Kids | Page 29 | Minivans Are Hot

The good news? I’m a blonde again…

March 10, 2010 by Kelli

Sorry brunettes – you guys may be smarter, but after several months of being a brunette myself I’ve come to the conclusion that blondes actually do have more fun.

Wouldn’t it be awesome if I had pictures to back up my claim? But alas, I suffer from mom syndrome in that I am always the one behind the camera, never in front of it. Not that I mind, really. Because rarely am I in any position to be standing in front of a camera unless someone with professional editing capabilities is ready and waiting to touch me up. So you’ll just have to take my word for it – I was a smart brunette for three months and I am now a fun blonde again.

See? Look how much more fun I am already.

Ahem.

So….

The two older kids are leaving today to go to Florida for a week with their grandparents. I’m excited – and a little jealous, but just a little. They’re going to have a great time. And it will be fun to have some one on one time with Landon this week, although I’m afraid he and I both may be a little bored. I’m not entirely sure what to do with just one child any more. I remember the days when one child was overwhelming…

It’s always a little nerve racking sending your kids away without you. I hate the feeling of being out of control. I can only imagine how terrifying it will be when they get older and they’re driving and I really have no control over what happens to them. Ugh – I feel an ulcer coming on just thinking about it. Would it be wrong to sequester them in a padded room from the age of 13 until about 23?

Did I mention that I was blonde again? I feel all sassy like. Well, except for the extreme fatigue that’s resulted in bags and circles under my eyes. I was up until 1:00 last night working on my article for STL Family Life. I finished it yesterday morning and needed nothing more than to add the photo and a few hyperlinks. But WordPress and HTML had other ideas – namely eating entire portions of my article not once, not twice but three flippin’ times! By 12:30 I was near tears and muttering all manner of unladylike words (being blonde has made me saucy).

But alas, I finally conquered and prevailed and posted and went to bed. Only to be awoken by a very excited little girl who stormed my bedroom at 5:45 announcing that today was the day they went to “Fwowida.”

Remember staying up until all hours of the night in college and it being all fun and easy and what not? I was trying to figure out why it’s not fun, easy or…what not…anymore. And I think I got it. I had no responsibility back then. I had merely to drag myself to a class or two, then back home where I could sleep as long as I wanted before getting up again. There were no kids to feed, no beds to make, no suitcases to pack, no hugs and kisses to dole out, no fights to break up…life was way less complicated. It was also pretty boring now that I think about it.

So in writing this post I’ve come to a sad realization – while being a blonde makes me more fun, being tired makes me a terrible drag. I’m going to close it out before I bore you all to tears…

To read today’s article on STL Family Life, click here.

Filed Under: Family, funny stuff that happens, Kids, Life, Motherhood Tagged With: Blonde's have more fun, Life, Motherhood, STL Family Life

Monday – In Bullets

March 8, 2010 by Kelli

– Spring has sprung. Unofficially, of course. We could still have another deep freeze as St. Louis is prone to experience before Spring really decides to settle in. But I’ll take what I can get. The kids played outside all weekend, skipping naps and all around having a fantastic time. My eyes are itching and my nose is running and I’m so excited about it because it is 60 flippin degrees outside.

– We realized last week that our kids haven’t been on antibiotics one. single. time all winter. I’m knocking on wood as I type this. I believe there are two reasons for this phenomenon. First, we more than paid our dues last winter when someone was sick preeeetty much all winter long. I’m not exaggerating when I say that we spent roughly 600 dollars in copays at the doctors office. Second, I have been giving my kids Emergen-C like it’s going out of style. Seriously – You’re thirsty? Have some Emergen-C. Your throat hurts? Emergen-C. You feel fine? EMERGEN-C! Sloan had a sore throat and a fever on Friday. We pumped the Emergen-C in double doses and by Sunday he felt perfectly fine. Of course he is glowing in the dark now, sssssoooooo…

– Speaking of Sloan, his top tooth is hanging on by a thread. Every time I look at it my stomach flips over and I get all hot and light headed. And guess who he keeps asking to try and pull it out? ME! The one who could quite possibly pass out if blood came spurting our of his mouth. (In my mind I imagine the scene from The Shining when a waterfall of blood comes splashing down the hallway – *shudder*) He doesn’t want Lee to do it – just me. He came into our room at 5:45 yesterday morning to have me wiggle his tooth. That thing better fall out quick.

