Motherhood Changes Things (Part 1)

   I have a four years of trauma nursing experience.  Sometimes I feel bad because I'm not using those skills anymore.  But then sometimes I think that those four years may have been necessary preparation to be the mother of boys.


For example: (yes, it's sideways)

   Note the four-year-old driving his Power Wheels through a mud bog he made himself and the 18-month-old stuffing miniature explosives (Pop-Its) down his boot.  Four years ago I would not have allowed this.  Four years ago I was looking into getting a continuous EKG monitor for my son just for my peace of mind.  Four years ago I swore my children would have no battery-operated ride-on toy of any kind, would never be within a mile of explosives, and would wear a helmet just for going down the slide if I even allowed them to have a slide.
   And yet here I am, videotaping this recklessness and doing nothing to stop it.

The Excitement of the Fireworks When You're 4 Years Old

  My earliest memories of going to the Fourth of July fireworks is when I was about three years old.  The memory is really foggy, but I remember that finding a place to park was difficult, we had to wait FOREVER (I was a very impatient child), and I spent the entire time worrying that the doll I brought was going to fall into the river.  I knew that it was something fun and special, but I was just so confused about the whole thing.

Being Thankful for Ketchup

   Every night as part of our bed time routine, everyone in the family has to say something they are thankful for that day.  We started this ritual last November as a new Thanksgiving tradition, but we liked doing it and thought it was a good exercise for all of us so we are still "doing our thankfuls" every night.