Motherhood

There are times I feel I should do something on the side of being a mom and working as a nurse a few days a month.  I listened to a podcast the other day called side hustle, saying everyone should have something on the side of your day job to make money and feel fulfilled.  Motherhood can seem mundane at times: folding laundry, cooking meals, picking up toys, holding sad babies.  The other day when I was cleaning the house, I was overcome with joy that I have power to create a clean, organized environment for my children to thrive.  I have the power to create healthy meals for my family.  I love being a mom.   I love when McKay asks a million questions, and I can help him find the answers.  This morning we had a long discussion about pyramids in Egypt before the girls woke up.  I love when Ellie always wants to be right by me and reaches her arms up and says "mama," wanting me to hold and console her.   Jane watches me, more than I even know.  I love when she says she wants to be a nurse like mama, dresses Ellie in the morning, and mothers the other two.  I have been reading "hands free mama" lately and trying to focus on my kids and put my phone away more.   It has made a huge difference in my connection with them.  Lately it is apparent for me, I don't need a side hustle to be fulfilled.  I am not saying I will never create one if I feel the need, but I have so much joy being a mom, and know that it is enough.

Picture from Mother's Day.  Bryan made me some incredible food and made me feel spoiled all day.

Today I was talking to my brother in law and he reminded me of something silly McKay said the other day that I totally forgot about.  I realized I need to record these silly things they say and do so I can remind them one day.

Clevengerisms
McKay- "Thanks babe!" to me the other day when I brought him dinner, because that's what Bryan says.
"Robert" (rober)
Came in to my room this morning doing the dab, because he said all the boys are dabbing at school.

Jane- "Can you help me old fella?" to Bryan
Chik da le (chick fil A)
"I better put on my princess dress, so they think I am a princess, not a human," (when visitors were coming over)
Begs for eggs all day long

Ellie- "daddy" (name for her blankie)
Obsessed with hand me down Elsa nightgown, Minnie shirt (her only two character clothing items) and sparkly jellies, and begs to wear Elsa, Minnie, and jellies always.  She's too young to be so opinionated about clothes!
"Tutie" (cookies all day)
"Tay" (McKay) and "Jay" (Jane) sound pretty similar
Begs to sit on the potty several times a day, but I do not have it in me to potty train right now.

Pics from my iphone lately: pool days, matchy girls at church, cinco de mayo, Jane napping for once, and our getaway to Cayucos and Tahoe

Sunday thoughts

I am grateful for Sunday and the chance to refresh, rest, spend time with family, think about my goals and how I want to improve and spend my time.  I found out today you can monitor how much time you spend on each app each day.  I decided to set a goal screen time for myself.   I have an allotted amount of screen time for my kids, so shouldn't I have this for myself?  I want to be more present and focussed on my family, friends, and those around me.

McKay loves kindergarden, but lately I have missed doing what I want when I want.  The half day thing is hard.  I want to take the kids to the zoo, go for a hike, go to the beach for a day, or go drive to the children's museum, but I can't because school is right in the middle of the day.  I wish there was a way I could half way homeschool.  It would be nice if my kids could still go to school half the week, but I could also teach them and take them on adventures the other half.

I feel antsy lately, and I'm not sure why.  It's probably because we moved from SF to Iowa City to San Antonio to Clovis in less than a year.  It feels like we should be moving right now.  At the same time, I don't feel quite settled here and it is weird because its my hometown.  I am incredibly grateful to live by family though.

Any moment to myself lately I am reading or watching the british baking show on netflix.  It seems there are so many books to read and not enough time.  I picked up "One Hundred Birds Taught Me To Fly" by Ashley Mae Hoiland from my parent's house.  It is such a beautifully written, poetic book.  It is making me reflect on the importance of living in the moment and recording my thoughts.  Lately I have felt a huge urge to journal.  I have a few different journals by my bed, my word document journal, and this blogging journal.  This blogging journal may be the least likely to get lost, so I should probably record in it more often.  I am so grateful for how much I journaled on this blog when McKay was little.   I also recently read Essentialism by Greg Mckeown.  It helped me realize I only need the essential things in my life, and I should say no to nonessential things in order to simplify my life.  I loved The Magnolia Story by the Gaines.  Joanna is my idol.  Love her style, her story, her determination, and everything she does.  Next on my reading list is The Four Agreements and Hands Free Mama.

Iphone pics lately:  Jane being her sassy self, Ellie in nursery, jammie day at school, Jane Beauty and the Beast date, dental appointments, president's day, tennis, and Ellie being a typical toddler

Valentines Day 2017

I love Valentines Day.  I love the extra opportunity to show love to my family.  It was such a beautiful day today.  I spent the day trying to show love to my family and receiving it back from them.  I made them heart shaped waffles.  I went to a workout class at the church and Ellie kept giving me kisses while I was doing yoga poses.  Jane passed out her valentines to friends at the church.  I took quick pics on sunday.  Its not super original, but I think the picture valentines are super cute.  Jane was excited to have a few of her own to pass out.  I made them heart shaped sandwiches for lunch.  I was in charge of McKay's class party.  I put Ellie down for a nap at my parent's house and Jane helped me with the party.  She loved feeling like a big girl.  We had 5 stations- cookie decorating, valentine bingo, a cute craft, valentine book reading, and heart twister.  I laid out Valentines for the kids for after school.  I wrote them little letters, and made play dough for them and a little treat.  They loved it and played play dough all afternoon.  The kids brought me Valentines they made, then watched a little Kate and mim mim Valentine show.  My mom invited us for shrimp tacos.  She had adorable valentine place settings for everyone.  It was such a great day.  I love my crew so much. 

Teddy Bear Picnic Party

Happy birthday Jane!  I loved my teddy bear picnic my mom had for me when I was little, and I was so excited to throw a teddy bear picnic for Jane.  I made the kids bear ears, read them the teddy bear picnic book, listened to the teddy bear song, and had some bear snacks.  Jane was in heaven!

         

Love my little messy faced lady!

Bear pb and honey sandwiches and paw print brownies.  Snapped a pic before they were all gone!

Attached this tag to heart shaped mini bowls with teddy grahams and gummy bears inside. 

The girls loved their bear ears!  We invited boys too, but they preferred to play at the park.  They listened to bear songs for a while while they ate.  

The kids loved playing with their teddy bears

Violin Recital

We are so grateful we put McKay in violin last year with Jessica Ragsdale.  He has improved so much, and Jane loves it now too!  She loves practicing and playing along with the songs.  Learning these songs has helped his confidence and focus.  They had a 'fiddling fiesta' violin recital.  They dressed as cowboy/mexican girl.  McKay played twinkle twinkle little star and the marching song and Jane played the duck song and twinkle twinkle little star on E. 

Jane's first Ballet Recital

We did an adorable 8 week ballet session in San Antonio.  Jane Loved it!  A friend here made a ballet room in her house and set up a stage in her house for a recital.  Jane was so adorable.  I am upset because somehow I cannot find the videos I took at her recital on my computer.  I love dance and am so happy this little ballerina loves it so far. 

Texas Bluebonnets

Texas in the Spring is my favorite.  I love the fields of blue bonnets that pop up everywhere.  I am so happy we had my talented friend, Claire, take pictures of us so we can forever remember our time in San Antonio.