– I put about 20 items on Craig’s List this weekend. I’ve sold a lot of it and am a little over half way to my goal of remaking my bedroom. But if I get one more spam message from someone who is “interested” in my item but wants me to click on her link to make sure it’s what her son/cousin/brother is looking for I’m gonna go batty. I may have gotten a little nasty with someone yesterday…

– My parents put their house on the market Monday afternoon. They are under contract as of yesterday afternoon. Mom is panicking (*deep breaths mom*). They thought it would take longer. They close in 5 weeks. The bummer is that we love my parents house and are sad to see it go (they’ll get a condo here in town). The plus is that I will be able to sell more stuff on Craig’s List. Wahoo!

– I wrote a giveaway/review over at 5 Minutes for Giveaways today for the Superstar Barbie. It’s not up yet but it will be later. It is now up and running. LEave a comment to enter and win a commemorative st of Superstar Barbie dolls. If you don’t want to win a Barbie but do want to check out Barbie’s rockin’ shoes that I totally love, check it out anyway!

– I am writing an article on raising bilingual kids in a monolingual home for STL Family Life this week. I’m gonna have a few late nights as I work to put that together. Hello procrastination, I’m so glad you’re here.

– Have I mentioned that it’s gonna be 60 degrees today? That makes me want to do back handsprings down the street. But I can’t do a back handspring anymore so I may have to settle for a pathetic hurkey when no one is looking…

– We watched the Oscars last night. I don’t know why. We haven’t seen a single movie that was up for nomination. Well, that’s not true – we saw UP. We haven’t always been this cool, folks.

– Landon’s new favortie phrase is “Oh My Dosh.” He says it a hundred times a day and it’s funny every time. He is also showing a great deal of interest in the potty. He’s not ready to train yet, but I am letting him sit on the potty a few times a day. He hasn’t gone in it yet because he usually tells me he has to go after he’s already gone. But he’ll sit on the potty for ten minutes talking and playing (usually with himself…ah the joys of little boys).

– I have so much laundry to do that I fear I may get lost in the mounds of clothing spread around the basement. That is today’s number one goal to accomplish.

– And with that, I will head out. Have a nice Monday!

Filed Under: Family, funny stuff that happens, Kids, Kids do the darndest things, Life, Sloan Tagged With: Emergen-C, Oscars, Springtime, UP

Makes me laugh every time

March 4, 2010 by Kelli

Generally I try to avoid letting the kids watch too much television. They watch the most TV in the mornings as our afternoons are usually filled with russian lessons, cleaning up, playing outside, etc…

When I do let them watch morning TV, I try to limit it to cartoons as it’s so much easier to turn it off after 25 or 30 minutes. However, Landon has recently decided he enjoys watching TV with one particular movie being his very favorite. And because he’s so dang cute and I really, really have a hard time saying no to him when he scrunches up his face and says, “Pweas?” then flashes his huge grin that dissolves me into a puddle of goo, I decided I couldn’t say no again.

So Tia and Landon are currently sitting on the couch watching Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Or “Cwoudy with da chance of da meatball” as Tia calls it.

When I pushed play Landon jumped up and down and clapped his hands yelling “Beatball, beatball, beatball” then hugged my leg and said “I Yub You” before settling on the couch to watch. Uuummm…so I’ll give him anything he wants for the rest of his life if he keeps doing that.

He’s gonna be rotten.

The thing is, I actually really love this movie myself. I think it’s hysterical. Everytime I watch it I laugh out loud, particularly when the kids quote the lines along with the movie. Fuh-hu-nny.

