The Little Booklet of Squares

Edee was eating her usual bowl of cereal this morning at the kitchen table (not so usual, because she usually uses a TV tray and is watching cartoons. Yes, we are those kind of people) and out of know where she starts, half frantically, asking for a little booklet full of squares and insists she has to bring it to her PE teacher for a reward. A. I only understood she was looking for a book after deciphering the original thing she blurted out about "moving more." B. I still had no clue what she was talking about. C. Why now? Maybe we should've stuck with the cartoons at breakfast.

Then it hit me.

She was talking about this dinky little booklet that came home with her from school only God knows when, without much instruction, that is supposed to inspire more physical activity, hence "moving more." This is the same exact booklet Ryan and I decided on together; it was an optional thing. 1 month later, it's suddenly, very clear that it was not optional. I mean, hello, you get a prize if you turn it in showing your activity over the last month. 

Lord help us.

So, I stop my morning hustle of lunch making and brushing hair. I know my beloved sips of hot coffee will now be blah sips of reheated coffee but none the less my kid can't be the only kid in her entire school to not get a prize. I quickly pray this little booklet didn't get tossed in the trash (I'm still working on that goal to recycle) along with half a forest of schoolwork. Screw the hot coffee. It is now my main mission to find this booklet. 

The whole backtracking to figure out our activity and exercise the last month hadn’t crossed my mind at this point. I just needed to find the book of squares.

I put on my Super-duper-Mom-saving-the-world-hat and dove into the pile of school work/mail/who knows what. Halfway through the pile I found the booklet of squares. Shew! Huge sigh of relief. I am still thanking my past self for not throwing this precious booklet in the trash or recycling it.

This entire morning debacle made me realize I am downright awesome. And so are you! These little miracles you perform are shaping your little peoples into something great. 

My clothes might not get folded right out of the dryer, I might've forgotten to have Edee brush her teeth last night, I might've even spent my day crying. Okay, I did spend half my day crying but, my kid has her booklet and she won't be the only one in the whole school going without a prize. I am downright awesome!

If it's a big deal to them, make it a big deal to you. That's the uniqueness of parenthood. You get to be there for your little people every step of the way. You get to decide how strong the bond is. You get to decide what is priority. Sometimes it throws your morning off and your coffee gets cold, but you can always make a fresh cup of coffee.

I can't forget to mention that of course, we all learned a lesson this morning about talking about schoolwork and such little booklets, too. 

(Oh, and just for the record, I did some quick math and estimated her activity for the last month. With playgrounds, paddle boarding, bicycle rides, PE and more each week there is no shortage of movement in her life.)

Keep loving,

Karlee

The Choice Power

I finally figured it out! I finally found the secret to getting my toddler to do exactly what I want her to do, when I want her to do it! Do you want to know the secret? I'm sure you do because this parents, is ground breaking.

I call it the choice power.

One thing I notice about my toddler is that she has this powerful urge to do the exact opposite of what I ask her to do or she just won't do it at all. I'm not sure if you've notice this about your toddler but if you haven't you're welcome to test my theory. 

Ask your toddler to put on their shoes. Ask your toddler to brush their teeth. Ask them to do anything and the answer is most likely 'no.' They say 'no' so often you almost start to wonder if you're better off letting your child turn into Mogli of the jungle. 

Now, ask your child if they want to wear their tennis shoes or their sandals. Ask them if they want to wear the blue shirt or the white shirt. Or go a step further and ask your toddler of they want to brush their teeth or put their pjs on first (yes, this might be out of order of your normal routine but it's just an example).

You just gave your child the power to choose. They now feel like it was their idea and you Moms and Dads just got your child to listen and do what you ask.  

Try the choice power with food, with chores, at bedtime, etc. It works wonders! I recommend getting creative with it too and switch up the choices. Becareful giving too many choices. You don't want the toddler to have all the power. 

Good luck!

I never, ever, ever imagined.

I have to say, getting a full time job, after waiting for so long is everything I'd hoped it would be and everything I hoped it wouldn't be all rolled into one long 40 hour week.

It's dress clothes, nice shoes, smelling good (Green peppers and onions only smell good on a sandwich. Not your hands) and feeling good.

It's a sense of accomplishment and feeling worthy and a little proud every day.

It's steady...everything: alarm clock sounding in the morning, pay check, hours, weekends, lunch breaks. Everything is set. (I like consistency: if you needed a reminder.)

It's learning, discovering, lessons, research and decision making all day.

It's exciting, new and challenging.

But,

I've never been more torn between two things as much as am I now. How do I look out for what's best for my family when I can't be beside them looking out for them?

I never, ever, ever, imagined I'd feel such sadness and heartache when I kiss my daughter good bye every morning.

After I hug her and right before I look away from her innocent, blue eyes my heart breaks. I want to go back to her and scoop her into my arms, hold her, sway back and forth for just a few moments longer. Because I know I am missing out on precious moments of her being little years.

I don't see her smiling sleepy face after a nap or her silliness when she plays. I don't hear her babble German sounding things or pick out her outfit to get dressed.

I know it's for the best and for our better future together. I know I'm making a difference for all of us and that it will get easier. I know Moms do it all the time and I know E is safe and sound.

But then it's time to go to work again.

Keep Loving.

Still walking

The weekend feels like a long, dusty beaten path behind me. And wowee, was that path rocky with overgrown roots and the whole 9 yards.

Yesterday might have been the worst day of the weekend for me. The restaurant was quiet but I was serving the porch so I stayed rather steady. My customers were great and even though a server didn't show up to work the day wasn't half bad. It was the kitchen that ruined my Sunday evening. All though I strive to let the crude harrassment and criticism roll off my shoulders yesterday I broke. I failed. And let those unhappy men get to me.

Part of the reason why I was so sad and upset was that I was talking to the people at my tables, looking at the kind faces of such wonderful people. Only to have to return the kitchen where these men are cruel and hurtful. I couldn't keep the tears from streaming down my face. Because I don't understand why? Why are these men so cruel? How do people find enjoyment And how can some people be so so nice?

After all this I, somehow, feel that I can breathe a sigh of relief (sort of...I'm still fighting this cold) Now that Coast Guard is behind me. And through all the bumps in this past weekend I can say I'm still walking.  I'm not sure how I'll muster up the courage to go through the doors to work this evening but until I find a new job I'll do it. Because no matter how bad the situation is, it could be worse.

My newest motto: Nothing lasts forever. (Makes you think huh?)

On the plus side, (yes there is still a plus side) there is ONLY 2 months until I walk down the aisle to meet Ryan so that we can walk together for the rest of our lives. I am so very excited. And he is too. We're really looking forward to this next step in our life. As the days pass we become stronger and closer. We have so much we want to accomplish together.

It's going to be great!

There are lessons to be learned in every situation. I know I'm certainly learning some. I hope you are too.

Keep Loving. And walking the road of life, however bumpy and rooted it may be.