Let Them Grow

I am one of those hovering mothers when it comes to kids doing projects.  Whether it's a puzzle or a craft project I'm generally in the middle of it.  In my defense my children are still quite young and prone to make large messes and loose things (like puzzle pieces).  I watched my husbands take on "helping" the other day and was impressed at the result.  My two-year-old had brought out a puzzle (one he's never done by himself before) and asked his dad if he would help him put it together.  My husband's response was, "can I watch?" My little one eagerly said yes and dumped the puzzle on the floor at his feet and proceeded to put it together with no help. 

Many times in my life I've found myself holding to my children's current skill set and not backing off enough to let them grow and forgetting that their capability is changing on almost a daily basis.  It's that way with adults too.  It's hard to let people to grow because I remember them as their 10, 15 or 20 year old self.  Many times we face challenges in our lives that require us to aquire new skills (my Primary class has taught me so much about working with kids and people in general) if we don't have regular contact with someone I don't see how much they are changing and growing.  When we're blinded by our own past experience we fail to recognize the amazing things that are happening in the people around us.  So my challenge to you is to recognize the growth in the people around you and compliment them when you get the chance.

Wipeout Ensign Ranch Edition

So, if you are ever in need of some serious fun build yourself a giant slip-n-slide...or you can go where they have one.  There was a puddle at the bottom so it threw you off your tube when you hit it.  There were some pretty good wipe outs. Here's Ashlie and her four-year-old.

 We didn't catch Lindy's kids in action but here they are drying off.

Next we have Katrina with her little girl.

 Here's me with Arianne, I'm sure glad I bought a swimsuit.

We had a blast and the kids slept really well that night.

Little Indians of Ensign Ranch

One little, two little, three little indians...

"Hey mom, what's an indian?"

We had to go check out the teepees they had at Ensign Ranch.  We went camping with some of my favorite people and it was a blast. 

We had two days of nonstop fun and came home totally exhausted.  Thank you Lindy for suggesting and setting up this trip.  Thanks to everyone who helped with the food and keeping track of the kiddos.  This has gotten me excited for the Summer and maybe a little braver about taking our little family camping.

Exhausted

So, my two-year-old never has much trouble keeping up with his big brother.  He rarely naps but there are days we come home from a busy day and he is exhausted.  I had turned on a show for the kids and when I came back to check on them I found this little guy fast asleep in his own lap.  He looked so funny lying there I had to snap a picture before I moved him into his bed. 

I have had a couple days lately where I've felt this way.  I wish I could just fall over in a chair and go to sleep.  I often find myself at a point where I'd like to end my day and somehow I manage to make it through the next four hours getting a few things done before falling gratefully into my bed.  One thing I've always liked about busy days is how good it feels to go to sleep.  That exhausted feeling that is drenched  in happiness because of all you got done that day.

Super Friends

My kids are very into super heros right now.  They are always pretending to be Batman, Spiderman or the Imaginex men (one is a fireman).  They love to play pretend and are often bringing their friends along on their imaginary adventures.

What can I say, they must just have "Super" friends.  I also have been blessed with super friends.  Some of super workers, some are super adventerous, some are super cooks, super spiritual, super fun, super talented and I am very blessed to have so many of these Super ladies in my life.  Thanks for your influence and your friendship.  I'm looking forward to all the Super adventures to come.

Quiet Time

We have had a rainy couple weeks and are wondering where the sun has gone.  Yesterday we had a pleasant surprise as the Sun made an all day appearance.  I had several errands to run but stayed home working on some projects instead.  In the afternoon I rounded up the small ones and had them do some straightening up we headed outside to play in the wading pool.  I stayed out for a bit and watched them laugh and play.

My two-year-old was running across the yard and jumping into the pool.  He looked like a little puppy bounding in and out of that little pool.  My four-year-old found a pair of goggles that were far too big for his head.  It was adorable.  I wish I'd thought to take pictures but I was having too much fun. 

I went in to work on dishes and before long my four-year-old said he was done being outside. I got him changed and we got popsicles to take outside.  The boys were sitting in the camp chairs and I was sitting on a towel on the ground and by the time we got done both boys had joined me on the towel.  I love those quiet moments when it seems that everything in life is going right.  I need to stop and make more memories like that.

Free Kid's Crafts at Micheals

Just found out that Micheal's is doing a Summer series of craft projects for ages 3 and up.  Some projects require you to buy something for example there is a day they are doing a tie t-shirt and you have to buy the shirt.  Another day they are decorating a mug so you have to buy the mug.  They have some pretty cool looking Father's Day projects. So check it out here.

Restoring Faith in Humanity

There are times in life when you just feel like the whole world is out to get you.  You get cut off in traffic, someone steals the parking spot you were headed for you know the kind of day.  We've all had them.  Every once in a while I have moments, usually with my children when my faith in the human race is restored.

At the tulip festival my four-year-old was taking this photographer's picture so he turned and took my little boy's picture.  He was thrilled to have gotten his picture taken and his smile was huge.  There were several people who let my little guy take their picture this day and all of them had huge smiles for him.

Another insidence happened at the Goodwill the other day.  My boys like to sit on the horse at the entrance, you know, the one you put quarters in and it goes.  I never give them money and one day an nice grandpa man came up and asked if they would like to go for a ride.  They were so excited and my heart was touched by his kindness.  (I was having an especially hard day this day so it was really a blessing to have the kids so content for a moment.) This happened twice that same day.

I often have had people open doors when I'm carrying a screaming child, patiently answer my children's questions while waiting in the check out line, wave to the kids (they especially appreciate the garbage man), shake their hands at church and a number of other small acts that mean the world to them. 

So thank you to all those out there that take time to do the little things that remind me that there is hope for us.  The majority of the people in the world are still good and aren't afriad to show it. 

Merry Un-Birthday

I got a birthday card in the mail about a month ago.  I was so excited...and confused...and excited.  My birthday is in the fall.  I wanted to take a picture of the card and put it on here but I can't find it at the moment.

Come to find out my birthday last year fell during my brother-in-law's final exams of his senior year.  Not surprisingly the card got misplaced in the chaos and was found almost six months later after they had moved half way across the country.  So I got a birthday card today and it made my day.  So the next time you miss someone's birthday, send the card late, it will still make them smile.

It's also a good idea to give un-birthday flowers or cake.  I watched a nine year old give a lady a paper flower at church a couple weeks ago and I could tell how thrillled she was that someone thought of her.  There was  a day once I took a tin of chocolate truffles to church and declared it friendship day.  I gave each friend I came across a chocolate treat that day and I was amazed at the reactions I got.  It just goes to show that a small gesture can have a large impact. 

So give it a try.  Go do something special for someone today.