My kids are watching "Enchanted Meatballs" right now. You get an imaginary gold star if you know which movie that is. A more concrete schedule is settling in on our family, which I am extremely happy for. It seems like it's taken quite a while for us! I thought finding a new normal after 3 kids would be easy like it had been with our first two, but nope. I know it didn't help having a a husband in the thick of thesis writing/graduate school, or moving to a completely different state either. I've learned a lot over the past year though. After reading a friend's post about remembering herself as a interesting person along side her children, I was motivated to write some of what I've been up to.
1. I count myself among the women obsessed with all things Jane Austen, or anything from the era she wrote about. I loved the new BBC productions put out for Emma, Persuasion, and Northanger Abbey this year. I am dying to watch "Young Victoria." I'm waiting for it to hit the dollar theater, because I hate paying more than a few bucks to see a movie in the theater
2. Trader Joe's has some great stuff. I love their Oreo knock-off, Joe-Joe's. Pile 4 or 5 of them in a small bowl with Breyer's Vanilla Bean ice cream, and you've got a piece of heaven to eat.
3. I've had to drop some hobbies to create sanity and free myself of unnecessary life clutter. Scrapbooking and beading were put on the chopping block. I cut back on what I read, trying to be better at pacing myself. If a book can suck me in, I'll justify that 1 am bedtime to finish it. But then I hate myself in the morning. Currently I'm reading "Parenting with Love and Logic." It's got good ideas trying to prevent yelling at your kids, and not creating control battles with them. I still love sewing.
4. I love the beach. I know I will miss it a lot when we leave California!
5. I passed my seasonal allergies onto Evelyn. Poor kid.
6. My crock-pot has become a good friend in the last 6 months. I love nothing more than having minimal dinner preparation!
7. I miss seeing farmland. We see strawberry patches on the freeways, but it is not the same at all.
8. I'm becoming increasingly interested in trying to do things that are better for my family, and for the environment. I'm not turning into a hippie or anything like that. I think global warming and "carbon footprints" are hokey. But doing things like cleaning with more natural ingredients, recycling (which is huge in CA), less processed food, driving less, etc. are really good.
9. I've decided I like hats. They're fun, keep my skin looking good, and cover up the not-so-good haircut I got about a month ago. I've got 5 currently, I think that number will grow.
9. I've decided I like hats. They're fun, keep my skin looking good, and cover up the not-so-good haircut I got about a month ago. I've got 5 currently, I think that number will grow.
That's plenty long for now. I could go on, but no one would get to the end of this thing!
6 comments:
Love it, shaunie. It's cool to read about what moms are really doing (besides mothering, of course :) It's just too bad that we aren't doing all that stuff in the same town, it would be fun to get to spend more time with you and your family! If you ever drive through our part of Utah, call us and we'll meet you by the I-15 for ice cream or something!
p.s. I also got a less than lovable haircut last week...maybe I'll have to try your hat trick :) and good idea about dropping a hobby to save sanity. Very wise!
Cloudy with a chance of meatballs!
I love to hear what you've been up to. I have been struggling to 'find my groove' after having the baby also. I feel like adhering to a nap schedule has ruined our routine and my house is always trashed, but the thought of eliminating the reading and the other things was hard. I got a book on cd and only listened to it while I was cleaning and I was freakishly productive yesterday!
We miss you.
Shaunie,
I would never know you felt like you were just getting back on track after having Gordon, you always seem so put together and organized! Really I'm always impressed with your patience and sense of calmness. We sure love hanging around with you and your happy kids. If you ever want some more "me" time, I'd be happy to babysit!
Jenny - I never felt like naps impeded my routine until Gordon came along. I don't know if it's because the shopping multiplies with each kid, or the older ones are busy with things to do and places to go, but the naps have been hard. But it's either sleep or a screaming child. I'm eagerly awaiting the time when Gordo's solidly on one nap.
Oh I like hearing about how it is with a third kid with you and jenny. I wasn't worried but now I am getting a little nervous. Do you have any ideas/advice before our lives are turned upside down in about 3 weeks?
I like your post of interests etc. We are a lot alike. It is fun to know! =) Glad things are starting to normalize!
Missing the farmland along with you. The weather here: LOVE it (except the lack of seasons). The beaches: LOVE them. The city: claustrophobic. :) Glad I'm not the only one perhaps suffocating just a little bit here. And glad things seem to be getting into a groove for you! :)
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