A Mayflower's Musings

Friday, August 22, 2008

Seven Cousins at the Zoo

Olympic Injuries


My girls were both born daredevils in many ways. They really didn't need Olympic trained athletes to urge them on to a new level of stunts. But since they have been watching all the events with me, we have had some accidents around here recently. Here's a picture of Daphne's bruise, afflicted to herself when she jumped off the very high headboard of my bed and scraped the post as she sailed through the air! This is one thing that will come to mind when I remember the 2008 Beijing Games...How will you remember them?

Beach Trip '08

Thursday, August 21, 2008

What I want to do VS. What I am capable of doing...

In the last 17 days, I have planned and seen through the following:

1. Ruby's dedication and luncheon here afterward.

2. My four year old's first sleepover with 5 of her peers.

3. A two day, two night, trip to the coast with all three of my children and no husband in tow.

4. A dinner party for my moms group, plus a few other invitees, which equaled 16 women in attendance last night!

I would like to preface this post by saying that if you were a part of any of these events, please know that I enjoyed all four of these special times!!! Memories were made and relationships were given room to grow!

And now, can I just say that I AM SO CRAZY (some of you already said that in my sleepover comment section) to be doing any of these things right now in my life. And INSANE to do all four in 2 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a social person and I am a dreamer and a perfectionist (dangerous!)- but I am going to have to put a little of all those characteristics on the backburner for awhile. Because I have "party remorse" today. Why? Because my kids were allowed to watch tv most of Tuesday, Wednesday and now today, so I can recoup. It's 2pm and I am still in my pjs! I haven't made one meal for my husband in not sure how long, I am lacking sleep, and my efforts at losing weight are seriously tested in all these situations!

So for a long time, I am NOT going to vacation without my husband, and I am not going to host a party at my own place for a good chunk of time. I am going to concentrate on my children and make sure they are growing in the right direction. I want to read books and play hide and seek and enjoy the last sunny days. I will attend other people's parties and look forward to the day that I can throw one myself without having to ignore little people in the process.

I tend to be hard on myself too, so I will note that my children are still blessed and loved and I didn't do them serious harm by letting them fend for themselves a little. And I am not going to close my doors to all social situations. But I will definitely not do four in 2 weeks, 2 months or maybe even 4 months again in a LONG time.

Always learning here...

Monday, August 18, 2008

What Kids Play With...



My sister has been here from out of state for a two week visit. We did lots of fun things together during her stay. (More pictures to come later when I have more time.) But I couldn't resist showing you what Emmy, 21 mos old, drug out of my sis' toiletries case to amuse herself with...and of course, my busy bee wanted in on this new sort of toy. Forget the new toys we purchased at the toy store that day - go figure!


Saturday, August 9, 2008

Daphne's First Sleep Over

Pajama Party!
Daphne chose the menu: pizza, watermelon, and Shirley Temples!
(Don't we "big" girls still love S.T.'s?)

Water fun!
Round two of pizza after swimming!
Daphne chose Care Bears Nutcracker for her summer party - go figure!
The night started out with 5 to sleep over...
My great friend Jessi was my HUGE helper ~ I wouldn't

have survived without her! Here she is reading Fancy Nancy!

The night ended with only 3 slumber-ers...Last one shut her eyes

at 10:45pm!

The final two.

What a fun, memorable night. Four and five is probably

too young for slumber parties yet...but Daphne insisted, I gave-in, and we survived!

I'd do all of it again, except drinking the latte at 7pm. I thought I would need it - but it did its job too well, and I didn't fall asleep until 2pm.

Aren't we always learning?!



Monday, August 4, 2008

Ruby's Dedication



















Pictures by Becca

What a beautiful day it was! Such pride, such JOY...so blessed by our Heavenly Father!
The highlites were our family and friends, our congregation and our children all celebrating our
little Ruby Garland!