12 posts tagged “jenna & nate”

Just stopping in to share a few photos from hanging poolside yesterday and my sister's BarBque last night.  Fun times.  Not sure what we'll do tomorrow... maybe the pool again, but I am still a little pink from yesterday, so we'll see.

Hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend!

Kids enjoying the sunshine at the lake while I am working my tailend off today.  Lucky kids.

 

 

this one came across next... I was told they thought this was "Captain Hook", and they weren't corrected... ha

 

 

How can you not want to just swoop them up and wanna take them home with ya forever?  Gosh I am one blessed Mommy.  :o)

We did these for my stepdad for his Bday.  I can't wait to give them to him.  He's gonna LOVE them!!

 

 

I remember a few years ago when my kids were one years old and three years old.  My life was a whirl of activities.  It seemed like all I did was get little people things to eat, clean up after them and keep them out of trouble.  It was a full-time job.  I'd go to bed at night exhausted, longingly looking at a novel on my bedside table that had been sitting there collecting dust for over a year. 

It was rare that I had time for myself, unless I stayed up a couple hours later than them, and then I paid for that the next morning when they woke at the crack of dawn demanding food and drink.  And even if I did stay up late, more often than not I'd end up doing laundry or doing dishes... not relaxing to watch TV or read a book like I wanted. 

Jenna and Nate are nearly six and four now, and though they still demand food and attention, they have become so much more independant.  However I'd like to credit myself with that.  Atleast a little.

From an early age I taught them to brush their teeth, get dressed themselves, get their own snacks and clean up their rooms.  Recently I even taught them how to fold washrags and handtowels.  It gives them a sense of accomplishments and frees me up to do other household things that need to be done.

As much as I enjoy doing things for them, it's not practical or even fair to them to do everything for them.  By enabling them to take care of themselves I've taught them to be self-sufficient and given them confidence in themselves... a sense of accomplishment and pride.  We all have our responsibilities and rely on each other as a family. 

So these days I find time to watch TV while they play independantly.  I can check my email while they get thier pj's on and brush their teeth.  And since I am not completely exhausted when I finally find time to get to bed, I have time to enjoy a few chapters of a novel.  All of this feeds into me being a healthier and happier mom. 

I have friends whose children are still in that very dependant stage that mom has to do everything for them.  I encourage them to not get caught up in the habit and know it's not forever. 

Things I did that help me:

• Give the kids a organized place for their toys.  If everything has a place and you teach them to put it back in that place, it makes cleaning up easier.  Baskets/bins on shelves are great for things like cars, puzzles, crafts. 
• Keep a stool in the bathroom so they can reach their toothbrush, toothpaste and soap. 
• Make the bottom shelf of the pantry for their snacks.  I keep things like mini-packs of raisons, whole grain goldfish, cereal bars, and graham crackers that they can easily by themselves.  They know they have to ask permission first, but if I say okay, they can go get thier snack themselves.  I also keep a sippy/straw cup of juice/water ready in the refrigerator on the bottom shelf, so they can get their drink when they are thirsty and they know if they don't finish it to put it back there.  We re-use one cup all day, and that keeps me from having to do a ton of dishes everyday.
•  Children as young as 3 can do small chores... pick up their toys, put their dinner dishes in the sink, fold simple things like washrags and handtowels, wipe the table after dinner, put their clothes away in their drawers... and they truly love the pride they get when you praise them for their help.

Anyways... I was just thinking today how much easier it's gotten.  The discipline and teaching and guiding is still hard and never stops, but the physical work has atleast gotten easier as they have gotton older and more independant.  And there isn't just a sense of pride for them, but for me too, when I realize that by doing my job when they were young, I've given them the skills they need to take care of themselves.

I am sad they are growing up, but proud of who they are growing up to be.

 

Who knew Target Portrait Studio could do such a decent job for very little money?  Well they did.  I am pleased.  Aren't they the cutest valentine's a girl could have?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snapped this on the way out the door to school today... they have pictures, so they didn't have to wear their usual uniforms and they were very excited.  (yes, I am aware Nate has outgrown the length of his pants... looks like I need to hit Old Navy this weekend).  I can't get over how grown up they look here.  Where did my babies go?

I feel like I am dying.  Or wish I was dead that is.  This is the worst part of being a single mom, as you can't just shut off your life and head to bed like you could if there was a spouse to back ya up.  I made it through dinner, dessert, baths, snacks and finally it's almost bedtime. 

Jenna and Nate both know I am sick, heck I don't have the energy to yell at them or the voice... ha... so they both made me a snack earlier (sliced bannanas, an apple and some grapes on a plate... I wish I had taken a picture, it was so sweet).  Then Nate sprinkled me with glitter and said it was magic get better dust.  Jenna and Nate made me these get well cards.

I am so blessed to have such caring little babies.  Feeling really loved right now.

Last night was fun.  I got on the computer to download some new tunes last night (loving Sara Barailles stuff)... and while I was working on that Jenna got out her addition flash cards and we fooled around with them. 

Nate who's barely learning to count past 10 (ha) decided he wanted in on the action, so Jenna started playing teacher and was actually pretty good at it.  Nate was really catching on to adding lower numbers together with her help and encouragement. 

I guess I shouldn't be all that suprised... she did potty-train him during my emotional spiral while I was seperated and going through the divorce.  She's always been his little coach.  He worships her and does just about anything she suggests.  Sometime this gets him in trouble, but mostly she's been a good influence for him.

After that we decided to get out some paper and markers and stickers for craft/art time.  Nate is still in the random scribbling stage, and Jenna gets disgusted with his bouts of abstract creativity.  I was engrossed with getting some Maroon 5 songs when Jenna states "Mommy look!  I taught Nate how to make a smiley face!"  And sure enough she did (I will try and remember to post a picture later, as they were quite cute).  Nate was just beaming with pride.  And Jenna was going on and on about what a "good boy" he was.  She even asked for some tape so we could tape his smilies up next to her prized drawings in the playroom.

At that moment I sat back and really looked at my two lovely children and felt my heart fill so full.  Despite the trouble they get into at times, and the headaches they cause, and the outbursts of sibling rivalry... these two precious beings are mine.  And they genuinly love and enjoy each other, as much as I enjoy being their mom. 

Suddenly I had a flash into the future.  Jenna giving Nate advice on girl troubles, them discussing what colleges to go to, being there for one another someday when I can no longer be.  It saddens me to think of them growing up so fast, but it encourages me to see that despite a broken marriage and a semi-mentally unstable dad... they have each other... best friends for life.  And it's evident that their love is based on the fact that they are each other's constant in a world of change and confusion.  I am so blessed to have them... and they are so blessed to have each other.

 

 

 

I've decided it's impossible to get three people to look at the camera, smile and keep their eyes open all at the same time.  Especially when two of them are children.  Even if I have a tripod and a remote control.  Well I tried my best.  Ha.

Show us your favorite photograph.

I have so many... it's hard to pick just one... but just about any picture of my kids smiling and loving on each other makes my day.