We Survived

So, no BIG story today.  Just my Top 10 for the week.  Nothing really stuck out in my head...just lots of little things that made the week.

Top 10 for this past week:

10.  Clean Microwave.  I cleaned my microwave today.  I know this is small but the fact that I had time AND did it, makes me feel good.

9.  Nap Time Circles.  Little Miss Mallory.  Love her.  But dislike how she acts before and during naps (sometimes).  She's on this "I don't need a nap" kick.  Which I am fine with.  BUT she DOES!  After Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday of NO NAP, I realized Thursday--she NEEDS MORE NAPS.  I figured it out this week.  Which was HUGE.  A realization that our daughter will be having "rest" time EVERY day.  Just not sure how to get her to stay in bed to accomplish this.  Friday she laid down willingly and today it was a bit of a struggle....but once I read another book to her, put Tipper (our dog) in her room, opened the door, took the "cozy" comforter off our bed and in her room, she FINALLY fell asleep.  Thank goodness, she needed that!  Clay is a rather different story.  After 3 1/2 months he is finally on a nap schedule.  He sleeps 45-60 minutes in the morning and about the same if not longer in the afternoon.  He could use a longer afternoon nap (he is zonked out at 7:30PM) but once he wakes himself up, he struggles to go back to sleep.  And proceeds to cry and run down the hallway to WAKE his sister up (yeah, just had to run down the hallway to GET him!! Seriously).  As every parent does (I would think so at least), nap time is needed for our sanity.  I also enjoy blogging, scrapping, cleaning, reading, talking on the phone, or whatever else comes my way during OUR nap time.  I am shocked that I NO longer need my own sleeping naps.  My husband can attest to this--I am a true napper.  But just recently (last few months), I can't sleep during the day anymore.  A sign of getting old?

8.  Consignment LOVE.  I am ALMOST done with our leftovers of our yard sale!  I cannot tell you how much joy this brings me.  I am sick of all the extra clutter in our basement when I am trying so hard to organize it.  I ended up taking two more loads to Goodwill and then a load to the consignment store.  They took everything! Which I was super pumped about.  AND I had a check there for $23.  Not much.  But extra cash for me (I claim it because I took it.  Sorry Jay. And it's not like I spend it on myself anyways).  We also scored a Curious George stuffed animal.  I know, I know.  I try really hard to not have TOO many in our house and YES I did take some to Goodwill a few weeks ago.  BUT if you know my daughter...you know she is IN LOVE with "Georgie."  Ask her about landfills, how to make maple syrup, or what a compost pile is and she WILL tell you.  So, George is not so bad.

7.  Cousin LOVE.  We had a chance to see Baby Hudson this weekend.  He is getting so big.  And my kids ADORE him.  Like, almost obsessively.  It was quite comical how they were both fighting over him.  Poor Clayman wanted to hold him so badly.  Maybe next time buddy!  It is also sweet how much they love him already.  I knew Mal was a baby lover (she will head straight to a baby before saying hi to any adult) but to see Clay following in her footsteps is so sweet.  Yes, he is sweet AND a boy.  He will be rough and tough but sweet and gentle as well!  Yes Jay, he will. 

6.  Bad day.  Good day.  It's funny how that works.  Thursday was a horrible day for me and if you'd like to know about it, read the blog prior to this one (I didn't publish it on Facebook because I was halfheartedly ashamed but needed to get it out there).  I'm learning as I go with this stay-at-home business.  Some things work and some things need tweaking.  I'm okay with that.  But some days (not many, just a few so far) I have seriously thought I wasn't doing enough.  Crazy right?!?!?! I know, ask my husband.  I was a bit crazy that day.  I was sad.  Distraught over thinking I wasn't giving my children everything they needed.  Nothing is perfect.  No one is perfect.  Life is not perfect.  Live and learn.  And I have.  To which, Friday was GREAT.  We had a great day at the park with a picnic with new friends, nice naps, nice carrot time after naps (see #5).  It seriously was a great day.  Made me STILL appreciate being home.  Huh.  God works in mystery, yet SO smart, ways:o)

5.  Carrots in Bed.  One day this week Mal woke up and the three of us enjoyed carrots with ranch in her bed.  It was sweet.  We laughed a lot, read some books, and ate carrots. Simple.  I enjoyed it.  AND I LOVE the fact that they are choosing and requesting healthier snacks to eat. 

4.  New friends.  This week we had some play dates with new families.  It is pure joy to find mommys that are the same.  No need to explain.  You know what I am talking about here.  It makes this mommy business easier when you can bond over similar tribulations.  Again, God works in wonderful ways.  I have prayed about finding others to relate to and share my new job with and looky here--I've found some.  (I know this is somewhat dorky, nerdy, whatever you'd like to call me.  But I worried about this.  And to know that a few weeks in and I have some mommy friends I could call, makes me smile).

3.  Harvest Time.  Just starting last year, Mal began to notice the tractors and farmers harvesting the crops around our property.  It is so much fun to watch.  The kids could sit/stand for hours watching them go up and down the fields.  Unfortunately, it was during a weekday this year so Jay was unable to partake in the event with us.  Mal kept asking why they were harvesting OUR corn and commented that one of the farmers "bonked" at us when he actually honked his horn at us:o)  Jay is enjoying the corn being gone due to the fact that now he is able to clearly see the deer around us.  He has summoned Mal into this hunt as well.

2.  Mal's 1st Dance Class.  It was Monday.  She was so pumped in her little leotard and skirt.  It was a joy watching her dance with the other little girls.  Once again, I saw how shy our little girl truly acts.  She did great and listened well.  There were several girls running around the room throughout the class and I was glad to see Mal following directions.  I'm not saying Miss Mal is perfect (See end of paragraph) but she did very well.  I loved the way Miss Amy taught the dance moves.  Pretending to release a balloon into the air and placing a crown on your head to stand tall.  It was a great mommy moment until the end.  In the parking lot Mal had a HUGE tantrum because she did not want to leave.  I'm sure the other moms next to the open windows in the dance building were able to hear and witness the whole thing.  It was great.  It was even better when I had to stop on the side of the road on the way home to have a little chat:o)  Let's just say that Monday, she WILL be getting a nap in the afternoon before dance class.

1.  Conversations.  This week has been an odd week for conversations with my daughter.  One day in the car she asked me what was written on one of her toys.  This is how the conversation went:

Me:  It says Made in China.
Mal:  What is China?
Me:  A country over the ocean.
Mal:  How did it get here?
Me:  On a boat.
Mal:  Who put it on the boat?
Me:  Workers.
Mal:  Oh.

When I told Jay about this conversation, he suggested using phrases that were somewhat inappropriate for our little daughter to hear:o)  I would also like you to know that we talked about China and the ocean several other times this week.  It makes me realize that our world is SO big.  How do you explain to a 3 year old this concept without it being to over her head?  I also LOVE how she asks so many questions now.  I know this can be irritating at times, but right now, I LOVE that she is interested in knowing about our world. 

That is it!  Another end to a week in September!  It was another growing and learning week for ALL of us in the Newell Household.  Oh--and YES, our Halloween/Fall decorations are already up:o) I know I'm early, but I LOVE enjoying them.

Have a great week!

*I had another one for last week that I remembered midway this week!  On Thursday, my parents were here visiting.  We went out to dinner at Amores and then headed to show them Mal's preschool.  As we were approaching her school, my mom asked her if the blue building was her school (which it was).  She said no and then saw the statue of Mary in front of the building.  Excitedly she told Nana, "YES!  That is my school!  There is the Mary God!"  It was the sweetest, most innocent thing.  My mom and I couldn't stop smiling, and laughing inside.