Buddies

Since my husband took his new job last summer he has been traveling a bit more.  Thankfully it hasn't been as bad as we initially thought it would be and usually the trips are only 2-3 days long.  Although we don't like it when he is gone, we have adapted and set up a routine while Daddy is away.  On this last trip of his, I noticed that being alone with the kids isn't as daunting and tiring as it used to be.  Before when my husband would travel, I would go into survival mode and just pray to make it through the day to bedtime and then collapse into bed exhausted after working and caring for a 4 (kids & dog).  This time, I actually enjoyed my time with the kids.  We took long trips to the library, watched movies, played games, and ate quick yummy meals like grilled cheese or pizza.  My older two are pretty good company these days and I no longer feel "alone" when my husband is gone.  Below is a picture of my "buddies" one evening when the baby was already in bed and we were enjoying some "chocolate" before bedtime - chocolate milk for them, hot chocolate for me.  The picture quality is terrible b/c it was a quick snap with my phone, but it captured the moment. 

Our Savy Little Princess

While at the grocery store this weekend I picked up a People magazine with Kate Middleton on the cover.  I have to admit that I'm looking forward to the upcoming royal wedding and think that the new princess-to-be has a fabulous sense of style.  Anyway, over dinner the next evening I was explaning the British royal family to the kids and finished it up with the statement, ..."and Prince William is getting ready to marry a princess!".  My three year old daughter looked up at me with wide eyes full wonder and excitement and asked earnestly, "Is it me?".  She was completely serious!  Her father and I about lost it, but held it together long enough to let her down slowly with the news that it was not her but another girl named Kate.  She took the news pretty well and responded with a very disappointed, "Oh, okay".  I loved it - she truly believes she's a princess! 

Our princess she may be but our girl has an pretty savy analytical side to her.  She can beat me cold at Memory and loves the game Blockus which was intended for her older brother but that she has usurped due to his lack of interest.  I love seeing both sides of her - as different as they are.  The side that loves cooking, baby dolls, dress up, and bows, and the side that loves problem solving, playing strategy games, and declares, "Mommy, I can do it myself!". Below is a picture I snapped of her & her daddy playing Blockus long after the other kids had gone to bed.   

Cleaning Schedule

Towards the beginning of every year, I review our monthly recurrent expenses from the previous year to see if there are places we can cut back.  This is something I started doing when my husband and I were poor graduate students many years ago and that practice has stuck.  Personally, I think our "poor graduate student" phase (which was 5 years) was the strongest and best influence on our financial practices as a couple and a family. 

Back to the story...as I was reviewing last year's expenses I realized that having someone clean the house is a larger expense for us and that it seems to be the only "unnecessary" recurrent expense in the budget.  In light of the fact that we are thinking about joining a country club (albeit unnecessary, it will be fun!) for both social & extracurricular reasons, and that I'm a big believer in "if you add an expense, you cut back somewhere else" I'm trying to work all the cleaning into my schedule so that we can remove the house cleaning expense from our budget. 

So, I pondered a few ideas over a couple of days  and realized that my most productive time is in the morning.  Both my husband and I are very much, "early to bed, early to rise" people.  Therefore, I divided up the cleaning over 3 days during the week with some things to do on the weekends.  Except for Monday (which is the day I'm home with the kids), each task only takes about 30 minutes which I do from about 5:30am - 6:00am.  I am able to get my workouts in on those mornings as well.   I've tried it this week and it's working well so far.  I still haven't made the decision to let go of my cleaning person yet, but I think we probably will over the next few months.  Below is my schedule. 

Monday: clean downstairs (fit this in between naps, errands, workouts, etc)
Tuesday AM: mop/clean upstairs bathrooms from 5:30am - 6AM
Wednesday: clean upstairs 5:30AM - 6AM
Thurs: off
Friday: off
Sat/Sun: laundry & sheets, project time (closets, garage, yard, etc)

Week Full of Activities

This week is filing up with some fun activities!  On Monday evenings, I attend my BSF Bible study.  Unfortunately, I won't be able to go next week because my husband is on travel, so I made the most of my time this week with my wonderful group studying and discussing of the book of Isaiah.  Tonight after a work/school day, all five of us headed to a local restaurant that was designating 10% of all proceeds earned from 6-9pm to a Christian Children's Home that is supported partially by our church.  It was a blast b/c the place was packed with all our buddies!  The kids went from table to table visiting (even my youngest happily toddled to visit his teachers & pals).  Of course, I LOVED getting some hang out time with my mommy friends.  Tomorrow we're having some friends over for dinner.  The kids are excited to see their friends again tomorrow night and I have an "easy-to-fix-on-a-work-night" menu planned that hopefully will please both kiddos and adults (we'll see!). :)

We usually save our social activities for the weekend, but having some during the week is a nice treat!  Our upcoming weekend is pretty low key so we'll have some catch up time then.  Hope everyone is having a great week!

Mommy & Kids Valentines Date

Every year the Chick Fil A near our house sponsors a mommy or daddy & kids date night once or twice a year.  This Valentines Day, they sponsored a mommy/kids date night to which my older two kids and I went.  My daughter being the very fashion conscious person that she is, picked out matching outfits for she & I.  Her brother was unwilling to participate in the "red" theme of the evening.  

After getting to the restaurant, the kids & I settled into our table and completed the craft they had set out for us (picture frames in which to put a picture from the evening) while waiting on our dinner.  After dinner the kids enjoyed some giant cups of ice cream.

Thank you Chick Fil A for a great date night!  Not forgetting Daddy who stayed home with little brother, we brought him a treat to sweeten his evening.

Spoke too Soon!

I should have knocked on wood after my previous post.  Unfortunately, I didn't and my husband, oldest son, and I all woke up sick this morning.  Hopefully it will pass soon.  Having pneumonia has made me MUCH more cautious and I will happily endure this virus with lots of liquids, rest, and NO EXERCISE!  These lungs will stay clear!

On the swim team front, I think I've found one!  The club offers a pre-team for kids 4-6 to teach them strokes.  They can start the team once they can swim one or two laps of the pool.  Both my older kids will be able to participate this summer and I am so excited for them!  Soccer starts back pretty soon for my son and will carry us through until swimming starts in May.  So many fun activities to anticipate!  

Healthy!

After a tough winter health-wise, I believe that my family is on it's way to being healthy.  Today for the first time in a while, all 3 kids went to school as planned.  We had a scare last night when my oldest ran and temperature, but it was gone this AM so I attributed it to his flu shot and happily sent him on his way.  The weather here has been beautiful so I'm hoping that my kids can stay healthy so we can enjoy it as family this weekend!

As for me, I am almost back to 100%.  I still get pleuritic pain when I cough, sneeze, and a little bit after I exercise, but otherwise it is not noticeable.  Last weekend I ran outside for the first time and was pleased with how I did.  I stopped after a 5K, mostly b/c I needed to get home and showered to take my daughter to ballet but I will try to do 4-5 this weekend.  Also this week I've started into a training program for a May triathlon!  It's wonderful to feel healthy - I'm back up to a healthy weight, and I am sleeping so much better!  I think my husband may train for and complete the May tri with me...and...there may be a kids race for my older 2 to do! 

On other exciting news, I'm exploring swim team options for my kids!!!  I am so excited about this b/c I swam on a team from the age of 4 until high school and have a lot of wonderful memories from those times.  I really hope we can find a team with a pre-team for both my son & daughter to learn their strokes.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed!