Friday Favorites

My current favorite thing is...

Santa Visits! 

What a fun few years of Santa visits we've had. 

We've had smiles. And laughter. Well, to be honest, we've probably dealt with more tears than smiles. With some screams thrown in, for fun. And we've had to change to family pictures instead of kid only pictures due to those tears and screams. 

But, most of all, there have been memories. 

Year one (2010). Just our little E. At 7 months old, she only had 4 more months before her buddy entered the world. She was most fascinated with Santa's beard. He was, hands down, the best Santa we've ever seen.

Year two (2011). E had no interest in hanging with Santa and B just wanted to play with the bells. This picture took about 2 seconds to take and was the maximum amount of time I could handle her screaming. I think my face, while smiling, speaks for what is going on in my mind... "Just hurry up. Hurry up. Hurry up."

Year three (2012). Our one and only kids only picture, but neither is very impressed. The attitude E is throwing...but, if you think that's bad, just wait until the 2014 picture. She was also still recovering from a nose injury; she tripped and fell flat on her face. We thought she broke her nose. Plus, this all happened two days after B ran into the corner of a wall and had a huge goose egg on his forehead. The doctor was not impressed with us. Needless to say, not the best holiday season for us. Perhaps their attitude had more to do with their convalescence than Santa. The only Santa picture that makes me a little sad.

Year four (2013). E was ready to sit on Santa's lap but not to smile for the camera. So very serious! And while this picture makes B look just a little tentative, I can assure you he let his opinion known. And he was not sitting on Santa's lap. Period. He's never gripped me so hard. He would not even let me switch sides that I was holding him on. That's how resistant he was. And I learned a valuable lesson from 2011. It's really not worth forcing it. If he wants me to hold him, is that so bad? It's funny how things I was so determined about early in parenthood (Santa pics where the kids MUST be sitting on his lap) change over time.

Year five (2014). E was all set to set on Santa's lap. She had been talking about it for weeks months. And oh my goodness does her face say it all. She's running this joint and don't you forget it. We thought we had B set to stand next to E and Santa (not sit on his lap, still a non-negotiable), but no dice. He once again had a firm grip on me and would not let me go. Another family picture was ordered.

I love our tradition of seeing Santa every year. Hopefully next year we'll have two happy, excited kids. But if we don't, that's ok, too. Santa pictures aren't for everyone. And what's so bad with a family picture? I did make a vow to get in the picture more so, really, this is a perfect opportunity. Did you grow up seeing Santa? Is it a tradition you are continuing with your kids (or will continue if you have kids)? Ever deal with a screamer? Share your story in the comments!

{P.S. If you like recaps of holidays past and present, here is my Halloween post. Costumes galore and a couple kid pics of yours truly!}

xo Sara

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The Inquisitive Child, the Tired Mommy and Frosty

I remember a time when I could put on "Frosty the Snowman" and the kids would silently watch while I enjoyed a 20 minute break. That is no longer the case considering the inquisitive daughter I have. Here are all the times E asked me "why?" during a recent viewing of this holiday favorite (with a couple of questions from her brother sprinkled in). 

My inner dialogue is in parenthesis below the questions. I did not say these things. I may have wanted to...but I resisted.

Why does he want the hat? 
(What's this? A question? Ok...I'm sure it's just one.)
Why does he say Karen is a naughty girl?
(Oh! Another one. Please, let this be it. This is supposed to be "momma's time.")
Why is the rabbit being quiet?
(Ok. We're doing this.)
Why is Frosty sad?
(Because you won't be quiet....)
Why did he fall down?
Why did the police officer say "Stop!"?
(I see. You're gonna jump in to this, too, B? I expect better from you.)
Why did he stamp all the papers?
Why didn't they get a ticket?
Why is she sneezing?
(Because she's allergic to trees and for some reason she insists on bringing a real tree into her house every Christmas... oh, Karen? Because she's cold.)
Why is she cold?
(If you're just going to ask why to the answer I give you in my head, then I'm going to stop answering...in my head.)
Why did the train stop?
Why did he jump off?
***At this point I stop attempting to answer in real life. I either say "I don't know" or "Keep watching, let's find out."***
Why did he say no?
Why did he say, "Give that hat back!"?
Why is Frosty on his belly?
Why can't he keep up?
Why is Santa flying?
Why is Karen crying?
(Because she just wanted a break. Just a little, itty-bitty, quiet break.)
Why did he run away?
(Because he didn't get a break.)

