The Sandbox

So Jeremy is at home with the girls today and I decided to bring them lunch from McDonalds. He said he hasn’t had any problems with them all day. They’ve been playing together and having fun…not acting up or anything. I went home and we all ate lunch together around the table…I was asking how their day was going. Before I knew it they were all having melt downs and vying for my attention while asking why I had to go back to work (I wish I didn’t). I loved on them for a little bit, brushed all their hair and put it up…poor Jeremy hasn’t figured out the whole hair thing, but I don’t mind, I like doing it. 🙂 And by the time I left the house we had put them all down for a nap and all three of them were crying for their mommy from their separate beds (it was so sad). Sometimes I get frustrated because of the crying and clinginess at nap time or at moments of separation. I’d much rather leave them with smiles on their faces…it’s much easier. And it’s in those monents of frustration that I need to remind myself that they only do that because they love me so much and would much rather be with me than without me.  

So moms, in moments where you’re frustrated because your kids are throwing tantrums when you have to leave, just remind yourself that it’s because they love you so much and that this just happens to be the way they decide to show it at the moment. I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather be the mom they hate to see go than the mom that kids don’t like to be around!! 🙂

I’m a very proud mommy who loves my girls…and they must love me too… 🙂

Well friends…I have to say that the whole ‘re-do’ system has been working WONDERFUL since my last post…Emma can’t get enough of it…she actually hasn’t thrown hardly any fits this week and has constantly been polite without even having to have a re-do. She’s been using her big girl voice and saying please and thank you for EVERYTHING. It’s like having a new child…And I think because of it she feels more free to talk, period…she has been talking constantly and asking questions but always with respect…it’s totally cool. And she’s so proud of herself too. Abby’s the same way although she doesn’t quite get it completely. Every time she’s had an attitude with me and I’ve said re-do, she’s said the EXACT same thing in the EXACT same way, only she follows it up with the word ‘please.’ It’s pretty darn hilarious…But she’ll get it. 🙂

Today we took all four girls to the zoo. It was so much fun. They were just running around like crazy…and as I was watching them I realized they are just all growing up so fast. I get excited and bummed all at the same time. Anyway…we stayed for a few hours and we all had a lot of fun. And while I remembered to apply sunscreen to the girls twice I forgot to apply it to myself. So, I’m burned…and will be in pain for a couple of days…but it was worth it.

Maggie who turns two in July has been trying to potty train herself I think. She’s been telling me she needs to ‘potty’ and runs to the restroom. Most of the time she goes a lot…and has a dry diaper…other times the diaper is wet but she still goes…like she’s stopped herself until she gets to the potty. Then there are a few times she just goes in there to sit for a few minutes and says ‘all done.’ It’s very cute. I couldn’t be more excited because if she’s starting now and she isn’t even two yet…I’m thinking this ought to be pretty easy. But I’m not  gonna push her. She’ll be ready for the real training soon enough…but she definitely knows what she’s supposed to be doing and that’s the hardest part.

So a funny story real quick before I sign off…I was giving Abby her medicine earlier before I put the girls down for bed and Emma looks at her in all seriousness and says ‘can I smell you bwef (breath)Abby?’ When Abby told her no, Emma asks ‘Why? It smells weally (really) good.’ I finally determined that she just wanted to smell Abby’s medicine…she was happy with getting to smell the bottle!! 🙂 Kids are so funny!

Goodnight…

Well friends…today was pretty much uneventful at work. And when we got home I decided to heed my own advice from yesterday’s post and just play with Hannah and Mags and let everything else take a back seat!! It was awesome! We played and played. They brushed my hair and got it everywhere and tangled…Maggie would brush my bangs with her ‘Barbie’ brush and say ‘iss ishy’ which translated means ‘it’s pretty!’  All the while the girls are fighting over my head position. Hannah says ‘look down’ and pushes my head down so she can reach my pony tail. Maggie is much shorter and says ‘no! up!’ and yanks it up by my cheeks!! Then Hannah says ‘down!’ and throws it back down and then Maggie yells ‘up!’ and again yanks my head up by my chin and cheeks…I let this continue for awhile because I was incapacitated with laughter! They crack me up! After that the three of us were tickling the crap out of each other and blowing raspberry’s on each other (tell me you all know what that is). Maggie’s raspberry’s are just a big lick cause she can’t make her lips flap together like that yet-LOL! Then we played airplane…I had them on my back swinging them around and making airplane noises…They were just laughing and squealing (the most amazing sound in the world)! Now…my back hurts, I’m coughing and horse but I had a blast and would do it all over again!!

So, I look across the room as I type and see the pile of clean towels on my love-seat just waiting for me to fold and put away. And, honestly, I couldn’t care less…actually I’m quite proud of that pile. They will still be there tomorrow and if for some reason I don’t wake up tomorrow, there will be no regrets…I used my time the best way I know how.  Who wants to fold towels anyway when you have the opportunity to stop…and hear the laughter!

Goodnight…

(Just a side note: I am going to HAVE to find the time to fold them tomorrow cause it really is driving me crazy…but I still don’t regret it!!) – LOL

So I decided to start a blog to record all those crazy moments in my life that you always want to share but can’t always seem to remember when you go to tell it!! Anyone else have moments like that?  Besides, everyone I love has one…my husband…my bff…well…two people I love anyway…and I’m sure there will be more in the near future!! 🙂 I chose to call it “The Sandbox” because it perfectly describes my life. It’s a mess, imperfect, crowded, sometimes uncomfortable but ALWAYS fun and a place most kids, like myself (hehe), never want to get out of. So, these will be excerpts from my life that will hopefully touch someone, show someone God’s grace, make someone laugh, or give someone a little perspective on their own life. Welcome to my sandbox…

It’s amazing to me how kids can become so attached to their siblings at such a young age.  There are days in the midst of all the chaotic madness where we just have Maggie by herself. Normally when she’s with her sisters, she’s always busy playing with them and you hardly ever see her…she’s running around or hanging out with the other three in their bedrooms or outside playing in the backyard. But when she’s by herself it’s a whole different story. She’s always kissing on me, hugging on me, and crawling all over me. Her love language is DEFINITELY personal touch…she thrives on it. But while she’s giving her loves she is constantly asking for her sisters…now hold on…let me get this right…”Wha Hay-nah?”, “Wha Ah-bee?”, “Wha Moh-ma?” It’s crazy…and it breaks my heart every time because I realize that I’m not alone in my longing for them…in being lost without them. Maggie is too. It’s unbelievable how much they all love each other and miss each other when the others aren’t around. I absolutely LOVE that!! It means that we are doing right by them…that their relationships are strong. I just pray they all stay this close…I fear the teenage years when they’re fighting over clothes, friends, make-up, jewelry…boys…heaven help us!! I’m just going to enjoy these moments now while I still have them. I was really having a hard time the other day…well for about a week or so…a week of tears over Abby turning five and starting Kindergarten. My baby…five…in school…wow. Where does time go? I was having a breakdown at work and my boss told me to ‘hold ’em while you still can and enjoy it because before you know it those moments will be few and far between.’ That’s the best advice I’ve heard in a long time. So I’m gonna take my hugs and kisses while I still can and give more than I get…worry a little less about the house and laundry…and live up these moments where my daughters think I’m the greatest and they still love each other more than clothes, make-up, and boys!! 🙂

Goodnight…