Lazy Friday

I love days like today, nowhere to go, nothing to do...

We spent the morning outside. The girls ran around out back, trying hard to play with Durango.
Poor Durango didn't know what to do, having two of his toys being thrown at him at the same time!

I really enjoy the times when I am able to just sit back and watch the girls play. I am really not able to do it often enough..usually the time they are playing gently is the time to get stuff done! They really do seem to connect when they are outside. There are no toys to fight over, rooms to invade, crayons to steal. Having the freedom to just run and explore brings about such a calm...it's nice to just sit back and watch.

Mara is all about the slide these days. She is determined to climb up and slide down all by herself, and becomes so frustrated when her body doesn't quite do what she wants it to! She kept getting half-way up and slipping down. It took all my energy not to go and help her, but seeing her face when she did make it to the top told me that I did the right thing. She was so proud! The slide is small and pretty fast-she always did a couple rolls at the bottom which caused her to cry out....cry out as she headed back to do it all over again!

Analese spends much of her outside time looking for her "bug friends". She is constantly showing me the ant crawling on her shirt, telling me that "she has a little friend". Today was no different, only today she had to rescue her friends from the pool. She spent at least 10 minutes trying to rescue this poor beetle who was taking a swim. Every time she would scoop him up, she would turn the shovel down as she lifted him up, causing him to go back into the pool. I came over to watch, and she said quickly "I got him, I got him Mom". So I sat back and watched her attempt for a few more minutes, until it came to her to use a bucket instead of a shovel. She got to become a bug rescuer after all :)
Oh- and yes, Analese is wearing her skirt inside out today. She put her skirt on all by herself, and I wasn't about to steal her thunder :)-

Change is in the air!

We had a busy day yesterday. I took the girls to a new playgroup, and we ALL had a good time!
As I told Greg, it was so nice to have conversations that flowed so easily...it was just so easy to be there. It is often difficult to find a perfect match for both you and your children. Yes, it is a playgroup, so the emphasis should be placed on your child and their social environment. BUT, it is also an important part of my social environment as well! Spending a couple hours a week with people that view things very differently can be difficult at times. I have tried it, and found that surrounding myself with those with similar parenting beliefs brings a certain peace in my life. However, I have also come to realize that practicing the same parenting style does not guarantee an automatic friendship. Having a good time yesterday made me realize how much fun I wasn't having at our normal playgroup. I should not have to put so much effort into trying to make something work for me, and I have come to the conclusion that it is time for me to move on. What is proper etiquette for quitting a playgroup? I have to think about this one......

So the Fall will bring about some changes in our daily life. The playgroup I went to yesterday will meet several times a month, and I am in the process of coordinating an "older children's playgroup" within a natural parenting group I belong to. It will be for children aged three and above with siblings included. Many of the siblings are around Mara's age so it seems like it will work perfectly! We are also getting involved in another playgroup that will meet every Friday, so yes-we will be busy! I think the girls will enjoy them, and if they do not, we'll just cut back. It really is that simple :)
I start school again next Tuesday, so another big change for us. I had planned to take just a short break after Mara was born...that short break was 2 years! It is not something I regret, it is a choice I made and it is what it is. Until we were able to get a grasp on Mara's food and weight issues, I knew that I couldn't focus on anything else. I only have three classes left to graduate. The biggest regret I have is not taking the required math class earlier! Now I have to take College Algebra, before I take Statistics, before I can then take my final Psychology class....sigh. I have to remind myself that this degree will not be put to use for some time, so it really does not matter when I complete it. It is important for me to be with the girls right now-it is a choice I make wholeheartedly and am thankful for every day.

Greg's parents came over last night to visit the girls (and us too, but mostly the girls!) Analese and Mara enjoyed showing them ALL of their toys and just really enjoyed the undivided attention they receive. That's what Grandparents are for, isn't it? The girls also received a special gift-an outdoor table and chairs set. It is really cute, the table has an umbrella in the middle of it for shade. I am sure we will be eating our lunch out there today :) The girls were in bed very late, so now I am enjoying some extra mommy-time while Mara is still asleep and Analese is playing in her room.

Dance, Dance, Dance..

We finally got Analese signed up for ballet classes, which she has been talking about ALL summer. We're still not sure where she even learned that such classes exist. You would think that signing her up would be a simple, easy process.....not for me! I deliberated for days about which dance company to go with. One seemed pretty strict on their policies about the girl's appearance during class (I was to use hairspray every week to keep her hair in place!) and they did not allow parents to watch the class. We did not like this at all, especially since this class will be Analese's first "alone class" without us! So we decided to go with the other company, even though it is a bit more expensive. They have a huge window so that we can wait outside and watch her. I just want to see how she is interacting, if she's participating, etc. Plus if I see what the teacher is doing, it will us something to talk about!

I think little sister is going to have the hardest time with it all. Being stuck out in the lobby when her big sis is inside dancing is not going to be fun for her. I have to think of something to bring to keep her somewhat occupied during the 30 minute class. I hope to sign her up for a mommy and me gymnastics class on Saturdays, which should be fun!

So last night we went to the open house at the dance studio to meet Analese's teacher. She seemed very nice, "overly nice" as Greg put it, but of course that's her job. Analese giggled and put her hands in her mouth the whole time. We were able to buy her ballet shoes, but they were out of her size for leotards so I have to go back tonight. Both girls loved the full mirror-and stood there lifting up their shirts while we talked :)

So it was a good experience, only building up more excitement in Analese for ballet! She cried when she found out she wasn't dancing last night, and cried when we left the studio. Class starts next Thursday-I can't wait!

This is only the beginning......

I am creating this blog as an outlet for me, to share with you the daily happenings of my life and the lives of my family. The girls keep me on my toes,and it would be nice to have a place to share all of the insight I have been able to learn through them. So welcome, and enjoy.......