The Lonely Lunchbox

It was a hectic morning, mostly my fault. The alarm went off at its usual time, but I just couldn't bring myself to get out of the bed. 15 minutes later the alarm went off again and I sprung out of bed. We did our usual morning routine, but now we were 15 minutes behind schedule. I prepared Ava's lunch and placed her lunchbox on the counter. We got our coats on and rushed out the door. As soon as we got on the highway, it hit me that I had left Ava's lunchbox on the counter. Fortunately, I knew Chris hadn't left for class yet so I called him quickly and asked that he drop it off on his way to work. Crisis adverted! Whew!

We pulled into Ava's school carpool, and I turned and apologized that mommy had forgot her lunch and explained that daddy would bring it by. Ava just said "okay!" I thought to myself "well, that went well." I walked around and got Ava out of the carseat only to be welcomed by the saddest face. I gave her a squeeze and apologized once again and assured her that daddy would bring her lunchbox before lunch time. Ava didn't want to budge so I decided to carry her to the door to give her a little more assurance that everything was going to be okay. I explained to her teacher the issue and she also assured Ava that mommy was taking care of it. Ava finally lifted her head and gave a little smile and went on into class. Sigh, I walked back to my car and my eyes filled with tears.

This particular day was one of those days where you feel like you're the worst parent in the world. I know this seems like a minor issue but it's not the first time I've dropped the ball. You plan and you prepare. You try your best to be on top of things but sometimes you just feel so worn out and no matter what you do you feel like you can't do anything right. Have you been there?
Fast forward to later that day when I picked up Ava. I got out of our car and headed to the gate and before I got there I heard the happiest squeal followed by "MOMMY!" Talk about turning around your day! Ava gave me the biggest hug and showed me that daddy had brought her lunchbox. She told me she had the best day playing with her friends Rob and Maci. Tears again filled my eyes but this time they were happy tears. I knew all was forgiven and I got to try again.

I said all of this to say this....First, there is no such thing as the "perfect" parent. It's something I have to daily remove from my thought bank. So let that notion go!!! Second, a reminder I received from my sister a few months back that God chose YOU to parent your child or children. Everything it'll take to raise and guide your child is within YOU already. Through God's grace and strength you can be the best parent to your child even with your weaknesses.
 I'd like to leave you with a few scriptures that I quote when I'm having a hard time and need a reminder that with God's strength I can do this thing called parenthood.

Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, "Do not fear, I will help you." Isaiah 41:14

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

Christmas Cheer

Each December Ava's school has a cookie exchange. This year we were unable to attend because both girls were sick with colds. We had bought all the supplies to make our cookies and didn't want it to go to waste. Ava made sugar cookies with her favorite sprinkles. We used our Christmas cookie cutters which make Santa, stockings, snowman, candy canes and trees.

We decided to spread some Christmas cheer to our neighbors. Ava was so excited to make the cookies and package them for everyone. It never hurts to spread a little love to those around you.

Painting Pinecones

We were at the park and Ava couldn't help but notice all the pine cones on the ground. We decided to take a few home with us that she picked out and paint them. Of course we had to use her favorite colors, pink and purple, complete with glitter. It's the simple things in life that bring so much joy. What a way to connect with nature!

Bubbles, Bubbles Everywhere

A week ago it rained every day for a straight week. That's never fun when you have 2 kiddos who love the outdoors. Daddy came to the rescue and decided to create some bubble makers!! All of our wands were in the shed with the summer stuff so Chris had the idea of using what we had in our cabinets. Plastic cups and straws HA! I'm not sure who had more fun Chris or the kids.

Alphabet Soup

Ava received Alphabet Soup Sorters from her grandparents a few months back and we decided to work with them the other day. I never want to overwhelm Ava with too much at one time so I separated the cans into the order we use in the Montessori classroom. We started with the letters M, A, S and T. The pictures I captured are from another time as we have progressed through the cans rather quickly. The neat thing about these cans is that it presents the capital and lower case letter and provides pictures for each letter. After going through the pictures for one can Ava likes for us to play the memory game. I ask Ava to close her eyes and then I remove one picture from a particular set. Ava then opens her eyes and guesses which picture is missing.

A Trip To The Aquarium On Roanoke Island

It was great being home with our family and friends for Christmas. I just hate that the majority of the time our littles and the hubby and I had a cold. With all the sickness we really didn't get to go out and do the usual things we do at Christmas time. We had a few days left of Christmas vacation so we decided to head to Roanoke Island Aquarium. 

Ava taking a look at some turtles.

Lucy taking a look around.

Checking out the albino alligator.

The neatest part of the aquarium was getting to experience their sea turtle rescue. There were lifelike sea turtles that had been hurt and it was Ava's job to clean her turtle up, examine him, and then release him back into the ocean. 

Ava getting an X-Ray of her turtle. 

Ava's taking a blood sample from her turtle to determine his diagnosis. 

Putting her turtle in the tank for observation.

Observing her turtle.

This is a real sea turtle that had been rescued and was under observation. 

Ava and daddy got to touch the stingrays. 

Taking a look at the large shark tank.

Standing in front of a giant shark tooth.

Ava said, "I've got the best moves!" haha

Lucy's Fine Motor Activity

I was in our local Dollar Tree browsing the kitchen utensils aisle and came across a parmesan shaker. I quickly remembered a work I put out in my classroom in the practical life area containing a parmesan shaker and toothpicks. For an older child, I would typically use toothpicks but since Lucy is still rather young I decided to use a different material. I purchased the shaker and a pack of coffee straws and went home to create a new fine motor work for Lucy. I presented the lesson to Lucy and when it was her turn she took right off. Although there are many holes in the shaker, I only put out a few straws this time. This will allow Lucy time for mastery without feeling overwhelmed. From the looks of these pictures I believe she enjoyed herself.

For an idea of how to create this lesson with toothpicks for an older child check out Chasing Cheerios page. You can also recycle a parmesan jar and cut regular straws like Sugar Aunts has done in this picture.

You can also use q-tips like Peaceful Parenting has done in this picture.