The kids and I took a sick day today. It's pooring down rain, Kiah has a very stuffy nose and Taj's ear is bothering him. I called in sick to work and we are laying low to rest up and recoup so they don't get any worse. The fake fire dvd is playing on the tv and I'm sipping on my coffee well into the afternoon. I'm going to catch up on chores today and maybe cut Taj's hair. I love sick days.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Sick Day
The kids and I took a sick day today. It's pooring down rain, Kiah has a very stuffy nose and Taj's ear is bothering him. I called in sick to work and we are laying low to rest up and recoup so they don't get any worse. The fake fire dvd is playing on the tv and I'm sipping on my coffee well into the afternoon. I'm going to catch up on chores today and maybe cut Taj's hair. I love sick days.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Family Night
We've started a new tradition in our household. It's family night!!!!! Yesterday was the first one and it went swimmingly. I've attempted to do similar things in the past but it never really worked into the routine well and the kids would rather have a friend over or go to a friends house than spend time with their boring old mom. Sundays seemed the obvious day to do it but things always come up, weather it be friends or family in town, work or one of the kids activities. I thought Monday night would be a great solution because I usually have Sun and Mon off and we can relax and do fun things in a clean and tidy house. I won't be distracted by things that need to get done.
The kids are growing up so fast and I find myself in regret every day for the time I've missed while being a single parent and working all the time( if I'm not at work I'm working around the house). I see them a lot but I feel checked out, like I'm going through the motions. Were around each other but I'm not engaging with them enough. So instead of going another day regretting the time I don't spend with them, I decided to just set aside one day after school where I'm just there with them. Not on the phone not cleaning the house not on the computer, but present. I had to remind myself that their still here now living with me and we have some more years left before they leave me and go to college. Stop regretting and do something!!!!
The first family night went like this. I went to the library before I picked them up and got a book that I can read aloud to them. Bedknob and broomstick was the choice. I also got a movie we could all watch together. Summer of the Monkeys. The kid's got home, I annouced family night. Kiah was really bummed because she's signed up for a photography class at the boys and girls club on Mondays. I told her "sorry honey but family night is more important than photography" Once I told Taj that I got some of the pillsburry easy bake halloween cookies that I have never bought and would never let them have, he was very excited for family night to begin. The kids did their homework while I baked the cookies, emptied the dishwasher and made chilli and cornbread. Kiah tried to turn the TV on to watch netflix and I stopped her and diverted her to the halloween decorations while we waited for Taj to finish his homework. We then watched the movie together, then I read aloud to them and before I knew it, it was bed time. Quite simple but we were together the whole time. I think it will make us closer as a family if we can do this no matter what!!!! At least once a week. The key is that we are spending the eavening TOGETHER!
Next family night I think we'll cook something yummy together and maybe play a board game. I know it sounds exciting but you can't come. It's family night.
The kids are growing up so fast and I find myself in regret every day for the time I've missed while being a single parent and working all the time( if I'm not at work I'm working around the house). I see them a lot but I feel checked out, like I'm going through the motions. Were around each other but I'm not engaging with them enough. So instead of going another day regretting the time I don't spend with them, I decided to just set aside one day after school where I'm just there with them. Not on the phone not cleaning the house not on the computer, but present. I had to remind myself that their still here now living with me and we have some more years left before they leave me and go to college. Stop regretting and do something!!!!
The first family night went like this. I went to the library before I picked them up and got a book that I can read aloud to them. Bedknob and broomstick was the choice. I also got a movie we could all watch together. Summer of the Monkeys. The kid's got home, I annouced family night. Kiah was really bummed because she's signed up for a photography class at the boys and girls club on Mondays. I told her "sorry honey but family night is more important than photography" Once I told Taj that I got some of the pillsburry easy bake halloween cookies that I have never bought and would never let them have, he was very excited for family night to begin. The kids did their homework while I baked the cookies, emptied the dishwasher and made chilli and cornbread. Kiah tried to turn the TV on to watch netflix and I stopped her and diverted her to the halloween decorations while we waited for Taj to finish his homework. We then watched the movie together, then I read aloud to them and before I knew it, it was bed time. Quite simple but we were together the whole time. I think it will make us closer as a family if we can do this no matter what!!!! At least once a week. The key is that we are spending the eavening TOGETHER!