Disclaimer: I love my kids and love their inquisitive nature. I embrace it. Encourage it. But sometimes...

You just don't want to answer any more questions.

You failed me, DVD. But if you do better next time we can probably still be friends.

xo Sara

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Noisy Acting

One evening the kids were running around and being loud, doing nothing but making lots of noise with the sole purpose of irritating me.

After I gave up repeatedly asking them to be quiet, I actually watched them. I was pleasantly surprised.

They were acting out a cartoon they had recently watched. Words, actions, everything. Acting. They went from happy to mad to sad to happy...they had the dialogue down...and all the running around? Well, they were just acting out an ice skating scene.

They were so dramatic...in a very good way.

It's funny the stuff that just seems like noise until you stop and pay attention. Lesson learned.

The props. None of these were used as originally intended.

xo Sara

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No More No

I was changing the paper towel roll in the kitchen the other day when I set the old, empty roll on the counter as I attached a new one. My son came over and started reaching for it, asking if he could have it. 

I said no. 

I then stopped what I was doing. Why had I just said no? And why had I said it so quickly, with no thought? As though there was no other option?

I grabbed the empty roll and handed it to my son. He took it quickly (perhaps in fear that I'd once again change my mind) and then just stared at it in awe. In the week that followed, he only let go of it for bath time. It went in the car with him. It went outside with him. It went to bed with him. He pretended it was a telescope. A microphone. A sword. He played drums with it. His cars went through it. Endless entertainment. His fantastic imagination, on display. 

It has been the best new "toy" he's probably ever received. And I almost denied him this opportunity. 

I wasn't saying no just to be mean. I wasn't saying no because I thought it was a dangerous toy. In fact I wasn't saying no for any reason whatsoever. I said no out of reflex. Without thinking, as though 'no' is the only answer.

A few days later the kids were wrestling. This is a normal occurrence at our house. I told them to stop. They did...and then they started running around and yelling. I yelled (yes, the irony is not lost on me), "No yelling! No running!"

B stopped and said, "mommy, don't say no!"

Yes, it was a little sassy, but also a good reminder. I do say no a lot. As a mom of two preschool-aged kids, it's kind of necessary. 

At least that's what I always assumed.

From no running, no coloring on walls, no more tv, no candy for breakfast to no you can't have that. No you can't do this. No we can't go there. no. No. NO. 

I started to think about how many times a day I say no to my kids. And how many times that 'no' is just a reflex, typically because I'm preoccupied with something.

It's time to flip the script. At least that's what I'm trying to do. There will still be plenty of opportunities to say no...they are 3 and 4, after all. But I am trying to take a breath when I'm asked something. And I'm trying to only say 'no' if I have a reason. I want it to be easier to say 'yes.'

But, no, you really can't have candy for breakfast. At least not every day.

xo Sara

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Friday Favorites

{Friday Favorites. A new weekly installment where I write about a favorite thing. It could be anything--a book I couldn't put down, a restaurant I love, a quote that resonated for me. Fridays are fun days so let's have fun!}

My current favorite thing is...

Civic duty!

If you know me, you know I'm a closet nerd. Or is it geek? And is it really "closet" if everyone knows? Regardless, I like politics, I like current events, I like reading, I like pop culture. And election day is basically my super bowl. 

I'm not going to tell you where my politics lie. To be honest that's not with this is about. It's about how special it is that we get the privilege of voting. We get a say. And I love seeing what people in my little community, my state and my country have to say. Sometimes I agree, sometimes I disagree, but you know what? We all have a voice. 

Plus, I love including my kids in the process. No, they don't really understand it, but they've gone every year with us since they were babies (because yes, we even vote on those really off years when you are literally just voting for city council members or school board representatives or other random positions). And this year when I said we had to go vote, my daughter replied with, "Yay! We'll walk to the school and when we're done we get a sticker!" So no, she doesn't understand the voting specifics, but she remembers that it is an activity we do every year. And that you get a sticker when you're done.  You know, the important parts.

