I Wish

I wish I had...

More time to read.
More time to sew.
More time to exercise.
More time to organize.
More time to clean.

But I know once I get all of this time,

I'll wish for...

More time to cuddle my babies.
More time to read books to them.
More time to swing with them.
More time to color with them.
More time to listen to them.
More time to love them.

It's hard for me to sit back and just enjoy this job of motherhood,
Without trying to do the things I want and LOVE to do.

Balance.
Patience.
Appreciation.

I need to remember these.
Every day.

Because....
"The days are long, but the years are short."

Top 10 for the Week:

10.  Color Singing.  Both of our kids sing when they color.  Never noticed this until someone during library time mentioned that Clayton was singing while coloring.  That very night, Mal was doing the same.  It MUST come from Jay.

9.  Preschool Buds.  We had a great play date with some preschool buddies.  It had been awhile since we met up and it was so fun for the kids to see each other.  Even if Clayton is NOW into pinching kids.  Out with the pushing, onto the pinching.  I loved watching Mal enjoy her time with her friends.

8.  Garden Goods.  Lots of yellow squash, zucchini, and green beans coming out of our garden!! A few cucumbers are extremely close.  Made some GF chocolate zucchini bread that was delicious!  And everything tastes SO much better out of our OWN garden.  Kids love it too.  In fact, Mal eats raw zucchini.  Both Jay and I think it's kinda gross...but she loves it:o)

7.  Wild Kratts.  An awesome animal kid cartoon (sometimes real) show.  Our kids will both watch in wonder.  If you haven't seen an episode--you must. 

6.  Best Day to Travel.  Hands down.  Is July 5th.  Our kids were exhausted from the Fourth festivities...so both of them were either quiet or sleeping the entire trip up to Ludington.  Pure bliss.  Pure joy.  Pure amazement.  I see a repeat in our future.

5.  Oatmeal Packs.  I made my own.  Kids loved them.  Ate two batches one morning:o)  Feeling accomplished.  One less processed food in our pantry.

4.  Library.  We are actually doing both Decatur and Paw Paw library summer programs.  Yeah, I'm that mom.  But Mal loves it!  And it encourages her to read more--or for me to read to her.  I'm not the greatest at keeping track, but we do our best.  It's been fun to be able to reward her for a habit we've already formed.  Yeah for BOOKS and the library!!

3.  Malloryisms.  I love Mal's age.  She understands, can reason, asks questions, is social, just an all around fun age (ask me in a few days and this might be different!).  And she thinks I'm a genius. Several times a week I hear "great idea mom."  Makes me feel good.  And I'm carrying these little phrases with me until she's a teenager:o)  We did a lot in these past week or so.  Here are a few of my favorite quotes from her:  "I love Clay so much that I don't want to leave him here."  Referring to leaving him at my parents.  Look forward to my next week's blog where she LOVES being an only child:o)  "Is that the light castle?"  Referring to the lighthouse in Ludington.  Could be a castle!!:o)  She was SO good on the Fourth--quite the social butterfly.  Which, if you know her, is unusual.  BUT she truly does love being around people and friends.  Once she warms up to you.  She couldn't get enough of the sparklers, running around, swimming in the lake, and being with friends (which she calls anyone and everyone who she encounters her friend).  I love watching her.  Be her.  Be friendly.  I even got to witness her try and play rock, paper, scissors with a group of bigger kids.  It was so stickin adorable.  She had no clue what she was doing but she sure LOOKED like she did!  That's my gal.  Love her to pieces.

2.  Claytonisms.  Clay has truly been obsessed with two things this week.  His rain boots and one of Mal's dolls.  I think the rains boots are his favorite because he can put them on--and usually even on the right feet.  Maybe he feels like a big boy in them, not sure.  But he HAS to wear them all the time--even around the house.  And the baby doll.  He's still obsessed with babies.  Anytime we see one out in public, it's a direct path to him/her which he takes at a rapid speed.  The mommys seem okay with it...but I know Clayton.  He likes to squeeze.  So, I'm leery about him getting too close.  He was also great on the Fourth.  Especially at the parade.  He just watched in wonder and in awe.  Never running out or moving too far away from me.  He loved the water activities during the day (not so much swimming in the lake but the boat ride was a blast).  Fireworks weren't a hit either, but I think by that point he was exhausted from being ON all day.  I didn't mind rocking him to sleep while the fireworks show was on.  Once he finally fell asleep, Jay carried him out to the car.  I honestly thought he wasn't breathing--because he was so still and not moving.  He was one tired BOY.  Who I'm missing terrible.  And will see tomorrow:o)

1.  Holiday Weekend.  We had such a great Fourth of July weekend.  From being in Decatur to traveling up to Ludington...we had some great moments as a family.  Our kids were HUGE troopers.  Mal survived the WHOLE Fourth without a nap.  It's strange for me to think that she was awake the same amount of time I was and I was EXHAUSTED!  She held it together though!  And I still feel like I'm recovering.  We were able to go to the beach for the first time this year--kids loved it!  Clayton loved rolling around in the sand.  Mal loved splashing in the water.  Holidays just keep getting better and better as our kids get older:o)

Well, it's Tuesday.
I'm late.
But I made it.

AND tomorrow I get to see my little boy.
I'm a bit excited.

Have a great week!!
Until next week,
Mrs. Newell