kidding around

It’s hard to believe that my winter sunshine is now 7.

Simon, 5months

Simon, 2.5 years

Simon, 7 years

I know all of you can relate to the tears I have in my eyes just looking at the above photos.

Now more than ever I feel like I have to start the “letting go” process. You know, stop helping him blow his nose or pull up his pants or reminding him to gather his school library books or not trying to make things “right” with mean kids and their comments or wiping his face.

But I do know, there are more complex conversations, more of me listening and not explaining, more responsibility, more independence and trust, more pride, more patience, and more of me wanting to be his support…

Within the last 6 months, Simon and Penelope have been developing a typical sibling relationship.

You know, the constant bickering, teasing, crying, competing and so on.

BUT- tonight, I witnessed a sweet event. Simon reading to his little sister that he adores. Love this!

And yes, I was stunned to find that Simon read me the book without hesitation. I love this age and their ability to amaze! When did he learn all those words?!

Nine years ago today, Nathan and I met our very first child- Elisabeth Helene.

After taking a castor oil cocktail and my water breaking, I was on my way to know what it is like to give birth to a child. There was MUCH pacing, breathing, body positions, tearing (yep, stage 4), and pushing, and chanting “Fa fa fa fa (not sure why I chose that sound, but hey, I was pain killer free!) and then IT happened…the most lovely, joyous, and proud moment occurred…I met my babe.

My kids’ birthdays are always so special to me- much more than Mother’s day. Their births I celebrate with such a sense of gratitude- these 3 souls have been entrusted to me and my husband and they have given me so very much!

Happy day to Ellie- she is my sweet joy.

Oh- and if you think the images that I have posted are a part of a finished baby album…you will be horribly disappointed. I think I am still on her 8 month page. Ahem!

My kids started off the school year with a 1/2 day today. There is no other way to start the new school year, but to shoot the obligatory photo and then again on the last day as well. I love taking these photos and comparing how they each have changed. I’m really proud of my kids and really grateful for them and their individual sweetness and quirkiness too!

Ellie is in 4th grade, taking violin, and involved in Jr. Girl Scouts.

Simon is in 1st grade (can NOT get over this), in gymnastics, and Tiger Scouts.

Penelope is my preschooler and companion- so glad I still have her around!

What did you do while in grammar school? I feel like I am constantly reminding myself that it’s okay to NOT have my kids busy every night of the week- I didn’t have them to cart them around, right?

Recently I joined the Flickr group “Creative Summer”- started by one of my favorite blogs…

I noticed a really cute idea that required lily pads and stuffed frogs and although I WISH I could whip out a few frogs, I improvised. (time at the sewing machine has been very minimal and it’s driving me mad).

We found our driveway empty today (car in the shop) and so I recommended a “chalk fest’. As I was getting the chalk and kids were bouncing out of the house I knew there needed to be some structured play. Guess what popped in my mind? That’s right, the brilliant lily pad game. My kids loved it- there was some drama, tears, and frustration (from my poor son), but soon we got our groove and it was fun.

We basically made up the game right before starting, but I reminded the kids to keep it SIMPLE without a trillion rules, rewards, etc. You know how kids can get!

The perfect thing is that Penelope could play by just hopping around as we were a bit more competitive.

How we played:

1. Draw out a bunch of lily pads using the same colors.

2. Add a few more lily pads with a different color scheme (these are bonus and you get another turn.)

3. Have fun adding fish or sea creatures or whatever…

4. Throw a rock on the first lily pad, it needs to land on the pad OR at least on the line (depending on your kids skill and patience.) After the first throw, you go again. This is just so there aren’t 3 of you on the same lily pad. After this everyone gets one chance unless you throw a rock on a “bonus” lily pad.

5. Whoever makes it home first- WINS.

Easy, huh? A perfect game to change as you wish. Nice for the outdoors. Even better when you see your kids play on their own without YOU having to nag them to do it…

I feel like we are at the point of summer that I have 3 shadows following me wondering what to do next. I sound terrible, I know! Thank goodness for some fresh inspiration and I need to read back on some other fabulous blog posts…now only if I can find time and a good excuse to sit in front of the computer! (Thanks to Mama Urchin for the great game inspiration!)

I like to keep a fairly orderly house. It doesn’t need to be spic and span, but shoes in the right place and purposeful piles is the sort of environment I like to create.