So that’s it…that’s all I’ve got today. I give in to nearly every one of Landon’s requests, I would give him my heart just to hear him say “I yub you,” and I love the movie Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.

Bet you’re glad you stopped by here today, eh?

Well, so I don’t completely waste your time, I will send you here where you can read up on the bloggers who are currently on a Compassion International trip in Kenya. I’ve already been challenged and encouraged by a couple of the posts I’ve read this morning and it’s only their first day there. If you’re not already sponsoring a child, I would encourage you to consider Compassion. What they are doing for children and families suffering in poverty is nothing short of a miracle. For 37 dollars a month, you can completely alter the course of a child’s life. Just think about it. And read their posts.

Also, my first post for STL Family Life will be up and running shortly is now up and running! So check it out this afternoon. Thanks everyone and enjoy what is shaping up to be a beautiful day.

Spring is almost here, yeah!

Filed Under: Family, Kids, Ministry, Random Tagged With: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Compassion Bloggers in Kenya, compassion international

The Dance of the Little Bee

March 1, 2010 by Kelli

I observed a strange little phenomenon on Friday. It took me a little off guard, made me laugh and also opened my eyes to the fact that this motherhood thing is as easy as it’s gonna get right now. Right at this moment. It’s not going to get any easier. Which kinda stinks because motherhood is really hard right now.

We were in Walgreens picking up a certain variety of medicine that is supposed to ensure that no more little Stuarts enter this world when we ran into a group of giggly girls who had clearly walked over from the Middle School across the street. As I looked at them wandering the isles all silly-like I had a quick flashback to my own days of walking to this very plaza from the same school. The Walgreens is newer and now sits on the corner instead of in the back of the plaza, but it was still funny to watch them flitting about, laughing about things that weren’t even remotely funny and filling the sleepy store with the raucous sounds on tweendom.

At least they weren’t smoking around back, which may or may not be what I did back in my Walgreens days. I was such a rebel when I was 14. ::eyeroll::

As soon as we walked into the store, Sloan’s radar went off. He was immediately aware of the older girls that were in close proximity. And it turned him into something that is beginning to emerge with greater frequency the older he gets. This shouldn’t surprise me given recent comments he’s made, but I found myself utterly baffled by the abrupt change in behavior he exhibited. He was like a little bee, buzzing here and there, ever aware of the females in his presence.

Like every other girl, my mom told me as a kid that the reason boys bothered me was because they liked me. I never believed her, of course. I just thought boys were incessantly annoying. Until, you know, the day they became not annoying.

But as I watched Sloan turn into a ninja warrior in that store, hiding around corners, jumping out and pretend shooting the girls, I caught a glimpse of that little nugget of truth shared by my mom so long ago. And as the girls giggled and squealed and exclaimed, “Oh My Ga, he’s, like, sooooo cute,” I saw Sloan’s face flush and a look of male dominance flash through his eyes. His chest puffed out and he aimed his “gun” (his fingers accompanied by a gun sound that only a little boy can make) at the group once more and shot. And they laughed in such a high pitch tone that my ears began to bleed. And I laughed and shook my head and ushered my little Ladie’s Man along.

“What are you doing?” I asked Sloan who walked along with a satisfied smirk on his face.

“I just like girls,” he said with a shrug. “I like to be with girls. By myself.”

And off he flitted, my little bee, dancing to the beat of a rhythm I wasn’t fully prepared for just yet. He is aware of girls, he is fascinated by girls, he is attracted to girls (obviously in a completely innocent way). And here I sit, his baffled mother, wondering what on Earth we’re going to do with him.

