Day 10 - Old McDonald's Farm

Today definitely made up for yesterday!  Old McDonald's farm was a blast!  We even got a free pumpkin out of it!  Kira LOVED playing with the animals, especially the horses.  She even rode one, however, I think that was as scary as it was exciting for her.  She had this look on her face like she wanted to have fun, but was way too nervous to do so.  She pointed at the cow and said "Mooooo."  Such a smart little girl we have.  The peacocks were by far her favorite.  Of course all over there are signs saying 'don't chase the peacocks and deer' and here goes my toddler just as fast as her little legs can carry her!
It seems that as a parent, any time you really start to stress about something, your child picks it up and reassures you there is nothing to worry about.   Kira is still not talking, which I have read is pretty abnormal at 16 months.  I have been out of my mind about this, even though I know it is pretty early to get too worked up.  It's hard to explain that logically to a mama, at least to this one.  But, now that I have gotten my panties all abunched, she is talking more everyday.  She now has a wonderful vocabulary of "dog", "mine", and "no".  Still no appreciation: no mama or daddy, but at least it is something!


Old McDonald's Farm is a self-proclaimed 'paradise for kids', and they actually aren't  exaggerating too much.  There are several animals that you can touch and feed, including a sheep, a goat, a cow, and a llama.  They have pony rides, a train, and several playgrounds for kids of all ages.  One is an Indian village, one has a big slide, there is a kiddie play area, and big sand pile (great for king of the mountain, love that game!).  Plus in the summer they have a pool and in the fall there is a pumpkin patch!  The cost was a bit pricey I thought.  It was $8 per person over 18 months, then $1 for a bag of food.  However, we got a lot out of it in the hour and half we were there, so for us, it was most certainly worth it!  They only accept cash and check, no credit cards.  We actually had to leave and get cash, big pain, so be warned now!  :)  They also host parties in the big pavilions.
They are located at 3203 FM 1960 Rd, 77338 (From 59, exit 1960, it's past Townsen).
http://oldmacdonaldshumble.com/
Phone #: 281-446-4001

Day 9 - Total Bust

I suppose it was bound to happen eventually.
The girls and I headed to Jesse Jones Nature Park today.  I guess I was thinking we should go enjoy Fall and be outdoors or something.  I forgot 2 vital points: 1: we are in Houston where, regardless of what month it is, it is still extremely hot and overly sticky.  Makes for a less than fun nature walk.  2: I don't like nature walks.  Apparently neither do my children.  We all ended up  covered in sweat and bugs and overall pretty miserable.  Oh well.  The point is that we were miserable together!
I am making it up to them tomorrow as I plan to go to Old McDonald's farm.  I am stoked!  I can't wait to see how excited Kira gets with all the animals!  
Ah, it was a pretty lousy day all together.  Steve was all stressed out about a test he had to take, so he was no fun.  I have been feeling pretty blah.  I am a total dunce and keep letting my prenatal run out thinking it isn't that important anymore only to realize just how vital it is to my well-being.  Without it I feel checked out, I can't focus or motivate myself for much.  Worst of all, I keep having anxiety attacks.  I have never really had them before, but they are awful.  I have nothing to be stressed about, but I just can't seem to calm myself down.  I am going to get a refill tomorrow, so hopefully in the coming days I will be back to my normal self!

Day 8 - the Other Daughter

I own a business dog-sitting.  (Paws and Palaces, check it out for any dog sitting needs!)  This morning I had a client on vacation, so I took Ariana to check on the dogs.  We had a nice moment while we were there.  I always feel bad for the vacation dogs because they are by themselves for a good portion of the day and night, so I make sure to stay extra long and give them lots of love and attention.  This morning it was nice out, so we sat out on the porch and chilled with the dogs and took each other in.  Ariana is so demanding most of the time, but her needs are pretty basic.  She hasn't rejected boob once.  She is always very loud, but perhaps because of this we have learned to tune her out.  She kind of is the boy who cried wolf.  Isn't that a horrible thing to say about your child?  But this is about honesty and here it is.  We cater so much to Kira because she is demanding of more emotionally, but maybe I am neglecting that Ariana needs those emotional things too.  From here out I am going to try harder to remember that she is a little girl who also needs personal time with us so that we can love on her and really show her that she too is a special individual.

