Butterfly Mama

Scrubbing, Singing All The While

2009-07-10T01:55:00.001-06:00

This morning we had to show our house and I found myself wishing I had done the things that had been on my list since a week ago. Pretty soon however I realized that I have an asset I'm not using to his full potential. My son.

My almost five year old son dusted every window sill in the house, vacuumed almost every room and swept an area of crumbs in the kitchen. He is normally more than willing to help mop the floor or spritz and scrub a toilet and I need to take full advantage of this, while he feels this way!

Granted, today was a lot of work for him, he seemed to enjoy it and kept asking to help. I think adding one more chore every day might even give him a greater sense of accomplishment and purpose. He is currently expected to empty the silverware, (or sort it if his sister puts them away in the corner of the drawer) feed the dog once per day, besides making his bed and picking up toys at the appropriate times.

It's nice that he currently has the desire to help and I'd love to hope it stays but am not quite that naive. Plus it's nice to know what I can expect from him. You know recently he bugged me enough to get my flute out and start to play it and for some reason I started thinking about my high school choir director. Yeah, I have no explanation for my train of thought, I am aware that a flute is played in a band not chorus. :)

Back to my original thought, my HS choir director expected a lot from us. We sang some pretty difficult stuff. Only back then, I don't remember knowing it was difficult, just what we were singing. My point, if I have one at this wee hour in the morning, I think that people tend to perform as expected. If I expect my son will be able to conquer difficult tasks, I bet he'll learn. I also hope it gives him a sense of belonging and pride, knowing that he is a valued part of our family.

Worry not about my son becoming a child laborer, his chores take about five to ten minutes a day. I don't think this too much to ask since maybe him helping will give me a five minute break! A Mom's chores take the majority of the day after all! ;-P

Laundry Happens!

2009-07-07T23:50:00.004-06:00

Art is created!

The Gift of Life

2009-06-26T21:16:00.003-06:00

This morning I finished reading the last two chapters of Charlotte's Web to the kids. Even though my son had seen the movie awhile back, I was kind of dreading the ending, as you know, she dies.

As I read the paragraph, I could see the words, "Charlotte died" several lines below and my eyes got tears in them. Now I may need to preface this a bit because my son usually sits in a comfortable slouch while we read, asking what words mean or to see if there is a picture on that page. When I read those words I saw him straighten upright. "Mommy," he inquired softly, "why did Charlotte have to die?" Knowing this answer won't last forever I told him that is how God made living things.

He seemed alright with that answer as we kept reading, and he seemed especially pleased that three of Charlotte's babies stayed to befriend Wilbur. At the end when we talked about the book, I was all choked up - hello - I new what was going to happen!! And he was fine... alas, I've got to grow up!

In the words of a pretty smart spider, "We're born, we live a little while, we die." What a big gift this small life is in the greater scheme of things. Giving or doing for others is perhaps the biggest thing we can do with the small time we have. The gift of friendship, what a beautiful thing!

4 Year Old Silly Speak

2009-06-22T20:21:00.006-06:00

I saved my personal favorite for last...

"Have a fine rest."

"I am a very strong man, and a very smart man too."

"Get the bug smacker Mommy, I see a bug!

"Did you see me playing with those kids at the park? It was amazing!"

The tail end of a discussion in the car I said, "If you were doing as I asked then you wouldn't know that the windows were locked." To which he replied, "Yes, I would still know ... ... ... ... ... ... ... because I have a brain."

Summer Fashion

2009-06-16T20:45:00.004-06:00

It's all in the accessories!

Your pink princess purse will go with anything this season, whether you're leaving for summer vacation...

...or planning your next nerf shooting game, it will really bring everything together!

A MUST have this season!

Three!

2009-06-14T22:07:00.008-06:00

The number of years snippets of life have been captured on this blog. Random, I know but that seems like a long time, it should be a long time.

I'm planning on registering for advanced physics next semester because I'm taking it upon myself to slow time down. The days seem to be over in a matter of minutes, not that those minutes aren't exhausting, I just feel time slipping away, missed moments, lost hugs.

So, I've solved it like this: I'm talking the next week off teaching classes and we are going to take time to smell the roses...which are blooming, coincidentally. And I am going to enjoy each and every moment of the day instead of just using it to get something done.

