I knew Bella and Eva (both 3 years old) would take my full attention all day, so I had mentally prepared myself for that and surrendered to it completely.
I set up my lawn chair, brought the phone outside, had my cup of ice (thanks to Michelle bringing me a new bag when she brought the kids over) so that I had a little base camp going on near the girls.
I was able to talk to Amie on the phone for a bit and actually managed to read 20 pages of my book (spread out during the 8 hours the kids were here), so I had a pretty good set up going on. (Notice my cute, birthday-pedicured toes.)
It was an absolutely gorgeous day, so sitting outside under the shade of the two big trees in our front yard ended up being heavenly. I kind of feel like a chump for not doing that more often. Being out there watching the girls gave me a reason to make myself comfortable, but who's to say I can't do that any day? I'm so pleased by this realization.
The girls had free reign of the garage (I'm so glad I had cleaned it last week) and had a great time bringing out tons of toys to put in the pool. They really never got all the way in the water themselves, just got soaked when they'd lean over the edge to retrieve a Hello Kitty or something.
Eva and Bella both wanted to get in on eating ice so I gave them cups of their own (Eva's eating ice in our self-portrait here). I can't fault them for having good taste.
'Whitney finally condescended to play with the girls a little bit in the afternoon. She blew bubbles near them and did sidewalk chalk with Eva. Whitney just doesn't get into playing with littler kids the way some kids (i.e., Amie's daughter Jessica) do. I have no idea why that is, but it seems like either you have it or you don't and she just doesn't.
Landon, Lucas and our neighbor Benjamin entertained themselves with various games throughout the day. It always cracks me up that they spend like 3/4 of each game creating the rules for it and then after like 10 minutes of playing it they're ready to move on to something else.
One of the highlights of the day for me was when Bella discovered the plastic soccer cones and thought they were hats. She handed one to Eva and said "These are our hats for the country." It was hilarious and adorable.
They couldn't keep the "hats" on their heads so Whitney came up with the idea of making a strap for it. Eva actually wore hers like this for awhile.
I couldn't believe how well Bella played by herself. She went from one thing to another, but was really engrossed in what she was doing and kept coming up with new things to do. This is my favorite picture of her from the day.
When Michelle and Jessie showed up around 7:00 I couldn't believe it was time already. The kids had all done so well that day that I really could have handled things longer. Of course, both girls were crying within minutes of their mothers arriving, but they hadn't been crying for me so woohoo to that.
It was a really great day. We spent about 7 hours outside and loved it. Who knew?
**How do you feel about babysitting?
Do your kids like to play with littler kids?
Do you hang out in your yard much?**
Do your kids like to play with littler kids?
Do you hang out in your yard much?**
15 comments:
I can babysit... and loved it growing up. I just don't volunteer all the time like you do. You have a gift.
We spend TONS of time in our yard... love it that we can finally do that.
Both of my kids are great with younger kids. I really love that about them.
You are home early....
I love that happy, windblown SP of you at the very end. All that's missing is your "hat for the country." hee hee
What a wonderful gift that was! The time actually seemed to slow down while you had the girls, and Jessie and I were both amazed by how restorative those hours off from motherhood truly were. (and by how quickly we grew irritated by them just while getting them ready for bed, ha!)
My kids don't love hanging out with younger kids. Lucas can be pretty good about it, but it's not his nature. I really can't blame kids who don't go for that, since I never liked it much myself!
It shocks me to see how independent Bella is in her play -- I've never had a child like that, despite my dogged attempts to encourage it -- it's a real gift.
I never hang out in my yard. I used to, when it was a nice yard...
I can't tell you how relieved I am that the girls were better for you than they are for us. And I can't properly express how great it was for us to have access to our own personal Mary Poppins!
First of all, you are a great friend! I can only imagine how great that day was for J&M!
I don't mind having my friend's kids over, since Evie is still kind of only lonely since Stella can't really play with her yet, in some ways, it makes it easier for me for her to have friends over. I've had my neice here all week last week and just agreed to keep her and her two brothers until next Thursday. I don't know if I am crazy or have gotten a ton more easy going in my older age!
I got a lounge chair for Mother's Day and have only sat in it three times or so, I am the same as you, if I am outside, I am usually weeding or feel like I should be doing something. I will make it a "to do" this week, to lounge in my yard!
You seriously are a SUPER friend. That was so thoughtful of you to do that. Taylor is a lot like Jessica and flocks to little kids (it's also a bonus for me as well)
It's so nice you guys are able to go outside for the day. I can't wait to get our yard done. The dirt makes is SO unejoyable. I love your green grass! That hat comment is a crack up.
Jill, you're such an AMAZING friend!
How nice of you to volunteer to be Mary Poppins for a day to help Jessie and Michelle. I'm sure they truly apreciated!
I love your birthday-pedicured toes!
Carly has 2 friends that live quite close to us that I volunteer to pick them up from school and keep them later so their mom's can have a break or date night but it has never really occured to me (I think that makes me selfish?) to ask friends whose children aren't Carly's age? what a wonderful gift to give someone.
"Yesterday I was able to channel Mary Poppins . . ." what a great opening liner! "Channel" is a great choice of word. I thought it practically brilliant you set up a base camp . . . that thought has NEVER occurred to me. I always just try to carry on with life as normal, only it isn't normal. Thanks for the tip. (Last summer was the first time I turned the garage over into a play room due to your example and tip. Thanks for that one, too.)
yard? I walk through the whole 4" of it every day to get to my car (rats for townhomes)
i loved seeing the photo of you and ava and thought about what a blessing it is for our kids when they have other adults in their lives who love them so much. you will always be apart of her life and must be a blessing to michelle !
hey missy what a fantastic thing to do for your friends. I often offer, but no one really takes me on...and on the other hand, nobody really offers for me, so there....I would! I don't really care much for watching other people's kids as a teenager, I did it to get money, but i guess I was good at it (after 5 brothers) BECAUSE I ended up engaged in some sort of nanny duty for a while there...) I loved that you decided to go outside, and realized you can do it just for pleasure! Good for you!
I'm glad that your day went so well with the kiddos. I generally don't mind babysitting, but find sometimes that I start to watch the clock and wishing the time would go faster. I think if the kids can all play well together, than it goes better for me. If they aren't getting along, then it makes for a rough time.
I want Bella's bathing suit!
Jill, I still read every post... but for some reason I am slower to comment when I read on Google Reader. I have to change that! Love the blog, as always.
hmmm, babysitting. not something i do often, mostly because i usually dread it. it is never as bad as i think it will be then find myself wondering why i don't do it more often.
you do have a gift, i agree with amie!
I think the metal preparedness is key. When I set out to watch my bros kids I just had to remind myself that being with them is what I was doing that day and it went better than great.
You know it does seem crazy to be outside in the summer heat, but it can be manageable. I convinced Adam to come outside with me to chat on our shady porch Friday, early evening, and it was a good time. Yes, I think it can be done.
I'm glad it was a good day for everyone.
You are the hero! I kept offering to take them both but they thought I was crazy to want to have 4 kids under 4 years old in my charge. You rocked it! I don't mind babysitting but only offer if I really can handle it that day.
7 hours outside in July is crazy! We are outside a lot, but in the early morning/late evening. We just don't have the shade to do much else.
Post a Comment