On my Kids and Kittens

.Reading time 3 minutes.

The other day I was feeling like I had been kind of neglecting Elena’s psychological wellbeing.  You know what I mean?  I hadn’t been ignoring her that day, but I hadn’t been super affirming either.  So I gathered her in my arms and said: 

“Elena, you know what, you are a really good older sister to Brandt, I just love when you…”

She interrupted me. “Mom, just stop talking!”

Well, I guess I won’t worry that she has a good self esteem.

She’s at a really cool stage right now.  Just a tad naïve.  When she’s being naughty, she’s scared to death I’m going to find her, so she gives me little warnings.  I’ll hear her voice in the bathroom. 

“Mom don’t come in!  Ok, Mom?  Don’t come in right now.  Don’t look at me Mommy.”

Could this be a tiny sign she’s doing something I don’t approve of?
Usually, yes.

002

Here she is with her
best dolly friend, Larisa.

Brandt has discovered one of life’s great pleasures:  eating.  He walks around munching food all day long.   He’s not even on the percentile chart for weight anymore.  Yikes. 

003  

His other great loves are his Daddy and the outdoors.  Combine the two and I get stressed.  I open the door to let him play outside and he’s fine.  Gene comes home.   Brandt tears across the driveway, running after him, regardless of whom or what is coming.  There is lots of wailing and crying going on if Gene can’t absolutely, right now pick him up and carry him as he chores.

Oh yes, before I forget, he already loves to pick on his sister.  Purposefully he’ll grab her doll (or her book or any object really, that she has in her possession) and run away with a little grin plastered across his mug.   I would punish him more, but it’s just so cute.  (And by the time I get there, she has righted the situation by snatching it back)  Ah, such a harmonious, peaceful home.

 He really is a lot of fun.  He’s very happy-go-lucky, unless you steal his potato chips. 

These kitties have entertained the kids for hours.  I would advise any mother to invest in kitties for her offspring.  They’re great if you don’t mind incessant meowing and constant feeding and littering that seem to be a part of their nature. 

011 006 - Copy 013 - Copy  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a great week everyone.  Yes, we have about two more kitties to give away…Any takers?

 

One day at a time.

.Reading time 4 minutes.

Last week I had an epiphany of sorts.  It came after a talk with my husband.  And I decided that yes, this year, by golly, I’m going to pull out all the stops, and break my back trying.

What am I talking about? The simple thing of GETTING MY THINGS DONE ON OUR FARM.  Flower beds to weed and then mulch.  A huge lawn to keep mowed.  Our sidewalks have turned black and need washing. And I haven’t mentioned bookwork.   Or the little projects I have in the back of my mind, like painting the porch. 

Previously my attitude had been: There is no way I can get everything done, so I’m certainly not going to stress myself out trying”.

Then I realized that maybe I’m just using that as an excuse to be lazy.  And since a good work ethic is next to godliness; it was time for me to get my groove on.  (Ok that was a stretch. First of all, maybe not true, second of all, I don’t groove when I work… usually)

So I’m one week into this new “get it all done” attitude.  Every night this week I have crashed into bed.   My body is achy and sore, from me running all over the farm trying to get things done.  It’s a little depressing because when you drive into our lane, there is no way of knowing how hard I’ve been working. 

How long do you think I’ll be able to keep this up until I go the full cycle and arrive back at “Now why am I trying to be Wonder Woman?  I’m giving it up, before I have a breakdown”.

It’s amazing how short-term my resolve is.

Miracle of miracles I’ve been having a lot of fun.  The kids have been low maintenance, thanks to six kittens, beautiful weather, and a new sandbox.  Two nights this week I didn’t have to cook.  My spinach is peaking in the garden.  Yes, I had a momentary lapse of reason and planted spinach.  Never mind that we don’t really eat spinach.

 Oh, and before I forget, one weed in the garden had been giving me fits in years past.  I pulled it and it would keep growing and shoot little baby plants everywhere.  This year I discovered it’s no weed, it’s a flower!  See, like I told Gene 2008 is my year.

You all have a good weekend.  Yay!  Tomorrow is Sunday, a day of rest. In which I am thankful, and hopefully Gene will be in the mood to give me a two hour back massage.

 

****For those of you who don’t know me and don’t have a clue if I’m serious or not.  Here’s the deal. I am working a tiny bit harder than what is norm for me.  But you know what? It’s 9 a.m. and I’m in my pj’s on my recliner, drinking coffee, so you know it’s not horrible.  The people who know me well are rolling their eyes because they know the “new attitude” has max….oh, two weeks left.  But I’m gonna show them.  Yes sir.  I’m in it for the whole summer, I am!