This year we spend the fourth at home. Yes, we had nothing planned, we didn't do any crafts, no American flag shaped food, and no fourth of July fest. We had every intention of going, I even found some outfits for the kids, but recovering from our trip to Lego Land, resulted in an over three hour long nap for the kids. So Nate I decided to not wake them, and to just stay home, and that is exactly what we did. We played snuggled, read books, and played with all the Lego blocks we could not help but buy. I am so happy we stayed it was more enjoyable then brushing elbows in a crowd, trying to comfort overwhelmed children, and we saved a few bucks from silly overpriced carnival rides, to make a last trip to an amazing zoo in France. I am super excited to be in the states next year for the Fourth of July, and be able to enjoy the day with all my American family and friends, maybe they can call teach me something new about the rich history of their country.
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| The kids build all this by themselves. |
On Saturday morning I decided that Hayleigh and I needed a little mommy and daughter time. I try to take Ian on a date once a month or so - where we go to the movies and lunch or just do something fun in general. I have not yet started to do this with Hayleigh, so I decided it is time and we will test how it goes.
I have to say that it was a success - how come the kids are way more manageable when they are not together? I was amazed at how awesome she was. She walked all by herself, stayed right by me, didn't run wild and actually listened!
I had a great time with her, I know for a fact she will not sit still in a movie theater so we went shopping and she picked out a new dress, went to the Germany bakery (oh how I am going to miss the bakeries), and made a stop at the book store. I date with mama is not complete without a stop at the bookstore. I love books, and I love that my kids love to read books. Yay, for book worms.
I really needed some time with Hayleigh, to marvel. She is such a gift and joy to me, but sometimes (actually most if the time) I get so frustrated with her strong-willed personality, and her independence, and the fact that she wants to try everything herself and she is nor moving fast enough for me.
Well Saturday, I sat back and marveled at the little things, watching her stop for the littlest things, and just being intrigued and it felt so good to just take our time, to not worry about time, and "duties" at home, or "things to get done." I decided we should have more times like these, let her walk up the stairs for bed time if she wants to, even if it takes five minutes longer to get everyone in bed, let her help unpack the groceries one by one, even if it takes ten minutes longer to unpack all the backs, let her help put the laundry in the washer even if it takes a little longer. Marvel at the fact that she watches and learns, and then she wants to practice.
I am so blessed to have two beautiful kids, and sadly sometimes I take them for granted. No more of that. I want to wake up in the morning and be thankful for them, and when I want to pull my hair out I want to rejoice and be thankful that I even have these little frustrations with them.
I leaned a lot for my little girl, in just a few hours, and I am amazed at how I can learn so much for a little person. I needed it. I am so in love with her.
We spend the rest of the weekend, doing yard work, cleaning up the house before me moves, organizing the last stuff, and making numerous trips to the thrift store to donate the things we don't want to move.
We also cooked out in the grill on a somewhat cloudy and chilly afternoon, and just soaked up the family conversation. We finally broke the news to the kids that we are moving and things to expect in the next couple of weeks. I am happy to say that they took it pretty well, and pretty much all Ian can talk about now is moving to the Texas house. He has been bombarding us with a million questions, and that is ok. That is how he processes things, he as for conformation a thousand times. I am still learning patience and how to deal with his unique personality in this area. Nate and I smiled a ton, at all the little things he told us, and his sweet little dreams. In that moment I knew, we will all be ok. Yes, the move is scary and intimidating and stressful at times, but having each other and doing it together, is what makes it exciting.
Some other random things we enjoyed this weekends, includes coconut break, and flowers from Hayleigh. She made up for her forty-five minute temper tantrum over something silly, with some wild flowers, she and daddy picked on the way home from walking to the little grocery store down the street. How could I not accept such a sweet apology?
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| You can find the recipe here. |
I finally got around to taking pictures of our bedrooms, I love our bedrooms, but wish we spend more time in them besides for sleeping at night and during naps. The rooms are upstairs, so the kids don't like playing up there by themselves during the day.
It also makes me sad to realize when we get to Texas, and find a house the kids will be graduating to "bigger" kid rooms, yay for new projects!
Hayliegh's room is not much different from it being the nursery when she was still a baby, besides that we took down the front railing of the crib to make it into toddler bed. I made most of the decorations on the walls with cheap frames and scrapbook paper, fabric, and canvas.
I found a few things at the thrift store, and the things on her book shelves are mostly mementos, special gifts, and little baby shoes that I used to tell Nate I was pregnant, that kind of thing. I love her room, just because it is not overly girly, but still girly.
Ian's room is pretty much the same scenario as Hayleig's. It is not how it was as a nursery but most things are self made all the, thrift store finds, or given to us by friends. Nate made Ian's head board, I made the toys box, all the frames and decorations are made by me. He also has some mementos on his shelves. I love his room, but I am so excited for a new house in the states and to up grade his room to a little boy room.
Our room has not changed much since we have gotten married, besides the kid's art above our bed, and seas shells from our recent trip home to South Africa. We updated some pictures, on the walls, added some frames next to out beds, and Nate made the bench just to add some character to room. Our room use to be down stairs by the awesome bathroom, and our closet, but the kids didn't like sleeping upstairs by themselves, and to save everyone sleepless nights and midnight fits, we moved our bed upstairs, but still use the downstairs as our "closet." We have had the same bed and bedding since we got married. I love the yellow, it makes our room feel happy. Maybe one day when we are doing fixing up all the other rooms in the house we might add some things to our room. For now, I do love it!
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| Painted canvas by the kids. |
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| Shells from the beach house. |
I love the simplicity of our house. There is no clutter, everything is plain, but it is homey. It is our home, I do hope to keep it like this once we move back to the States, since immediate availability is not as accessible as in the States. Hoping to keep it to the minimal.
We are all ready for them to come and pack up the house, everything is ready. Now we just wait, patiently (that is the hard part), and that is the hard part. Prayers for an easy and peaceful move and transition is greatly appreciated.
Happy Tuesday!
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