Mama Bear

My friend sent this to me in an email, and when I read it I agreed wholeheartedly....except for the part about the cubs being partially grown. I love (and often miss) the newborn baby stage where all your little one wants to do is sleep on, next to, or near you!

Ahhhh! Two hours to myself!

So Friday was the first day of the weekly babysitting. It was so relaxing! I didn't even get everything done I wanted to! I went to the Quilted Bear, and just looked around FOR TWO HOURS! I know that place is big, and I know I never finish looking at everything before the kids get bored, but I didn't realize it would take up my whole time! I started out not having anything to occupy my childless time, but have since come up with a few things that will help me remember my name isn't Mom....I just hope I will keep this going for long enough to "find myself" but still be able to remember what my true role in life is...motherhood.

"Trying" part 2

Here's what I've decided to do....I have asked a couple of friends (12 year olds) to watch my kids for a few hours every Friday afternoon. I made the decision to have a standing babysitting appointment with them so I can go do whatever I want, just for me. The problem is....what do I do during that time? I can go get a pedicure....but wait, have to pay the babysitters. I could go get a coffee and sit and read....but wait, have to pay the babysitters. A bit of a dilema. Maybe I'll just go buy a single serving sized Ben and Jerry's ($1) and sit in the car. :) At least I'll be alone...doing something just for me! (And I'll still be able to pay the babysitters!)

"Trying" being the key word

So I realized that my little quote here on this blog has something to do with me "trying" to do things to remind myself I'm not just a Mom. I guess "trying" is the key word. I need to "try" harder. Although the month just started, I haven't done one thing that hasn't been for or included my kids. We went to a few BBQ's over the Labor Day weekend...but we took our kids to all of them (at one they were the "entertainment"). We've been to softball games, and the park and even though the park day was kinda for me (I wanted to see if my 4 year old would get tired enough to take a nap--no such luck) the kids still got to have fun too. I guess what I am "trying" to say is: I NEED TO TRY HARDER! Any suggestions that don't include waking up early (I'm NOT a morning person) would be greatly appreciated!

"Night In Jail"

My son came prancing into the house this afternoon...singing a song from "Cinderella": Son: "Sweet Night In Jail..ahhahhahh..Sweet Night In Jail" Me: WHAT!? Son: It's a song from Cinderella, Mom. (now I'm realizing the tune is "Sing Sweet Nightingale". Me: Oh (with lots of inflection)....you'd better go sing that to your Dad. Isn't it crazy what kids hear when they listen to the English language? (At least he got the tune right!)

I have been thinking

I have been thinking a little bit about sending our kids off into the world. OK, maybe not the "real" world, but at least the preK world. Even though my son started his second year of preK, I have some friends who are sending their kids out into that world for the first time. I wonder how each of them will react, and I also wonder if I reacted in the "proper" way.

I didn't cry, I didn't feel sad, I was actually HAPPY! I had four hours a week to do all the things I couldn't get done when my son was home! Oh Joyous day! Then I started thinking....what if he isn't polite like I taught him? What if he hits and bites and is mean to the other kids? What if....? It took me a little while to realize my "what ifs?"weren't about his behavior, but in my ability as a parent. I knew I had taught him the things I wanted him to learn, but would he use them the way I wanted him to? That plagued me for a few months until I realized that if any of my fears had merit his teacher would have called me in for a conference. Now not only do I revel in my "one less kid" joy, I also am proud of my role in helping him become the smart independent person I want him to be. If that isn't the "proper" was to react to your kid going out into the "real world", then I don't want to be "proper". Ever!

What is is the deal with....

What is the deal with seeing other people's kids when you don't have your own with you, that makes you miss them? For once on a Saturday morning, I was sans kids. (OK so I was selling stuff at a yard sale, but still NO KIDS) It was kinda nice to be with some friends, swigging a Dr Pepper, and sitting in the sun, all without having to keep an eye on anything but my yard sale goods (those things don't try to run into the street, just because they can). All of a sudden a beautiful little girl appeared (OK she was with her Mom) and it made me miss my daughter. For a moment (but only a moment), I wished I had brought the kids with me. I don't know if it was because I wanted to show off my cutie, or if I wanted her to become "friends" with the other little girl, or if I even just really missed her. What's the deal with that!? I try to get away from the kids for a little while, just so I can do something to help me remember I am not JUST a Mom, and I get the motherly yearning for my kids! Does that just happen to me!?