Sprinkler and finger paint

You know I have to say, it is really fun to blog when you have something to blog about. My goal is to do at least one activity with Savannah a day. Now that she is getting older and catching onto things more, I feel the need to engage her in the activities I blog about.

Yesterday I decided to let Savannah just do what she wanted to in the morning and she wanted to watch cartoons. She would dodge back and forth to catch a few glimpses of Curious George or Sesame Street in between playing with her babies. I had a few things to get done in the morning. I figured the easiest way for me to get those things done is to keep her occupied doing the things she wanted to do in turn hopefully keeping her out of trouble for a moment. It's amazing to me that not only looks in a child come out when you have your own but also the personalities you had as a child come out in your offspring. Savannah is an early riser (usually) like her daddy was at this age. She is also always looking to get into trouble and seek adventure quite like her mama at this age.

I decided to set up the sprinkler yesterday for a little run-through-the-water fun. She was less than thrilled at the idea because I allowed her to do it. She had no problem the previous night running through the neighbors sprinkler with her clothes on and squealing with delight. Its funny how even to kids the grass is always greener in the other persons lawn. I decided to forego the swim diaper as they are costly and we were at home. Really do you think she is going to have to "go" in the 15 minutes we are out there? The answer to that question is yes. Not only will she "go" once but she will "go" twice. Lesson learned :)  As I snapped these pictures of her yesterday I had to sit back and look after uploading them where did my little girl go? She looks so grown up and has changed SOO much since last summer. The time is going by too fast.

We also did a little finger painting in the driveway. I forgot to snap a picture of that activity but she had fun wearing one of daddy's old t-shirts and taking a foam brush to the big art size sheet of paper. She did not have to worry about making a mess since it was outside. We learned about how to stroke a brush and all about the four colors. Once we get the red, yellow, blue, and green color names down we will start mixing them together to make a whole new set of colors.

As for Carson one of his favorite new activites is hanging out in his jumperoo. He likes spinning the ball to make the rattle sound and staring down the lion in the middle of the activity table. He coos and giggles as he checks out all the fun toys the jumperoo has to offer.

Well I'm off to make a little girl breakfast and get us ready for story time once again today. Hopefully she will just join right in on the fun and not waste a moment staring down the kids to decide if its a good idea to sing/dance. Another hot day here so I think the kiddie pool will be another must in today's schedule of summer fun. Happy first day of summer!

Waterpark adventure

Yesterday I was woken up at 6:45 by a little girl with no bottoms on (diaper included) and attempting to take her shirt off to hop in the shower with daddy. I was UP! Carson awoke at 7am. I decided this was the start of my Monday whether I was ready for it or not. I could really have used about 4 more hours of sleep after working so hard on the weekend. Nevertheless, it was me and the kids on our own once again. We got ready to hit the road at 8:30 in order to get all our errands done in time. Errands took me longer than I thought they would and I was doing the almost impossible...grocery shopping during lunchtime! The double carts were all out so I was forced to get a single cart with 2 kids. I am now starting to sit Carson up in a cart or high chair to strengthen his neck and stomach muscles. Plus it just makes life a tad bit easier. The single cart idea was not working. I had Carson in the front and Savannah in the basket of the cart. I did not realize how much of a disaster that would be. We had only made it down the produce and pasta aisles. Savannah had already worked on eating the buns with the bag still on, opened a box of fettuccine noodles, and was onto the single serve mac and cheese containers. I was determined to get that double cart. Went back to double check both sides of the store to make sure one had not been returned. Nothing. Darn it! I returned to my grocery shopping frazzled and hungry. Savannah had found a way to keep herself entertained now. I couldn't stop from laughing and snapping a picture quick. This child was working on stacking the items in the cart then saying 1,2, wee as they all came tumbling down (some onto the floor). I hit it in reverse after I realized this was now going to be the game of the remainder of the shopping trip. I was determined to find an ulterior way to get through this shopping trip that just wouldn't end. Alas there was a car/double cart just being returned. I quick snatched it and shuffled all my groceries to it. I had a very nice gentleman help me load my groceries into my car and we made it home just in time to eat some lunch (at 1:00). 

