Making It A Happy January

January is that month here that often gets a bad name.

C'mon, you mix frigid temperatures plus blustery winds with trying to be a mega genius homeschooling mom and even the most saintly person is going to fail.

I speak from experience, we've been doing this gig for eight years now.

Years past have taught me that new material, even in the form of a brightly illustrated workbook, needs to be brought out in January. I hold in reserve just a few minor tricks up my sleeve because let's face it, by January even I'm tired of the monotony.

While making plans back in December and consulting our lesson plans, I also felt that the toddlers needed a shift as well. I had done great for a couple of months with printing off projects, giving them oodles of paper, glue, and other supplies to keep them busy. With Gianna turning four next month and Margaret just one year behind, I also saw that they may be ready for more structure. My current plan needed to change in order to find the balance.

That also meant that while I knew what they needed, I didn't quite know how I'd find the time planning required. In a bit of a lightbulb moment, I remembered a program my bigger kids enjoyed when they were around that age. It would serve as a great addition to other workbooks, printouts, and worksheets the girls were already doing during the week. Secretly I hoped it still existed, but the budget conscious side of me cringed knowing it would be a sacrifice.

I clicked on over to Carol's and found that she did still put together monthly packets of simple lessons and all the crafting supplies necessary to do all of them. They still have a break down of two different age groups (18 mo-3 years/ 2-5 years), as well as a regular curriculum or Christian based one. After debating it in my mind for a few days and also enduring a few days of endless "I want to do a project" from one of the girls, I jumped. I bought a set for each of the girls for the month of January.

Since we've returned to our regular school days, I haven't been disappointed in that decision. And you know what? Neither have my girls. They ask every morning if they get to do school and what kind of project they'll be doing.

Would you like another tip? I found that by moving back my big kids' school time start just by 30 minutes, I give the girls their time first in the morning. I cannot tell you how much they love that attention, the songs, the short lesson, time with mom, and the projects.

They are excited to tell daddy what they learned about that day at school. They are eager to show off their projects to him and the big kids as well. I had no idea just a slight adjustment and addition to our day would be such a great thing. I also didn't realize what a treasure that time was with them and that it would lead to less disruptions during school time for the big kids.

It's given me a new outlook for the rest of the school year and brightened our January. Now I need to find a way to keep fitting it in the budget at least for the remainder of this school year.


As a bonus, do you know what else also helps in January? A Happy Light.

I highly recommend it for my struggling, less than chipper friends who join me in this tundra.


Do you have any tips for surviving a rather bleak month? 

From The Mouth Of My Babes

Gianna:

When I get bigger, I'm not going to be married with a ring.

Concerned Mom:

Oh really? What are you going to do instead?

Gianna:

Water plants.

Margaret:

When I be big, I'm going to put stuff in the crockpot.


-----------

(Overheard conversation while the girls are eating chocolate covered raisins)


It's like we're eating baby poop from a diaper.

*giggle* *giggle*

Baby's poop......


Margaret:

Guardian angels don't poop in THEIR DIAPERS!!!

*snort, snort* *hilarious eruption of laughter*


Oh dear. Oh my. What's with the crazy humor? That fourth child just may be my trouble maker after all.


---------------


Needing Validation Mom:

Gianna, are you going to miss me when I'm gone for a few days?


Gianna:

Nope.

But I'm sure gonna miss daddy when he's gone to work!




Well I guess everything will turn out just fine while I'm away.

Gianna won't miss me and Margaret will get the chance to be a big girl and use the crockpot to make supper.



**My secret hope is that Margaret will decide to be a 'big girl' and start using the toilet while I'm gone. 

As Easy As ABC

It's no lie, I love Pinterest. 

I do, however, need to get way better at executing what I pin or using a dash of restraint lest I become Pin-Happy. 

Recently I did find a great idea for a toddler ABC/123 notebook that I thought was doable.