That being said, I'm finally editing pictures from Easter and uploading to picasa eventually! I'm GOING to finish all of the four books I'm currently in the middle of. And I'm going to laugh, hysterically, with my kids, a lot, a whole LOT!!!

Yeah, I might weed the ~~weed patch~~ , a-hem, garden and a spend some quality time with ~~what's his name~~ Adam too!

Pleeeeeease!!!!

2009-06-04T23:23:00.004-06:00

She does this little side to side thing with her head when she says it that makes it hard to refuse.

Photos actually two months old :)

To My Dear Beautiful Children,

2009-05-28T20:50:00.000-06:00

I have my alarm set at 7:15 for a reason. Not 5:30, nope not 6:22 or 7:14 either. I set my alarm now so that I can get ready for the day with about 15 minutes to myself. Seriously, I need it. So please, please ignore Mr. Sun, he's up but that doesn't mean you have to be!!!

All my love, hugs, kisses and tickles,

Mommy

Suddenly a big boy!

2009-05-27T10:48:00.007-06:00

It's been almost three years since I started this blog, THREE YEARS!!! Just a short time ago...

Now we are enjoying this age with our baby girl but it seems like just yesterday he was saying things like, "choo choo nunnel" and smelling roses.

It wasn't yesterday though, because yesterday he asked to have his training wheels taken off. Yesterday, he blew his mommy's socks off! Yesterday he made himself and both his parents proud. Trying and trying and that first real try once we put the pedals back on, was awesome! He did it! HE did it!

It's hard to focus on something (the post of the basketball hoop) and steer away from it! So Adam took him around the park while I pushed my daughter on the swing and we cheered him on. His last ride was about 40 yards or so and I was cheering all the way!

Then as I was pushing him on the swings he really 'got it' pumping his legs to keep himself going. How is it that my baby boy is big enough for all of this, not to mention some other things that for him I'll keep off the whole big internet! It has been an amazing week...

I'm glad he still says things like,"Mommy what was the name of that movie again?" "The Little Mermaid." He emphatically replies, "Yes! It was a little scary, but I still joined it."

Well my son, I have enjoined every moment of you! You are amazing!

Why

2009-05-11T23:02:00.007-06:00

A conversation heard by a fly sitting on the living room ceiling yesterday afternoon. <\p>

My 4.5 year old son: Mommy, what is this ploping down like rain.
Me: Clumps of dust.
Son: But why is it ploping down like rain, I mean like snow?
Me: Ah, because I haven't dusted this fan in a long time.
Son: Why don't we dust it everyday.
Me: Because I have to get out the ladder to do it.
Son: Why do we need a ladder, because you are not tall like daddy?
Me: Right, but even Daddy needs a ladder.
Son: But why does it have to plop down like snow? I want it to be snowy like this outside.
Me: It doesn't usually snow this late in the spring many places.
Son: Why does it not snow anymore.
Me: Because that's how God made the earth to have seasons.
Son: Oh. Me: (Yeah, I can see him thinking) son: Why did God have to make, snow and not snow and deserts?
Me: Because he's God. Can you switch the fan on please? Son: (Switching on the fan) Why?
me: So that I can make sure it is going the right way. Can you turn it off now please?
Son: Why?
Me: Because it's blowing all the dust around, we'll vacuum it after your sister wakes up. Now, let's go playoutside until the napper wakes up and we can vacuum.

Mommy's Day, Another Perspective

2009-05-08T21:24:00.006-06:00

Mother's Day seems to be getting me back into blogging mode for whatever reason. I've just been keeping things close to the heart for the last month or so. It's not a lack of writing, just the lack of publishing my rants, poems, and loves.

Stepping up and I'm sure tired of clicking over here and still seeing the same stuff about the Easter bunny, my Mom has written something about me and for me to post here. I'm touched by what she wrote, I love you Mom.

---- ---- ---- ---- ----

From Heidi’s mom, to honor her this month for Mother’s Day.

When, in March I was looking for new blogs here, she suggested I write one about my visit in February. A few weeks later I wrote a rough draft and have been thinking about it since. As Mother’s Day approaches I want to share this visit from a different viewpoint than I originally planned. Yes, I have many fun memories of my visit; however the best ones are of a special mother.

Heidi, where has the time gone? It seems such a short time ago that I was tying your wispy strands of hair out of your eyes, now I see you dong the same with your daughter. Or playing a game with you as I see you with your son.