What am I going to do with him? I see the innocence of his actions. He is aware that girls are different from boys and the difference is attracting. He is also still completely grossed out by the site of boys and girls kissing (thank God Almighty) but at the same time I think he is equally fascinated and mortified by the attraction between boys and girls. Oh yeah…he’s only six. Six. I expected this behavior around 10. Not six. Lord help me…

It is interesting, this process of watching your child grow up and mature. It is both terrifying and thrilling all at once. And as this self awareness begins to develop I find myself entirely unprepared to handle the dance of the little bee. We have time, of course. But if there’s one thing I’ve observed since having children it’s that time does not, indeed, slow down. In fact, I’m quite sure it’s speeding up. It won’t be long until I have a tween who is still innocent in the issue of attraction, but whose impulses towards attraction are much stronger. I wonder if I will still find it so baffling and hysterical?

I also have a girl who will one day be one of those silly, giggly, Middle School girls who knows how to flirt and laugh in such a way that little boys lose whatever reason they may have and begin acting in a way that makes your head spin. Maybe Christ could return before that – like…today.

Filed Under: funny stuff that happens, Kids, Kids do the darndest things, Motherhood, Sloan Tagged With: The birds and the bees

A video to get you through the weekend

February 26, 2010 by Kelli

He is now working on dribbling with both his right and left hands. He’s also working on his smile for the paparazzi.

We have visions of a full ride to college and an early retirement when he goes Pro! No pressure, Landon…

Filed Under: Kids, Landon

Sometimes sticking to your guns is hard

February 24, 2010 by Kelli

I took Tia to the doctor yesterday for her 4 year exam. I made the mistake of telling her the night before about the appointment, which caused much consternation and dread as she knew they would have to examine her ears. Shots? No – she wasn’t scared of those. But the doctor taking a tiny peek inside her ear canal caused hyperventilation.

She did not dissapoint in the drama department with the ear exam came. She screamed bloody murder. She kicked, she flailed, I had to lay on top of her to keep her still. The doctor was able to see inside enough to know that Tia’s eardrums are, indeed, no longer visible due to wax build up…again. But, because she seems to be hearing fine at this point and cleaning out her ears without sedation is out of the question, we let it go. We will probably have to have her sedated again next year before she starts kindergarten.

Cleaning out that girl’s ears is getting expensive.

After we talked a bit, the doctor told me that Tia would be receiving two immunizations, then she packed up her stuff and left. I didn’t think to ask her what the immunizations would be – I should have. It was my mistake for not asking…and maybe her mistake for not saying it in the first place.

Just before the nurse came in to administer the shots, I checked the sheet and noticed that one of the shots was the chicken pox vaccination. This is a vaccine that Lee and I have decided, for the time being, to pass on. (we are skipping or delaying several vaccinations. You can read about why we decided to do that here.) So when the nurse came in, I told her that I didn’t want Tia to receive that shot. Her eyes narrowed and she got a peeved look on her face.

“It’s a $70.00 shot and I’ve already drawn it up. It is only good for 30 minutes after it’s drawn up,” she said. And my heart sank. I honestly didn’t know what to do. So I asked for a minute to think about it. I wasn’t able to get in touch with Lee so I called my mother-in-law and got her opinion, then the nurse came back.

I felt really terrible, but I couldn’t justify giving Tia the shot simply because I didn’t want to waste the vaccine. Had I known before the doctor left the room I would have declined the shot earlier, but the circumstances left me to decide what I felt was best for my child. So I declined the shot.

To the nurse’s credit, though she was obviously annoyed, she did not treat me poorly and was very forgiving as I apologized profusely. She did want to know why I wasn’t comfortable giving Tia the vaccine and I explained to her that I just don’t think it’s a warranted vaccination and I want to wait until more research is done on the long term effectiveness of that particular vaccination. At this point, it’s considered to only be effective for up to ten years, which means kids are going to need booster shots likely for the rest of their lives whereas if they would only receive the chicken pox in childhood they would build up an effective immunity.

Now, the obvious dilemma in not giving them the vaccine is that it will be extremely difficult to expose them to chicken pox in childhood since almost everyone is being immunized. Which means that sometime down the road we may have to vaccinate them. But this is a shot that I have no problem holding off on and waiting until more research is done. If we have to give it to her later, then neither Lee nor I have a problem in doing that.

