week one

It's been one week since Stephen went away for work and the kids seem to be adjusting nicely. We went to a family function last weekend and I was sure that they were going to drive me crazy, being 2 and4 and doing what little kids do. But they didn't! I brought crayons and toys to keep them occupied and there were other kids there that weren't running around, so I am sure that helped. Grace kept saying that she wanted "Happy Day Cake" because I had told the kids we were going to see Grandma and Grandpa and that it was Grandma's birthday. Zander was just so excited to see "Gaunka: (Grandma) and "Gaunka-gaunka (Grandpa)" that he would have done whatever I wanted. There was a photographer at the party and Zander just about drove him crazy getting him to take pictures of all the toys he brought and of course, had to be shown the pictures. LOL

This week we've spent a lot of time at home, and I was worried that the kids would be all about pulling stuff off of the Christmas tree but so far they have pretty much ignored it. Thank goodness! Now if I could just get Grace to leave the Christmas cards alone, we'd be all set... I guess I can't have everything!

Today was fun, Zander had his last speech therapy session for the time being and they think he is coming along just fine, we just need to work on a few concepts, ie: in front and behind and two step direction following. Hopefully this will also help with potty training! I had a great chat with a friend who gave me some tips and advise and tomorrow I will be tackling the training with a vengeance. We went to the indoor playground today and were there for three hours. I'm surprised that I didn't lose my mind, there were a lot of kids there...( school field trips before the Christmas break), however, my kids had fun and we left the building at 2:30 or so with no injuries! Ye-ay! Zander has also surprised me this week by happily sitting at the dinner table with us and voluntarily trying new food. No bribing, no threatening, no tears. It may seem like a little thing but when you have a picky eater that tries roasted chicken without being asked, you almost want to run out and buy a lottery ticket! Another fun thing that we did today was go grocery shopping... yes, I said grocery shopping. Grace loves riding in the cart and Zander pretends it is a garbage truck and tosses everything in. Hey, it might bruise the bananas but at least he's happy. I found myself joyfully and unabashedly singing the theme song to Veggie Tales with Grace as we shopped. If I stopped she would shout, sing the song, which just made me laugh and you know, I didn't care. We were grocery shopping and it fit! It you don't know the song, it goes, "Broccoli, Celery, gotta be, Veggie Tales. Lima Beans, Collard Greens, Peachy Keen, Veggie tales! Cauliflower, Sweet and Sour, half an hour, VEGGIE TALES! There's never-ever-ever been a show like Veggie Tales, There's never-ever-ever-ever been a show like Veggie Tales, it's time for veggie taaaaaaaaaaaaaales! " Love those shows... if you haven't seen them, you have to youtube them... Sunday morning values, Saturday morning fun!

an adjustment and some fear

Today, Stephen left for James Bay to work. He will be gone for two weeks this time and hopefully home in time for Christmas. His regular schedule will be away for three weeks and home for one, looks like I am about to get a crash course in single motherhood! I have to admit, I am afraid. Everything to do with running the house and rearing the kids rests on my little shoulders, and I have moments where I'd like to curl up into a ball and suck my thumb! LOL Once I can figure out the logistics of work schedules and babysitters, the rest should (SHOULD) be a breeze... Praying that God gives me extra patience, peace, guidance, and good refreshing rest. Did I mention patience? I think that the kids will have a hard time adjusting to daddy not being around and I don't want to throw too much at them, but seriously, the time has come to buckle down, get these two out of diapers for good and get them eating healthier. I'm going to need a lot of prayer, and a job that pays well with better hours would be nice too!