Not that long ago you helped me bake, or put away the laundry. These and many more loving moments I enjoyed watching you share with your children. It is very special that you are raising your children to love God and Jesus, while teaching them the Golden Rule, to love one another as He loves us.

Time does fly when you are having fun! The way I see it you are having fun raising, caring, molding, and loving your children.

Heidi, although we live too far to enjoy a Mother/Daughter treat in person this month, it is a treat to write a blog entry.

Hugging arms
Ever loving
Interested in learning
Dynamically creative
Inviting laugh

I love you very much and I bless you, child of mine!

---- ---- ---- ---- ----

Thanks Mom, I hope this will jump start a round of postings around here... ;-)

Out of the blue today

2009-04-13T22:01:00.002-06:00

My son says, "Mommy, the Easter bunny is smarter than Santa."

Curious, I ask him, "what makes you think that?"

His thoughtful reply, "because he's a bunny and Santa's a grown up."

My hesitant reply, "ah, so what you're saying is that bunnies are smarter than grown ups.?!"

"Yup," he replied as he walked out of the room satisfied.

A Princess Give Away

2009-04-04T11:12:00.004-06:00

I must admit I was both excited and nervous to review the DVD "Prima Princessa Presents Swan Lake." Excited to have a DVD to show my kids something I'm very passionate about. Remember, I used to be very serious about dance. Nervous because I knew the story line of swan lake was a bit above most small childrens thinking capacity with some dark and twisted stuff :). Turns out I should have just been excited!

After watching it with my children I am happy to say it was great! The selected scenes from the Paris Opera Ballet's performance were simply narrated by the voice of a young girl. The performance is interspersed with scenes from children at the New York City Ballet's School of American Ballet (SAB) as well as, my personal favorite, little girls in tutus dancing barefoot in the grass.

My 4 year old son was surprisingly very interested in the lingo and movement taught by the kids at SAB, especially the young boy doing pirouettes and jetes. He seemed happy that there was another boy to relate to. My 19 month old little princess had a blast twirling with the girls and surprisingly the whole 40 minute video held her attention span.

This is an extremely well made video and I recommend it for anyone especially if you have little girls. A most fabulous way to introduce children to the ballet!!!

The company was founded by two mommy entrepreneurs one of whom, Stephanie, is going to give a copy away to one lucky reader!! You can twirl over to their website www.primaprincessa.com to learn more about them.

To be entered into the drawing just leave me a comment on this post by 11:59pm Wednseday, April 8th! You don't have to have a blog, just make sure to leave me your email in the comment or email me. So that I'll be able to contact you if you win!!!

Thanks Stephanie, you didn't disappoint!!

The rest of our trip...

2009-04-02T11:01:00.000-06:00

I love the above photo, very telling of our Sea World day, relaxing, and both kids loved everything. While they were standing there, my 4yo kept saying "whale, see the whale?" and the baby says, "way-el" just too cute.

Technically, this is a family photo. Can't find my husband?? Well that's cause your not a CSI tech. Yeah, his reflection is in my glasses if you really zoom in - I'm sure they'd do wonders with it in "the lab" LOL!

The next day at La Jolla Shores it was a tad foggy, as you can see, but still warm (uh, yeah sunny San Diego, not snowing the last day of March, Idaho!) The kids had fun. Well, let me rephrase, my son had a blast. Even went into the cold water with me - those photos of me and him facing away from the camera, they are for Adam only, even I don't want to see 'em! ;)

Seriously though my son just loved it, even digging with a plastic spoon from our yogurt cups and making sandcastles from my Aunt's recyclable tubs was a blast. Chasing a stubborn sandpiper who kept coming back for more and, ah, trying his best to make the sand look appealing for his sister. She, however was too busy almost drawing blood as she clenched me so tightly.

Seriously, she was content only to nurse at first. Yeah, it was rough, lying on a blanket, listening to the surf I really didn't complain! We just chilled for about 45 minutes or so. Then she was okay on my lap eating yogurt. A bit later she would venture around our safe blanket but no further. Finally, when left no other choice, as I had packed up the blanket, she reluctantly walked about 15 feet along the sand.

And we've got pictures to prove it!

Thanks to my hubby's Mom for moving back to sunny San Diego, and to my Aunt and Uncle for letting us stay there...it was a very fun journey.