She may not be too happy with us, of course, but we’ll cross that bridge later.

Yesterday, however, I felt terribly guilty and even a little embarrassed. While the nurse was patient with me, I imagine I was discussed as one of those crazy paranoid mothers after I left. And I’m really not a crazy paranoid mother. But I am an aware mother and I hold firm to the fact that, ultimately, I am responsible for these little lives placed in my care and it is more important to me that I stick to my guns and fight for what I feel is right than bend on my convictions so that the doctor isn’t out a $70.00 vaccination.

Thankfully, my husband confirmed my decision when I got home…

What are your thoughts?

_________________________________________________________

To the right you will notice I’ve added a banner for this Saturday’s Help Haiti Live benefit that’s being put on be Compassion International. It is a one night, two city concert being broadcast from both Los Angelos and Nashville. If you are in either of those areas you can purchase tickets and see the event live. If you are nowhere near, then you can watch the event live via the lovely internet. Consider taking part and contributing to the fundraiser they are sponsoring to continue the work of rebuilding Haiti.

Filed Under: Immunizations, Kids, Life, Motherhood Tagged With: chicken pox vaccination, delaying vaccinations, Vaccination

Major Mom Fail = Lesson Learned

February 22, 2010 by Kelli

It is no secret that my six year old is terribly, desperately horribly frightened of thunderstorms. He’s also mildly overly obsessed with them. He checks out library books on weather, he watches the weather channel and reports back to us what part of the country is expecting severe weather for the day. He knows the difference between an F5 and an F1 tornado…

He knows weather.

So last week, when I saw that the movie Twister was coming on TV, I decided to record it and let Sloan watch. I don’t know why this seemed like a good idea. It just did. It seemed like something he would enjoy watching. I know, I know…trust me, I’ve slammed my hand against my forehead more than once these last few days saying Stupid, Stupid, Stupid!

So, Friday afternoon I sat the kids down and turned on Twister. I sat to watch with them so I could skip any parts that I thought might be inappropriate. I get points for that, right?

About 10 miunutes into the movie, I had a nagging feeling that maybe this wasn’t the best idea. As Sloan peppered me with questions, (Is that an F5 mom? Is that guy going to die? Are we going to get a tornado, mom? What happens if you get sucked up by a tornado?) I wondered if I should turn the movie off. But he didn’t seem scared – just interested. It was the same type of interest that he shows when he reads books about tornados.

So alas, I unwisely shoved aside the concerns and figured we’d just pay for this poor decision the next time it stormed and if you’ve ever been with Sloan during a storm, you’d know that he can’t get a whole lot more skittish than he already is.

You don’t need to say it – I already know. I get a big, fat F in motherhood for Friday.

So we finished the movie and the kids commenced to playing tornado. They ran around the house yelling, “It’s an F5. We have to go. Get down in the cellar. Oh no, I’m being sucked up. Tia heeeeeelp meeeee.” And so on and so on. It was cute and funny and I enjoyed watching them.

Then it got dark.

“Dad!” Sloan shrieked running into the room and leaping onto Lee’s lap. “I’m scared.” And my heart sank. In fact, I think I mouthed the word Crap! And it was downhill from there. He wouldn’t walk outside without holding our hands. He wouldn’t go into a dark room. He was jumpy and certain that a monster tornado was looming around the corner waiting to pounce on him.

At bedtime, we prayed with the kids and assured them that we would not be experiencing a tornado, reminded them that the movie wasn’t real, and told them that God gave us a strong house to protect us.

At 9:30, Sloan woke up with his first nightmare. He came tearing out into the living room in tears and still half asleep. We put him back in bed and assured him all was well.

At 10:30, he started crying in bed and this time Tia woke up terrified. She ran into our room gasping that Sloan was crying and there might be a storm and OMG the world is ending! So we walked her to bed and we talked with both of them.

