Cool Mom Points

A couple of weeks ago we had 7 days straight of "too cold to go outside even for a couple of minutes" temperatures. The actual temps were in the -25 degrees range. We won't even bring up windchill. When one has a high of -1 forecast for a week straight, one wonders what one should do to keep one's children from driving one and all crazy!

There was one day in particular that we had exhausted all posibilties, including more screen time than I would have liked (in the form of Wii and movie watching).

I took a deep breath and I sorta mumbled the words, "Maybe you should get the playdough out". And they did. And I got major points. And I survived. And the kids had a blast for over an hour.

Monday morning Daybook

For Today
January 31, 2011

Outside my window...More snow! I don't think this snow was in the forecast, which is by far, the best kind of snow. We woke up to cold temps, but a beautiful blanket of white. (insert content sigh)

I am thinking...We have a lot to do before the baby gets here. I have a lot of lists happening and February is the month that it all has to get done. And if not? The baby comes anyway and some things don't get done...that knowledge is not the best motivator.

I am thankful for...A dear lady who will be watching our children so I can attend Brett's recital this week, and go out afterwards! What a special treat!!!

In our homeschool...This Monday we are getting a later start than usual, but I have no doubt that we'll still get everything done.

From the kitchen...Tomorrow is "pay day", and so the kitchen has not seen anything too impressive lately. I think we'll have chicken tonight if I remember to take it out of the freezer, and I have a big grocery list/menu to work on today.

I am wearing...Some khaki maternity pants, black maternity shirt, with my SDMEA All-state sweatshirt on top...classy. Oh yeah, can't forget the giraffe socks. They are the only part of the ensemble that actually fit.

I am creating...A more predictable routine, a baby (well, co-creating, but still), and lists, lists, lists.

I am going...to stay in for this morning. I was going to go to a LLL playday in Duluth this morning, but the snow is telling me to stay put. I used to be involved in LLL in Texas and really enjoyed the women there. I'm in a little bit of a friend "rut" and thought I'd branch out a bit.

I am reading...More than I have in years thanks to my Nook. I've read "Sense and Sensibility", "Mansfield Park", and am currently reading, "Simplicity Parenting" with "Unplanned" waiting on deck. Reading has helped me to establish the quiet that I need and rarely take.

I am hoping and praying for...My dear Grandma who recently had surgery and is now facing a long and somewhat complicated recovery. Her name is Ruby and I'm sure she would appreciate any prayers. Also on my prayer list is for a safe and healthy labor, delivery, and recovery. This is the time in my pregnancy when I tend to focus on too many "what ifs".

I am hearing...children sort of getting their morning chores done. I hear way too much talk and play and not enough work. I can also hear someone playing piano which should mean that that particular individual's chores are finished, but I can guarentee they are not.

Around the house...I need to focus on the house more during the weekend. During the week our house is usually in order. We stick to our routine and things get done. Weekends happen and none of us (especially me) pay much attention to the house. Monday mornings are not a good time to need to clean the house.

One of my favorite things...Staying up late with my husband, watching a movie, and snacking on food the kids don't even know exist in our house.

A few plans for the rest of the week...I will begin doubling several recipes this week and putting half in our freezer for after this baby is born. The semester is in full swing so we will have Newman Center obligations both tonight and tomorrow. We will be paying particular attention to our grocery list to make sure we have enough Super Bowl food (Green and Gold baby!). I think Brett has a couple of gigs this week, but other than that, just a regular week for us.

A picture thought I'm sharing Veronica's ever loyal "baby puppy" watches on as she creates a masterpiece despite the fact that she was running a very high fever that day.

Helpers

With a little extra time on my hands I've found I'm much more inclined to allow little people to help me in the kitchen. This little person helped cut olives and brown the meat.

This little person helped by eating the cut olives and grated cheese.

Nurse Nica

Long story short: Gianna fell down the stairs, like all the way down, face first. Praise God (and thank you guardian angel) she is fine. She may not have been so fine if she didn't have her little sister nursing her back to health.

There was a slight scratch on Gigi's hand, but Nica made sure it was well looked after.

I'm Bored

No, this is not a post about my children uttering those awful words. It's all about me today. I'm bored. This new schedule has really taken off and we've been so diligent in our work that I find myself, multiple times a day, without a thing to do.

Yes, yes. I realize there's always something to do. I apparently am lacking the motivation to find things to fill the empty spaces of the day, probably because I'm not used to having spaces in the day to fill.

Take yesterday for instance. We did our regular morning stuff, plus a trip to our realtor's office, plus karate. Then, I read to the kids, in the middle of the day, for an hour. An hour! And then...I still had more time. Dinner? In the crockpot. Laundry? Completely finished. Schoolwork? Please, that was completed hours ago. Every room was clean, every child spent time with, every person in the house was fed (for the time being), and I still found myself with extra time.

Here I sit again. We're having leftovers for lunch, even if we all detested the meal the first time. The kids have finished their schoolwork, the kitchen is clean, dinner is prepared as far as it can be at this point. (Insert twiddling of thumbs here).

Ideas for filling my extra time:
-Continue reading "Mansfield Park"
-Pray more, always a good thing
-Walk on treadmill
-Wash baseboards....nah!
-Pretend that I scrapbook (last entry was Oct.2003)

Any more ideas? I will be honest and say that I have a basket of clean sheets (yes, it's sheet washing day!) that need to be put back on beds, but that takes maybe 15 minutes (don't laugh, at 3o weeks 5 days pregnant 15 minutes is impressive). I still have 1 1/2 hours until lunch, and then all afternoon, and then, oh dear.

Same word, different topic.

I'm also bored with my clothes. I've reached *that* point in my pregnancy where I don't like anything I have to wear. I'm not overly large, just big enough to not feel "cute" in anything. I usually allow myself a couple of new shirts every pregnancy, but I decided this time around I'd just deal.

Please?

Morning Glory

If I looked that good in the morning there would be many more pictures of me on this blog.