I'm going to teach you how to do this!

**My apologies for the shaky camera... It was such a cute video I couldn't pass up the chance to share it!!

Stay at Home Sunday!

After a crazy week of running here and there? I've decided that we're going to have a lazy, at home day! (Although since I have a pile of laundry and a stack of dishes? It won't be so much lazy as it will be just a stay-at-home day!)

Today? I will...

... Finish my book
... Bake Brownies
... Watch a Barbie Movie with Skyler
... Wash the dishes
... Fold the Laundry
... Draw with Sidewalk Chalk
... Enjoy the day at home

Bad Mom Syndrome?

This whole "I'm a better mom than you" thing really irks me! And it seems to be EVERYWHERE!! (Moms can be such snarky witches, can't they?) On a daily basis lately I am incredibly thankful for my non-competitive, non-snarky mom friends! (So if by some chance any of you are reading this? Thank you for not being that way!)

It started yesterday when we went on a nature hike with some friends. There was another group of mom friends there, and as I hung back so I could take pictures (I've found my telephoto lens is better for getting pictures of Skyler, she doesn't realize I'm doing it then!) and they were each one-upping each other about whose kid goes to a better school, whose kid is closer to fluent in Spanish (umm - they're 4?) and on and on. I just said a silent prayer that I'm so thankful for down-to-earth friends!

Then this morning my friend linked me to a blog roll about being a "Crappy Mom" which made me giggle! It made me realize that I'm not alone in some of these parenting sins that I commit on a daily basis! (Although I still use the excuse "But my husband is gone!" far to regularly!! )

So, without further ado? My Parenting Sins!

1. I let her entertain herself - Yep, that's right. I don't have every minute of every day structured. In fact? There are hours every day where I tell her to figure out how to entertain herself. I don't care if she's in her room, or the living room. But sometimes? Mama just needs a break and a chance to sit down and read a book, or do the dishes without participating in the 350th tea party of the day!

2. She gets too much TV/Computer Time - Again? I'd never get anything done. Really. So, my kid watches more tv than most kids probably do. (Or at least more than most of my friends will admit they let their kids do!) Because (and yes, I know this is an excuse) I am a single mom for 6 weeks at a time, and Grandma and Grandpa live 600 miles away - so I don't get a break. TV is my break. I let her watch Netflix Kids and pick whatever she wants so I can have some time for me!

3. I let her get hurt - If she falls down? I don't go running to her side. I mean, sure, if she is really hurt? I am there and quick. But I monitor the situation from a ways a way. We can't wrap our kids in bubble wrap, so she may as well learn now what really hurts and what is worthy of mass amounts of attention.

4. I take a zillion pictures of her - I know; that's one where you're going "Why is that so bad?" But let's be honest - I take THESE types of pictures of her. A lot.  (And a plot the days I an show them to her boyfriends and laugh while she's angry and annoyed! Perhaps I'll even use one of my free shutterfly coupons and make a book of these photos!)

 

5. If she doesn't want to eat it, I don't force it - This is one I beat myself up on a regular basis. Yesterday, for example. We went on a picnic with some friends. The other moms had all these yummy fruits and healthy treats that their kids ate. (I watched on, as I always do, with a bit of jealousy that their kids are eating healthy. And slightly wondering, are they judging what's in my kids lunch box? My kid? She had apple slices (which she didn't eat) a PB&J on white bread and Goldfish. Why? Because it's about all she'll eat. So I feed her Mac N Cheese at least once a week, Spaghettio's and PB&J because I know she'll eat it. Sure - I try the fruits and veggies. Most nights I try to feed her what I'm having for dinner. But she's so picky - she likes White Chicken Breast (no breading, no dipping sauces) which is great! But that's about it for meat. So no, I don't force the healthy stuff... I have her try it, and if she won't eat it? I give her something she will eat so she doesn't go hungry. 

There are a zillion other ways I don't match up to a lot of parents. But I try not to beat myself up. My kid is healthy, safe and happy. (And for every Parenting Sin I commit? There are a lot more things I'm doing right!)

Earth Keeper

I am a huge fan of exploring the world around where you live - and we're lucky here in Southern Colorado to have so many amazing places to explore. Pueblo Mountain Park and the Mountain Park Environmental Center are no exception to this rule.

The Environmental Center has a monthly Preschool Nature Hike" with Ranger Dave where the kiddos get some fun time in the beautiful mountains of Southern Colorado, and an educational hike to learn and have fun! (Plus some pretty fun music!)

This was our second time going, and Skyler and her friends had a TON of fun exploring, playing in the park and having a picnic afterward!

(I found this video of Skyler's favorite song from the event - it's the park's own youtube video and NOT from a time we were there - but fun to see, none the less!) 

Homeschool? Preschool?

A few weeks ago a friend of mine was telling me about a literacy program called Five in a Row, after reading about the program I realized it was exactly what Skyler needed, and she would LOVE it!

So I headed down to the library, checked out a copy of Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear and started the program right away! (Jesse Bear was my sisters favorite book as a kid, and our family STILL has the book memorized!) Skyler loves the book just as much as Katie did, so we'll be purchasing the book ASAP now!

Her first week with the program was great - we got some printables from the Homeschool Share website and set to work!

Basically, we read the book every day. Talked about what we read, and then did some activities and worksheets about the book. She LOVED it! We made a lapbook with her favorite worksheets, and she has so much fun flipping through the folder she made looking at her activities.

 

So far, aside from reading her favorite part has been picking out patterns - now she looks for patterns EVERYWHERE we go!