I will now be seamlessly transitioning into the lesson and moral of the story…

We assured Sloan that God was in control of everything – even the weather. We reminded Sloan that God is our protector and we can trust Him in all things. Then we prayed with him and asked God to fill his mind and heart with good things and to remove the fear. We asked God to protect Sloan from fear because fear is not of God. Before we were finished praying, both kids were asleep again and they both slept through the night.

When Sloan woke up Saturday morning, he cralwed in bed with me (Lee had left early for a meeting). As we snuggled close, I asked him how he slept. He told me he had no more bad dreams and that he had a really long good dream. From there we were able to talk about how God answered our prayer and gave him peace. Sloan’s response?

“Mom, I know I can trust God and I know He answers prayers. Sometimes I will probably still get scared, though.”

So precious. And so true. I know I can trust God and I know He answers prayers, but sometimes – I get scared. I fear failure, I fear something happening to my husband or kids, I fear…

My fears are no less real than Sloan’s fear of death by tornado. But how quickly do I forget that God is in control? That He hasn’t forgotten me? That He won’t abandon me? It’s easy to share that lesson with my six year old as he’s huddled under the covers, but for me to embrace it sometimes feels momentous. But how true it is.

And so, when fear threatens to overwhelm me – when the night seems so dark and the shadows so large, I will remember the simple lesson that we learned from Sloan – I know God is in control, I know I can trust Him to protect me and answer my prayers, but sometimes I will probably still get scared. And in those moments, I will pray and ask for His protection, then I will sleep soundly and awake to the morning sun that always works to dispell the fears of the night. And I will trust.

I will also not let him watch that movie ever again…

Filed Under: Kids, Kids do the darndest things, Motherhood, Sloan Tagged With: Twister: The Movie

My son the ‘Playa’

February 17, 2010 by Kelli

Sloan, my adorable, precocious, too-big-for-his-britches six-year-old, is well known for his fabulous, fantastic Quotable Quotes. And he’s popped up with a few doozies the last couple of days. So, without further ado, I give you Sloan…

Image taken by Becke' at Lulu Photography

Yesterday, as he was playing LEGO Star Wars on the Wii (his new obsession), he sat on the couch defeating level after level, all the while singing (to the tune of Star Wars), “I-I-I am Awesome, am Awesome. I-I-I am Awesome, am Awesooome.” And on and on it went. I’m glad he’s confident, but perhaps we nee dto work harder on not being boastful?

Last night, as we sat on the couch watching American Idol, Sloan leaned up against me. “Hey Mom and Dad,” he said. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking RIGHT NOW?”

Me: “Probably not. What are you thinking right now?”

Sloan: “I’m thinking I would like to have a party with no boys…just 1,000 girls.” And a smile spreads across his face.

Me: “Why would you want to have a party with 1,000 girls?”

Sloan (his head nodding up and down all sassy-like): “So I could be by myself with 1,000 girls,” he answered grinning widely.

Lee: “Not me, man. I’d want to have a party with 1,000 boys so we could play ball and have light saber fights. That sounds like more fun.”

Sloan, shrugging his shoulders: “Yeah, I would like that too…But I still want to have a party with 1,000 girls. Oh yeah.”

I feel the need to remind you all once again that he’s six. Oy…

Then, this morning, as the kids were eating breakfast Sloan leans over to Tia and says, “Tia, you’re hot.”

Tia: “No I’m not. I’m not hot, I’m cold.”

Sloan: “No Tia – hot means you’re pretty. It’s like what boys say to pretty girls. They say, ‘Dude, that girl’s hot!”

I…*sigh* There are just no words. Except, perhaps – Will you pray for me?

And now, here is a video of my other “playa.” Landon is going to be our baller. The kid is freakishly coordinated with a basketball already. He can dribble extremely well for a two year old and even after shooting the ball can immediately pick it up and start dribbling without missing a beat. He is nothing short of obssessed with balls and would play all day long. I watch him and Lee play ball together and have to laugh at the pure joy that takes over Lee’s face. Here is evidence.

