A first for a 2 1/2 year old

Cami's hair has grown SO much! So yesterday I decided that I was going to get it cut, no matter how hard it was on her (& me!). The thought that she wouldn't have the natural curl, just broke my heart... But as you can see, it needed to be cut!

I was so worried she wouldn't hold still. I have cut her bangs before, and she has the hardest time with it. But she just sat there, and let the lady cut it. The entire time she was getting it cut, Grant would say, "Cami are you so excited?? It's your first hair cut". When she was almost done, he told her in front of all the ladies, "I am so proud of you Cami, you're doing it!!" Yes, he is a great big brother, and he does love his sisters!!

The finished product... It's growing on me! I will have to get use to her not having curl. But I am proud of her!!!

We love you Aunt Shelby!

The end of Feb was Shelby's birthday. I had envisioned this great gift idea, of the kids holding signs that said, "We Love You". I sooo badly wanted her to have something to have around to make her smile...

This proved to make me not smile, as it became clear that the kids did not want anything to do with it... Maybe I won't leave it to the last minute next time! I'm sorry Shelby!!

Cami, again, was not having any part of this!

So Grant took over to get it done, so we could leave!

We love you Aunt Shelby and promise you a better picture for that frame!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

We have lift off!

Guess who's crawling?!?!?! she started doing it a week or so ago, but now she is all over the place!! So much fun... And so much work!!

If I had my children to raise again.

(Grant and Cami enjoying their "juice" party)
About a week ago, I came across a poem that made me stop and think about me being a parent. I hate being stressed out, and always yelling at my kids. I know, trust me, I know it is a choice. I have decided to make a choice and start enjoying my children (as I have tried and tried before). But I want to look back and not regret worrying about this or that, I want to know I did everything I could to make them happy. So enjoy the poem... Maybe it'll have some profound impact on you. Or not. It's ok, it did on me ;)

If I Had My Child To Raise Again

If I had my child to raise over again
I'd build self-esteem first
and the house later
I'd finger paint more
and point the finger less
I would do less correcting
and more connecting
I'd take my eyes off my watch
and watch with my eyes
I would care to know less
and know to care more
I'd take more hikes
and fly more kites
I'd stop playing serious
and seriously play
I would run through more fields
and gaze at more stars
I'd do more hugging
and less tugging
I'd see the oak tree in the acorn more often
I would be firm less often
and affirm much more
I'd model less about the love of power
And more about the power of love.
-Diane Loomans

Drama-rama-mama

Anyone who knows me, or well, the younger me, knows that I come with plenty of "drama". I'd like to state that I've hated it for some time, and have been able to keep my life simple for a long time now... Except when it comes to Grant. The kid is so much like me, we tend to have drama-rama days at our home. Maybe it's normal, I don't know. Today has been difficult. It's 40 degrees and he's out playing in the water. Granted that he was trying to fill up the chickens water, but OH MY GOODNESS. I just stood there trying not to yell. I just walked away. He ran after me saying he was sorry and he didn't want me to leave and he wanted me to be his mommy. It broke my heart. I told him I would always be his mom. The fact is, Grant is a great kid, I just tend to not be a great mother.

He continues to watch out for his sisters, and me. Yesterday I was lying in bed (cold and with a headache); he came in and wanted to know what was wrong. I told him, and he brushed the hair from my cheek and gave me a kiss. Amazing. He is getting easier to just deal with, and he is able to comprehend things, which helps a ton! Oh my ever growing little boy. I hope he always knows how special and loved he is!

I had a parent teacher conference with his preschool teacher last week. I guess I am not the only one who is amazed at this little boy. He has blown everyone out of the water with how much he knows and can retain. She told me to put him in Kindergarten, even if the teacher makes a big deal with him being a “young” 5. Today we did his valentines, and I was taken back when he started picking them up (after I wrote the kids names on it) and began telling me they’re names. He also knows his letters, and can say a word and tell me what it starts with. Again, HOLY COW!! I remember reading about my cousin’s boy, Drew, and how proud she was when he started learning these things… I now understand! He is also starting to problem solve. If I tell him no, we can’t do something, he comes up with a solution. He is also great at solving issues with Cami. He just amazes me.

I hope that on days like this, Grant will never question how amazing he is. I hope he never questions my love for him. He is a great kid, and he is special to me. I just need to learn to be better at this Mom thing.