Hummingbirds...

Really??? I thought the Mommy Wars were over.

I don't often get bothered by much.  I can let most things roll off my back and find the humor in it.

But recently, I have seen this card floating around facebook and, I have to say, I don't really find it funny.

It's not so much that I am bugged by the moms who posted it.  More so, I am annoyed that the sentiment of this card even exists. 

I mean, REALLY?

I thought the so-called "Mommy Wars" of Working Moms vs. Stay-at-Home moms were over.

But, this card leads me to believe that I was wrong. 

So I wonder...

Why do we perpetuate a divide between moms who stay-at-home and those who are employed?

Why, when motherhood is so hard, do we expend energy tearing each other down?

Why do we feel the need to one up each other and prove how much busier we are than someone else?

Why do we harshly judge one another?

Why?  I just don't get it!

Regardless of whether we spend our work day in the home, or outside of the home, we are all moms.

...Moms who struggle to find balance in the chaos of life.

...Moms who have made our own personal choices about how to raise our children.

...And, moms who question, from time to time, whether or not our parenting decisions (including whether to go to work or not) are the right ones.

Aren't we all just moms who are trying to doing our best for ourselves, our kids, and our families?

Perhaps I am living in a kumbaya-ish world, but I think that life would be better if we, as moms, simply supported and respected each other - even if (dare I say "especially if") our decisions are different!

Please, tell me I am not alone in this?!!?

What a difference a year makes!

We are on vacation on the shores of North Carolina!  Last summer we were here, about this same time, and it is amazing to me the difference a year makes!

Last year, the boys really couldn't read...This year, books and independent reading helped make the 13 hour drive a smooth one!

Last year, it took the boys a while to warm up to the idea of playing in the surf...This year, they ran directly into the waves and giggled in glee.

Last year, while on vacation they learned to ride on two wheels and were scared to go very far... This year, we are going on bike rides for miles.

Last year, they always wanted me to get into the pool with them...This year, they get in all by themselves and could care less if I am there or not.

Last year, there were tears when buckets of sand did not turn into a perfect sandcastle...This year, the buckets of sands are still not perfect sandcastles, but there are no tears, and the sandcastles are spectacular!

It is fun to watch them grow.  Sometimes I miss the cute babies, toddlers, and preschoolers that they were...but mostly I am enjoying who they are now!

Just Beachy!

Does life get better than this?

My keep-the-kids-busy Travel Book

All the goodies, ready to go!

Tomorrow we will be traveling.

A thirteen hour drive. 

With six and seven year old boys.

Yep, from 6am-7pm,
all four of us...   In. The. Car!

So I planned and prepared for this "adventure!"



The car is packed full of goodies!
     Car games - that the boys only get to play with when we travel.
     DVDs and books - from the library - new to them!
     And the Keep-the-kids-busy Travel Book - my favorite creation!

The Keep-kids-busy Travel Book is simple but SO useful for, well, keeping them busy!  It is easy to create too...I went online and printed up free games (Mazes, Hidden Pictures, Math Problems, Word Seeks), stories, maps (of all the states we will travel through), and state worksheets (that I purchased from http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/) and GBC bound them into a book.  One for each boy.

I created similar books the last time we traveled and I was pleased at how much the boys enjoyed them.  And, more importantly, how long it occupied them!

So I am crossing my fingers, and hoping, that Travel Books, plus the other goodies make for a quick 13 hours!

Wish us luck!

"I'm Having a Bad Day!"

It drives me crazy when my boys say they are having a bad day!

A Bad Day...Really?  It's only 8:00am! 

A Bad Day...Really?  Just a minute ago you were laughing!

A Bad Day...Really?  Earlier today, you were playing and having a blast!

So, I have tried to teach my boys to say, "I am having a bad moment!"

Because, a moment doesn't have to last 24 hours.
And, because, in a moment, everything can change.
One moment can be bad, yet the next can be extraordinary!

So, today, when Owen, with tears in his eyes, looked at me and said "Mommy, it's a bad moment!"  I could help but smile as I wrapped my arms around him.

Been around the block...RIGHT?

It's not my first time around the block...or is it? 

I mean...I have been around the block many times - I have walked it, driven it, ridden my bike, and even ran around it a few times.

It is a simple block - just 5th, to Maple, to 4th, to Beech and back to 5th.  No curves.  No hills.  And only a few bumps in the sidewalk.

This time, it's the same block, but it is very different. 

This time, I didn't go.

But, they did -
All. By. Themselves.

Multiple times.

Four wheels, two helmets, and two pedaling boys.  (With no mom!)

How did this happen?  When did they get old enough to hop on their bikes and just go??? 

Not that long ago...
they couldn't even walk.

Not that long ago...
their little chubby legs couldn't even reach the pedals.

Not that long ago...
they were afraid to take off their training wheels.

Not that long ago...
they were so wobbly that they didn't ride very far.

But, I know, I know...  I watched them - as they learned to walk, and grew tall enough to pedal, and the training wheels were removed, and they said "Look at me mom!  Just 2 wheels!"  And, I saw them become more and more confident. 

So, I let them go.  Encouraged them, even!

Yep, today, was their first time around the block.

And, I guess, in a way, it was mine too!