Ever Had a Day Like This?

 

A day when every time you turn around there's a mess to clean up?  A day when everything seems topsy-turvy and upside down?  I'm sure you can relate!  Let me tell you about our day here at the Schasteen house.  

First, it began with a new hobby Maddie has taken up.  

 

She has discovered what a great canvas her legs are. 

Next, at our Sooner Start visit we discussed the issue of self-feeding.  Maddie still refuses to use a spoon.  We thought a good motivation might be if I left the table and she could decide to take the spoon on her own.  It's a great idea and I have to say it has worked once before when out of necessity I had to leave her alone at the table so I could get ready for an appointment.  But today was a topsy-turvy day!

Maddie decided to forgot the spoon and revert back to the use of her good, old-fashioned hand.  Not only that, but it would be rude to not share with Gracie, so she flung a good amount down for Gracie.  But instead of hitting the floor, she actually hit Gracie.  Gracie's ears and back were covered with applesauce!

Next, I noticed these odd little spots all over the floor.  I noticed them in the living room...

and in the bedroom...

and in the entry of the bathroom...

and in the bathroom...

What in the world?  I had to get down and study these silly spots.  After careful examination, I finally figured out what they were.  While I was busy putting on my make-up, Maddie was playing in it.  It was harmless play, just stacking things up.  But I forgot about an eye shadow stick I had.  It broke off...and then Maddie stepped on it.  It was embedded in her sandal, so every time she stepped she left a little something behind.  Any suggestions on how to get a waxy-type eye shadow out of carpet?! (yikes!)

Next, we went out to eat at Johnny Carino's.  I have to admit, even after a day like this some messes can be fun and funny!  Maddie really enjoyed her fettuccine. 

sorry about the poor picture quality...taken with Kyle's cell phone : )  

Later we get home and Maddie has found a case of 20 water bottles obviously asking for freedom.  Maddie obliged.  

every, single one of them found their freedom

and freeing put-away water bottles is exhausting work...

The most ironic part of today is the fact that after reading Barbara Curtis' wonderful book, Mommy Teach Me!  I discovered Maddie is in a sensitive period  for order.  Barbara Curtis also suggested letting little ones be a part of your daily chores.  So we made a chart and began using it today of all days!!

Did you know you can write on the dishwasher with dry erase markers?!  They work great!  I took pictures of our chores, unloading dishwasher, load washing machine, load dryer, and fold clothes.  Then I printed them out and glued magnets on the back.  

Maddie did great helping out with the chores.  She knows exactly where the silverware goes and was able to put a few dishes away that were within her reach.  She's great at loading the washer and dryer, and we have not tackled folding laundry yet!  I think that will have to wait until tomorrow after this topsy-turvy day!

Maddie's First Hair Cut (trim)

(To understand the trim reference read this post)
It has become pretty comical around here trying to get Maddie's hair combed out and in a pony tail.  The name of the game is distraction...most often it's been Elmo on Sesame Street.  I try to get in a few combs while she's sitting still watching her bestest friend tell her all about what's on his mind. A few pulls and tugs on the tangles and she takes off running!  I feel like I'm roping a calf at the Rodeo tying in a pony tail as quick as I can!

The net result is lots of bumps and tangles that never really get combed out, just thrown back in the pony tail!  So, I knew it was finally time for Maddie to get her first hair cut.  She doesn't necessarily communicate with words, but I know exactly what she thinks of her long hair.  She was so over it!

So, Maddie and I headed over to Car Michael's Salon yesterday.

This is how long her hair had gotten!

She sat in the big chair with no problems and loved seeing herself in the mirror!

There were times she was really enjoying herself!

Although it seemed like I was floundering in the roping calves category, this wasn't Kelly's first Rodeo!

He knew exactly what he was doing, and even pretended to give Elmo a little trim!

 She respected that, and made peace with the comb too...a feat this Momma could never do!!

 We stopped on the way home and bought some new clips for her new hairdo!  I can't believe it!  She looks so big and grown up and so beautiful!!

And this is what she thinks of her hair now!

Thanks Kelly!  You did an awesome job! 

An Adventurous Eater

I'm always amazed how Maddie will eat just about anything fresh (jalepeno, asparagus, broccoli, cucumber, etc.)  Now we can add corn to the list!  She and I were making corn chowder the other night for supper.  I was busy shucking the corn and heard crunch!

It's a good thing a bought a few extra ears.  By the time we were finished preparing supper, she had eaten two ears of corn!

A New Way To Tell an Old Story

I've been teaching the little ones at church on Sundays.  I ran across this amazing idea over at Our Country Road blog.  I loved it and the kids did too!  I'm thinking this is a great way to tell so many stories of the bible. 

Meet Adam and Eve!

 

 

 

After I told the story, the kids enjoyed getting their hands on everything and exploring, just one more way to reinforce the story.

Hope You Had a Happy 4th!

 

We had a very relaxed, laid back 4th of July.  

We hung out our flag, and then hung out around the house until the weather cooled off a bit.  Then we headed to the park.

Maddie got to swing.  And then she heard the music and had to dance!

We came home, watched the fireworks from New York on T.V. and then took a walk to our neighborhood park.  On the way back we spotted a couple of fireworks.  Maddie didn't like the noise at all.  I guess it's a good thing we didn't go to the actual fireworks show! 

Measuring Up

These are amazing bubbles from Gymboree.  Maddie goes crazy over them!  They will float in the air long after they've made their debut from the bubble wand.  And when they land on something, they don't always pop!  I've been known to find a bubble patiently resting on the back of the couch hours after they've been blown. 
Anyway, this picture got me thinking about motherhood.  Actually, I've been thinking about it...check out my latest selections from the library. : ) 

from top to bottom:  Lord Meet Me in the Laundry Room, Barbara Curtis; The Creative Family, Barbara Blake Soule; Mommy, Teach Me!, Barbara Curtis; and Simplicity Parenting, Kim John Payne

 Sometimes I think we can be exposed to too much information.  There's a few blogs I like read to get ideas on things to do with Maddie, but most of the time after I finish reading them, instead of feeling inspired, I feel discouraged like I'm not measuring up.  Unfortunately, I think it's easy for a new mom to slip into this realm of inadequacy.  It's a fine balance to want to be the very best you can be, and trying to measure up to an unrealistic standard.
When this happens, Kyle reminds me of all the wonderful things Maddie does, and reassures me I'm doing just fine and I believe him...until I read another blog!  Why does this happen?  I think we all want to be the very best mothers we possibly can, and when we think we are not doing things perfectly we worry we are not enough for our children.  The thought pierces through to the innermost sanctum of my soul and it takes all that's in me (Christ Jesus) to know that it's an absolute lie.  It helps to try and keep things with Maddie fun and light-hearted.  It's actually easy to do with a 2-yr-old.  There's so much humor in the toddler years like this...

The other day Maddie was riding along in the shopping cart at the grocery store.  I looked down and she had taken a huge bite out of the lemon rind...and ate it!  This was after another trip when she decided the jalepeno looked pretty tasty too!  Apparently it was, because she never fussed about it being too hot : )

 Happy 4th of July!  Here's to keeping things fun and light-hearted! 

Monkey See, Monkey Do!

We got to keep Noah the other day, and he and Maddie played and played.  Maddie loves putting things on her head like this...

Noah thought he would give it a try to see what all the fuss was about...

Sure enough!  It is a lot of fun!!