Next family night I think we'll cook something yummy together and maybe play a board game. I know it sounds exciting but you can't come. It's family night.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Balloons and Boxes
When we started packing for our move to CA the kids rediscovered their love for boxes. They will stay busy for hours whith a pile of boxes. However I could not spare any of my boxes because I needed them for packing. I had to make them take down their box town so I could finish packing and promised them they could have them when we unpacked. It was great they were in box heaven when we did finally move into the house. For a several days they were busy constructing a town and a rockband complete with guitars and a drum set. I wish I had taken a picture of it. I didn't think about it until yesterday when I was disassembling it for the recycling bin. There was lots of packing and colored electrical tape used for guitar straps and decoration. They have no idea what I have done to their creations. Where does one keep a cardboard set of instruments?
The other simple pleasure they have recently rediscovered is the ballon. Taj bought a balloon kit that teaches you how to make balloon animals and lots of other balloon creations. The kids spent several days constructing hats, poodles, flowers and so on. They even made up their own creations. I even contemplated hiring them out for parties! But I again was asking myself "Where does one put all of these lovely creations?" I then popped them all and put them in the garbage. I know I'm evil. They have been laying around in a box for at least three weeks so their time was over.
My point to all this is this. Kids, no matter the age be it 1 or 11 have more fun whith open ended creative play than they do with any expensive noisy toy you can buy them. Even if they end up in the garbage when we are tired of finding them strewn about the house. So if you are having company and you want to keep your kids busy and quiet in the other room your list of supplies is as follows. boxes, packing tape, markers, pillows and blankets, ballons. put some food in there too and you wont see them for days.
Do I hear an Amen?
The other simple pleasure they have recently rediscovered is the ballon. Taj bought a balloon kit that teaches you how to make balloon animals and lots of other balloon creations. The kids spent several days constructing hats, poodles, flowers and so on. They even made up their own creations. I even contemplated hiring them out for parties! But I again was asking myself "Where does one put all of these lovely creations?" I then popped them all and put them in the garbage. I know I'm evil. They have been laying around in a box for at least three weeks so their time was over.
My point to all this is this. Kids, no matter the age be it 1 or 11 have more fun whith open ended creative play than they do with any expensive noisy toy you can buy them. Even if they end up in the garbage when we are tired of finding them strewn about the house. So if you are having company and you want to keep your kids busy and quiet in the other room your list of supplies is as follows. boxes, packing tape, markers, pillows and blankets, ballons. put some food in there too and you wont see them for days.
Do I hear an Amen?
Friday, January 2, 2009
I Love Hotels
The kids have been wining about missing out on all the snow in Seattle so we took an overnight trip up to the closest snow park around (Mt Pinos Nordic Base). It took us 2.5 hours to get there. The kids had fun sledding for a few hours and then we headed to the hotel just in time for check in. The hotel was affordable and fabulouse. They have movie rentals, cable, clean and comfortable rooms, wifi and FREE BREAKFAST! I love a hotel with free breakfast. We checked out on Sat and headed back up the mountain for more sledding. The snow was compact and icy but all in all I think the kids had fun.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Pumpkin Cupcakes
The kids and I had fun making these cup cakes for Kiah's class. Actually the kids did everything. I just stood there and read the recipe to them and kind of directed them. But I didn't touch anything until the icing. Kiah and I did the icing.
Some Recent Pictures
Kiah continues to look foward to riding lessons every week
This is what whe have now instead of a snake. They are so cute!
Kiah's birthday party was a blast
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