Day 7 - My Little Mama and the Kindness of Strangers

We had a few fun-filled activities on the agenda today: park in the morning, playdate at Kids in Action, then lunch with a friend.  It was a good time for all, especially Kira and Ariana!
Afterward we went to Hobby Lobby.  While in line my friend had to emergency bail, leaving me with 2 kids and a full cart.  There was no way I was gonna be able to get everything out to the car at once.  Kira was way past needing a nap and refusing to walk or sit in the tiny space I made for her in the cart, and I couldn't drive 2 carts simultaneously.  Luckily, Hobby Lobby is filled with Grandmas who are more than happy to lend a helping hand.  Two different women saw me struggling and came to my aid.  With their help we all made it to the car intact.  I am always surprised by the kindness of those around me.  People say that others don't care, that everyone looks out only for themselves, but as I move through this world I have found exactly the opposite is true.  People are wonderful.
The other thing of note that happened today involved Kira, my mama in the making.  I baked cookies to take to LIFE group tonight.  I had to put Ariana down in order to get them on the sheet and in the oven.  While Ariana is getting much better at entertaining herself, much to my delight, she had had enough when I was about halfway through.  Since my hands were covered in dough and flour, she would just have to have a lesson in patience.  Luck for her, her sweetest sister came to her rescue.  Kira laid down next to her and stroked her back, then went and got a book and 'read' it to her to calm her.  It truly warmed my heart.  They are such sweet little girls.  I am so blessed to be a part of their little lives.    

Day 6 - Thursday

Thursday is always busy for me because I go to school all day.  At least it's Pharmacology, which is difficult, but I find it pretty interesting.  And I like the teacher.  She gives lots of 'real world' experience stories, which add something to learning about drug side effects.  Kira also has school Thursday so it is always a mad dash to get up, get out the door with everything we both need, and get us both to school on time.   Preferably with a little before school play on the playground.  In the mornings it is not usually very crowded so Kira can play on the big kid side, which she much prefers to the toddler side.
Today when I picked her up, I took some personal time for Kira and Mama.  We played on the playground at the church, and then went shopping for stuff to make Halloween costumes.  (I am really excited about their costumes this year!)  It may not have been her first choice of activities, but I found it exciting and I tried to pass some of that on to her.  I enjoyed more than anything else just having some time alone with her.  Not that I don't love having Ariana around, but she tends to dominate our attention.  I often wonder if we shouldn't make more time to be alone with Kira so that she knows she is special as well.  I enjoyed being able to give my whole focus to her today and think I will start a tradition of Thursdays as our day together.
Me being so sick earlier in the week really messed with my plans.  The week turned out to be pretty lame.  Hopefully next week will go better.  The point, I suppose, is that I do feel like I truly gave myself and my attention over to my kids.  Can't wait to do something fun tomorrow!

Day 5- An Unexpected Moment of Clarity

I am finding that sometimes the best thing to do with my children is simply to follow their lead.  I ran into challenge #2 today when confronted with a busy schedule.  I was wondering what we were going to do today, what we would have time to do.  I almost began to look at it like one more thing in an overcrowded day.  But that isn't really the point.  It isn't one more thing to check off my to-do list, this is my relationship with my children, this IS my to-do list.  Luckily, Kira was there to keep me in line.  We got home from our friend's house and Kira refused to get out of the car, she wanted to explore.  She is becoming increasingly obsessed with the car.  She takes in the point of view from each seat, learns how to operate the buttons, honks the horn.  So instead of rushing through my life, hurrying her into the house so we could get dinner on the table, clean the dishes, get ready for bed, and the rest of the usual evening routine, we just hung out in the car.  I know, it's an odd thing to do, but we are kind of an odd little family.  I wouldn't have us any other way.  I like it just the way we are.   If I really sit back and pay attention, what could be more amazing than watching my child discover the world.  How could one not believe in God when they look in their child's eyes?

More Pictures....

Another side effect of taking this photography workshop is that my camera seems to have semipermanently attached itself to me.  The good news is I have gotten some really great pictures out of it!

Not sure why, but I just can;t get over this look.  I love it.

Almost got them kissing...

Kira actually took this one (with my assistance of course)