Frazzled

Have you ever just woken up frazzled? I mean you sleep well, feel well rested to start the work week, but for some reason things just don't start right. That was me this morning. I cannot put my finger on it but things were not smooth sailing in the Gill household this Monday morning. Plans were changed at the last minute, tears were shed over shoes and drinks, books and papers were forgotten.........BUT, I rallied, as all good stay at home moms can do. I ran my few errands, came home and regrouped. Thank goodness! My day was not a total loss, I got some very good things accomplished, even with the start we had. I think what made it better was the triple venti soy nofoam hazlenut latte. For some reason, it tasted better today then it has in a really long time. Maybe it was the fact that it was made for me as a treat to sooth my nerves. Whatever it was, it hit the spot and now, smooth sailing! What time does Starbucks open tomorrow???????

Little bit sad

I just got a little bit sad this afternoon thinking about next year, Cooper going off to kindergarten and then the thought of being alone in 3 years. Now I know some off you say stop right there because three years is a LONG way off but here me out. What makes me a little bit sadder is pretty soon I will never have a two year old again. Some may think this is a blessing but I for one feel sad. I LOVE the twos as a stage and age. My boy is fun, energetic, naughty, impulsive, creative, snuggly......... all wonderful things. You never know what is going on when you see that impish grin but hang on because it is always something! It is such a fabulous ride to be on, having with a two year old.....

special nights

We started something last year and we have to decided to start it back up again. It has taken me awhile to get it going again but we have started this week. We call them special nights in our house and here is how it goes:
Each kid gets one night a week (hopefully the same each week so as easy for mommy to remember) where they are allowed to stay up an extra 15 minutes after lights out and play with mom and dad. We will do whatever they want except watch TV. NO SCREEN TIME! We can play games, color, even sit and chat but it is one on one on one time with that child on their night. THEN, here is the best part, on Sunday nights it is Mom and Dad's night so they have to hit the sack on time or a touch early so we can have time with each other.
It works WONDERFULLY!!!! It seems to solve so many of the typical bedtime routine troubles that once we started doing it again, I could not remember why we stopped. The children really crave that face time with us and with a larger family finding that time is very tricky so here is a simple way to fix that.
Now I know what most of you guys are thinking, sounds great but there is no way we could fit it into our own schedules. We are just too busy. I would have to bet it could work for you too. Even being so super busy, it seems to give you an excuse to slow down for 15 minutes each day and enjoy your children, which is why we had them to begin with. We ALL have busy lives and schedules but taking that time out certainly teaches our children that they too are as important or even more so than let's say karate, work, ballet, cheerleading, or the hundreds of other things we do each day. Give it a try for three weeks and then talk to me again. Chances are, you will LOVE the idea!

mommy playdate

I remember when Barrett was very little I joined a playdate. It was a group of 6 women all with children ranging in age from 6 months to 1 1/2. It was such a wonderful time to get together each week and talk and bond with other moms and women who were going through the same things I was. As my family grew and the children grew, this play group thing went by the wayside. I was sad. I missed my mommy friends. Well luckily I have found some new mommy friends who I have been able to hang out with again. We all have children ranging in ages but we have still gotten together and been able to chat and share our days. It has been wonderful.......

FREE AT LAST

So the kids went back to school today after the wonderful three day snow break. Unfortunately, the older two had a two hour delay which meant I took the younger two at 9am and could not take the other two until 11am and then had to pick the younger two back up at 12pm. So, I had about 45 minutes to myself. But hey, I am not complaining, I IDID get to make it to the grocery store alone. Well not really alone since all of chesterfield was there as well. Tomorrow the younger ones are home again but next week should be a fresh start to a good week. SCHOOL EVERYDAY!!!!!!! AND, it is supposed to be very pretty weather. Wouldn't you know it, we finally get some good snow then it turns 70 degrees three days later. What to do what to do!

Logan G., First Grader

Those of you with elementary age children are probably very versed in Junie B. Jones books. My kids love them. One of Logan's favorite is Toothless Wonder, well now we call Logan:
Logan G. First Grader, Toothless Wonder.
I do not believe there is anything cuter than a young child with no front teeth.
What do you think?

Certainly not a toothless Uncle Lou!

The Big SNOW!

So we had a really big snow last night and today. We got almost 9 inches here. It was the first time in a super duper long time we have had a good snow here in Richmond and my kids loved it. We got a snow day from school today and tomorrow. YEAH!!!! I love snow days more than any other holiday because I feel it is truly a gift from God and you are supposed to go have fun with it. Take a break and PLAY......and that is what we did. We ate homemade waffles, played in the snow, walked the neighborhood, made an attempt at a snowman, built a snow wall and drank hot chocolate. We were also able to catch up with our neighbors for a last minute happy hour because of no school tomorrow. Many would say a day off of school is not a day off for mom but I really had a great time with the family. Chad even closed work. So, thanks for the gift.......