Tag Archives: Kids

Moment of the Day

Posted by Delightfully Doable on 27 March, 2014 1 comments

This was a precious little moment that simply made my day brighter!

Something about these tiny little shoes on the large floor simply made me smile as I love the spring colors and my little man who wears them. I was remembering when I was pregnant and folding the first load of baby clothes and how little the newborn outfits were. I remember my husband and I envisioning what those moments would look like once he was in the precious little clothes. Here we are now almost 2 years later and I’m still shocked when I see the little things spread out upon the floor. His cute little tootsies and chubby little fingers are the little things I rejoice in.

I am thankful for my little man and blessed to have him healthy as a horse. I couldn’t ask for a better child and a better two years with him. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with him as he becomes a little toddler officially within the next three months. I am thankful and blessed that I can stay home with him and give him all the hugs and kisses he so deserves.

Thanks little Cooper for being my little baby to hold and snuggle so dear! Thanks to my amazing husband for allowing me to stay home with him as this is one of the biggest blessings I could ask for! Love you both beyond words can describe.

Motivation or Lack there of

Posted by Delightfully Doable on 7 February, 2014 None comments

My problem the last couple of days has been an utter lack of motivation. My motivation the last couple weeks has been everything but eventful, downright awful. My lack of energy has been extremely discouraging. My poor son seems to be beyond bored as mommy is in a rut with the same toys and activities and the family is eating unexciting meals as I haven’t planned my menu for a couple weeks. I have avoided the grocery store at all costs as I haven’t wanted to plan my meals in advance which in turn keeps me from stepping into the store.

Watching the snow fall from the inside…

Watching the neighbor girls play and sled in the freezing cold

Simply not old enough to know what he is missing when the snow falls…sweet baby!

I’ve also been meaning to workout this entire week simply finding other things to do. I have convinced my husband to workout with my tonight as that will force me to follow through. He is a workout maniac. :) I’ve also convinced him to take us on ‘date night’ tonight to the grocery store; Cooper included. The amount of snow we have incurred is insurmountable for Portland especially with how dry the snow is. We have literally been dumped on. The problem with Portland is we don’t know how to clear roadways of snow and unfortunately Oregonians believe in “saving the planet” which means no deicing trucks until the weather has already accumulated an immense amount of snow or freezing rain. ;) I grew up in a small town where getting 2-3 feet in a day or two wasn’t unheard of but the roadways were ALWAYS clear; snow plows, sanders, deicers and people knowing how to drive in such circumstances.

It’s been years since I’ve had to really worry about driving in snow and as I headed out today the anxiety welled up inside of me. My son in the back seat of our new car, unclear roads and a couple hills to conquer. The anxiety in my gut felt horrible that I felt myself become that ‘Oregonian’ I hadn’t believed I was. ;) I must say they need snow plows for each town not simply for the freeway. It is beautiful outside but the cabin fever I fear will begin to kick in partially through the weekend if we do receive freezing rain forcing us to remain inside.

Although my motivation is nonexistent my house is extremely clean. I spent most the morning sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, cleaning toilets, kitchen sinks, laundry, dusting baseboards, and the trim around the doors as well as making no bake cookies. Even though my motivation has been lacking a great deal, a dirty house does not suite my fancy and chocolate is always an encourager. I have felt well accomplished today as I choose to partake in these activities; probably because they aren’t hanging over my head anymore and the snow has kept us indoors.

Another part of my lack of motivation is my tummy has been incredibly hurting and I’m unsure why. Could it be the cleaning this morning, shocking my system back to reality or maybe it was all the no bake cookes I had this afternoon filling my tummy so full that I couldn’t eat lunch. I could keep the list going but unfortunately I feel I could be fighting a bug…I really hope not but it’s definitely a high possibility. This also helps encourage me to remain unmotivated as I do not want to make myself sicker; I must force myself to relax. ;) HA! Oh the excuses run deep today, so deep I felt they needed to be shared.

Moment of Truth: Take time to relax, eat chocolate and know the house is clean! :)

Mommy and Me Time

Posted by Delightfully Doable on 12 January, 2014 None comments

I had a girlfriend ask me this morning for new activities to do with her 18 month old. She said she feels as though she gets stuck in a rut and the same routine can become challenging for her active little girl.

I decided to compile a list of structured activities that I do with my 18 month old. Here are a few:

Coloring: Cooper enjoys scribbling and most of all putting the cap on and off. I try and draw a picture and explain what I’ve drawn; sun, water, birds, grass, trees etc.

Sorting “puff” balls by colors. You can get them at the dollar store.

Kitchen bowls filled with different items i.e. different beans and pasta.
Letting them stir these items and transfer to different size bowls helps them feel as if they are involved while you cook. You can also use three or four different Tupperware containers that they can match the lids to as well.
Allowing your child to help bake with you.
Yes it becomes messy but is very enjoyable for them. I was rolling out pizza crust and Cooper sat on the counter playing with the flour. Mind you the kitchen looked as if a snow storm hit. It was actually really fun to watch him “measure” the flour.
Playing with my button jar. I have a jar full of buttons for decoration but Cooper has turned it into a toy. :)
This allows him to see different sizes and learn colors. Also teaches him how to sort and place them back in the jar

Playing with his farm
Learning which sound goes with which animal.

Water sensory activities
Fill a shallow tub with water and let your child play with different objects while not being immersed in the water.
Letting your little one help “fold” clothes or put them into the washing machine or dryer. Cooper enjoys handing me the clothes that I am folding and he enjoys me handing him socks or shirts to stuff into the dryer or washer.
Shapes and sizes. If you have a toy that is for matching shapes or wooden puzzles this helps them feel like they accomplished the task.

Just a few ideas! I used to teach at a Montessori school and engaging the children as young as 9 months made me realize how young children can be in order to comprehend activities that seem beyond their age. Every child is different and every child will learn at their own pace, but engaging them in activities helps you learn what they are soaking in.

The little children at the Montessori school were able to sit at a table and chair for meal time. They knew if they got up their food would be taken from them which reinforced them to stay sitting if they were hungry. We also taught sign language for basic concepts such as: please, thank you, all done, more and eat. I’ve taught this to Cooper and it has been entirely helpful.

The whole concept of Montessori thinking is to engage our children at a young age to do it on their own, ask for help and be creative with their toys and imagination. I agree with parts of the Montessori thinking and think some of the ideas are very productive while others can be, well- shall we say simply not my style. Every parent has to learn what is best for them and their child.

All in all I have noticed that routine can be challenging for our little toddlers when it comes to toys. They want to be played with, learn how to “do what we do,” and have different activities on different days.

Mystery Hammer

Posted by Delightfully Doable on 24 November, 2013 None comments

We got my son his first little tool bench as he loves to hit things. We got him a cheap one feom IKEA and it came with a wooden hammer. The problem is since the first day we got this, the hammer has been missing and we still cannot find it.

Its been roughly three months now and again today, I’m stumped, I have no idea where it is.

He is definitely a funny little character always hiding things between the couch and cupboards and typically I’ll find things that night while picking up his toys or at least a couple days later. Here we are, house cleaned, transition it goes toys for big kid toys and still…no hammer.

We shall see if we ever come across it… either that or I’ll find him playing with it one day still unsure as to where it lies. :)