homebody family

We've had a busy week. We're not generally busy people, but adding a new dance class and a trip to the Natural History Museum, and a few jaunts over to friends meant that we were out a lot.
Today, after a fun time at a friend's, Lucy had a meltdown.
She screamed, "I don't want to go anywhere tomorrow!"

As chagrined as I was to have over-scheduled the week, I also felt a flush of relief. She likes being home. She likes our quiet routine. And it makes me feel good that she does.

change? You're not supposed to change!

Julia is social! She likes people! She wants to be held by everyone! Including random people we meet on the street!
This is what I've been telling everyone.
Except today, I realized it isn't exactly true anymore.
Still social, this girl, but stranger danger seems to have bit her. And today, I realized that she doesn't reach out to strangers anymore, will veer away from people when they smile at her, and she'll shake her head no if they reach out their hands.
It also occurred to me that she's been this way for at least a week or two, and I kept thinking it was just for today, that she hadn't really changed, that it was just this time.
It makes me wonder: what else do I know about my children that just isn't true anymore?

a brand new playground

Took the children to the Natural History Museum today. All went swimmingly, except when Julia decided that the hadrosaurus display looked like a really great playground. That tail, that crest: surely it was meant to be climbed?
Ah, museum: next time, install monkey bars instead of the fossils. The toddlers will thank you.

taking stock

It was the end of a long week. I was tired.
Lots of excuses, but I was not at my parenting best. Impatient, and snippy, and snarling when she didn't snap to attention when I issued orders.
I drove to a friend's house and was so distracted I nearly hit a woman pushing a stroller. It did not make hell self-esteem go up.
I kept thinking I need to get over myself, but the self proved to be slippery and hard to climb.
And then Saturday came and I got time to myself and a nap and time out of the house and exercise and time with a friend and some cookies.
And now I feel ready for another week of raising kids (hopefully) kindly.

I also borrowed a book from said friend: Unconditional Parenting. This is sort of a go-to book in the parenting circles I run in--the kind of crunchy/granola/brown rice crowd.
And it's a book I hated a few years ago, when I first picked it up.
Re-reading it, I think it's because it was mostly theoretical, and I run more to practicality. Also, I was at the end of my rope, and the man seemed to be asking me to conjure more rope. I mean, please.
But a few years and better mental health later, I liked the book, after skipping the theory/current parenting critique (which was about 3/4 of the book).
My take-away? Try to say no less often. Ask questions more. And see if I can get my child in on some decision making.
Also: I'm doing better than I thought I would, years ago. Not perfectly, but better-than-expected.

I gave some of those lessons a try today, and I liked it. I liked the way I related to Lucy. I think if I don't default to "no" and try talking at Lucy less, we'd both be better served.

One thing I like about parenting: there's always tomorrow. There are a lot of days to try something different, and no one day ruins the pie. It's all a work in progress: me, my parenting, my kids, and (apparently), my driving.

digital lifestyle

Seen on an site for children's movie-making software: "[This software] brings purpose to the digital lifestyle."
Question: How exactly would making my own short films with children's toys give my life purpose? And will purpose really only cost $49? Also: what the heck is a digital lifestyle?

Speaking of digital lifestyle: I recently got a very nice smartphone. I'm all organized and texty and messagey and connected. I love it.
However, I also stopped reading books. Usually, I read books like I eat food. So now I'm organized, but not myself. Sigh.
So: purposeless reading has been replaced by purposeless smartyphoning. Not a good trade. So much for the digital lifestyle.

Question

Question: What am I this year?

Re-solved, a jigsaw, comfortingly puzzling?
Solved: a caper from 221 B?
Resolved, resolute, resold, resoled, solid, solvent?

Shall I decide to decide which?
Or dissolve the solving? Embrace/Accepting?
May the solving be solid fun,
The resolving soluble, the resolutions resolute.

dance, everybody

After months of begging, many impromptu performances, and the purchase of some severely cute pink ballet shoes, my oldest daughter went to her first ballet class today. There was fairy dancing, some scarves and stars, and even an obstacle course (Mr. Baryshnikov, take note). We're trying the class at our local Y, so I also tried the infant center with Julia, checking back every few minutes to confirm that yes, she was still busy disassembling their toy area.
And so I sat outside in a courtyard in the sun while both my children were entertained.
And then I got them back and we got to go home for more entertainment.
I love seeing my girls getting so big, so full of skills. Brava!