A quick trip to Walmart and I landed my supplies x2:

:: Durable binders

:: Heavy Duty sheet protectors

: Binder Pouches

:: Washable Dry Erase Markers

A quick click to download the alphabet, numbers and covers.

Slip them in the handy dandy sheet protectors.

Finished project in no time!

My girls are enjoying them (insert happy toddler photo here), but because of their age I do keep them within eyesight when they are working in their binders. I see this as having wonderful prospect for the summer and a simple way I can also work on their letters and numbers with them. 

I definitely need to score some more projects like this that creatively tame and guide the busy toddler. 

Answer me this: 

How do you best use Pinterest? And how on earth do you not pin every.stinking.amazingly.awesome.thing on there??!!

Just wondering.

7 Quick Takes

Hopping right in with all the Friday fun with 7 random Takes from the home front.

1.

From the Gianna files:

"Are we going to get Margaret's potty train?"

"No, you can help me POTTY TRAIN her so she will go potty on the toilet and wear big girl undies like you."

Then, quizzically, "But when are we going to go get her potty train?"


So I guess the idea that the almost 3 yo toddler would help me with the almost 2 yo toddler potty training is just too confusing.

2.

It's always exciting to have a new little family member, isn't it? I enjoy watching other women's bellies round and form little people as we all anticipate little one's arrival. I became auntie again for the 12th time yesterday. Miss Alice arrived yesterday, overdue by a week. I'm betting my little girls are gonna have a blast traumatizing playing when she comes to visit!

3.

Another one from Gianna:

While picking out the day's underwear she says to daddy,

" I have My Little Pony underwear, stars ones and picnic underwear!"

What?!

 The 'picnic' underwear are a pink and white plaid pair. What original thinking, my dear.

4.

Not to be outdone by the female population, Jonah has had some interesting things on his mind lately. Like the other night after bath.

"Will I ever get cancer?"

"Well, I can't say for sure, but most people don't. I hope not."

" Oh good. I don't think I would look very good bald."

"I'm sorry, but have you seen the men on your dad's side of the family? They are mostly lacking hair on their heads. Unless you got my amazing hair genes, that may be your future hair as well."

Downcast. "Well, is there some kind of spray or something that I can put on my hair to make sure I don't go bald?"

"Sure, but most men are stubborn and choose not to use it (like your dad)."

He moves on, still thinking.

"It's just that I don't think I'll be very attractive if I am bald."

Oh man, where does this stuff come from?

5.

Lily and I decided to start a new hobby in 2014. After Patty posted about her daughter making a hat, I was impressed and inspired. Thanks to some guidance from Patty, I started searching knitting and loom knitting. It turns out loom knitting is like the bees knees and a bit easier to learn (mommy brain likes easy). I spent a little extra Christmas money on two round loom sets, a flower loom and yarn to get us started. It's so much fun! We finished the girls' hats first and then Lily worked on hers and finished in a day, just picking it up at leisure. I'm almost finished with one for baby Alice and then we have a couple requests for a couple more. A yarn shopping spree is in order for this weekend. Yeah, we're just a little addicted.

6.

Here's a goodie from Pope Francis, you know, cuz that man has always got something good to say. I only wish I could remember 1/4 of what His Awesomeness says. I blame Mommy Brain.

Here's what he said on World Communication Day this week:

'In a world like this, media can help us to feel closer to one another, creating a sense of the unity of the human family which can in turn inspire solidarity and serious efforts to ensure a more dignified life for all. Good communication helps us to grow closer, to know one another better, and ultimately, to grow in unity.'

You can read more here.

As someone who took a hiatus from blogging for a few months I can definitely attest to this solidarity of which he speaks. Modern communications can definitely be a very good thing when used for good and to build up and encourage the Body of Christ.

7.

You've seen the Sheenazing Award nominees, right?

My goodness, there are some excellent blogs out there! There are a good number of my buddies to vote for and so many new friends to meet.

If you haven't already seen Bonnie's amazing list or voted, what are you waiting for?

Go vote now!

