Renters, Brothers, Police, Oh My!

I love these cuties. They are so fun.

Funny story from cutie #2 today.

Me: I asked her if she wanted a little brother or sister.
Cutie #2: She said yes, a brother.
Cutie #2: do brothers pull hair?
Me: yes, and bite and push and wrestle on the floor sometimes.
Cutie #2: then I just want a baby sister.

Hahahah so funny. Poor girl has had to endure biting and hair pulling of late.

Today I went to Chick-fil-A and had a Cobb salad with their avocado lime dressing and grilled chicken instead of breaded. Oh my wow! It was delicious. I ate every bite. Yum!

It was a great option for eating out keto. Much better than other fast food salads. It was very low carb friendly.

It was a lovely way to end the day.

Earlier, I woke up from a nap to a police officer at my door. He had tried to call my cell I saw later.

He was checking on my renters story to see if it was true. He saw them moving things and stopped as they looked suspicious and he has helped me with my dogs before and didn’t recognize them.

The story checked out and he left. But what a kind thing to do. I love living in a small town. Thanks Santaquin police for watching out for us.

It was quite the exciting day. Very fun and we made many memories.

Pretty School and Other Mom Guilt

This past week, my oldest who is 7, Taylia, dressed up Addison in one of her uniforms. Complete with tucked in shirt, shoes, panda backpack, snacks, and hair done.

Oh the sass!

She looked so stinking cute. But Taylia had her thinking that she could go with her to school. I told them they wouldn’t let her on and when Taylia left she was super upset and crying.

Oh the sass!

She looked so stinking cute. But Taylia had her thinking that she could go with her to school. I told them they wouldn’t let her on and when Taylia left she was super upset and crying.

She finally came over to me and I said I’m sorry you can’t go until next year. She said but Bria (a girl from primary) goes to “pretty school.” She meant pre School and I talked to her mom today and apparently she doesn’t go. But still so funny.

My oldest has been saying for months that I need to send Addy to preschool or homeschool. That she needs to know her letters etc. She keeps acting like she is behind because she doesn’t know as much as her 3 years older self.

This piles on the mom guilt when I’m depressed which ends up being most of the school year let’s be honest. This year it was from about November to a week or so ago. So at least half the school year.

I often have guilt when I need a little screen time babysitting (or a lot).

When I don’t teach or have cute crafts because they make a mess or I can’t handle more than meals (frozen pizza) and moving from the bed to the couch.

Honestly it wasnt normally that bad this year. Things went really well as far as productivity levels. But it has been in the past.

I have been working really hard to let go of the idea that I have to be entertaining my children 24/7 to be a successful parent. I’m realizing sometimes it’s the opposite. They need to feel bored occasionally and they need to play outside (our goal right now is an hour a day). They need to read and be creative and make a mess.

It has been freeing to me to let myself take a nap if I need it and let my 3 yr old play with Daddy working nearby. I’m so much happier the rest of the time for it and that is what is amazing about self care. True self care not this crap that is just selfish, but the whole put on your own oxygen mask first, fill your vessel stuff. True self care makes you better and more able to give.

So heres to letting go of mom guilt and hoping one day they invent “pretty school”.

A Hilarious Afternoon with Love and Logic

Friday I went shopping with all of my available kids twice! I forgot that my friend who can’t drive a car right now needed to go shopping too. When I got home she texted me and even though I was just done shopping, I piled the kids in the car and headed back to the store with her to go shopping.

Before leaving, I finished up balancing my budget and entering my receipts in Ibotta. I got back $16.25 and only spent $80!!!! That part was awesome.

So I piled my three girls in the backseat and went to pick up my friend and away we went. I had bought the girls new water bottles that day and they were guzzling down water on the way there. As soon as we got there Taylia asked for the bathroom so we split up and I took her to go. We then met back up and here comes the love and logic piece. I told my girls “I let girls stay in the store with me who don’t cause problems”. It was a perfect opportunity for a lesson in store behavior since I didn’t need to be in the store. I had already shopped.

Addison tested first and I warned more than is advisable but as soon as she started screaming we took off outside. Taylia was upset saying but I didn’t cause problems but she needed to come with me. I took her hand and she was calming telling me “I’m going to bite you if you don’t let me stay!” I eventually let go and she followed me luckily. Addy of course screamed bloody murder the whole way.

As soon as we got to the car I buckled up Addy and waited outside for a bit. I then discovered Rachel had had a blow out. So I changed her diaper on the front seat and then threw it away. I had been smart and parked by the cart collection which had a trash. Then Addy said “I won’t cause any more pwobelems (problems)” I had the presence of mind to say “I know you won’t and I’m happy to let you try again next time.”

Then after letting Addy out she wanted to change her wet diaper so back to the trash I went all while the women in the car across from me is watching me I’m sure thinking I’m crazy. When I get back Addy had peed on her pants. So I put them aside and put on a diaper for her. Then Taylia says she has to pee again. There is no way I’m going back inside so I give her a diaper and help her put it on. She pees in it and I’m out throwing away yet another diaper.

By this time we have run into our bishop the leader of our church, his son and family, the relief society presidency member who is my friend and my other friend texted she was there too and she is my visiting teacher. They of course are all asking if I need help lol. “no, I’m just having a Love and Logic lesson.”

So then my poor friend has trouble with her transaction and it takes longer than anticipated but we make it home and after dropping her off my daughter goes into manipulation 101 saying how it’s not fair she can’t go to her school carnival and I’m saying “I know…” My Love and Logic brain dead parent phrase to avoid arguing. Then come to find out later the carnival was cancelled due to weather.

I just have to laugh at the ridiculousness of the day. But I came out in one piece and I didn’t lose my temper or yell! Progress!!