Lesson #32

When all else fails, employ manual labor tactics

I love being in Kansas City with our extended family. My three kids play hard (and fight a little too) with their two cousins. But after three days of running wild and entertaining each other, things tend to unravel for these kiddos. By 10 am today, I think all five of them were at a breaking point. Fortunately for us, not necessarily my brother, a tree fell victim to the storms over night. Seeking an opportunity to harness their energy, amazing Uncle Justin decided to recruit some cheap labor. He manned the chainsaw while the three eldest hauled logs to the front yard. It was the best cooperation and least amount of fighting I have heard all weekend. This is further proof that a little structure activity coupled with heavy duty energy burning can be the best recipe for a peaceful afternoon.

Lesson #31

Scooby doo: The great equalizer

One girl...four boys...a bite to the arm...a shove down the slide. There's cousins are the best of friends and the worst of enemies. Today we packed in a series of events starting off with a workout at the gym for the moms while kids played at the child care center. From there, we hit the dinosaur museum. Max suffered what seemed to be a life threatening injury from the sound of his screams. Luckily, it was just a series of scrapes on legs and arms from falling from a ledge. We survived a brutal block destroying session in the discovery room before heading to lunch. We managed to survive lunch with the five kids despite a little snags in our strategic ordering. After naps we headed to the pool. No one drowned so another victory was ours! We muddled through a number of shoving matches in preparation for dinner. Just one huge bite to the back of an arm and we sailed through dessert. After a number of screaming matches, physical quarrels and competitive arguments, we finally landed in a peaceful place...scooby doo.

Lesson #30

Be fearless-it is really fun

We are in Kansas City this weekend visiting my brother's family. While visiting a local park/children's farm, I was reminded of how fearless toddlers can be. This isn't always a comforting characteristic to witness in your children but it can be inspirational. I was amazed at the brave two-year olds in our group. My son Miles and his cousin Jensen showed no reservations about sticking their hands in the mouths of greedy goats. They giggled with delight as their fingers were gently nibbled and licked. All I can say is thank goodness we departed with all of our fingers!

Lesson #29

Don't stay out with girlfriend until midnight on a Tuesday

I am not one to go out and stay late on a weekday evening. My bedtime is typically at 10 pm during the week. My kids are early risers so I always plan to get as much sleep as possible. Last night, I had a rare night out with some other moms from Max's school. We just met for drinks and appetizers. I figured we would be done by about 9:00 and headed home to read and go to bed. We didn't finish up at the restaurant until 10:00 and I was set to get home and get to sleep. One of the moms suggested going across the street for a beer and I could not bring myself to be the party pooper. As tired as I was, we were having such great conversation. I headed to the next venue and did not end up home until almost midnight. Of course, two of my kids decide to get up at 5:30 this morning. Needless to say, I am really dragging today. It was definitely a fun night and I really loved the bonding time with my friends. But as a stay at home mom, taking the morning off to get some extra rest is never an option. That is the price to pay for a little mom time!



Thank goodness for some pool time this morning and a long nap for the two younger ones!

Lesson #28

Passion for learning comes in many forms

Today is our official first real day of summer break. I really wanted to kick it off with something fun, knowing that my enthusiasm for long days with the kids will fade as the weeks go on. We headed for the zoo bright and early. We got there when it opened and headed for all of the exhibits that draw long lines later in the morning. First we hit the sting rays and then on to the sea lions.

Max insisted on bringing along his backpack. He had been getting it ready all morning. I didn't have it in me to fight with him about bringing it in to the zoo. I reluctantly told him it was fine as long as he would carry it the whole time. I was pleasantly surprised to discover what he had packed and his motives for bringing it along. He had a few notebooks along with crayons, pens and markers. He wanted to be able to take notes about the animals and brought enough for the friends we were meeting. I was so impressed by his plan and the fact that he did not once wine about carrying his bag along. The boys stopped and wrote notes and drew illustrations at every exhibit we visited.

I often encourage Max to sit and read with me or work on writing. He usually appeases me but can fight it sometimes. I was so happy to see his initiative and to see him working so diligently on his own writing project.

Lesson #27

I won't grow old alone

No one really likes to think about growing old. I dread the thought of turning 40...still over four years away but still. I like the thought of staying 35 forever, enjoying my family and friends with the energy I have today. As much as I do not want to grow old, at least I know I will not be alone. Today, completely out of nowhere, Zoey informed me that I will be in good hands. "I will take care of you when you are an old lady," she exclaimed with a smile.

I do not know how this kid's mind works. She is such a sweet and caring little girl. I plan to hold her to this statement when she has a family and life of her own!

Lesson #26

Toddlers and pregnant women have a lot in common

If someone made a food request of you for  pickles and peaches, you might assume they were pregnant. But in my case, I have a toddler with a very strange appetite. This kid requests pickles for breakfast, lunch and dinner...even snacks. When it comes to meat, he often has an aversion but cook up a pot of macaroni and cheese and Miles could eat more than a kid twice his age. I don't usually let my kids run the show when it comes to meals. I cook one meal for dinner and present it as a take it or leave it option. But when we go out to eat, I generally let them make their own choices. Miles is a comfort food lover, picking a tower of pancakes or an enormous cheese quesadilla for pretty much ever meal we eat. The kid will barely touch a bowl of ice cream but instead eats all of the toppings. This young man has been known to eat hummus by the spoonful but pushes away a cheeseburger. Just when I think I have his food cravings figured out, he goes and changes it all up. Once a blueberry lover, this kid now only wants blackberries and raspberries. He won't eat his waffle at the breakfast table but insists on bringing it on the ride to school, scarfing it down in a matter of minutes. Tofu in a bowl of miso soup? Yes please! But don't even bother with that fried spring roll. Miles can devour a bowl of feta cheese but turns up his nose at a slice of american cheese. The child will tear apart a filet of rainbow trout but cannot be bother to try a pork chop.  I am sure his tastes will mature as he gets older but for now, I am learning to expect the unexpected.