Beach Baby!

2009-04-01T00:01:00.000-06:00

Wishing we were still there!!!

Moments of Life

2009-03-30T21:07:00.001-06:00

Written March 17, 2009 And yes, I'm still doting on my baby girl!

I immensely enjoy nursing my toddler. I have watched it transform over these many months from her life source to a down time of snuggles, providing us both with comfort, bonding and grounding.

It's easy for both of us now to be distracted and less in tune and present in the moment of it. Our time together seems to be caught up in other things (dancing, talking, running) with so much less time spent snuggling together some moments seem to be lost on "quick, let's finish this and get stuff done." As just another routine moment in our day, some are lost.

I can't begin to express how nice it was today to just relax and be present in the moment. Letting go of the rambling in my head an just absorbing the world around us. Even though there were constantly people walking on the path in front of us they took a far background and this little grassy nook felt like the entire world.

The smell of salty florals filled the breeze which gave my shaded skin a slight chill. Slowly, as I relaxed a deep warmth overtook me as I lay my sleepy daughter on my chest. Amazed at how long she is becoming that her legs were hanging off the other side of me I snuggled her in close.

Hearing the muted Shamu trainers in the background brought my thoughts to my son and his Dad, sitting there just out of the soak zone I could picture the looks on their faces. I was glad they could have this moment just the two of them, sometimes I know things seem more special when he gets to tell Mommy what he got to do with Daddy. Even though I wished I could be both places at once, I was happy with my choice to experience this little grassy nook of earth at Sea World.

With each breath my lungs gently rocked my girl, slowly and relaxed as her own body gave in to the land of dreams. I could still smell cotton candy on her breath - a long cry from her baby milk breath.

The wispy pines made a splendid foreground to the perfect blue sky as I gazed upward watching seagulls tirelessly fly overhead. Occasionally a pair of butterflies would dart in and around a small tree with funky thin palm fronds that stuck out and up, disrupting a swarm of gnats. Surrounded by bright yellow and purple flowers, as if they were welcoming us, to stop for a bit and live.

So we did. The boys had a blast watching Shamu and the girls had our own amazing experience. The benefits of which are still being reaped. Colors seem a bit more alive, hearts are happier and renewed and minds are a bit more present.

It is great to be alive and even better to live.

Sometimes the shoe is on the other foot!!!

2009-03-29T20:00:00.003-06:00

My wonderful son has done a great job of teaching his sister many things. How to give great big bear hugs, how to say many words, how to have a blast and very much how to be tough. Now, he might start to rethink this course of action! She actually climbs into him to roughhouse and she's only 18 months old.

Note:I wrote this back when she was 18 months but now another one has gone by and she's 19 months old in the blink of an eye.

Eighteen months old already! So much has changed, I'm starting to mourn for my baby girl while I rejoice for the toddler she is becoming. Oh, she is still my BABY but I've been around a few other tiny ones and I'm kinda jonesin' for a wee one. *****SMACK***** Yes, I am perfectly happy with the two I've got, I never (I know about saying never) want to be pregnant again but all the while I can't help but wonder if or when more kids will enter our family.

Back to my baby girl though, she's going through this verbal explosion at the moment. Everything used to be "mine-O" just a few months ago she put the words "mine and "no" together to make that wonderful phrase! Daddy thought it was the cutest little thing and she would say it at the drop of a hat. Now she's out of that phase and has moved on to saying, "owwwww" anytime anyone touches, tickles what ever - she's learned what gets a reaction.

She has a love for accessories, shoes especially. I have some pictures that I'll upload eventually. She loves getting my heels out of the boxes and puts them on her hands, but now she'll try to put them on her feet (not very successfully) but she's very determined.

A very, very busy girl she is becoming as she rarely sits still for long and loves to spin around while Adam plays the piano. Oh, and now (at 19mo) she will sing key words of songs with him like "me" and she'll do a lot of Hey Jude especially the "na, na, na" part. I do have to say that it is the sweetest thing to hear her little singing voice she actually changes pitch and everything, I'll have to upload the video one of these days.

Just like her Mommy, she loves to be outside, even on some of these rather cold spring days she begs at the back door signing and saying "play, play, play" until I oblige her. I will never, ever tire of her walking into the kitchen signing raisin and saying "ples" or saying "zezl, ples" (pretzel please.)

