One Day at a Time

Today I realized as I reached into the refrigerator, that I'm out of creamer. This doesn't start the day off in the right direction, but as a friend pointed out to me; at least the creamer is gone because its gone and not because one of the kids dumped it in the Guinea pig cage or something. She has a point you know. In the past month I've cleaned up numerous things that the kids have dumped out. Maple syrup all over the playroom floor. Odin wanted to see what syrup did when it mixed with water. He found that the syrup expands. From the look on his face when I raised my voice, he simply had not thought about how he was going to hide the mess from me. It wasn't the best thing to wake up to, but it wasn't the worst.

As the kids grow up they're becoming gross little human beings. I find food stashed behind their beds, clothes stuffed in closets, my toothbrush behind the toilet and my shoes missing because they're on someone elses feet. My make up is always missing or broken, the hairbrush is on the floor, and I'm critiqued when  I get dressed every day.

"Is that what you're wearing mom?"
"Are you going out like that??"

My self esteem soars not only about myself and how wonderfully fantastic I look, but because of how put together and organized my house is. (You know I'm being sarcastic now with that sentence.)... Persephone just came over and handed me her fathers now mutilated deodorant stick. ... she smells like Right Guard. ..  will I ever get this blog posted today?

How many things must I clean up? Have I mentioned that Persephone is the most destructive child I've ever known? Give her a pair of scissors and a piece of anything, and she'll be happy cutting all day. Cutting my tablecloth, her shirt and her hair I might add.

I think I'm slowly giving up the clean house fight. I can clean all day and at bedtime it doesn't matter how much I've been on my feet.. the piles of "things" just keep accumulating. Little pieces of paper that are very important to someone. Clean clothes strewn about the room instead of being in baskets or GASP! even put away in dressers! Broken straws taped to paper that is tied to several toys and my door frame. One of these times I'm going to get stuck in some trap they've set up with duct tape and string. They're out to get me, so I say bring it on! It can't be worse then the Lego's they left on the floor for me to step on again.

All kidding aside, this parenting gig really does gets harder and not easier. Just when I think I finally know the rules and I can do this. I find confidence in parenting at last!... they change the rules again. The kids are getting older and its not as easy to make the right choices anymore. Its complicated! I feel inadequate most every day, but I keep reminding myself that life is a journey and I'm not expected to know everything all at once. I'm still happily learning every day, along with my children. As they grow, they're teaching me things about myself. For the first time I realize they're watching me and really taking in everything that I say, the good; the bad; and the ugly. While making cookies one night, Ivy asks if she can lick the bowl. Piper says without hesitation, "No Ivy. The batter has raw eggs in it. You can't lick the bowl, I'm sorry."  What makes it interesting is that's the exact phrase I have always said to the kids over the years, but never realized it until that exact moment I heard it parroted back at me. I had that moment.. the one where everything stands still and it feels like I'm in a movie. These little children that I created, are individuals and they're growing up.

They need me less and less every day, yet they need me in other ways that never existed before. I have a bond with each of my children, and watching that bond change and grow over the years is surreal.

Sometimes I catch myself getting grumpy about a particular phase one of the children are in at the moment, but its easier now to put it in perspective. One day at a time around here.

Persephone is decorating

Hi there,

lady_ivey just shared an Instagram photo with you:

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"Persephone is having way too much fun with panty liners.XD yesterday she was wearing them on her forehead. Today the wall. #NothingIsSafeFromKids"

Thanks,
The Instagram Team

A Shift

I've been noticing something is different in our family lately. It changed slowly. It wasn't overnight or anything, but still its so different it makes me take notice. We used to be able to buy things for "the kids."  Lately though they have all wanted to be seperate from each other. Unique individuals. (I know I shouldn't be shocked but I am) After years of having babies that didn't care one way or another if they were lumped into a group.. they suddenly care! Its not one size fits all anymore.

I feel what I imagine the husband on Sister Wives feels like. Overwhelmed sometimes with the amount of attention that has to be given. Everyone wants a slice of the pie. Of course they were demanding as babies but it was somehow more generic.

Now their personalities seem to have really come together and they're emerging as different people. Who would have thought! (this parenting stuff is like a mind trip sometimes XD)

Sierra loves zebras still (thank goodness) and the color green. She's more of a girly girl now, at least in how she dresses. She wears make up and buys pretty underwear. Sometimes I can't believe how old she is. When did my baby turn into a teenager? The time flies so fast. She still loves all things sour, and hates super sweet things. The past year I've watched her become concious about her weight. She shouldn't be of course, she's not overweight at all. I remember being the same age and feeling the same way though. I wish I could go back in time and love myself and my body more. All I can do is encourage her to love herself just the way she is.

Ivy loves pigs and vampires. She has added new interests in other things like king Tut. She asked for a guitar for Yule this year and she wants lessons from grandpa. She likes to write in her journal when she's upset. She still doesn't really enjoy arts and crafts much, but she loves games. Right now all the kids are into Minecraft. It's on all our phones, tablet and computer. We even are buying an Xbox just so they can play on the big tv.

Piper loves arts and crafts of all kinds. She is so like me as a child. (I think it's why we clash sometimes :) she likes zebras she says. Sierra hates being copied. Piper likes princesses and fairies. Her Yule present was oddly enough a baby alive doll. I have no idea why she wanted it, but she did. She's into Minecraft as well, and likes to do her own thing. She plays imaginative games with the others and its so fun to watch the. Interact with each other. It reminds me of my cousins and I.
She likes the color pink. She likes playing with friends. She likes creating things.

Odin is a roughhouse boy. He has sensory needs that cause him to seek out contact with other bodies.( It's been difficult to deal with lately. Ivy and Odin have still not really calmed down from the holidays. ) Odin loves the color yellow. He loves to read and write and draw diagrams. He loves numbers, order and routine. He is sensitive and hates noise and sudden movements. His anxiety rules a lot of his day. Some days are easier then others. His favorite obsession lately is Spongebob again. Cat in the hat isn't his favorite anymore. Or blues clues. I watch my kids grow up as their obsessions and special interests change. It's sometimes bittersweet to see a favorite theme or object change and see them move away from it.

Persephone is my firecracker. She is boob obsessed and has an armpit fetish. I'm not kidding! She wants to smell both of them, then kiss them and hug them. Sometimes I wonder why I get dressed around her at all. She's always under my shirt. She loves princessss and My Little Ponys. I wish I could have given her my collection as a child. Being the youngest I think she gets beat up a bit more. So she's learned to stand up for herself. Her and Odin are always tangled with legs and arms everywhere. I love her though, she's got spunk that's for sure.

I sit back sometimes and listen to my children talk to each other. They have real relationships with each other and it's fascinating to watch. I grew up an only child so this is all new to me. Parenting really does make you reflect on your life quite a bit.