Lenten Crazyness

As part of my Lenten practise this year I am de-cluttering a part of my house every day. Some days it is a big project (like our storage) other days it is a little more reasonable (like my sock drawer). But since Ash Wednesday I have been avoiding working on the pantry. Well today was the day!

I am glad that Lenten is meant to teach us and not really about getting my house clean!

Commuting Prairie Style

This is the way to get to preschool!

Post Christmas Craft idea

Around here we find letting go of Christmas hard. It is a little sad to take down all the festive decorations. The living room feels empty with out a tree and lights. And I really hate recycling Christmas cards. 

But this Post-Christmas craft has been fun and helped a little with the post Christmas blues. 

How to Make Boxes Out of Christmas Cards:

Step One: Cut the card into two pieces down the fold of the card.

Step Two: Take a ruler or and mark a line form one corner to the other and again with the other corners. This will give you the centre of the card.

Step Three: Fold each side so the edge of the card reaches to the middle of the card (Your X you just made). It helps to crease the fold with the ruler. 

Step Four: On one side cut the creases until they mean the creases going in the opposite direction. Then do it again on the other side. 

Step Five: Fold the flaps you have just cut in and glue them together forming the side of the box. 

Do this on both sides.

Step Six: Now fold the middle flap over the top of the two flaps you glued together and glue it down as well. Again, repeat on the other side. And now you have the top of your box.

Step Seven: Now you get to make the bottom of your box exactly the same way but you need to make it a little smaller so that it will fit. Cut off 1/4 inch off each side of the other piece of card before you start and you are set. 

We use them to give small gifts, or even pack up little ornaments. 

Have fun!

Mommy Magic

I love having a baby in the house. I love snuggling up with a warm little bundle. I love how they look at me like I am the most important, beautiful person in the world. And I love how I can fix any problem, a bump on the knee, a sleepy head, or even frustration over a not being able to eat electrical plugs. A cuddle and a nurse usually puts everything right.

I just wish that lasted forever. I wish that I could fix every things for all my kids for ever. But I can’t. For my big kids, I can no longer make everything right with a hug. I wish that I could reach in and take out the fear and anxiety in the heart of one of my beautiful babies. I wish I could help another see himself as I see him, an intelligent, fabulous, and interesting person. I wish I could help my little boy not take everything so deeply to heart. But I can’t.

As much as it hurts my heart, I know that taking the hurt and difficulties away from my kids would not serve them well. When I step back a little I see that it is the hard things that will make my children into strong adults. I know that if they never have to struggle, they will not know how strong they are. Or if they never hurt they will never see how beautiful forgiveness is. But it still hurt me to see them sad, frustrated or scared. Sometimes I think it hurts me more. They bounce back and move on but I am still grieving for them and their tender hearts. I want to fix it and make all the bad stuff disappear.

But my four-year-old said it best. After some now long forgotten sadness she was very distraught. I was trying to fix it, to explain why it was not that bad, why she should cheer up. She looked up at me with those big blue eyes and said “Mom, I don’t want you to make it better. I just want you to know that I am sad.”

Oh right. I am not the magician who can fix every things, but I still have a little magic left. I am that place that is safe even if the world gets to big. I am the listening ear that can just hear what they are feeling when their emotions getting more complex than ever before. And I can still have a hug, even though it will not fix everything. It still helps.

The inner four-year-old

I think that inside all of us is an inner four-year-old just waiting to get out. It is that part of us that wants to run with "super jets " down the hotel hallway. Or order waffles no matter which meal it is. It is the part of us that would love nothing better than to lay floating on our back in the swimming pool singing very loudly to our selves.

Some how between the time we were actually four and now we have learned that social norms do not include these things and so we don't wear our favourite pants, shorts, skirt and dress all at the same time. But I think I would have a lot more fun if I did.

Look at this

They say too much candy rots your teeth!

Happy Halloween

Look at our real live jack-o-lantern.