If you haven’t already, stop what you’re doing and order a copy of Elizabeth Foss and Danielle Bean’s newest book Small Steps for Catholic Moms. It’s not a book that’s meant to be read in one sitting (although you could if you wanted to!) but rather a book to be savored over the course of a year. It’s a 365 day devotional where each day includes 3 steps: Think (a reflection from a saint or the bible), Pray (a short prayer to help you get focused), and Act (a simple action to put the month’s virtue into practice). I’m finding this book to be my spiritual anchor right now…it’s hard with two little ones to find quiet time to pray and grow, but this book is making it possible. No matter what point you’re at in mothering, you’ll find hope, encouragement, and spiritual noursishment between the covers of this little gem.
Month: May 2010
Handwriting
Handwriting is so fun to work on with little kids because the opportunities are endless…shaving cream, rice, oatmeal, chalk, pipe cleaners…everything is an opportunity for practice, just so long as you’re practicing correctly because as Daxson is fond of saying, “Perfect practice makes perfect!”
Joseph loves using sidewalk chalk to practice his letters...this day we chose to do "rainbow letters."
If Joseph's having trouble with a letter, he practices tracing the correct strokes on the letter I've drawn.
Proudly showing off his ABCs.
To practice the correct strokes, Joseph uses the sandpaper letters that I made for him. The correct strokes are shown with numbered arrows.
St. William
We discovered that the Letter C on Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Gary’s alphabet mat make a perfect halo for William…perhaps these pictures will inspire him to behave in a saintly manner!
Authority
Joseph does not like to feed himself. Anything. Ever. He hates getting messy. He hates risking a mess. He is a perfectionist. I know I already told you this. Do you remember? Well he’s almost 3 and I have tried everything to get him to eat. I’ve tried bribing, coaxing, cajoling, praising…you name it, I’m sure I’ve tried it. Yes, I’ve tried leaving him there until he finishes…he could sit there forever. Yes, I’ve tried rewarding…he’s not interested. Yes, whatever you’re about to say, I’m sure I’ve tried it. I was beginning to wonder if this child would ever feed himself and then a miracle happened.
I took William for his well-baby appointment with Dr. Perez earlier this week and I asked her about it. She said, “Joseph’s a big boy…he needs to feed himself.” So I came home and at lunch, I told Joseph, “Dr. Perez says you’re a big boy…she says you need to feed yourself.” And HE DID. And HE STILL IS. And at every meal, he kindly reminds me, “Dr. Perez says I’m a big boy…I need to feed myself.” I guess this Mommy is not an authority on everything.
Memories
I remember snuggling up with my favorite people when I was a kid, listening to story after story, wrapped up tight in a lap of love. I hope my kids will have the same kinds of memories…
A Happy Mommy makes a Happy Memory
February 20, 2010: Alex's 1st birthday party
Daybook
Outside my window…it’s beautiful…are you tired of me saying that yet?
I am thinking…naptime is a blessing.
I am thankful for…cars. I think it’s annoying to have to load up two kids into their carseats, but imagine if I had to hitch up two horses!
From the learning rooms…this week’s book is The Little Rabbit by Judy Dunn. Joseph’s more interested in another book he found on the shelf though…Where’s My Sock? by Joyce Dunbar so we’ve been reading that (over and over and over again). I think this is a perfect opportunity to learn to sort socks and practice counting by 2s!
From the kitchen…chicken tortilla soup.
I am wearing…gray shorts and a beige top (and thinking that I should at least make an attempt to match my top and bottom each day!).
I am creating…a Shutterfly page. Usually I post my pictures on Kodak, but I have a coupon for free shipping for Shutterfly…it’s always nice to have options.
I am going…to have to take these little boys out shopping this week…we need sandals and swim trunks…essentials for summer!
I am laughing…because I told Joseph to eat a chip at lunch the other day and he said (in all seriousness), “Actually, Mom, that’s a Frito.”
I am reading…Celebrating the Church Year with Young Children by Joan Halmo. But I’m even more excited because my copy of Christmas Mosaic by Cay Gibson just arrived yesterday…and I am immersed in a wealth of ideas!
I am hoping…Mom and Cathy get to watch Clean House, eat ice-cream sandwiches, shop at a quilt store (or two or three…), and enjoy late-night girl talks while they’re visiting together. (Okay, and I am wishing…I could be there, too!)
I am hearing…the hum of the a/c…and it’s certainly humming along…can it really already be this hot?
Around the house…the books in the playroom are finally organized! Now for my books…
One of my favorite things…fresh berries…thanks Grandma Nury for sharing with us.
A few plans for the rest of the week: I’m going to try to finish a craft project I’m working on (if only William would stop wandering away with my supplies); shopping for summer essentials; bake bread with Joseph.
