Lessons

Sitting outside today at playgroup with some moms from HMN, one commented that sometimes the hardest part is just to get out of their way.  The kids, she meant.  Once they started rolling with their imagination and creativity, there was a house and family on top of the playground collecting sticks, mulch, ice, and who knows what else for their dinner.  A lot of cake making was happening inthe sandbox.  Pushing, pulling, riding, digging, collecting, feeling, talking, directing, negotiating, assisting, all led by them.  I watched in wonder as my lately quiet and shy girl set out the scene and directed the players.  I loved my little one working hard to follow the rules laid out for him a nd trying to pull his weight.  Parenting well seems like less work.  It's allowing them to work it all out and deal with the messiness that is scary I think, so we get too involved and take too much responsibility for what is not our to take.  A lesson that gets repeated whenever we need it so it seems. 

Some fun

After all the fabulous boot camp, hot yoga, and other random workouts this summer, I've been seriously slacking as I get my act together in this new transition to work and school.  I much prefer working out in the morning, and now that we leave so early, that is nearly impossible.  If I work out at night, I'll keep myself awake too late.  During the day, I'm either working or with Pumpkin, so I need something he can do too, or that i can do while he naps, or that I can do on the fly.  I don't really want to pay for anything extra, and I'd love to use what we already have (since we do have a full gym in our basement!).  I can squeeze in some standard workouts here and there, but I need something fun and easy to fit in anywhere that I will actually do.  I have a plan.  I've found two playgrounds close to the kids school, and I plan to do some playground workouts before picking them up in the afternoons!  I like playing on the playground at home with the kids, and can get pretty winded just chasing them around, so why not do the same without them?  So what if I'll look super ridiculous trying to hoist myself up on those monkey bars or lunging along the curb?  Who cares if I attract stares with sprints across the grass?  I'm up for it.  I actually think it will be a ton of fun. 

Just my imagination...

As Peanut has gotten older, her dives into dramatic play have become more complicated of course, but lately it seems like a whole new level has been opened up. Pumpkin follows along with whatever game she invents, and now I have two big kids who create their own dramas and can play on their own for decent stretches of time... so you will probably hear more from me since I've suddenly got some free time.

I've been feeling under the weather and this morning the kids were playing downstairs while I sat on the couch. The got a whole bunch of the dolls hooked up in the double stroller and started planning and expedition. They both loaded the stroller with provisions, Peanut talking the whole time about how they would be "super, super hungry" when they got to their destination.

Later in the day, we were playing outdoors (in February without jackets!) and Peanut set up a kitchen in the top part of the playground. She pretended to be "a lady named Elizabeth" and cooked Pumpkin and I turkey, fish and sauce for dinner. The two of them dragged a little table and chairs over to the "house" and set it all up for the meal. I was invited and served - how lovely!

It is so fun to hear her set the scene for me and tell me what part I should play. I just love the leaps of three...

Backyard Carnival

So sad to see that it is the end of May and I've only posted twice this month! Seriously? Ah well. Such is the life of a mom to toddlers and preschoolers. Here's where I would usually admonish myself for not getting to blogging, but I won't do that. It's on the list, but not at the top and that's OK. I'm getting back on the top of that list, thank you very much.

Nana is here this week, and we are catching up on projects around the house while she gets to enjoy the kiddos. Who would have thought I'd been excited about cleaning? We have been able to finally install our baby gate at the top of the stairs, which should make meal preparation a bit calmer. I can now leave Pumpkin to roam while I cook instead of locking him in his booster seat and hearing him complain and throw food to the dog. Ahhh, the little things. I've also been able to get a haircut and start interviewing for a new mother's helper. We've got some sweet girls coming this week to meet the kids, so hopefully we will find someone fun and trustworthy to play with Peanut and Pumpkin while I get a few hours to myself. We might even be able to go out on some dates! I just can't even really imagine that!

The seeds and plants are all in the garden at last. We have had a few run ins with a bunny who chewed into the fence to get the beets and cucumbers, but so far it looks like it will be a productive summer. We are really enjoying our lettuces and very spice arugula and radishes! Next is the herb garden, some flowers, mulching, and weeding. If Nana was here for the month we might get it all done. One thing at a time.

We did decide to go for the playground, in a huge way. Come the end of June, a carnival will ensue in our yard. Peanut can't wait even though I'm still not sure she understands that it will be here for good. She told me she wanted to have this one, then send it back and get another until she had all the ones in the book. It sounds like a playground library - now that would be fabulous!