Roll With It

It is fast approaching summer.  Just when I have gotten into a groove here with our family's schedule, it will all change.....again. 


"Roll with it."  This is my mantra.

This is not my foot,  although I love the idea!  I found her on Pinterest. 

My husband brought up the point that Bubba never gets a break from preschool.  He goes five days a week, all year long.  His only break from preschool is if we go on vacation and take him out.  Hubby approached  me with the idea to have him stay at home with me and the girls three days a week, and send him to school on the two days we send Marmalade.  Chica goes to a daycare on those days, so I can go to my office job.  This will give him a "summer break".  (Well, sort of anyway.)  I also know that the sister will like having him around more. 

At first, to be completely honest  I had a negative reaction to the idea.  The fact that things were just feeling manageable for me, and the fact that when you get this boy off his routine, things become a nightmare and is night terrors and bad behavior quickly return.  He is a good boy at heart, but he is a four year old and still a young man in training.  He has lots of training ledft to do. 

When I got the chance to stew about this for a day, my opinion drastically changed.  When else can I do this with my kids?  Now is the time that this will work, so why not take advantage of being at home a few days a week with my little loves?

I decided to turn the three days a week into a home preschool.  We would do lessons, crafts, have outside play, reading, field trips, the works!

I know, you are probably thinking that he still isn't getting a break from school, but trust me, this is better than having them do nothing all day.  I think they will love this idea.

I didn't want him to stop learning while he was on summer beak, and knew that he would love the structure and projects that I could do with him.  I also wanted to keep them all busy so they wouldn't get bored and fight.  Plus,  it would be good for me to have some structure to my days with them as well. 

Love this idea of a tree growing in the room and this would so fit into our log home!

Before I knew it, I was knee deep into looking up lessons.

Wish us luck!  Schools starts Moinday.

Love, Peace, and Sandy Feet,
Mama Ni

Manic Monday...Um...Not so much today.

Despite Bubba recovering from having a fever yesterday, the girls noses running constantly, and allergies kicking my behind today, the four of us managed to pull it together and have a lovely day.  Daddy was at work and we got to be home.

Having structure in the day really helps.  It helps me and it helps the kids to know what to expect. It make everyone feel comfortable.   If you have a child who has night terrors like I do,  you know when your kid is  sick or has recently been sick, the night terrors are bound to be more likely. That was the case last night so i tried to keep things calm today.  Routine is so important on these days and because Bubba couldn't go to school yet, it was my job as a Mama to make things predictable for him.  Having a routine really helps to cut back on the night terrors.  I can't stress that enough.

I tried keeping with the schedule of his school in the morning,  and let him know that if he felt better by afternoon we would all get some fresh air.  I let him know what he could expect all day and what we coming next.  It worked out great and I even got all three to nap at once.  (I napped too, of course!)  The days where I felt I HAD to rush off to clean, clean, clean, when the kids are asleep are gone.  I now realize that getting rest too and having time to fill back up is way more important.  A run-down Mama leads to cranky kids, which leads to an irritated Mama, which leads to a big ugly cycle of negativity.  Mamas, take care of YOURSELF during the day and you will see a positive impact on your kids too.  I swear!  It works.

Here are a few shots of the afternoon.  It ended up being a lovely day.  I hope you all had lovely days too.

The "big kids" were so exited to shuck the corn and they did a great job!

Bubbles make every kids happy.

and snacks.......they make Chica happy.  :) 

Marmalade concentrating on making the perfect bubble. 

Now that Chica is crawling, she loves to explore the yard.  Oh look Mama!  I found some water the from rain earlier today.

Splash!  (Let them have fun and don't be uptight about a mess.  Kids are washable.)

Despite that I already bathed all of them earlier in the day, I said it was ok to play inthe sand.  Bubba was pretending they were at the beach.  I like that thought and I love their imaginations.  

They all love the sandbox this year.  Marmalade is screaming "Hi Mama!"

View from the yard. 

Chica is still amazed by the water!

Our little happy corner of the world.

Chica practicing her standing. 

Content. 

It is so great to see all my babies playing in the yard.

They are all playing together,  yet doing their own thing.  I love that.

The Three Musketeers!

My three bums. Love. Love, and Love.

After our playtime, Daddy came home and threw some ribs and portabella mushrooms that I had marinated all day onto the grill.  he is the official grill-master in our house.  We boiled the corn and assembled outside for our first meal outside this year, on the picnic table that Daddy built.  It was our first meal outside of the season as a family of five!  The meal was great expect for the pesky May flies and some whining kids here and there.  It was delisious and everybody filled there bellies.  What more could you ask for?

Then,  it was onto playing frisbee and ball, while Chica crawled around the yard.  Daddy looked on, relaxing for a minute after a hard day's work.  For a moment, everything felt just right.  Moments like that usually don't last,  but when you get one, breathe it in and be grateful!  I did,  and I am grateful for having such an amazing family that I love so dear.

I hope your Mondays were filled with love and sunshine too.

Love, Peace, and Sandy Feet,
Mama Nic

Stars Are Aligning

My Daughter being a Mrs. Fix-it

It was a busy week, but very productive!

I would first like to say that today baby girl and I hit a great milestone.........32 weeks!  This is an important stage to get to because babies born at this stage have a great survival rate and are healthy.  Organs are functional although the lungs may need a bit more time to fully mature.  It is a huge relief to have made it this far!!

In other news,  I am now officially a mini-van driving Mama!

The new wheels

Also, my Hubby is also getting different jobs working construction that are usually a hefty commute with no cell service but today he starts a local job and is a call away.  Again....huge relief! And his hours allows him to help out in toting kids around too. 

Our apartment we have for rent is looking good to start renting and fingers crossed, we think we may have a tenant.

Also last week my kiddos became roommates.  I was very hesitant to start this since she is a great sleeper and he is not.  We needed the nursery for new baby and wanted to give them a chance to adjust before she gets here.  So far, even with an episode of my son's night terrors, it is working out.  

Hubby also did a lot of work on our home.  We have been remodeling for over 3 years, added a second story and mudroom addition and although we still have work to do.....I have to say it is coming together!  Great job, Honey!!!

So it was busy, busy, busy for the past week and that did catch up with me.  Lots of cramping and contractions so I am on major chill mode this week.  Still getting contractions today so I am drinking lots of water and limiting activity. 

Here are some radon photos from the week.

I found these treasures and couldn't pass them up.  They will serve as our new end table/kiddo desk for our new living.

Fun with stickers~

A cheesy grin.

Have a great Monday, everyone!!!

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