My Kids...they make me laugh, they make me cry, and sometimes they make me crazy

I have been a stay-at-home parent to my children for the past seven years and I am grateful that I have the opportunity to do so.  I'm also grateful that I went back to work right after Enthusiastic Explorer Boy (E2B) was born because I don't ask myself "what if" as it relates to my professional career.  I went back to work part-time and, while I was glad to be working, the experience also helped me feel more confident in my eventual decision to leave the paid working world for a time.  That being said, staying at home isn't for everyone and I think that what is best for mom (generalizing here, sorry dads!) is best for her child(ren).  If a parent wants to be at home and they are working, then they are going to be unhappy.  Likewise, if a parent really wants to be at work and they are at home, then they run the risk of resenting their kids.  As one dear friend says, she is a better mom because she works out of the home (and she is a great mom).

And the thing about being a stay-at-home mother is that - in one respect - it is like any other job.  There are days when I love my job and days when I feel like I should be polishing up my resume and looking for a new one.  As I said in the title of this post - sometimes my kids make me laugh, sometimes they make me cry, and sometimes they make me crazy.  They also make me proud, surprise me, frustrate me, keep me on my toes, amaze me, open the world to me, and teach me.  The magic of my children is often found in small, quiet moments and I wanted to share a few that have jumped out to me in the last couple of days with my son.



From E2B's letter of appreciation to Running Man and me (a requirement from his karate school for each belt test):

Dear Mommy and Da thank you so so so so much for being you.  I like the way you help me.  I love you so so so so so so much no matter what!  How did you learn all this stuff that you teach me?!  Love, E2B


During his previous belt test the school's Grandmaster asked the children how long they spent writing their letters of appreciation to their parents and praised those students who reported spending 10 minutes or more on the task.  E2B had me time him and, as much as I know he loves us, I'm pretty sure all of the extra "so's" are more about filling his own self-imposed time limit than anything else.  I'm cool with that and I'll be sure to keep this letter to remind him how much he loves us and appreciates us when he's a teenager.  And, oh yes, how very much we know because parents seem to know very little by the time their kids hit the teen years (or so I've been warned by friends with older children).


From E2B's homework assignment to write four sentences using four of his spelling words:

What a delight that I can play that game now.
I'm just amused here by his use of the phrase "what a delight".  I think he has been spending time with some older Southern ladies....bless his heart!

I do not know what righteous means.
I'm not sure that I could spell righteous now without the benefit of spell check.  This is from a first grade spelling list!

Lightning comes from the sky.
Partially/sometimes true...I elected not to muddy up the waters of his spelling homework with information about cloud-to-ground and ground-to-cloud lightning.  He's going to have a field day with that soon, though.


I have one right thigh.
Right you are, my boy!


From a birthday card E2B made for a friend:

The heart doubles as a baby and the peace sign an old man...notice neither of these symbols has hair :)

This was under E2B's signature.  When I asked about it, he explained that it means "Love and peace will be with you always, no matter if you're old, young, or in the middle."  Wow!  Color me one very proud mama!



"It's not only children who grow.  Parents do too.  As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours.  I can't tell my children to reach for the sun.  All I can do is reach for it, myself."  ~Joyce Maynard

Weekending

This weekend was full...full of soccer games, full of meetings (for me), full of training (for Running Man) and - thankfully - full of time with friends.  On Saturday evening we joined some dear friends at their home for an impromptu birthday celebration along with four other families.  In addition to all of the adults present, there were about a dozen kids running about.  We had a wonderful time full of delicious food and great conversation.  One of my favorite moments of the night was when the children decided to perform on a variety of instruments for the adults...we heard pieces played on the violin, the cello, and the piano.  Enthusiastic Explorer Boy (E2B) and Princess Wonder both take piano lessons, but they were enthralled by the violin and I have a sneaking suspicion that they'll be lobbying for learning a stringed instrument sometime in the future.

Earlier this afternoon, while Running Man was on a long bike ride followed by a run, the kids and I went to a lunch gathering with some folks from church. The weather today was beautiful and it was the perfect time to spend in fellowship with people that I don't usually get the chance to talk with in depth.  Often my conversations with folks at church take place while I am simultaneously trying to round up my kids after the service and make sure that they don't overrun the food table.  It was a real treat for me to enjoy adult conversation in a laid back environment while the kids played happily nearby (and wore out the hosts' dogs in the process).

