Indoor (work and) play

Tuesday seemed like the first day in a long time that I felt like I was living in peace. From getting up in the morning, to going to bed at night, all was right in my world.

I think my boy had quite a good day, too.

We played, and laughed. We made a couple of messes, cleaned them up, and got some chores and cooking done, too.

The day is always helped by getting up in the morning and knowing that I don't need to go to work that night. It also helps when I plan on cooking - cooking makes me happy. The third main ingredient for a really good day is the decision to make it so. Add in some mess allowance for spice, and things are sure to come out well.

Despite the morning fog in my head from working the night before, I didn't let the TV suck us in (bad TV, I said). Instead I sucked down the coffee, shook off the fog, and started mixing bread.

What to do with Bear while I start my kitchen work? I wanted him near, and especially didn't want him in front of the TV, and I wanted him to have fun. Ahah, fill the sink with water, give him a chair and a few measuring cups and spoons - endless fun.

Sure, he was sopping wet, pretty nearly from head to toe, once we were done, but he had a blast, and I got my bread dough mixed and kneaded.

Then, I had a turkey to deal with, which meant I needed the sink. No, worries. I had a plan ...

Drain water from sink, go up to get changed into dry clothes, spot bubbles on dresser ... this is not part of the plan ... oh, well ... Downstairs, carrying the bubbles, saying/singing "bubbles, bubbles, bubbles, bubbles, bubbles, bubbles," many more times than I'm willing to write.

So, mommy took a break and we danced around the kitchen blowing and chasing bubbles and laughing.

It was at this point, that I decided that no matter what else happened, we'd had a good day. And, it was only 10 a.m.

Back to the plan ...

... get some Play-doh to help.

A good nap helped, too.

And, by the end of the afternoon, the bread was baked, the turkey and some vegetables were roasted, the woodstove was cleaned out and even some laundry got done.

Later, in the evening, I even got out for some girl time.

Need to get outside

If my boy is not going stir crazy, I sure am.

We've both had a pretty good cold. Mine turned into a sinus infection. His makes everyone worry and chase his around the house with tissues to wipe his snot.

Despite our colds, he begged me to take him outside the other day.

He had gone for his 18-month check up in the morning. I had just gotten back from a visit to my doctor's office where I was prescribed an antiboitic to rid me of this infection. I was feeling like this was enough for the day.

He was up from his nap and I was feeling pretty rotten. He didn't seem to be considering this when he led me to the back of the kitchen where his coat was hanging.

Me: "You want your coat?"

Bear: "Uh huh, uh huh."

Me: "OK. Here's your coat. What are you going to do with it?"

He tries putting one arm in, then hands it to me.

Me: "Do you really want you coat on? We're not going outside right now."

Bear: "Side!" (He has never used this word before)

Me (with a tone of defeat in my nassely voice): "I guess we can go outside."

And, I got him dressed to go out.

We hadn't been out to play together in nearly two weeks. Daddy had taken him out the day before and let him play in the enormous puddle that the warm spell had formed at the end of the driveway. Apparantly, he had fun and wanted to repeat the outing.

So, out we went. But, the warm spell had ended and gust of wind were making both of us cringe.

Several times, I suggested we might go in, but he's one tough cookie. The fresh air was what he wanted, gusts of wind or no.

I let him tromp around in the fresh snow for awhile. We had just gotten a dusting earlier that day. He seriously seemed to be enjoying himself. A gust of wind would come, and he would protect his face against my leg. Then, he was back to kicking snow, once it let up.

We walked around the back of the house, and several times he slipped on the ice. I'd have to help him up, and each time I cringed, worried he'd hurt himself. But, not a tear was shed.

Well, no tears until I decided I couldn't take it anymore. The gusts of blowing snow were stinging my face, and all I wanted to do was curl up in a blanket and take a nap.

Finally, I scooped him up, kicking and screaming, and carried him in the house, explaining that mommy was just too sick to play outside.

So, after we changed into dry clothes, I laid down on the bed in his room. He played and I snoozed for about 15 minutes.

Today, I'm feeling a bit better. It's still bitter cold outside -- well, 13 degrees is actually warmer than it has been. But, it's supposed to continue to get warmer.

I vow that when it's warm enough (say, above 20), I'll go out and play. For me, and for my boy.

What makes a child dance?

The music is playing, he stops what he's doing and starts dancing. Clapping. Smile on the face. A quick look around to see who's watching.

No one taught him to dance. Although we certainly encourage it.

He's got his own style, but it's not unlike his peers.

And, anyone watching would be hard pressed not to smile, laugh even.

His moves have expanded lately: He added the squats the other day - a move that really works your quads if you decide to groove along. Today, he added some raised arm motions that looks a lot like celebration.

My dear, dear boy. He doesn't let me stay down for long.

A ho hum day of blah

Some days seem like a waste.

I wish it was a matter of wasting time sitting around. At least then I'd feel rested.

Today was more like walking a treadmill on the uphill setting. Only then I'd atleast be able to say I got some excersize.

Bear didn't have a good day today either. No one wanted to do what he wanted to do, and no one could figure it out.

Nothing was accomplished today, and no one had any fun.

Here's my pledge to make tomorrow a better day.

Sometimes it's more important to live in the moment than to capture the moment.
Sometimes it's more fun to take a walk without a camera swinging around my neck.
Sometimes I can make up my mind to have a great morning, and it really happens.

Bear and I went walking with the Haleys' near their house this morning. It really wasn't a special event. I suppose you could say we were celebrating the unseasonably warm weather.

Bear walked the longest distance I think he ever has. Up hills and down hills. Running, and trying to keep up with the older boys, and falling, and getting back up again. He got muddied by the wet dog shake and hardly seemed to notice.

He did ask to be picked up a few times, but always wanted back down again. And, he wasn't looking for Mommy. He was actually asking Jen to pick him up more. And, didn't mind having Rael carry him a bit, too.

What's even better is that this walk would have made me happy even without Bear. It was absolutely what I wanted to do with my morning with or without my boy. And, it was what my boy wanted to do.

Ahhhh... It feels good to be healthy.

The icing on the cake (yes, there's just a bit more) ... After we left the Haleys' and Bear went smoothly down for his nap, I had enough time for embroidery. Pulling the needle and thread through the fabric ... that's therapy. Not quite meditation today, but if I get this project going ...

And, that was my perfect morning.

(sorry, no pictures).

Getting back

August was moving month.

September was Katie's wedding month.

October was sick month. (formerly known as birthday month)

I'm officially declaring November get back into a routine month.

I'm bound and determined for that routine to include blogging. For starters, some photos of a wonderful walk Bear and I had between our colds and our flu.

Since we've gotten better again, I keep trying to repeat this walk, but he doesn't to want to cooperate.

The morning we took it, nothing was planned. It was quite chilly, but sunny, and we needed something to do before lunch. We bundled up, got out the wagon and headed down the street. Rather than sticking to the street, I decided we might head into the woods. Bear decided he didn't want to stay in the wagon. This was fine with me; he stuck to the trail and was a fabulous junior hiker. This was true both down the hill and back up.

It was absolutely a GEM on a morning.

The next day, we carved our pumpkin. Bear wasn't quite as into the activity as I expect he will be in a couple of years. But, I was perfectly pleased with how well he did cooperate.

I carved the face while he was napping.

And, we did attempt Halloween dress-up ...

1st Birthday

A little behind in times, but a few random birthday pictures...