Two of my favorite people at one of our favorite places: Como Zoo!
Tiger will pretty much ride anything Nishad goes on. I can not believe I will have a kiddo in K next Fall!
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Life.Is.Sweet!
Pinch me!
Things have been exceptionally great since I’ve made a conscious decision to block off time for “us” — whether that be the boys and I, Ashish and I or everyone together! By not allowing those rare free days to get swallowed up with commitments on the calender, we’ve freed up our ability to be spontaneous! That has worked wonders.
We were averaging 1-2 play date a week last year and though we love our friends, it just became too much with me going to school full time now. (School is a HUGE chunk of time as it’s not only class time, but homework and projects.) Now, we average 1 to 2 play dates a month. If it’s a high volume birthday party month, we may just skip the idea of any play dates so life is less complicating. After all, our boys DO go to school Monday thru Friday for three hours a day…so they are getting plenty socializing in already.
I’m also learning to be a bit more selfish about my time. Do I miss my friends I use to see more regularly- you betcha! It doesn’t mean that I don’t still adore them. But I know if they are really my friend they understand that I’ve got a lot on my plate with school, daily pick-ups in Plymouth, the boys, my photography-stuff, health and all the responsibilities of being a Mommy without any ‘family’ to provide back-up support. Of course, of course, THEY are themselves a HUGE amount of support and have always offered to help where they can with our boys. That’s greatly appreciated…but I want to be able to “do it all.” I guess I kind of take pride in that. At least for now.
I’ve also enjoyed doing things on my own again…I find it gives me the time alone to allow my creative energy to circulate. In turn, I am not only a better Mommy, a better wife…but a better ME! I like ME and while I was getting SO stressed this past Autumn and at many times didn’t like who I was…I’ve seemed to evolve and learn a bit more about what works for the health and sanity of me. I need my space, I need my time, I like to see friends and hang out but not at the expense of not having family time–down time–…Make sense? For now, it does for me!
I am a “happy person.” I have been since I was born. It’s just my nature. However, I’ve also learned that being a happy person doesn’t mean you HAVE to ALWAYS keep up that over the top happy image. You can be happy without blowing horns, beating on drums and doing a flip every time you see someone (after all, I’m not a dog!) or are excited about something. You can genuinely feel happy for someone without doing a back bend to show them how happy you are for them. While I am sure that some people think I’m not happy because I’m being more authentic to my feelings and moods, I assure you…live hasn’t been this good in some time.
Winter Blahs
After such a healthy Fall, and seemingly healthy winter…IT got US! Whatever IT is it vacated the boys body (thankfully!) but alas, I’m always the longest to recover. On my behalf though, I did get it after the other two were on their way to recovering. I think that I was just so worn down. With school, homework, trying to keep up the house and take care of the boys (which now have swimming, gymnastics and little sportsers), on top of being up the entire night with Tiger…on top of Ashish coming home consistently late the last few weeks…my resistance was just low. I pushed through my Friday night class, dreading every minute my body wasn’t under the covers. Saturday and Sunday were spent at home, recovering. I really can’t wait to get back to my dance classes and perhaps add an element of exercise on another day for the week. But first things fist– feeling better.
So, I thought this would be a good time to re-visit and re-evaluate my priorities and focus.
1. My relationship with Ashish
2. My boys
3. My health (Get to that Zumba class! Get to that Dance class! Lay off the sugar!)
4. Consistently healthy meals that are prepared, NOT assembled.
5. Schoolwork.
6. Keep it simple (Block off down-time on the sched!)
7. Soak up and enjoy the “simple” things
8. Deligate more
8. Practice Peace.
10. Read more.
Flower Arranging
Flower Arranging
~For Kids at Home~
One of my favorite things to watch children do in a Montessori classroom is flowering arranging. Not only do these children tend to have mathematical and spacial intelligence, but I think of them as the peacemakers of the classroom. In the dead of winter, who couldn’t use a little burst of color…(and peace for that matter, as everyone seems to get a case of the grumps from the winter weather by now).
I’ve incorporated this Montessori concept into my home. Since Nishad was about 12 months old, he’s been flower arranging. I usually don’t purchase any flowers in the summer as I already have an abundance of fresh cut flowers from my own garden. (The boys love to go and hand pick them!) However, in the winter, I purchase flowers weekly. I come home, divided them in two bunches and give each of my boys a bunch. They look forward to this activity and often prompt me in the store to pick up flowers.
SUPPLIES
1. Flowers. I know this is an obvious supply. However, stay clear of stems with thorns or stems that are too hard for your child to cut.
2. Mini-Vases. I have multiple small vases that I’ve collected through the years, some at craft stores and some at big box stores. Each vase is usually between $1 to $3. I’ve never had one break, but know when you purchase it that as with anything glass, your child make break it. The idea of using real glass as opposed to plastic is that they learn that it is a “precious” material- and that you value them enough to give them the actual material to use. This is, “careful work.”
3. Small pitcher and funnel. The small glass pitcher is for the child to go to the sink and fill up water for the vases. The funnel is for the child to place on the mouth of the vase to filter the water into. However, depending on the age of your child you may want to fill up the water for him or her yourself.
4. Child size scissors. This is so that your child can measure the height of the flower against the vase and cut it to the height they would like it to be in the vase. Be sure to teach them to pinch off all of the leaves prior to inserting the stem into the vase.
5. Child size apron. This is really optional, but if you prefer your child not get their clothes wet (there is always a potential spill) it may be something you want to include, along with a little sponge for quick, self-clean-up.
Surely, your child will find the perfect spot for their arrangement adding a burst of color and a little note of peace in your household.
