Routines

Have I ever mentioned just how much I LOVE routines? I drive myself crazy trying to make things that should be routine - uh, routine. There are certain things that I'm not very good at remembering to do. Like brushing my teeth at night, or watering the lawn, etc. etc. And I know that if I can just establish that thing as routine, then it will just happen instead of me always trying to remember to make it happen.

Well, the good news is that I've gotten a lot better at DOing this lately rather than just trying to plan out the perfect routine on certain things. But the best news is that there are certain things that aren't part of a routine that I finally have space in my mind for. In particular - spending more time doing fun things with my kids!

I have these beautiful kids that are growing up way too fast already! Look at them - they're so cute and WAY too big!
I can't stand it when I get through the day and realize all I did was make them work or let them play while I worked. Mothering is really SO MUCH WORK! But ever since I was a little girl I VOWED that I wouldn't forget to play with my children. I have a mother who knows how to play, and I was so proud that all my friends thought I had such a fun mom. She knew how to work and play. Still does. Anyway, lest I digress - I've been spending more time playing and doing the fun things I WANT to do with my kids, and the fun things THEY want to do! And one thing is for sure - I LOVE mothering even more - if that's even possible!

So, here's some of the things we've been doing that may seem routine, but are the times I cherish:

Going through an inordinate amount of stickers...
Letting cuddle time last extra long...
 
Goofing off for extra long periods of time... Making sidewalk paint and using lots of it...
Enjoying our meals with a little extra enthusiasm...
The best part is that even our routine things have become more fun too. The time I spend teaching Cpc how to mop or Cdc how to vacuum is where I'm learning the most about my beautiful children. They LOVE to do the housework these days!

Cpc has been melting my heart lately with the way he understands things well enough that he is constantly asking "what may I do next?" Even if I tell him a certain chore is next, he just jumps right in. While Cpc is at Joy School, Cdc knows that we get to do some chores together, and then we get to play together. When Cpc gets in the car after Joy School, before he tells us all about what he did, he asks us what we did while he was gone. It's so sweet!

In other random news, we recently:

Went to visit some friends up in Heber and were astounded by the beauty of the layers of mountains...

Had a mission reunion where we really enjoyed talking with people we love, and were reminded of other people we love who we'd like to get back in touch with...

Discovered that even though Cdc doesn't fall asleep at nap-time anymore, he still can't quite make it 'til bedtime...

Had a Joy School outing at the park...

Discovered Cdc is still fearless...