Here is picture I thought worth sharing…
C'mon Dad...I'll race you to the bottom!
The Beach
Here’s the blog I promised about William’s first trip to the beach. For William it was somewhere new to play and explore. For Joseph it was an adventure.
When we arrived, we met up with Grandma Nury, Grandpa Larry, Noah, Ethan, and Alijah. The older boys played near the water with Grandma Nury, building sand castles. Joseph wanted nothing to do with the water. He hardly crossed the barrier of seaweed, afraid that the water would come lapping up to his feet.
This is so new...he's not quite sure what to do!
Joseph played a little frisbee with Grandpa Larry and Dax.
Still adjusting...
Totally adjusted...ready for playtime!
Finally, Nury and I convinced Joseph to let us carry him down near the water. We gently introduced the great big gulf to him…first letting the water tickle his toes, then showing him how we could jump the waves, finally, slowly setting his feet down into the wet sand…
Now unfortunately, I don’t have any pictures of what happened next so you’ll have to rely on your imagination and we’ll have to rely on the memories…
Finally, Joseph was loving the water…running, jumping, scooping, playing. I showed him a Portuguese Man O War that had floated up onto the beach. I told him he could look at it but to not touch it. He was not very interested. He was much more intereseted in his cousins. Alijah was nearby and started chasing Joseph. Joseph ran from Alijah, laughing, laughing, not paying any attention. And can you believe it? He jumped, literally, right onto that Portuguese Man O War and the entire thing exploded with a huge pop. Nury and I screamed and the kids all looked at us like we’d lost it.
Joseph was so lucky! He ended up with only two little, tiny red dots on his foot. He whined a little about it so we took him up to the park ranger station for some baking soda solution to rub on it. (That may very well have been the highlight of the trip!)
Yep, that’s it. William’s big first time trip to the beach turned out to be more of an adventure for Joseph. Either way, regardless of who had the bigger adventure, we had a great time…here are a few more pictures to mark this memory in our minds.
The Beginning
Today we went to the beach. It was William’s first time to visit the beach. And while that adventure, in and of itself, deserves a blog, this is not it. Instead I want to tell you about someone I met at the beach.
I met a new mommy. She was so happy. So blissfully in love. So proud of her new status. You could see it in her eyes. You could hear it in her voice. You could practically see the new mommy aura surrounding her. It was beautiful.
I am always struck by the beauty of new mommies. The first few weeks or so of new mommyhood are spent trying to break out of the sleep-deprived, I’m-really-not-sure-what-in-the-world-I’m-doing cocoon. But once they pass those first few weeks (or there about…some mommies adjust sooner, some take a little more time), they blossom into such beautiful creatures. They spread their wings and it’s a beautiful transformation. It’s love in action. It’s a powerful witness to what dying to self really is. It’s like the beginning of any beautiful relationship…a time of complete and total surrender…a time to love each tiny aspect of the beautiful baby we helped create.
I think we each go through seasons in mommyhood, just like we do in any relationship. I think the first few weeks are tough. Really tough. Especially the first time around. We don’t know what we’re doing. We feel helpless, overwhelmed, unprepared. Then our intuition kicks in and suddenly we gain confidence. We look at that little baby and realize that if we just listen to what’s in our hearts, we will survive. We fall in love. Completely, totally, unconditionally. It is spring in mommyhood. We’ve created new life and we’re watching as it unfolds around us. Such a beautiful season.
So to all new mommies out there, congratulations. You are beautiful…now spread your wings and do what you do best. Fall in love. Complete and total love. And just surrender. Surrender yourself to the sesaon of spring.
Daybook
Outside my window…the sun is setting.
I am thinking…it’s the simple things that make life so fun…
I am thankful for…my parents.
Mom and me on Mother's Day...thanks, Dad, for the beautiful corsage!
From the learning rooms…this week is Goodnight Moon, which is leading us down so many rabbit trails (ie. Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Hey Diddle Diddle…)
From the kitchen…fresh squash and onions from Grandpa Larry’s garden (even my picky little William is eating the fruits of Grandpa’s labor).
I am wearing…pajamas.
I am going…walking down at Cole Park tomorrow.
I am reflecting…on an article I read this morning about how we grow into our roles as parents, becoming seasoned over time.
I am hoping…Marley has found a comfy place to snuggle, a friend to pass the time with, and a toy to chew on.
I am praying…for the souls in purgatory.
One of my favorite things…reading!
A few plans for the rest of the week: The house desperately needs a deep cleaning, the laundry needs to be done, and the strawberry plants need help.
Here is a picture I thought worth sharing…
With Every Intention 