I was really debating after that fact if I wanted to brave a waterpark with the 2 little ones myself. I had asked a neighbor to go with me but her boys were less than thrilled to find out where we had discussed going. They decided to venture to the Y themselves for some big kid pool time. I was left with deciding whether I could handle a 4 month old and a courageous, scared of nothing 2 year old. Oh I should also add no nap 2 year old. After lunch I just decided to brave it out and go for it. It could be a complete disaster but at least I would try to give Savannah some water time. We got to the waterpark which took me a couple turn arounds because I don't have a GPS anymore (stupid GPS stealers). I had been to this waterpark once last year but couldn't remember the exact turns just the general direction. But we got there and it was a blast. Savannah was unsure of the water and the water slide at first. I finally dunked her under one of the waterfalls to get her all wet. She stood there and shivered (yes in 93 degree heat) deciding whether she liked it or not. She came back to the stroller to take some more sips of her icee and ran as fast as her little legs could take her back to the water. While watching her squeal with delight, I couldn't help but stop to think how could I ever deprive her of this amount of joy and memories because I would be too scared to handle 2 of them. After all it was my choice to have them so close together. I should be embracing every opportunity to get her out and exploring the world. The waterpark/glorified splash pad was the perfect size for me to keep an eye on her while I was next to the stroller watching Carson sleep but big enough for her to have enough activities to keep her thoroughly entertained. We were there for almost 2 hours. It wasn't a disaster getting her to leave. I asked her if she was ready to go bye bye. She waved bye to the water and wrapped her towel around herself.  We will be going back on Thursday. Savannah went to bed no problem at 9:00 and slept until 7:30. I was actually up before her for a change. Today she is laying in bed watching cartoons. I think she earned a little cartoon time after all our adventures yesterday.

Today will be a catch up day. I will do the laundry. I will sweep/mop the floors. Organize paperwork and get letters mailed/bills paid. After a crazy, busy day yesterday you just need a day to catch back up. Tomorrow will be story time and I'm sure another set of errands :) Well I'm off. I have a little girl calling my name and a shower to grab before both of them are awake and I REALLY have to start my day.

The Social Butterfly

Being a stay at home mom has forced me to be more of an introverted personality now. I stay at home and rarely talk to anyone outside in the real world. I talk to friends and family on the phone. Going places with 2 just seems to make life a little more challenging. This summer I decided to change my introverted style and start to meet people again. I had some really great friends with our very short move to Massachusetts. I haven't been able to connect as well here as I did there. I made a commit this summer that I would change all that and meet some other moms.

First on the agenda was going to Jumpin Jacks. Its an indoor playground for kids under the age of 10 (in my opinion). Savannah had a blast going down the BIG slide and crawling through all the tunnels with daddy. I met one mom there and exchanged phone numbers with her. I arranged a playdate for us the following week. I got a text a few hours before they were suppose to come saying that her daughter was starting to get congested and she would have to reschedule. That was a month ago. I am yet to hear from her. Ok so that attempt to make a new friend failed.


This month we have ventured to story time at our local library. At first Savannah was not a fan just looking at the group from the back of the room. I had brought the stroller and realized that may have not been the best idea as she just stood next to it pretty much the entire time last week as her comfort means. Today I carried Carson in his carseat, Savannah in my arms, and a gigantic purse filled with all the toddler/baby needs into the library. It was a bigger challenge to carry all those items in but it paid off. After 15 minutes of standing in the back of the room, she decided to join the group. Here are some pictures from our time today.

With the library adventure I have to sit and wonder, where are all the stay at home moms? I sat among a mentor for a kids program, grandmas, and a few dads. I think I counted 2 MOMS there. As you can see from the picture there is 3 grandmas in the background. How am I to make friends if there are only Grandmas in attendance? I wish these stay at home moms would branch out of their cocoon and join the rest of the world. Take your kids to these wonderful experiences so they can dance and sing with other kids. Its so much fun to watch your kids interact with each other and lets admit it, we could use some socialization of our own. Become the beautiful social butterfly once again.  

The cost menu to staying at home

Why it's worth the sacrifice to stay home.

My job in MN right out of college, I was earning roughly 32,000/year. I was bringing home roughly $2200 per month. I can talk about this now since I don't work there. Now everyone knows how much I was "worth" to society. For me to stay at home, its what works best for us. When adding up the monthly costs it just doesn't seem to make sense for me to do anything else.

Cost of daycare for Carson and Savannah: $1300/ month according to our church daycare rates
Cost of diapers for home and daycare: $160/month
Cost of gas: Roughly $150/month (depending how long of commute I would have)
Cost of clothing for work and children: $100 (just going by an average for kids outgrowing clothes and me needing new work clothes after a while)
Increase in car insurance because of an increase in driving miles: $40/month

So far I'm bringing home about $100 per week. Although this does not factor in eating out due to not wanting to cook when you get home from work tired. It does not take into effect the lack of couponing ability because I don't stay at home or have time to go through ads. This does not account for having to pay for daycare while I'm home with my child who is sick.

