The Great Out Doors!

We are so happy that the weather in Phoenix has reached a near perfect temperature! There is so much to do, and the children are enjoying the Great Out Doors!
recently, during our Learn and play Class, we went out side with glass jars, soil, and seeds to plant and water our first seedlings! We pray they grow :)

This week we also went on a hike with the toddlers. Out back near our community center are the Sonoran Hike trails. It was about 3 miles, and 1 hour that we all hiked up and around the bend viewing mountains, plants, and sky as far as the eye can see.  It was wonderful!!
Some funny things that happened this week in the Great Out Doors...
Olivia told me a sad story about a bug. It went something like this, "Oh buggy. Nooo. Mommy, buggy urt. Boo boo buggy. Mommy, buggy go poo poo and cry". Olivia also is learning NOT to eat sand, flowers, and rocks that live in the back yard. With sand out lining her little mouth, she says to me, "Mommy. Ewww. No no sand." Um. Too late! And flowers. Olivia can not stop herself from picking what little flowers we have. Yet there is no way I can scold her when she kisses the flower and hands it to me saying, "Wuv you Mommy".
Gotta Love the great Out doors!

November Pumpkins

Pumpkin Patch Play date! What a great time!

Moms from our Learn and Play class went to a Pumpkin Patch last week and had a great time!

They had a corn maze, petting zoo, tractor, lady bug train ride, bouncy house, and of course, PUMPKINS!

After arranging the car pool, which means putting car seats in each others cars- if you have done this- you understand! the sweating, pulling, grunting, and fastening of mysterious straps is all very painful- once done, you hopefully get some car time with your girl friend Mommy. That is unless you are playing spaghetti arms to reach for the sippy cup that just fell, or singing ABC's for the 100th time, or cleaning up your entire out fit plus the car with a single baby wipe. Come on. You know you've done these things! And once you all arrive in one sane piece, the day is wonderful! Big pumpkins, small pumpkins, and the kids want them all! Savor in these adorable pics :) xox V

animals at the farm

the pumpkin patch (Fatou, Tristen, Livi)

farm chickens (Dylan)

Logan

Lady bug train

Corn Maze

Tractor

Trent, Gabe, and Olivia

Yeah for pumpkins!

Dress Up!

Dress up!

We all love to dress up...think about it. When was the last time your hubby asked if you wanted to go to a black tie dinner and you didn't say, "YIPPIE!!"

So let's not let the fun stop at Halloween. Dress up is a blast, and it emotionally and socially is beneficial for your child (therefore you).  I have a bin of scarves, hats, beads, and shoes that Olivia loves to dress up with. I also give her the freedom to choose different parts of her out fits each day, and her p.j.s at night. She is enjoying imaginary play, and is so creative with what characters she invents during dress up time. I encourage dress up for children, and adults. Want to have a girls night out anyone???

The fascinations of a child

Choo choo trains. We enjoyed a day at The Scottsdale Train Park, which I highly recommend, and Olivia was beside herself.  She could watch, talk about, and ride trains all day long and never tire of it.  What decides a child's fascination? Is it something new? something predictable? Something that they don't yet understand?? So many things are new to a child. It is in their delivery makes these new encounters fascinating, or boring.  Think about movies and TV shows... the delivery is so tempting that you are drawn into it. When we introduce foods, books, and other experiences and we are excited, curious, and also fascinated, our child will be drawn into the experience with us.  Sometimes I look at situations from Olivia's view and let myself feel 23 months old...unexpectedly awaiting the new events each day.  Living as a fascinated child can be so much fun!

How many Hours are there in a day?

Sometimes I think that I can create extra hours in the day.
But with a toddler, everything either takes twice as long, or runs backwards.
We have accomplished potty training, and this is major for us. I guess that I forgot that this would mean sitting in the bathroom across from my toddler reading countless books and encouraging poop. This takes a long time.
Then there is going to the pool. Change of clothes. Toddlers try to do this with out help. Carrying bags. How strong is this little person anyway! Eating. Well...that takes so long that by the time we finish a meal its time for the next - or a snack at least. Chores. I need a set of chores for my toddler, and she wants to help so I must be patient and excited about this. Bath time. At least until we prune! Playdates. We can say good bye 100 times, and clean up takes an hour at least. And about Mommy time. That is limited to when little busy body is napping, or the in between minutes of independent play. How we make it to the library, play ground, grocery store, and lunch dates is beyond me. But if you see us there, know that it took a lot of effort for both of us :)
It is always fun, and there is always a story to tell at the end of the day---- which has how many hours?

I count at least 36 :)

Meeting Moms

It's a lot like dating-
tiresome, exciting, disappointing, and funny.
Meeting the Moms that you like who have the kids that your kid likes.
First I need to learn the culture of the city here. Phoenix is NOT Santa Monica, where I previously lived, and it's NOT New York City, who I previously was (sort to speak).  Its its own place. Good and bad to it. The summer. Bad. The homes. Good. The shopping. Wal Mart= Bad. The land. Mountains= Good. And so on.
I've tried Meet Up groups. I've put myself out there, trying to connect with Moms. Olivia tries to kiss every toddler she sees. I've even started a toddler Learn and Play class in my community---- but it is only time that will build the fortresses that I call friendship. The boats that keep us floating.
I was with a group of Moms who were talking feverishly about another Mom. I asked them "who is this Mom?" and they replied "you don't watch Moms of OC?" or some kind of reality show. No. I don't.  I am a reality show! We all are!
Is this everywhere? This escape into another person's drama, life, pain...ignoring our own- or numb to it?
I swear that I was able to share, listen, and be heard at times of my life. I swear I knew those kind of amazing people who thought beyond their city, beyond their TV.
Maybe my time to be dreaming, or to be far away in thought is just not now? Maybe it is all about the baby, the moment, the here and now. The "Mommy" stage of life. But I do still have dreams, thoughts, disappointments, and they must be shared even if I am typing them out into the great space of inter net land far and beyond. I know that other Moms look to connect with people, to share, and to feel.
so  that's the raw truth blog update. with out the poetry and photos.
not sure if anyone will read it. But send me luck as I continue to "Mommy date" and seek those friendships that are gold. because- God knows, I miss all of you who helped carry me through  heavy times. I need you now...

Divine Mommies

Dear Mommy Friends,

I am starting a new Blog about my adventures as a Mommy. I know there are many great blogs out there for Moms. That is wonderful! The reason for this blog is a mental log, memory saver, personal history recorder, and a tool to share all of the above with friends who are experiencing the same love and drama of mother hood.  This is a test to see if I am managing this all correctly. Fun entries to follow...
~ Vic