New Park

What was suppose to be a hike turned into a walk to a new park.  There is a nice trail around the park that leads back to the playground.  Audrie liked the playground.  She was willing to push the little man in the swing so that she could get to her turn in the swing.  She liked climbing on the rock structure.  It wasn't a real rock, but she didn't care.  We had a picnic and then made our way back to the car.  It was a nice walk and time at the playground.
After we got home the little kids spent a good half hour running around the driveway getting rid of a little more energy.  Then it was baths and bed.  :)

BBQ With David

David came over for a bbq today.  He brought Emma, Keenan and Dylan with him.  We all thought Keenan and Dylan would love some time at our house and running around the yard.  And I think they did.  Bet they were asleep before they hit BG.
We did up some burgers.  Emma made the patties and Dave barbequed them.  We had pasta salad, chips and deviled eggs.  It really hit the spot.
*Language Alert* or as we call it...vocabulary alert.
The little man helped himself to some chips that Audrie had been eating.  She had went in the house for a moment.  In the midst of eating he spilled the rest of the bag on the deck.  Audrie came out of the house and said "Oh, God damn it".  I just about hurt myself not laughing.  She was so serious and it was so appropriate in the way she said it.  Papa made that slip that one time when she picked it up and since then she just says it and says it.  I'm sure she will outgrow it eventually.
After dinner the kids roasted marshmallows.  David found colored ones and they seemed to get a kick out of it.  David helped Audrie roast one, but she wasn't interested in it after that.  She just likes to eat them right out of the bag.
I almost forgot that I had picked up light up bouncy balls for the kids.  Gave them to them when it was dark and they were cool when they rolled across the yard.  Wish I would have thought of it a tad earlier.  Oh well they seemed to be thrilled with them.
It was a great afternoon and evening.  Thanks David, Emma, Keenan and Dylan for a great time.

Back to the Park

The little kids and I went to the playground again today.  We haven't been in like three weeks so felt way overdue.  Audrie right away makes a friend and he shows her his car.  They played for quite awhile until he had to leave.  The little man sat and watched and sat and watched and then said let me out of the stroller, I want to play.  I took him out and he was gone in a flash.  He wanted to check out the playground so bad.  It was so cute.  And then he ate barkdust, choked and threw up.  That kind of put a damper on his playing.  Brought him back over by me and he was content to just watch Sissy for the rest of the time.  She had a good time.  He had a good time.  Nana enjoyed watching them and taking pictures.

How We Do It

Nana Nita wants to take the kids for a couple of days.  And just the thought of it makes her tired. She doesn't know how we can do it day to day to day.  Anyone who has been around Audrie knows she is a high energy girl. So we do it from day to day.  From minute to minute.  From temper tantrum to temper tantrum.  From hug to hug.  We grew into it.  Started with one who was easy.  About the time she was getting to be more work we added the other one who was easy.  And so it goes.
Here are some of my truths about parenting in my forties.  I do not have the stamina, the energy, the flexibility, or the limberness that I had in my twenties.  I do have more patience, more knowledge, and more free time for them.
So just like the rest of my life I take it one day at a time.  And I say the serenity prayer.
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.
I can't change the choices that the little kids parents made.  I can only control how I take care of the little kids, which is with as much love and discipline as I can.

Fall Rush 2012

The week started off with a bang. We had the usual line to get into the bookstore.  Every one seemed really patient.  I did hear a couple of co-workers who did not agree with me.  However every one I dealt with was patient.  Monday showed us a lot of blue hair this year.  Interesting.
Then we had the guy with the two scarves hanging down his back.  One red and one black.  Very flamboyant.  Today that guy still had at least one scarf, but he added a cape.  Even more flamboyant.  Wow.  It is the thing that has stood out the most for me all week.  We have seen lots of cute little kids.  One kid came wrapped in his blanket.  He wasn't a little kid.
Tuesday felt like Wednesday and today felt like a Thursday.  We went back to usual scheduling for the rest of the week.  It is just a lot slower than it has been.  I guess enrollment is down a bit and we had a lot of web orders.  Maybe people are getting smarter and buying their books before the quarter started and using web orders.  Either way I get to make it on time on Friday to lunch.  :)

First Step

The little man sure was proud of himself when he did the stand by himself thing again.  Then he took his first step.  He got an even bigger smile.  Tomorrow I'm sure there will be another step or two. He is quite the little man and once he does something, he goes gung ho at it.

Today

I am blessed.
I am enjoying the growth of the little kids in my house.
I am listening to owls and crickets.
I am breathing and practicing ahimsa.
I am deepening my friendship with Kristie.
I am working on understanding and acceptance.
I am laughing at veiled practices.
I am enjoying quiet moments with the little man.
I am grateful for the nurturing in Audrie.
I am happy to have my job, especially when everyone is working.
I am wishing Mona a speedy recovery.
I am planning my fall.
I am happy for another day with Mom.
I am connected to Pat and Denise.
I am missing Doug.
I am happy to know that Mike is all right (alive) even if I am setting boundaries.
I am laughing at Jacob's escapades, as he sure knows where to find them.
I am blessed.