Learning

As I sit here with Riley on my left and Ellie on my right for snack time I realize there is a lot going on in our family and I am learning a lot, about myself, my kids and Griff.

I am learning that even if Riley didn't get much sleep during the night and the clock says 5:30am the sun is up and that means Riley is up and ready to play. I am learning that he can't read the clock I put in his room yet. And I am also learning that since Riley and Ellie share a room the excitement of being up can't be contained to just him sitting on his bed but MUST include Ellie as well. I am learning that I am not very loving, gracious, or awake at 5:30 in the morning and do not always respond the best to my early bird. I know that mornings are the best part of the day and I do love the morning but I really just love it when I can get up to my natural internal clock and spend it in peace and quiet while drinking an ice chai.

I am learning that even though Riley can pee on the potty it doesn't mean he is completely ready to potty train. I am learning there is no need to rush him and if he is 4 and still in diapers I will be concerned but right now at 2 1/2 I can enjoy him wearing diapers and the reality I don't have to ask him every 30 minutes to go to the bathroom or be concerned when we take trips or run errands. There is a blessing to diapers and I will enjoy it for a while longer.

I am learning that Ellie is going to be a bit dramatic. If she sees me leave the room she sticks out her lower lip and throws herself to the ground. It is cute now but could become a little extreme if it continues into adolescence. She favors me more than Griff, which I think is normal. She knows that if Griff picks her up and and turns and says night night to me that is bad news and also evokes tears and crying, sometimes even wailing. But, I'm learning I gotta let her cry it out and she will soon fall to sleep.

I'm learning that if I'm getting frustrated with the kids a drive in the van is a great break for the three of us. Riley loves riding on the highway and looking at all the semis, Ellie is content doing just about anything and it gives me enough peace to collect my thoughts and refocus. And a drive proves a little break in an otherwise semi quiet morning at home.

I'm learning how to stretch a dollar at the grocery store, buy generic, use coupons, and hunt for sales. But, I'm also learning with two kids under 28 months sometimes it is easier on me and worth the money to by the name brand regardless of price and give myself a little grace; saving $3.50 at Giant just isn't worth it some weeks.

I'm learning that I really struggle with discipline, not discipline of myself and life but disciplining Riley and beginning to train Ellie. It is an exhausting task. No one ever told me how tiring and trying it would be. If they did tell me I was too prideful to listen to their advice. I'm learning how consistency is extremely important but so is grace and patience. I can't expect Riley to behave like a perfect gentlemen. He is a two year old little boy and he is going to throw things I would prefer weren't thrown, and break things I wish didn't break.

I'm learning that all it make take for Ellie to go from sad to happy is sing the alphabet or playing peek-a-boo and it helps my attitude as well.

And I'm learning a smile at the door to greet Griff at the end of a hard day goes a long way in his heart.

Snack time is over, off to play.

So far in June...

Ellie can now climb to the top of this slide and sometimes get herself down safely. When she gets to the top she laughs, I think because she is so proud of herself and she knows her mommy is completely freaking out.
They LOVE books! I don't even bother picking them up till the end of the day because it is a guarantee Ellie will tear them all down again. I don't mind. I love that they love to look through books.
She just gets sweeter by the day. Some day little man you will fit in these shoes.