Tuesday, March 24, 2009

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.

7 comments:

big hair betty said...

Sounds like fun at the Adams house! The peanut butter playdough sounds good, I'll have to get that recipe! Gianna is totally at that stage, eating playdough, glue sticks, markers, crayons, etc. I agree, it is SO nice to have the weather so good!

Amy Gannaway said...

Erin - you are such a good mom! You are making fantastic memories for your kids. I remember loving peanut butter play dough:)

Stef said...

Good for you, Erin! These are such fun years we have with our little kids, its fun to soak them up. I know I've done a good job keeping my kids busy when 1pm rolls around and they're very tired. :)

Also, that quote "Failing to plan is planning to fail" is something I've had written on a piece of paper and taped to my fridge since Ethan was a baby! But now I can't remember where I got it. Its so true. I find that its true even when you're planning to go somewhere the next day and yet you forget to clean the house, pack food, get kids prepped and all. The next day rolls around and everything is a mess (mentally as well and literally) and so you'll tend to just pass on doing things.

Fun post to read! I agree the weather makes this stuff easier too. Sara, the peanut butter playdugh is awesome. My Mom made that for us a lot when we were younger and my kids adore it. It gets eaten fast though, around here and not just by the kids. :)

Anonymous said...

Good encouraging post Erin! I have been thinking of this lately too. Too often I will just let the kids play by themselves while I do my own thing instead of teaching and engaging them. That book sounds great!

Nicolle Robidart said...

Thanks for the tips! We were just talking about how Isaac can fall through the loops when we have to get stuff done. I am going to look into getting that book. Love your post!

Erin said...

Amy, thanks for commenting! It's been forever since I've talked to you!

big hair betty said...

We were out in the backyard today and I remembered your frogs in grass (or whatever it is called) game and decided to play something similar, an egg hunt, to get ready for Easter! It was pretty fun!