And, of course, with the beautiful weather our neighbors were out in force and there were plenty of kids - and adults! - to hang out and play with until it was time to call it a night and come in for dinner.  But one of my favorite moments of the weekend was much quieter than the others.  During our afternoon "quiet time" (something that is as much for my benefit as the children's), E2B and I decided to read our separate books together outside on the front porch. Once out there, my sweet boy asked me to sit on the wicker couch with him so that we could cuddle while we read.  Why yes, I'd love to!

See those grass and dirt stains on his jeans?  That's the sign of a day well spent in my book!

All of our time spent as a family and with friends this weekend reminded me why it is that I'm on this path towards living with greater intention.  These are the sorts of experiences that I want to cultivate and how I want to be spending my time.  I hope that you, too, enjoyed a weekend full of fellowship and good friends!


"But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life, and thanks to a benevolent arrangement the greater part of life is sunshine."  ~Thomas Jefferson

Weekending

This weekend Running Man, Enthusiastic Explorer Boy (E2B), Princess Wonder, and I participated in a 1 mile kid run and 10K (6.2 miles) race.  This was E2B's third year running in this particular miler and Princess Wonder's first (though she did run in a 1 mile trail run for elementary school children this past fall).  Running Man blew me away by finishing the 10K less than a minute off of his personal record set in high school!  I didn't meet my goal of running in under an hour, but the fact that I didn't work out at all for most of the month of March had everything to do with that.  My reasons for not keeping up my regular gym regimen ran from entirely legitimate (traveling out of state at the end of February to be with my grandmother during her last days of this life, sick children who needed me at home, etc.) to completely lame excuses with only a hint of legitimacy (a lot to do at home, feeling tired and wanting extra sleep, etc.).  As my work out partner - who also missed several weeks of working out during this timeframe - lamented, it takes weeks to build your fitness level up and only days to start losing it.  Nevertheless, I ran the entire race and felt great while doing so.  I finished just a few minutes over my goal time and I am confident that I'll get that down to under an hour before the end of this year.

E2B and Running Man snuggling for warmth before the race

And they're off!  This was the last I saw of them until the finish line. 

Run, Princess Wonder, Run!

About to cross the finish line

While running with Princess Wonder I actually got choked up watching a young boy - he was running in the 5-7 year old wave, I pegged him at 6 - run with two young men who I believe were in their late teens.  I was reading the back of the child's t-shirt - sponsored by a bereavement group whose name I can't remember - that said he was running in memory of (and this was written in his sweet little boy handwriting) "My Daddy" along with his father's name.  The only thing that kept me from actually crying was the fact that it would have been upsetting for Princess Wonder and I didn't want to diminish her excitement.  I was so incredibly sad to think about this young boy's loss and grateful for the two young men who woke up early on a Saturday morning to run with a grieving child.

This particular 10K race is one of my favorites to run and continues to grow every year - this year 41,000 people registered!  The course is flat and takes runners largely through a beautiful historic neighborhood.  Bands are set up every half mile or so and thousands of spectators show up to cheer on the runners.  There is a definite party atmosphere and I've not seen so many red plastic cups since my days as a undergraduate in college.  Even amongst the runners there is a great sense of fun, camaraderie, and support.  You just never know what you're going to encounter along the way.  One of my favorite surprises was seeing the elaborate proposal that had been set up for one of the runners.  At about mile 5 1/2 there was a large sign (think 20' X 10') hanging on the second story of one of the row houses asking someone by the name - or perhaps a nickname - of Hollywood "Will You Marry Me?"  The person proposing had a beautifully appointed table set up with champagne and flowers along the road.  I hope she said yes!

The local paper sponsors a costume contest for runners with both individual and group winners.  The kids had their favorite (who actually took first place for the individual contest).

"Look!"

Angry Birds
This contestant is apparently a second year med student who had to ride with his costume in pieces on the bus to the race where he reassembled it.

The kids said that they liked my group favorite, but it didn't hold quite the same "that rocks!" feeling for them as it did for me.  Someday - when they're old enough to understand and appreciate it -  I'll be sure to introduce them to the comic genius that is Monty Python and the Holy Grail (I took a class about the legend of King Arthur in college that makes me love this movie all the more).

The Three Headed Knight

The Black Knight - "It's just a flesh wound!"

That funny bloke with the coconuts

We had the most bizarre weather on Saturday afternoon that included sunny skies punctuated by brisk winds, thunder storms, and hail.  Nonetheless, Miss Intrepid got to play in her first official soccer game before the rest of the day's games were called off.

Miss Intrepid frequently stopped while she was on the field to flash us a big smile or to run over and give her sister a hug.  Really, how adorable can you get?