Obviously letting my kids have fun is important, but it’s when little messes are left that get me agitated. How do you raise children that aren’t surprised that laundry needs to be put away or they can help make lunch? You give them chores!

I knew this summer was going to be full of outdoor fun and a relaxed routine, but I needed to create some order with my 3 kids and my “more-home-during-the summer” teacher husband (although he is keeping busy with work!). I feel a bit outnumbered when I am scurrying around and the rest are kicking back.

Controlling? Nope! My almost 9 year old and 6 year old are at the ripe age of working and earning money!

I gave my system a week, and guess what? It’s working. I created a very simple chart with some pretty easy chores. A few of my goals was to create a natural summer routine, responsibility, and pride.

A few things that are emphasized:
* out of bed, dressed, breakfast, a.m. chores done by 9:00am.

* no computer, DVDs or TV until the afternoon (not a big deal, especially when the weather is nice).

* instead of my nagging, I created another chart. if the kids forget to put away their shoes, instead of me barking orders they need to check their chart to see if there are any marks. once they have “made right” they can scratch it out. if they don’t do it, they lose money at the end of the week.

* another detail of my chart is “bad attitude”, if they are being a sass or fighting with one another I just give them an X on their chart. if they get 5 in one day there are some major consequences. pretty nice when I am in public and I just mention an X- they straighten up!

I know some of this chart business may be nonsense for some of you- I don’t know how long it will last, I know we will always be changing it and making it work from week to week (that’s why keeping it simple is key), but I can say that I have not put away their laundry for 2 weeks and it’s great!

Oh, and another big thing is for them to learn how to manage money. They each have a set of 3 cans. You guessed it- they are all marked “give”, “spend”, and “save”. They have written down what they are saving for so that they are not obsessing over the possibilities (and I don’t have the majority of our conversations about when we are shopping!).

Hey- I have been enjoying reading everyone’s thoughts on chores, money, and family responsibilities! I have resisted paying my kids for their chores and that is why I only give them 10cents a chore…big spender, I know! Like I mentioned, my goal was to teach them pride and responsibility- they are getting it and thankfully the money thing is sort of a bonus and not a motivating factor.

Today we are celebrating the last day of school. I feel very grateful for committed teachers, children that love to learn and a break! oops, I mean summer break…not a break from them during the school year! I am happy we have a break from the school routine!

It’s a tradition to do our front step shot on the first and last day of school. Sorry for the overload of kid photos, but I love to see how they have changed…and well, this blog is also for me and documentation. I’m not documenting their lives anywhere else!

They grow up, don’t they? I always get a bit teary eyed this time of year. Good grief, what will I do when they are off to college?! I’ll probably be gladly dropping them off!

happy 3 years of life to my joy and sunshine…penelope tess.

i love this girl with all of my heart- my world is much brighter because of her…

thank you sweet thing

Today I will be spending the day with my sweet son. Lunch and then some pizza making are in the plans. This card he made for his teacher and I wish I could keep it!!

Time really does fly…we moved back to Chicago when I was pregnant with my Simon and I can’t believe I am now having conversations about the solar system and that “oo” makes an “oooo” sound. Age six is a pretty fantastic age. The world is opening up through independent reading, making more choices, more responsibility. Not that things are perfect all the time, but life with Simon Ariel is a joy.

Speaking of joy, this cake gets me happy! I made the cake from Ina Garten’s newest book and the frosting is Swiss Meringue Buttercream. Isn’t the frosting beautiful?! So easy to make and it looks just like a delicious cloud.

Hands off, Peppy! We still have about 9 hours before chow time.

Meet Hazel (the name I wanted to give Penelope, but it got the axe from Nathan) and Clementine. These girls are special Valentine treats for my daughter and niece. I never thought I would name them- but I couldn’t resist, they were so much fun to make.

I get to thank my son Simon for the inspiration. He drew this little guy last year in preschool and I have kept it hanging in our playroom walls ever since. Like every mother out there, I love my kids’ artwork and hope that I will have piles and piles of their artwork once they arrive to adulthood.

I wasn’t the only inspired one around here. My daughter Ellie came up with this little friend completely on her own. She has been having a ball with her sewing machine. I have kind of let her just make things on the machine with no pattern and just a lot of imagination. You know what? She loves it. She loves going through my stash of scraps and making pillows for every stuffed animal in the house!