Happy Memorial Day! I hope that you all took some time to be still and remember those that you have loved and lost. We at the RouseHouse took some time to remember our loved ones we've lost (RIP Cookie) then we celebrated life with those still here!
We had some great time swimming, playing and even roasting marshmallows and making S'mores as a special treat. We took time to enjoy each other, our friends and our family.
Dave and I even managed to carve out two quiet evenings with DVD's and cuddling in the basement after we finally got 3 wild girls to bed!
I had a great opportunity to reflect on my mothering skills. Again, I realize I'm not perfect, but I'm doing alright. It's really all in how you set your goals. Mine: 50-30-20. I try to be a good mom 50% of the time, a great mom 30% of the time and a bad mom only 20% of the time. How am I doing? Here's a recap of our weekend mornings:
1. Saturday - I'm tired, really tired. Avery and Ella both had restless nights. I was still recovering from a migraine. Avery woke up extra early. Instead of getting up to care for her. I sent her off on her own to fend for herself. She ate skittles and nilla wafers for breakfast and eventually woke up Ella and they played downstairs, unattended, watching TV and spilling Rice Krispies EVERYWHERE!
2. Sunday - I'm tired (the theme here is that I'm not really a morning person!). Avery, again, wakes up very early. I'm committed to being a better mom today so I get up. I take her downstairs and get her settled on the couch, with a Dora tray of cereal bar, fruit and milk then turn on the TV and head back to bed. Good mom, well, better than bad mom anyway!
3. Monday - Great mom is here. Ella wakes early to deliver birthday invitations for her pet seals Big Suzie and Little Suzie. We are informed that the party is downstairs at breakfast. Now, bad mom would've yelled to go back to bed, good mom would've said I'll be down in a couple of hours, but great mom says "great, let me get my gift!" So, up I go. I wrapped some Body Shop Lip Butter for the Suzie's (who can't use some good lip butter?) and head downstairs. I whip up some Chocolate Chip Muffins, then throw on the Build a Bear Birthday CD and we dance and play Pin the Tail on the Seal. (Kind of creepy if you consider that is our birthday honoree!) Then we get out the candles, sing, eat and open presents. A fabulous start to a great day!
Now, here's the important thing. My kids had a great day on good, great and bad mom mornings. We played together and enjoyed our days none the less. But, those days that I really make the extra effort make me feel good, and they usually provide for some extra special memories. The other important thing: I can't be supermom all the time! I have to be willing to be my best, but forgive myself when I'm not! I love being a parent, but I really love my sleep too!
Happy Memorial Day to all the fabulous mamas in my life! You help me be the best mommy I can be, at least 20% of the time!
Neighborhood sprinkler fun!
Even Avery finally joined in on the fun!
Big and Little Suzie's birthday party ~
Big Suzies new necklace, from Claire
Suzie needs some help reading her cards ~
Blowing out our bday candles!
Good chocolaty muffins!
