MELT

Both kids were running through the department store, touching everything in sight. One announced she had to go poopoo. Ran through the floor to buy a pack of wipes, made it to the bathroom but right outside she saw a car she wanted to drive and refused to go to the potty. So we left. After two minutes, he announced that he had to go poopoo. We made it back to the bathroom in time, and then they were off again, pulling toys off shelves to show me they wanted to buy it for this friend or that cousin. They were tugging opposite ways on their harnesses and then Sunbeam runs up behind me, tugs my shirt and says softly, shyly, "Love you, Mom."

SICK

Sunbeam had been sick since Thursday, possibly since Wednesday but it was so hot, I thought she was warm due to the weather. Anyway, sick with fever ranging from 40.2 down to 38+. She was happy and active between fevers and medicines would bring the fever down after about half an hour or so.
On Saturday, no fever for several hours, so I thought she was ok and decided not to take her to the doctor. I was able to speak with the pediatrician and she warned me that a trip to the emergency room was a possibility if she was no longer active and happy. Of course, as soon as the clinics closed, she was hot again, and was getting more lethargic. I gave her some medicine and the next bout of fever came too soon after to give some more. She got weaker and only wanted to sleep. So my only recourse, other than the hospital, was a quick, intense prayer to Baba to please take care of her great grandchild. Well, in ten minutes, her fever broke. After an hour, it was completely gone. The next morning, she had a low 38+ fever which went away with some paracetamol. And since then, nothing. Thanks, Baba!

TOUGH GRATITUDE

Sometimes gratitude is difficult. I try to give thanks daily but there are some days when I'm so worn out physically and emotionally that it's a stretch to find something to be thankful for.
Like today. Sunbeam has been sick but quite active and cranky. The heat has been incredible. It was difficult getting anything done when holding Sunbeam with one arm and juggling Sunshine's questions and attempts to take over the computer.
But last night, Sunshine slept without a nappy and I actually got up every 3 hours to bring him to the potty. Despite my disturbed rest and Sunbeam's fever, I actually did get some work done today. And I had some leftover yummy cocoa cookies (hazelnut and Lindt mint).
Sometimes I have to think hard to find the smallest things to be grateful for, but there is always something.

LAST HURRAH

Sunshine's nursery class was surprisingly tight-knit. The kids were sad about having to move up, and making new friends and having new teachers. One of the moms had the great idea of a post-Moving Up Day activity. She rented a huge inflatable "castle". The kids bounced around for hours! Sunshine and Sunbeam had a blast!

NAPPIE-LESS

Sunbeam went without a nappy all day. I am looking forward to more days like this! Nighttime is another story, for both Sunbeam and Sunshine. But going without nappies during the day is a breakthrough in growing up and in my grocery budget!

SCRAPES AND DIRT

You probably can't see the scabs and mud on these legs, but they're full of evidence of a very active day. I'm grateful for scraped knees, dirty shoes, and smudges everywhere else because it means my kids are energetic and happy and able to run around and do kid things!

EXCESS ENERGY

The amount of my kids' excess energy seems to be increasing daily. A friend recommended a relatively new park. Tiny with just four swings, but clean and nobody else was there. Sunshine had a great time chasing me with the ball, while Sunbeam spent most of the time pulling up grass from the ground and banging on the benches. Pink cheeks at the end of the afternoon!

SUBURBAN SUNDAY

My kids are city kids. Great as our home is, it is still rather cramped and quite polluted, not to mention bereft of greenery and nature.
Having in-laws living in the suburbs is heaven sent when you've got a 4-year old and a 2-year old. The weather was great: breezy and sunny. We spent Sunday afternoon kicking around a mini soccer ball, climbing monkey bars, and watching some kids playing basketball. In between all that were lots of tickles, exploring among trees and dry leaves, and ogling a beautiful house by the park. Sunshine and Sunbeam had a great time. And since they were exhausted from all the running, they fell asleep during the long ride home, and S and I were able to enjoy a quiet, early dinner of steak, tomato pasta, and green beans. Then we had a home showing of Meryl Streep's It's Complicated. Nice way to end a busy weekend.

ICE CREAM IN PAJAMAS

The kids were wide awake, so we took them out in hopes of getting them to calm down and fall asleep in the car. Late at night, in their jammies, out for some frozen yogurt and orange juice - what a treat! And yes, we had touchdown 5 minutes after getting back into the car.
What's to be grateful for here? That we can give them treats like this once in a while, and that they actually fell asleep right away!

WHAT IS WORK? WHAT IS PLAY?

I love that Sunshine's school advocates learning through play. Playing is called "work" at school. They even have "meetings"!
At a school event, the only toys brought out were these strips of cardboard, and what a BIG HIT they were. They kept the kids busy for hours. The kids made mazes, tracks, runways, costumes, colored on them, cut them up, wore them as hats... endless possibilities for their imaginations.

A SAPPY POST

Saw this apt reminder at the Mary Grace Cafe.
This is for my very own S, especially when he snores.
And to my bouncing bundles of joy, Sunshine and Sunbeam, this DOES apply to you as well, even when you are cranky, whiny, messy, irritating, exhausting, exasperating, nagging.
I'm grateful (often in hindsight, but grateful nevertheless) because the alternative silence would be deafening.

SUGAR AND SPICE

The world over, the thought of high-heeled slippers makes little girls feel like princesses. Little girls unsteadily clack-clacking across the floor in oversized plastic princess shoes. Here is my pink princess, twirling away. Frilly, swirly, swishy, girly!

HAPPY NEIGHBOR

We have our own dog, a noisy, aloof, headstrong, possessive, wonderful Corgi who thinks he is a person. He is our constant companion and bodyguard. Once in a while though, we enjoy playtime with our neighbor's Old English Sheepdog, Maxima. The kids often demand to visit Maxi. She is huge, friendly and has light blue eyes! Hugging her is like being engulfed in a fluffy ball of happiness, punctuated by the occasional slobbery kiss.