I hope you all let your voices be heard this week. And I love that I have friends and family whose politics run all over the board--republican, democrat, green party, independent--and yet we all love each other and respect each other's opinions. Yay, America!

And as exciting as mid-term elections are...I'm VERY excited to see how the next couple of years shake out and who ends up on the ballot in 2016. Oops. There's the "closet" nerd coming out again. Oh, well. 

xo Sara

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Follow

On Time and Turning Five

"Mommy, on my next birthday I'll be FIVE!"

That statement made me stop in my tracks. Every birthday brings an element of "where does the time go" and "oh my goodness, my baby isn't a baby anymore!" But FIVE.

Five years old. I don't know what it is about hearing her say that. I'm sure part of the reason is knowing that kindergarten is right around the bend. And I've heard that once kids start school, time really flies.

Now, I should probably pause here and share some information. 

My daughter doesn't turn 5 until May.

It's currently November.

I should probably put away the kleenex and stop contemplating what I'll wear to her high school graduation.

I have a little time to get used to this.

xo Sara

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For Girls Only

My son likes princess. He likes watching princess movies, he and his sister take turns being "Cinderella" when they play and he likes reading princess books. 

He also likes cars, balls, the Minnesota Twins, the Gophers (specifically Goldy), his toolbox, pirates, Mickey, Winnie-the-Pooh and Special Agent Oso (he's currently obsessed with that bear). And he loves his sister and wants to do what she does. And she loves princesses. 

Sometimes this fact about my son makes people's eyes widen a bit. I see that uncertainty, that next question, that look. Most of the time it ends with that. And I wonder if I should keep my son's love of princesses to myself (he'll probably wish I had when he's older...but, too late now). I wonder if it's something we should just acknowledge behind closed doors. 

And then I realize how ridiculous that is. 

Who cares. Who cares that he likes princesses. That's just one of his many interests. 

And why is it that my daughter's love of building (a more traditional "boy" activity) is celebrated but my son liking princesses is not? And, more importantly, why are these gender roles assigned to toys?

Have you walked down a toy aisle recently? Everything (and I mean every. single. thing.) is marketed for either boys or girls. Including things that don't even make sense to assign a gender to, like Magna Doodles. Sure my daughter likes pink, but you know what? So does my son. Do I really need Legos that are specifically marketed just for my daughter? 

I have a boy and a girl. And they are 11 months a part. So they play with a lot of the same toys, watch the same cartoons, read the same books. They like a lot of the same things. The older they get the more like twins they seem, not just "irish twins." And my husband and I joke that we just need to always buy two of the same things--because whatever one has, the other wants. It really doesn't matter what it is. 

I'm used to outside opinions on this matter, but in our house we are accepting of all likes. We encourage and embrace, we don't shame and deny.  At least that's what I thought. The outside has slowly crept in, as I discovered when I overheard this exchange between my children recently.

They were in my daughter's room and she was looking at a pile of princess books. B approached and wanted to look, too. And E said: 

"No, B! Princess books are for girls! Go play with your cars."

I wondered where she had heard this. I wondered if she really understood what she was saying. I wondered if she knew how badly she had hurt her brothers feelings. I also wondered if she thought of cars as something she shouldn't play with. At this point none of that was important, what mattered was that the crying little boy knew that he could, indeed, look at the princess books. 

We eventually reached an agreement over the princess books. I decided to make it more of a "sharing" issue than a "gender stereotype" issue. I figured I'd have better luck approaching it from that angle. But I did make sure to talk about how ALL our toys are for boys AND girls. 

It was one of those parenting moments that made me think. I have a feeling I'll have lots of those over the next few years...especially with having a boy and a girl. And yes, I'm sure I'll write all about them (sorry to future E and future B).

xo Sara

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Rain, Rain...Don't Go Away

I've been a little unmotivated recently. 

I haven't written anything new. I'm behind on my reading. And don't even get me started on household chores.

But this morning instead of feeling the anxiety of it all, I felt content.

Because...
even though it's a gloomy morning
and there's rain on my window,
I've got coffee in hand,
mickey on tv,
blanket on,
and my son holding on to me.

It's a good day.

Happy Wednesday, friends.

xo Sara

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