Although it was entirely too cold for short sleeves, E2B couldn't wait to take his sweatshirt off (I think he was just excited about the new-to-him shirt I had thrifted last year for him).  He has his hands over his head because we were in the midst of a small hail storm.

Princess Wonder looking for special rocks in the grass while singing to herself.  Her game was cancelled just after we arrived on the field - it was raining and the wind was blowing so hard that the goals wouldn't stay up.  She and her teammates seemed completely flabbergasted as to why they wouldn't be playing.

I hope that you enjoyed your weekend, as well, and that you'll join me tomorrow for Simple Mom's reveal of the final hot spot for Project Simplify and Apron Thrift Girl's Thrift Share Monday.


"Running has given me the courage to start, the determination to keep trying, and the childlike spirit to have fun along the way.  Run often and run long, but never outrun your joy of running."  ~Julie Isphording, Marathon winner

Cutting Myself Some Slack

As I mentioned yesterday, this week seems to be busier than usual around here.  I now find myself sitting in front of the computer to write today's - I suppose at this point I should say tonight's - post and I'm absolutely exhausted.  Although I had intended to write an update on my list o' goals, I've decided to share a little slice from our day instead and then it is off to bed for me.

One of the big activities that we've been focused on this week has been the science fair at school.  The kiddos have been finishing their experiments and creating their displays while I've been writing up name labels for each of the 170 students participating and volunteering as a judge.  Both Enthusiastic Explorer Boy (E2B) and Princess Wonder entered experiments in the fair.  E2B just loves this sort of experience - he participated in the science fair last year as well - and Princess Wonder entered for the first time.  E2B's favorite part?  Seeing friends and checking out the experiments that others worked on.  Princess Wonder's favorite part?  Receiving a participation certificate!

Princess Wonder's science fair experiment was "Wut Do BroDS like to EEt?" - translated from best guess spelling to "What do birds like to eat?"  She wanted to know what they would prefer...seeds or bugs.  The only creature that visited our feeders was a squirrel who liked both.

Mmmm...live meal worms.  Miss Intrepid has enjoyed holding them and letting them walk around her hand.  Good stuff!

E2B's project was titled "How Water Travels Up Stems" and he ran two experiments using white flowers and water with food dye.

That boy sure does take his observation notebook seriously!

So I'm going to cut myself some proverbial slack - a deliberate decision versus the aimless, and decidedly non-intentional, sit-around-in-my-pajamas-doing-nothing-much-morning I indulged in yesterday - and call it a night.  Sleep well and I hope that you'll come back for a visit tomorrow to see the results from Project Simplify's hot spot #3.  Don't forget to leave a comment on Monday's post if you'd like a chance to win some vintage paper travel games by midnight tomorrow night.

"O bed! O bed! delicious bed!

That heaven upon earth to the weary head."

~Thomas Hood, Miss Kilmansegg - Her Dream

The Cast of Characters

I'd like to take a moment to introduce my family - they are my inspiration for making the changes that I am sharing in this space.

First is Running Man, my husband and partner of 11 years.  We met in college at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia and in most ways we complement each other quite well.  The fact that he is a great planner, very organized, and most certainly Type A means that my more fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants approach to life and home management can be stressful.  Luckily for both of us, there are elements of this that make me nuts, too, and I'm committed to making some changes - for me - that I believe will benefit our entire family.  In his spare time, Running Man is training for his first IronMan triathlon.  He's nuts, but I love - and am very proud of - him!

Our oldest child is Enthusiastic Explorer Boy (E2B), who is seven and our only son.  He is an avid life learner who continually reminds me of how much fun it is to explore and learn about, well, everything.  Whether he's climbing a tree or reading his way through a series of books, he gives it his all.

Next is our oldest daughter, Princess Wonder.  At the magical age of five, she is vibrant and creative and has a fabulously bohemian sense of style.  When she takes in everything around her she sees magic and wonder and a hidden world of fairies.

Last, but not least, is our youngest daughter, Miss Intrepid.  At the tender age of three, she has a BIG personality in a little body and knows exactly what she wants.  She is a fearless participant in this adventure of life and constantly keeps me on my toes.

Princess Wonder, Running Man with Miss Intrepid, and Enthusiastic Explorer Boy pose for a windy photo after Running Man finished his 3rd marathon in March 2011.  I can be found where I usually am in pictures - behind the camera!

When I asked Running Man what he thought about the monikers that I would be using for our family on the blog he enthusiastically weighed in and then asked me what my "name" would be.  Brittany, I told him.  Hmmm, a bit boring perhaps, but there it is.


"When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses."  ~Dr. Joyce Brothers