My heart is again out on my sleeve with her, words cannot describe the love that I have for her. And remember when I was pregnant with her I (for a fleeting moment) wondered how my heart would grow to love someone as much as my son. Certainly I know that the heart is just one of those things that can grow exponentially, DAILY!

My little Goose, I "la,la" you too! And I love your "ugs" and cuddles and everything about your soft, pudgy, smiley, charming, wonderful you! A true blessing!

Rotten Candy

2009-03-22T20:45:00.004-06:00

You might be able to guess just what this is. It's pink and blue and sticky. We gave it to our kids for the first time in San Diego at Sea World. Sort of felt bad giving it to my 19 month old since we held off with my son until he was 4.5! LOL! It was so funny though when we got back to my Aunt's house and he told her he ate "rotten candy" possibly the funniest thing to happen on our 2000 mile adventure!

2009-03-14T16:37:00.006-06:00

Life just keeps happening regardless of if it is recorded here or not. So far this month I've gotten another year older, got a preschooler beginning to recognize words, and my 19 mo old to sleep throughout the night. Well, really my husband did this last one but I'm certainly enjoying the benefits uninterrupted sleep for the first time since the middle of my 3rd trimester.

I really do miss writing about our silly happenings around here and I'm trying to figure out if there is time enough in the day to keep up with this place or not.

We leave in the morning for a marathon adventure to Las Vegas and then San Diego. It should be an exciting time driving - our drive time tomorrow I believe is about 11 hours so. The travel time will be up there pushing the "happy envelope" but I've got some stuff up my sleeve that will hopefully keep the kids occupied for much of the time.

Or so I pray.

I just loaded a Twitter app to my phone so I'll probably be twittering our doings when we have service. If you want to follow me, I'm heidibutterfly. Plus there's always facebook which sucks me in occasionally...

I have been writing drafts about all the rapid changes my baby girl is going through that I hope to complete before she changes too much more! It's hard to imagine her as tiny baby anymore, she walks, is starting to talk, and wants to do whatever her big brother is doing. Very fun!

Hope to twittter with you this week or see you on facebook -it's going to be a long car ride peeps :)

Quote for today...

2009-02-19T23:00:00.000-07:00

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. - Anne Frank

May I have this dance???

2009-02-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

Valentine's pancakes

2009-02-17T13:32:00.000-07:00

When my husband travels (once every three months or so) for work I always try to make things extra fun because I know the kids miss him. Usually breakfast for dinner is a way to make the evening a bit less stressful too.

Well, it was just a couple days before valentine's day and I made (very pitiful) heart and mickey mouse shaped pancakes.

While I was making them I told him that the heart ones didn't really look very much like hearts, but more like triangles. When I brought them over to him he said, "You did it Mommy, you made hearts, I knew you could do it!"

Then, holding one of the triangular hearts up to his chest he says, "Mommy, you make my heart SUPER happy!"

I am so very very blessed!!!

Pardon Me?

2009-02-15T20:32:00.006-07:00

Whoever is stealing precious minutes from my day please, please, PLEASE return them to their rightful owner. Moi! Seriously, this is my first blog post for the month!

Sigh, I don't even have anything going on I'm not planning a wedding or awaiting a new arrival or anything fun I seriously am just loosing time.

Ugh, here are a few photos because it's what I have time for!

Encouragement

2009-01-27T18:58:00.001-07:00

Check out this wonderful post: My Life Is... what an inspiration!

Reading things like this is why I keep blogging!!! I love to be challenged, encouraged, inspired, and lifted up!

Hope you are having a wonderful Tuesday!

Reading

2009-01-23T16:00:00.002-07:00

Sending a big thank you to all who left awesome comments about what story and chapter books you enjoy reading with/to your kids.

I wish we had more time in the day for reading because so many of the suggestions took me back to my childhood. I started looking them all up on amazon to order a bunch. Then I got smart and looked up which ones my library had and put a hold on some of them.

We picked a few up today and began reading A Bear Called Paddington. On deck are Hello, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and Children's Classics to Read Aloud.

He LOVED reading the chapters of Paddington (one yesterday and one today) and is looking forward to another installment tomorrow. So, I thank you for your suggestions and am SO excited to begin the next step in our reading adventure!