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends! As for us, we are planning to head to my hometown for 'Winter Worship'-Mass with a ton of people, a couple of our favorite priests and our new Bishop! Along with a visit to my parents as well.

(What? I didn't tell you about our new Bishop and how I got to meet him?  Well, I've got a pic or two to share. You'll have to wait until next week when I hope to do a catch up post for you all.)

Sands Of Time

My baby is almost 18 months and in the last two weeks she has grown by leaps and bounds in the language department.

How in the world did she suddenly take a ginormous step of epic proportions when I turned by back?!

It's a fourth child thing, I'm sure of it. She's got to be a big girl in order to keep up with the masses, you know. She's got words to speak in order to be heard since gone are the days when someone responds to her every cry.

I smile and respond to every new word: raisins, Jesus, mess, splash, baby, hat, eye, puppy, horse, cow and so many more.

Of course my favorite is Mommy. She graduated herself from Mama to calling me Mommy. She's growing up fast, she is, and she knows it.

Part of me breathes a sigh of relief that we made it this far all in one piece, because there was that day that I cried wondering if we'd all get here at all. The other part of me clings to what has passed and the present that flashes by with eager persistence.

Every few months we do this dance, Time and I. We reminisce and I pull back looking for what has been, but in the end we cling together and sail along. I wish to be more like Mary in my Martha world, but the dear Martha in me sees so much to be done around me that I haven't the time to take in each moment.

One day, I'll learn. I hope so any way. You'd think that by baby four all that I needed to know and learn about parenthood and the passage of time I would have done already.

'And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.'

Luke 2:19

I kiss the cheeks of the toddlers and grab one more faint glance. I desperately try to sear the image somewhere in the toddler files of my heart. I then turn to the Tween and the Boy and in a flash recall their toddler days as I struggle to embrace the new motherhood that their ages now call me into being.

I only hope and pray I can figure it out before I'm shoved right into the throws of Teenagers.

Time waits for no one. And neither do gray hairs.

Both of these things I know to be true based on experience.

Life At The Sink

She hears the water running in the sink and the dishes start to clatter. Her ears must have a special radar that can hear me from miles away. With lightning speed she runs to the kitchen, grabs a chair and pushes it to the sink. The chair leg catches the two rugs in its path as she drags it to the sink.

It's like this every single time I do dishes and yet most of the time I still find myself frustrated by the process. Upset by her lack of understanding how annoying her 'help' is to me. 

I should get over it, I know I should. 

But every time it's the same thing. She insists that the water be left on by repeatedly saying 'push button'. She's just playing in the water, I remind myself. She fills and refills the bowls, cups and containers over and over and over again. Until she tries to pour water from one item to another on the counter and the flood appears. Then that's the end, because I have limits and she knows that the limit is one flood per washing. 

Impatience is a funny thing that brings out the worst in even the best of us. Patience is tested in the face of toddlers. She's learning and growing and this is all a process, but it's also the process by which I shall (hopefully) gain Heaven. She's teaching me about Heaven and Christ while she's helping me get there. 

If only I pay attention. 

I usually don't.

How often must I make my God impatient with me as I return to the sink and spill and make a mess. He must sigh and forgive me for being human and born with a free will. He knows I'll be back, because I always am. He also knows I will return to His living water and we'll be reunited. 

My toddler does teach me a lot about forgiveness and love, even in the most unlikely places.

All of this is an inconvenience to me. A waste of time. But to her this is a skill building activity and a memory she is making. All of this is time with her mom at the sink building a relationship.

Rinse and repeat. These years are passing, but the sink is always full of water and there are always more dishes to be done.

Like my toddler, Christ is always rushing to help me, even when I least expect Him to or desire His help the least. 

In The 'Hood: Toddlerhood

At some point along the way I forgot how busy a toddler can be. From sunrise to sunset, these kids can go, go, go.

How is it no one has figured out how in the world to bottle up all of their energy and feed it to us 30-something year old moms via IV drip?