Ways I have learned to cut costs to make up for that $100 per week I would be bringing home:
Cloth diapering (at least part time)
Buying/selling/trading my kids and some of my own clothes on facebook and ebay
Making food by scratch such as bread, cookies, waffles, etc.
Using the majority of leftovers for something else
Lumping my errands to cut the cost of fuel each month. I put ONE tank of gas in my car per month
Less driving= less car repair costs and lower insurance rates
Homemade detergents, cleaners, etc

I believe with just that short list that I have made up for that $100 a week that I would be bringing home if I was working. The best part that you can never put a value on is snuggling with Savannah in bed in the early mornings. Catching her attempt to cook. Working on picture recognition through flashcards. Being a lifeguard next to her pool. Being the one there to soothe all their worries away and wipe all the tears. Playing peek-a-boo with Carson. Talking to Carson and having him coo back to me. These are just a few things that are priceless.

This is just how we are able to do it. Again the situation doesn't work for everyone.

Input and Issues

So after writing my blog yesterday I began to think in the afternoon that I might not know ALL the reasons why parents get kids cell phones. My child is only 2 and my biggest concern right now is not when to put that device in her hand but instead to keep her out of the street. She seems to love the thought of playing chicken with cars. I don't know how many times I have told her no on that subject and how many more times I will have to tell her no.

I will give you a reason why I became so passionate about seeing that cell phone in that 8 year olds hand. I see family dinners going away more and more. (one of my favorite parts of the day) I saw a child sexting. I saw rumors flying faster because they had the ability to send messages to many friends at once. I saw a teenager texting while driving. I saw parents arguing about putting down the cell phone to talk to their family instead of to a friend. I saw division and heartache. I know for our family personally Jeff argues about me being on the laptop too much and I complain about him watching too much tv. I sometimes can be a true hater of technology. It's suppose to be bringing us closer together because we can reach out whenever needed but it tends to bring a lot of division. More people are wanting to be "friends" on facebook and not in real life.

I remember being that age and sitting in the kitchen with my family texting my friends. I wish I would have enjoyed sitting with the people that REALLY cared about me instead of worrying about some stupid text. I used to go through 4000 text messages (incoming and outgowing). As a 26 year old (yes I can say that for one more week) I barely reach 200.

I hope that my previous blog did not come across harsh to a parent that has chosen to get their child a cell phone. I only have a 2 year old and I can't seem to parent her. I can't imagine what its going to be like during the teenage years. Things I struggle with on parenting Savannah is not to grab knives off the counter, staying off the street, not trying to get out of your carseat, staying in bed, do not climb on top of the dryer, Elmo does not need to stay on all day. These are just the daily struggles. You feel defeated at the end of the day. You hope that the choices you made are the right ones and will better her in the future.

So with all that being said, I would love to have the opposite of what I said yesterday. I would enjoy hearing WHY you got your child a cell phone? Has it provided all the benefits you were hoping or has it been an issue at times? What age did you get your child their first phone? Would you do it the same if you had to do it all over again? The only good thing yesterday that I could come up with was farmers children. When they are working in the field, you need someway to get ahold of them. But then I thought how did they get ahold of their parents before cell phones? They had cb radios so I really don't know if a cell phone is "necessary" in that sense either. Look forward to hearing everyone's input.

The Kindergartner and the cell phone

I was surprised to find the other week another person's picture showing their 8 year old child with a cell phone. A cell phone she said he earned due to having good grades. I began to think, am I the only one who thinks an 8 year old should not be holding a cell phone that THEY own? I was 18 when I got my first cell phone. It really wasn't needed until I was driving longer distances on the road by myself. Maybe it's just my age showing but I don't see any reason why a child (13 and younger) would need a cell phone. If you need your mom or dad up to that point you should be able to reach them somehow without having your own cell phone. Either you should be around some other adult or with your parents yourself. I have heard other parents argue that they want to be able to reach they child at all times. What happened to teaching them responsibility? Teaching them that when you ask them to come home at a certain time or be somewhere at a certain time they are there, if not they lose privileges? I have also heard parents argue that they need to give their children a cell phone because its a much harsher world than when we were growing up. I don't understand how giving your 8 year old a cell phone will keep them from being bullied at school. Are they going to call you up and say such and such is picking on me? No you still need to be the parent and teach them how to handle those situations. What is giving your child a cell phone really going to teach them? It's going to teach them that they need to be connected 24/7 at a very young age. Its going to teach them that texting is the way you communicate instead of running around on the playground. If you can't trust that your child is going to be responsible when out playing by themselves in the neighborhood, then maybe they shouldn't be playing by themselves yet. If you are going to constantly worry about them getting kidnapped then maybe you need a different plan of action. A cell phone is not going to keep them from someone taking off with them. I see far more negatives in this case than positives. I see parenting getting pushed to the wayside by handing your child a technological device so young. A cell phone is not going to protect them from this so claimed harsher world. You the parent is going to teach them how to handle people in this harsher world. Here's a news article that I found very interesting.
 http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/kids-cell-phones-child-phone/story?id=13385091