Simple things

I find myself getting down at times about being away from the kids all day, 5 days a week.  Rationally, I know it makes sense for me to keep my job. Suck it up and do my best. But irrationally, I want to quit tomorrow and stay home with these two...maybe even start wearing jumpers and homeschool them. 

Just kidding.

About the jumpers.

Really, it is a constant struggle.  I understand that I am not alone - I am not the first mother that has  put her babies in school (I still can't bring myself to call it daycare, for whatever reason). I know I am not alone in wanting to be home.

Some days are easier than others.  Some days I am so busy at work that I don't have time to think about the things I am missing.

But then there are days like this week.  It's slow. It's quiet. It's summer.  And while there are plenty of things I could be doing to get ahead of the game, nothing is pressing and I find myself throwing a pity party and wishing I was taking the kids to the splash pad, not in an office.

I have to remind myself to think about the good. The blessings, which really are all around.  The simple things that make my time with the kids and Trey so great.  Nothing spectacular, but the joys of everyday life - like all getting on our bed after bath time, watching Jones swim in the blow up pool in the yard, and watching as Jones 'protects baby sister', as he says. Such precious things.

I am trying to focus on the good, and not dwell on what I wish could happen.  "Work is a blessing" - I have heard that my whole life. And I understand that. I am thankful for my job. I really do enjoy it. And I adore the people I work with.

But my heart is at home with these two, who are growing up entirely too fast.

Ok. Enough of that.  Here are some funny things that Jones has said lately:

• His teacher asked me the other day if we were going to the beach on Monday, because apparently he has been telling everyone he sees that we are. (I wish, buddy.)
• This morning he took Anna Joy's headband off of her and said "mama! She is too little for bows!"
• The other night we were getting ready to say the blessing before dinner and he said "I CAN'T say the blessing! I have the hick-ups!"
• We were sitting on the couch and I told him I loved him and that he was my best friend.  He said "No, Mama. I love Henry.  Henry's my best friend."
• He picked up my breast pump and announced it was funny horn.
• He has started having an opinion about his clothes that he wears to school.  He has been begging to wear these lizard print swim trunks and his batman PJ top for about a week now.  If you see him in that outfit, you know I lost the battle that morning!
• He is doing great with the potty...even #2! But if he is playing or busy doing something, he will wait until the very.last.minute to pee.  The other night he was playing and I noticed him holding himself and crossing his legs. I told him to take a potty break and then he can come back to play. He said "I don't need to potty! I am just holding my tee-tee-er!"
• On that same note, we went to the eye doctor the other week. He was using the "I have to potty" over and over as an excuse to not do what the dr. was asking.  After about the third time of me taking him to the potty and him not doing anything, I told him to not tell me he needed to go when he really doesn't. He very loudly, in front of a large group of people, stated "MAMA! There is NO more tee-tee in my tee-tee-er!!!" Well, there you have it.
• He has a new appreciation for being naked and prefers to take off his clothes when outside. This is especially true if he is swimming or playing in the sprinkler.  In a matter of two seconds, he can go from swimming in swim trunks in the back yard to naked and on the scooter.  We give the neighbors lots of laughs and head shakes, I am sure.