Climbing, running, jumping, twirling, stomping, vaulting, pushing, pulling...the list is endless!

These little wonders can sure be little dickens, but you've gotta love them for their ambition. And they are pretty darn cute.

I'm finding that sometimes that cuteness needs some direction, in addition to quiet time.

Those little hands like to be kept busy and right now Gianna is right at the age where she can sit still. For a couple minutes any way.

Coloring delights the little artist to no end, but watch close or that table will become her latest masterpiece.

Give the girl some sidewalk chalk and she'll have the best of both coloring and taking in the fresh air.

A quick click or two on Pinterest led me to a concept called 'Busy Bags' and other little ideas for the toddler. There were a bunch of wonderful quick, easy and inexpensive projects for help working on fine motor skills.

This one is just a used butter container with a small hole cut out in the lid. Buy a cheap bag of different size pom-poms and the toddler can keep putting them in the hole in the lid. Gianna enjoys this one and I think the bright colors of the pom-poms are a hit as well.

While it isn't always easy to physically get out the door with naps for two, snacks for two and other randoms times two, we make the best of it when we do. Gianna is a little explorer so she finds adventure wherever she roams.

I also made sure that with school about to begin that I had a back up plan in the event the coloring, self guided play and roaming wasn't enough. I spotted these Lauri products on Amazon and pull them out only when needed, so Gianna hasn't even seen them all yet. So far, they are a hit!

With a pretty easy-going personality like Gianna's, she's usually content and a happy camper no matter what she's doing.

Unless of course it's Sunday morning and she's being confined to the church pew.

How To Tame Your Toddler

She squeals and screams.

She wiggles and squirms.

She tosses, turns and flips.

She walks and runs.

She clings.

Welcome to the 'hood: Toddlerhood.

When life brings you to the place where one resides in your home, there are a few things to keep in mind.


* Let her stand on the couch for endless amounts of time (keeping her within your reach of course, because you know what happens if you don't) staring out the window and pounding violently gently tapping on it. There are so many things to see in the outside world, even if you can't be out in it right at the moment.

* When she is old enough to walk and make the decision to walk right out of your church pew, hand her over to daddy and let him be the pew police for an hour. Many fathers have grown buff with this simple workout routine. On top of the Catholic calisthenics (stand, sit, kneel), the twist-turn-flip-flop-don't let me drop additions give him a well rounded workout.


* No matter how much you baby-proof your house, a toddler will find plenty of ways to get into things. She will explore and therefore find new ways to scare you half to death when she shows off her new findings. When you got rid of the coffee table because of the dangers it posed and replaced it with a cushy ottoman, you probably didn't realize that one day it would be her new favorite climbing obstacle.


* Don't let her innocence fool you. The cute look is either disguising
a) the bug she just ate off the dining room floor
b) the poopy diaper she is waiting to surprise you with later or
c) her plans for yet another toddler tornado in the near future

* Give her a book to quietly read (because she's brilliant for her age, of course) in the corner because it makes you the best parent ever for giving her the love of literature at an early age. If you find that she's grown tired of her cardboard and paper diet, feel free to move all of those beloved books to a high bookshelf.


* Introduce the sippy cup as soon as possible and by all means keep that thing full throughout the day. Many a problem is solved with the lure of the sippy cup and it serves as a much needed diversion on many an occasion daily.


* Be careful not to introduce the use of screen time too early for your toddler, but when the day is rough and it's only 9 am, technology is your best friend. Free children's apps (hint: Color Drops is colorful, makes sounds and lets your toddler doodle) on your iPod will take priority and you will soon rid it of anything else. It's ok, because your sanity is worth it. You're trying to keep her busy while you teach your two students, after all.


Lastly, remember that it hasn't always been this way nor will this last forever. Be happy that she is healthy and thriving. And especially grateful when it's bedtime and she goes to sleep. Quickly jump in to bed yourself because tomorrow you're gonna do this all over again.