SO Ready for SUMMER!!

Have I told you how excited I am for spring and summer?

I'm sure all of you are probably thinking the same thing...but for me it's a BIT different than years past. 

Please let me explain.

Being a "retired-for-now" teacher, I have always gone through transitions with my kids.  From being on summer break to going back to school - to being at school to going on Christmas break - to being at school to being at home with my kids.  We were at a constant transition or scramble of trying to figure each other out.

And the more I think about this, the more I see this is the case for any parent who has school age children.  So, most of you probably understand these trying times.

It seems starting in June, I'd spend the whole month getting our "routine" down.  And then, once we'd finally figured each other out (or somewhat at least), it would be time for me to head back to school. 

Well, THIS year is different.

We already have a routine.
I am already home.
My kids already know the rules and understand how our things run.
We already know each other.
Well.

SO, I will not need the month of June to become accustomed to being at home with my babies.
AND, I will not need the month of August to prepare us for the transition back to work.

Which technically means, I am gaining TWO months this summer.  Seriously. 

I am ecstatic of the idea of actually being able to enjoy these wonderful months in Michigan. 

PLUS Sir Clayton is a little bit older, a little more independent, a little more able to get around.  PLUS Lady Mallory is a little bit older, much more aware of things, weening off naps (which means more time with me and doing things we like to do), a little more helpful and understanding.

SO, I'm SO ready for SUMMER!!
(and even spring--and the new things that come with it being at home!)

Top 10 For the Week:

10.  Walgreens Love.  I know I've said this before, but I LOVE Walgreens.  It's like my favorite store around (here at least).  Another FREE photo collage (with pictures from Facebook) and a FREE photo book (Mal's 4th birthday & Clay's 1st birthday DONE!).  So easy.  So CHEAP.  Oh and the kids and I were in there on Saturday and received a free Easter photo "session" which included free 4x6 photos and 8x10s.  Can't say enough about this place (it doesn't help that the people there KNOW me.  Yes, I go that much).

9.  Weather.  Crazy weather lately.  SNOW gone and then SNOW back again.  AND now SNOW gone again.  But more sunshine lately.  Which helps with the kids.  The kids constantly want to be outdoors.  We spent another afternoon on the back deck kicking a ball around. Can I say spring needs to come SOON!?!?!

8.  Busy April.  April is next week.  And it's busy for us (just like March, I guess).  But I feel a bit ahead of the game.  Just got Clay's 2nd birthday invites done and ready to go and the baby shower invites for a friend are already done and out. Lots of celebrations:o)  Very excited.

7.  Happy Meals.  A random and spur of the moment trip to McDonald's to get Happy Meals.  Well, my kids didn't eat them.  Seriously.  I was floored!!  Mal ate the fries and Clay ate the apples (and 2 nuggets on the way home).  I'm wondering if our kids' taste buds are changing due to the change in our diet at home??  Not sure.  Bittersweet.

6.  Obsession.  Sewing.  It's still there.  I actually spent several nap times this week sewing.  And even some late nights.  Who would have thought??  I love it though.  Unfortunately these past few days I've neglected my machine.  Hoping for tonight!:o)

5.  Strangers.  This week I had several random strangers complimenting me on our kids.  An older woman in line at the grocery store told me Clayton was so well behaved (what she doesn't know is that he yelled the WHOLE way there and back) and that it reflected me as a mom.  Yeah, kinda shocked me.  But made me feel good. I also had another woman in Walgreens say that Clay was going to be a heart breaker with all the ladies when he gets older.  And an older gentlemen in the same store, also complimented my kids on being so patient for pictures.  May seem little--but for a SAHM it means a lot.  And makes me know that I'm doing my job.

4.  Recipes of the Week.  Tackled two dinner recipes this week.  Homemade GF sloppy joes (which were a hit with EVERYONE--even a friend who came over) with homemade fries AND GF Cheesy Chicken & Rice (which won over everyone but Clay).  I'm still shocked how Mal will try pretty much anything I make.  She's not always a huge fan, but she tries and will even pick the things out she likes (like chicken).  Made GF banana muffins that were okay.  Still not completely happy with them but I eat them:o)  Baking this week I'm going to make my FIRST pie ever!! GF apple pie.  Pretty excited about this.  And I've got breakfast cookies and beef stew as new recipes this week.  It's getting easier people.  I would actually call myself a cook.  Crazy.

3.  Clayisms.  Clay, Clay, Clay.  This week:
*Moved a chair to the microwave, got a banana, PEELED it, and ate it.  He's not even 2.
*Has been obsessed with things on his hands.  Gloves (Mal's, mine) and socks.  Constantly on his hands.  Just walks around with them on...even tries to eat with them.  Or wash dishes.  Hilarious.
*He's also been acting like a dog.  Eating like a dog, sniffing like a dog, picking things up like a dog.  I've tried to stop him...but nothing works.  He's obsessed with it.  And he tries to hide it from me.  Runs to another room or area where I can't see him and does it.  SO smart.
*On our way home from Kalamazoo this week he made raspberries with his mouth the WHOLE way home.  NO ONE said anything.  He didn't stop.  Just continued.  Jay and I couldn't help but laugh.  Thank goodness Mal was in good spirits.  Or we all would have gotten an earful of her complaints.
*I've also noticed his frustration level increasing.  He's getting more and more frustrated with not being able to communicate with us.  He's saying more (my turn, sorry, thank-you) but it's still not enough for him.  He SO wants to, but just doesn't.  I feel bad.  For him.  For me.  For us.  I know we'll get there...but it still makes me sad.

2.  Malloryisms.  Oh Lady Mallory.
*Just call her No Nap Mal.  She's only been taking 1-2 naps a week.  It was quite quick how all of a sudden she really didn't need one anymore.  To the point where IF she does get one, she's up until around 10 (which is not cool with her Daddy and me).  So, we've taken to "rest" time which is either a movie, computer, or quiet time doing something.  She does have a few breakdowns, but we are working on it.  Always a work in progress, right?
*Question after Question after Question.  Reading books is a LONG, drawn out activity.  If she doesn't know a word, she'll ask.  Then when I try to explain, she'll ask what that word means.  I feel like sometimes I'm going around in circles.  But I would MUCH rather have her ask than wonder.  She is always questioning something...but can be reasoned with very easily.  For now at least.
*My mini-me.  She's becoming more and more like me.  Which I'm not sure if that's a good thing or bad thing:o)  She can't keep a secret from her Daddy that's for sure (yeah, I'm horrible at secrets).  This week we stuck spiders, rats, and other fake insects on his side of the bed before he got home.  Before he even came up the stairs she was telling him to go check out his bed.  It was cute.  She's also using words I use:  disgusting & shocked.  And there was something she said in Walgreens on Saturday that was totally my phrase but I can't remember what it was.  I had to laugh.
*A few funny sayings from here.  "I choose apple" (referring to Applebee's that we went to weeks ago).  "Aren't you just a good little dinosaur" (repeated this sweetly many times to her little brother while holding onto him.  It was the sweetest, most precious moment).  In the beginning of the week, she also called me Daddy twice.  Seems spending a few days with just daddy will do that:o) 

1.  Family LOVE.  We went out to dinner on Friday night just the four of us.  I love it.  We have such a great time with each other.  I feel totally complete with our little family.  And I'm looking forward to countless more memories shared.  I can't imagine it any other way:o)

Well, nap time is almost over.
And I'm feeling the need to just sit down...

Hope you all have a great week!!
Spring break is HERE!!
Enjoy it!!

Until next week,
Mrs. Newell