeded but he was mainly interested in picking up the eggs and throwing them. Quite a few were thrown into the pasture by a little boy who shall remain unnamed. I'm sure it confused the horses the next day, I mean, how often to you have brightly colored eggs growing amongst your grass????  I am sure that each year the children will grasp the concept of egg hunting/gathering a little more.

 It was a really fun day and of course the babies were beautiful!  Ainsley was wearing a dress that a dear friend had given her. Wythe was sporting a new suit that I found at the consignment shop, I thought he looked quite dapper. His little dimpled knees were just adorable.  

'til next time...

Never to young to start chores...

Wythe was introduced to a chore called "washing the car". Or course to him this is not a chore, this is called FUN....this is the reason kids think adults have all the fun. He was probably thinking "wow...if they call this work then I don't know what they do for fun!"

'til next time...

Off to the races...

We went to Ben Venue this year. We have been invited for years but almost every year it is raining and cold and so we seem to always have something else going on that day. But this year the weather was gorgeous, so we went. It was fun, I don't think I actually saw a horse race, I did at one point see a horse gallop by but didn't see the whole race. Somehow keeping an eye on two little ones and watching horses run around a field doesn't mesh. Wythe seemed to think he was in the race and was determined to do as many laps along the fence line as the horses were doing in the field. He was absolutely worn out that night! The weather could not have been prettier, we tailgated with some neighbors, had a glass or two (or three) of wine and enjoyed the afternoon!

'til next time...