Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Turning Off the TV

I always wanted to be one of those moms that never turned on the TV, but early on I realized I could get shit done with a half hour here or there!  Sometimes we watch a lot, some days we don't even think about turning it on.  Some days we just get lazy and tired and only want to lay on the couch and veg.  Usually I don't pay attention, they all seem to balance out and we never have problems with turning it off and switching to something else.  Once the credits come on, one of the kids pops up and turns off the TV. 

However...this week has been rainy and Otis got hand foot and mouth disease so we were quarantined at our house so we wouldn't infect anyone else.  I have a show coming up July 7 and I've been trying to finish up the last few things I have to get ready.  The house seems like it's constantly sticky and hairy from the humidity and the dog, laundry piles up.  Excuses, I know.  But the TV was on a lot the past few days.  And there was tons of whining and fighting between the kids about who gets to watch what show, and then kicking each other on the couch or stealing pillows.  it was INSANE.  Get off each other and just sit there while I get the bathroom cleaned!  Please!

Two days ago I don't know what started it, but I did not turn on the TV.  Instead we did a puzzle together.  We read library books.  We colored.  We played outside a bit between bouts of rain.  I had the best time!  I was happy, not yelling, the kids were so good together, not whining or fighting.  The day was just so awesome, I finally remembered how great it is to be a stay at home mom.  Some days I forget why the hell I do this, like how great it would be to get a job and let the kids go to school and a babysitters and just be around adults all day.  Go to the bathroom by myself, eat a whole meal, shower DAILY! 

Yesterday we ran errands all morning.  Kids slept in the car a bit so when we got home I was exhausted and wanted to sit.  I put on the TV and immediately (immediately, ugh.) they started fighting over what show to watch.  Ingrid just lost it because I let Otis get his way for once.  Huge tears, stomping feet, kicking things.  It was the shittiest afternoon, I just could not turn it around.

So today I said no more TV in the day!  We've got so many fun things to do around here, let's play!  Ingrid has been working on these little stuffed hearts she's been sewing from my scraps and she wanted to work on those.  We painted.  More puzzles, more time outside before the rain came.  Another wonderful morning!  Just so much fun and everyone was in great moods.  The afternoon was naptime and more playing, this time with neighbors outside when it cleared up.  Everyone was in good moods until bedtime, I mean for real, that never happens! 

I know it just takes more effort on my part, and honestly, I don't get much done during the day.  I did get some things done but not nearly as much as if I'd ignored my children, haha!  I guess that I just have to do what I can, and do the rest after bedtime.  I'd much rather have happy kids than 30 more bibs done, right?  They'll both be in school next fall so I should enjoy this summer as much as I can!

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Summer Break!

We've been on break for about a week and a half now and I'm loving it.  We have to leave at 7:30am to get Ingrid to school on time, so it was always rush, rush, rush.  Now we have the best mornings, we have nowhere to go, we get to hang out and be lazy if we so desire.  Otis has been sleeping in until after 7, which is great, except next fall school starts even earlier!  I guess the bell will ring at 7:20 instead of 7:40.  UGH.

We have a summer list full of parks, museums and local activities.  So far we've done the museum, Chill on the Hill, the wading pool, parks, and of course, gardening.  Keeping busy!  One activity a day, even if it's just going to the park. 

 I have also started the Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred video.  Whew!  I've gained about 30lbs in the last year for some reason, so I have to kick my ass in gear and get some more exercise.  I am not a video exerciser, normally.  But a few people had mentioned doing it and loving it, and I thought for $8 and some 3lb weights I might as well try it, right?  It's awesome!  The thing I love is that Ingrid loves watching it with me for some reason, so she's my biggest cheerleader!  As soon as I've had a couple cups of coffee she says "Okay, mama, time to shred!"  Honestly, I need that, since I would otherwise get lazy.  I'm also doing some sort of post on Instagram after I do it so I keep a log of it.  Even if no one else is seeing it, I feel like I have to do it to keep myself motivated. 
Otis has been sick and crabby the past couple days though, so I am worn out.  Mentally tired of dealing with his mood swings and crying.  Physically tired from him wanting to be cuddled and carried all the time.  Please, don't let your kids get Hand Foot and Mouth disease!  It sucks.
Next week is another week of whatever, and then we have a fun filled weekend for the Fourth of July and cousins and the cottage and I have another craft show!  The Maker Market is July 7th, I'm getting ready for it and looking forward to hopefully not a really hot day!  Last year I did an outdoor show in July and it was like a hundred degrees.  Ugh.  I'm happy it's in the parking lot of a coffee shop, I foresee a LOT of iced coffee in my future.

What are you up to this summer???

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Door County 2013

Our annual camping trip was last weekend.  It was so much fun, and just as I'd predicted last year, this year was our golden year where the kids slept all through the night and Brendan and I just got to sit around the campfire, drink beer, and wait for the stars to come out!  It rained a bit, but was overall really good weather.  It was COLD the first night, we all had on pjs, jeans, coats, sweatshirts, sleeping bags and blankets, and Brendan still said he felt cold.  46 degrees when you're in a tent is really chilly!
We did the usual stuff, throw rocks in the water, walk the trails, go see if the goats were out at Al Johnson's, get breakfast at the White Gull Inn.  We also rented a bike for me, plus a Tagalong bike for Ingrid.  It was so fun!  I was a bit shaky at first but once we got the hang of it, it was super fun.  There are tons of trails to take around the state park, we'll definitely do that next year!
Like I said, the kids passed out right away the first night and slept the whole night.  Brendan and I were actually up before they were Friday morning!  No 3am wake up and driving the park like last year!  No starting the day at 5:30am, the kids slept until 7.  Bliss.  It was really amazing.  Each year is just going to get easier and easier, until they hit puberty when they'll all the sudden start thinking it's lame to go camping.  Or at least that's what happened to me at that age :)

Once again, a great trip with the family.  So glad this is our tradition!