Some days around here are not stellar and I do muddle through. It isn’t always elegant how we get through the day, but we get there. As I review the day, I will pat myself on my back for not giving up or checking out. That has been one big change for me - if things are starting to go downhill, I remain engaged and shift directions. Kids throwing books/toys? Build them a cave on the couch which eventually leads to jumping on the couch (which is totally fine). Downstairs getting old, move upstairs. I am feeling hungry and grumpy, think the kids might as well - make a quick batch of always-pleasing popcorn.

Typically a Cave or Tunnel, but today we were climbing up a mountain…

I am starting to slowly build my arsenal. I got this great idea from a class I took at Blossom Family Center on 3 year-olds about using a lot more imaginary stuff and visual scenery. One day I couldn’t get Tyler on the potty, so I told him to go get on his tractor. I sat in the hallway with him, got on my tractor and took Tyler all over my farm - we fed the horses, checked on the sheep, got some eggs from the hens. And he loved it. Now he tells ME to go get on my tractor while he is on the potty and tells me where we are going. This morning he asked me if I had pigs on my farm…I guess I need to add some.

I am working on doing a better job of setting the stage for play. When I do that and get them engaged, I can usually pull away and get things done while in the same room/area. And I find that as I use my creativity more, the ideas are starting to flow more.

The last two days we have all been in a slump. Maybe I have been preoccupied or just out of sync with the kids. We have our Summer Blossom class starting tomorrow, so that will be fun for all of us. I find that going to that class really helps “reset” me and get me back on track.

Setting the stage for play..I started building bridges creating “loads” and before long Tyler had grabbed his forklift and was hard at work….

Finally, those rhythms and anchors are so necessary. There are certain parts of the day that are always the same. Even when I don’t want to do what is next, I make myself sing the song and get a move on. The continuity really helps all of us settle in to our day. We have a pretty solid morning routine, lunch and rest time routine and then after Quinn wakes up. I even drew a visual aid and Tyler loves it. One day we were out of order and Tyler had to check it and let me know! Things just flow.

Our morning routine: wake, breakfast, dress/brush teeth and hair, and out the door - either to walk the dog, head to our local park or into the car for an adventure

This home stuff is all starting to come together so beautifully. I found a calendar from 1.5 years ago and the way I planned my days were AM - out, then nap, then PM - out. I never wanted to be home. And slowly, this is where I want to be. There is so much fun to be had right here. The days aren’t all perfect, but they aren’t horrible either. Even today, I decided to just clean the house and the kids were fine. They kind of did there own thing, made their own messes, and I got a ton done.

With that the kids are home and it is bath time….

Update:

It is midnight and after futzing with a broken sewing machine for an hour, I fixed it and stayed up late to finish sewing our birthday flags! I will post pics tomorrow! They will be used to celebrate each family members’ birthday.

Tomorrow I start making Quinn’s birthday crown - it is so cute and I am so excited! Tyler already asked me if he was getting his own crown (since I told him the flags were for all of us) and I told him that “yes, he gets his very own special crown”. Oh, this is such fun!!

Birthday Flags!