Experiment 3: Day 5

{Experiment 3: Spend a little time (at least 15 to 30 minutes) a day playing with my children. During this time I have to be authentically enjoying myself, and I have to be fully present (not letting my mind wonder to what's next, etc.). I will do this experiment for 7 days and record my observations here on my blog.}

This guy doesn't have quite the "play" attention span his sister does yet. His play is more in the curiosity phase. He reserves his long term attention for the more nurturing needs of a one year old, like nursing, reading, or just snuggling. You have to stay on your toes to play with a one year old... and you can't get too comfortable, before you know it you'll be on to something else. But none the less, today Jackson and I had our own mini play date. Delightful.

Mowing the Lawn...

is a three person job.

Weekend Make-Up

We had a lot of weekend to fit into one day today. Yesterday all four of us were sick so we spent the entire (beautiful) Saturday inside... asleep mostly. But not today. Everyone was feeling better and it was another beautiful day. So today we...
spent almost the entire day outside
did some painting (see previous post)
and some yard work (see following post)
ate some ice cream (see above)
and had dinner outside

not bad for one day.

Experiment 3: Day 4

{Experiment 3: Spend a little time (at least 15 to 30 minutes) a day playing with my children. During this time I have to be authentically enjoying myself, and I have to be fully present (not letting my mind wonder to what's next, etc.). I will do this experiment for 7 days and record my observations here on my blog.}

One of the most natural ways for me to play with my children is through art. It's so easy for me to stay present when I am immersed in some form of art, and there is nothing better then doing it along side someone I love. Grace and I have gotten into the habit of painting during Jackson's nap time (when we want to work on bigger projects we like to take advantage of his nap time, but he does get in his fair share of art too). It is so enjoyable for me to watch her joy as we set up the paints... pick out our colors... and then finally dip our brushes into the paint and begin to create. This is her masterpiece that she has been working on for a week or so. It is so beautiful I think.

Today...

~Times I was puked on: 3 (with lots of other close calls)
~Loads of laundry: 5
~Times we went outside and tried to enjoy the beautiful day (even if just for a few minutes): 6
~Number of times I called Ryan to see when he would be home: 3
~Times I changed the sheets: 2
~Number of hours I spent putting children to sleep: almost 3
~Times I felt for grateful for the fact that I am still nursing Jackson: I'm not really sure on this one but I'll say a good dozen
~Number of walks we went on: 1
~Number of times Jackson threw up on the walk: 0 (One of the more triumphant moments of the day)

Time for me to take a shower now... or maybe a bath, that sounds like just what I need.

Experiment 3: Day 3

{Experiment 3: Spend a little time (at least 15 to 30 minutes) a day playing with my children. During this time I have to be authentically enjoying myself, and I have to be fully present (not letting my mind wonder to what's next, etc.). I will do this experiment for 7 days and record my observations here on my blog.}

A few things I have learned about this experiment. First of all, it is hard for me to make time for this- which is both eye-opening and concerning to me. (Life has been really busy over the past week with school/internship/etc. but still, I only need 15 minutes.) Second of all, when I can/do make the time, the happiness that results is like no other. Tonight Grace and I played paper dolls together. We played for nearly an hour and I seriously think this playing fulfilled her in a way that nothing else does. And surprisingly, because I could see how happy it made her, I also walked away from our play date incredibly fulfilled. Amazing how something so easy and simple can have such an impact.

Our Magnolia Tree...

is in bloom. So beautiful.

Experiment 3: Day 2

{Experiment 3: Spend a little time (at least 15 to 30 minutes) a day playing with my children. During this time I have to be authentically enjoying myself, and I have to be fully present (not letting my mind wonder to what's next, etc.). I will do this experiment for 7 days and record my observations here on my blog.}

I forgot how fun it is to swing when you really put your heart in it...

First Picnic at the Pond

From Our Hike...

Experiment 3: Day 1

For my next experiment I wanted to practice playing with my children while staying fully in the moment. I feel like as I go about my day, I've mastered the whole "include them in your work" philosophy, as I have no problem cleaning, doing laundry, etc. as they play and occasionally "help out" around me. And while I feel good about this, as I do believe it is important for children to see you doing housework (and play a part in it themselves), I also believe in the importance of play. Play builds trust, connection, and love between adults and children. Plus playing gets me out of that serious mom mode that sometimes overtakes me as I float around trying to check things off my to do list. While it is true that I already spend at least some time playing with my children everyday, I feel like it's more of a "multitasking kind of play"... as in Grace and I play cooking while I make dinner. And while that is also wonderful, I want to work at experiencing more of the fully present playing, as I think there can be so much joy and love to shared in such moments. So here is my experiment...

Spend a little time (at least 15 to 30 minutes) a day playing with my children. During this time I have to be authentically enjoying myself, and I have to be fully present (not letting my mind wonder to what's next, etc.). I will do this experiment for 7 days and record my observations here on my blog.

Day 1


So today we danced. Well actually we put on a show... for an imaginary audience of course. We got all dressed up (I was wearing a beautiful dark blue sequin number since there where no more tutus available), put on some music, and danced and danced. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It's quite liberating... getting into that little kid mindset and tossing all your cares away.

Tomorrow's List

My checklist for tomorrow...
- more breakfast on the deck (above)
- start my new experiment
- clean the house
- make a good dinner
- go to the park
- pick up new sample of barn paint

we'll see...

Easter Day

Today was a beautiful day. Sunny and warm. Grace and Jackson came downstairs to find their bedtime bags and immediately went to go brush their teeth for a good ten minutes (let's hope the excitement lasts). Then Ryan gave them a bath while I made french toast and smoothies (a habit that hasn't let up) for breakfast. After breakfast we started our egg hunt which ended outside with a basket of goodies. That Easter Bunny, he's so great. Jackson had his first (and eighth) piece of candy today. After our family morning we headed to Grandma's... and then Grandma's. Definitely a Happy Easter of family, food and laughter (well minus those holiday too much sugar moments).

Mama Made Easter Gifts

Grace and Jackson will find these sitting on their breakfast plates tomorrow morning. Little handmade bags just perfect for a toothbrush and toothpaste. An Easter gift from Mama to make up for the large amount of treats that will surely be eaten.

Sun + Rain =

Colorful blooms everywhere!