Filed Under: funny stuff that happens, Kids, Kids do the darndest things, Landon, Sloan

So we’ve got this snow

February 16, 2010 by Kelli

While I have not hidden my dislike for the season called winter, I have to admit that snow, when it’s just snow, is good fun. And we’ve had good snow this year. Usually St. Louis, being the armpit of the US, gets the nasty leftovers of everyone else’s weather. Which means that we get ice instead of snow, or we get a dusting of permafrost while North and South of us is pummeled with powder.

But this year, like much of the rest of the country, we’ve seen much more snow than usual and it’s actually good snow. And, while I’m more than ready for spring to, you know, spring into town (*groan*), I have enjoyed seeing the kids romp and slide down snow covered hills, munch on the frozen ground covering and make endless angels from one end of the yard to the other.

Because it was a holiday yesterday, we braved the frigid temps to join our neighbors and sled one more time before all of this lovely snow beings to melt. This means that yesterday got away from me so there are now piles of laundry laying all over the house, dried shoes prints on all the floors, dishes piled in the sink and a wicked smell coming from the fridge due to chives that were left unwrapped. And all that needs to be dealt with today. So I’m going to leave you all with a few shots and get to work putting my house back together.

I hope you all are enjoying the cold weather and snow as much as we are! But, the question begs to be asked – are you as ready for Spring as we are?

Filed Under: Family, Kids, Life

The Winter Blues

February 11, 2010 by Kelli

It’s that time of year. The time of year when Lee and I both being ramping up our desire to move to Florida. The time of year when I drool over beachside properties. The time of year when I just struggle.

It’s the time of year when I look at pictures like this one, which I took last June in South Caicos, and get a lump in my throat as I long for heat, shorts and the smell of salt in the air:

I’ve never thought of myself as a bluesy person, but I’m really feeling bluesy this winter. Part of it is hormonal, I know that. I’m still trying to get things in order after the third born and my body is still not working the way it’s supposed to be working. But a lot of it is just this feeling of blah that comes with being cooped up a lot.

I’m tired of school schedules. I’m tired of the day in/ day out routine. I’m tired of everyone being on top of each other, fighting and bickering. I’m tired of trying to keep the house clean and fighting things like dripping snow boots and layers of clothing. I’m tired of laundry and I’m tired of the TV. I want to send my kids outside and know that they will stay there for a solid hour, expanding their imaginations and exercising their little bodies. Even they are feeling sluggish and blah.

We’re all just tired.

When I was growing up, our family moved to Wisconsin for six years. Wisconsin – the land of the never ending winter. I remember my mom getting very tired of the cold weather and snow and thinking she was loco. Snow was fun! The sledding, the snowmen, the igloos we built in six foot drifts. It was a blast!

Um, I get it now. Winter is not fun as a grown up. Sure, I might enjoy it if I got to sit inside in my jammies all day long reading a book in front of a roaring fire. But I don’t get to do that.

The monotony of winter is what really kills me. We can’t run out to the park to get out the afternoon squiggles; we can’t go to the Zoo to satisfy the itch for exploration; even running minor errands becomes a chore as we have to pile on jackets and sweatshirts – and then there’s the 6 year old, who hates, nay – loathes – wearing pants. It’s a day to day struggle to get him to dress appropriately in the cold weather.

I’ve given up, by the way. I’ve decided to pick my battles and when we are home, if he wants to wear shorts and a T-shirt, he’s welcome to do that. He knows to put on a sweatshirt if he gets cold.

So, I’ll quit complaining and get on to my question. What do you guys do to break up the monotony of winter? How do you fight the winter time blues with your kids? What are some fun activities you do with your kids to keep the TV off and keep them from killing each other?

Suggestions are not only welcome, they’re imperative to my sanity.

Filed Under: Family, Kids, Life, Motherhood, Random Tagged With: Winter blues