Trying to do Better

Since I recovered from my sinus infection, or whatever that was, we have been doing a lot of stuff around here. I am starting to really feel like Moira's due date is coming soon. The nesting has set in. The home is getting cleaner & more organized. It's a good thing, too. This place was really in need. The warmer weather helps, I think. You know, the spring cleaning urge. I made my self a nesting list. And, I made Scott a Honey-Do list. I didn't want to. But, he made me. It seems to me he always has a ridiculous list of his own expectations for himself, with projects & such. So, I don't like to add to it. But, he made me do it.
Along with getting more done around the house, I am trying to be more thoughtful in planning things to do with the kids. I want to be more engaging. I want to help them learn new things. I want to teach productive ways to expend energy. I don't feel more tired for it. But, they do. They have been napping much better. It is great! So, right now, I am lying in bed, resting my feeble body. I've been here for over an hour. The kids have been asleep since 1:30. The new activities aren't genius. Gillian has been doing an art/craft type project every day. Finger painting, rubber stamping, playdough... I try to have her help me with a chore or 2 every day. Putting stuff away, wiping her little table, etc. And, I have been giving them good outdoor time. We play ball, ride bikes, "work" in the dirt, blow bubbles. I just got a new book & started reading it last night - "The Toddler's Busy Book". It is great. I recommend it. It has super simple ideas on how to do fun things with your little ones. She points out that one of the main things is to plan. Failing to plan is planning to fail. Today, when the kids get up from their nap, we will go outside & play a version of her game "frogs in the grass". It is pretty much a hiding & seeking game. The kids have to find the frogs. Since I don't have frogs, I'll just hide little animals for them. We'll see how it goes. Other things we will do this week - make edible necklaces with shoestring licorice & cheerios. - play bubbles with her recipe for bouncy bubbles, made with gelatin. And, I will make little bubble tools for the kids by taping together cut down plastic straws. Hopefully that will work for them. Bubble wands are still too hard. I have been trying to teach Gillian to blow softly for better success. Still too hard I think straws are a good idea. - Peanut Butter playdough, so Peyton can play, too. He still eats a little too much of the standard playdough. I don't let him do that too often.