Still writing...

The latest column on bedtimes...

Kindergartener. Say it with me. Yep, I have one. My son is going to be a kindergartener. We have several adjustments ahead of us, but adjusting from the not so strict bedtime; to being rested for a school day is one I want to get handle on.
Teaching the kiddos good sleep habits has been one of my most deliberate parenting choices. I have read a bunch of books and followed my heart and happy to report I have three pretty good sleepers. Respecting the fact that I probably have little to do with what kind of sleepers my babes are, and that all mamas have to do what feels right for them, I will try to steer away from my soap box. But let’s all agree sleep is undeniably important.
We shoot for 10-11 hours of sleep. And naps are out of the question according to my guy. With the increased demand on school aged children and little time for naps, I will follow his lead. However, unbeknownst to him I added that hour into his night time rest. We have established some routines at our house in an effort to reduce difficulties falling asleep and with some luck bedtime resistance. You know that endless bedtime thirst and one more hug and kiss (though I will be sad when that one goes away).
I did a little more research and found that there are two ways to help your kiddos prepare for school bedtime; waking them up earlier and sending them to bed earlier.
So here is how I am going to tackle this school-time bedtime schedule. Wanting to be consistent I plan to keep our current routine (don’t reinvent the wheel, right) and just shift the current 8:30ish bedtime back by 15 minutes every couple of days, until we get closer to 7:45. Also, feeding them breakfast right when they wake-up, I hope will get them going earlier.
Consistency, time, and knowing it may take a couple of weeks for my kindergartener to become accustomed to a structured bedtime routine are my tools. We have so much to look forward to this school year.

Activites...

I desperately need to enroll the children in some activities for the fall. They all are asking to do something. Even their father is on my case to do something. I would like to have some sort of system that says one sport and/or activity after school per child per season. However, there is something to be said for needing to try a bunch of different stuff to determine their true interest. I may be over thinking it, but I just don't want to be running for hours and hours on head every day. There is value in a family dinner several nights a week as well. So with that being said, I am planning the following:

Fall
Wyeth: Soccer and Wrestling
Ella: Gymnastics
Fara: ?? She may be forced to wait

Winter
Swimming for all

Blah, blah, blah...I am over thinking it.

QsOTD

Fara: "Uh oh, I got my foots wet."

Wyeth: "If a guy breaks into our house, will I still be grounded?" Um, yeah. I am not sure how the two would be related.

Ella: "Oh shit, I fell down." It made me laugh, but I did remind her that little girls shouldn't talk like that.

The July Absence

So, July was a tough one here on the Little Known Moments home front.

When I named this blog, I did so with the intention of being quite honest about ALL that goes into being a mother. And with that being said, this isn't a blog about what it is like to be a wife. BUT, I will be honest. When we are having a "marriage moment" my role as mother is affected and I struggle.

And there are you have it. I was quiet, because I was coping.

Sweet Baby Far-far

My sweet Chib...

You are not much of a baby anymore. You are run and laugh and talk in complete sentences. Once you are potty-trained you leave your babyhood in the dust. And my guess is the potty-training thing is just around the corner. You show tons of interest, it's me...I lack the motivation it takes. Sorry... please forgive me.

You are an adorable child. Quite the ham. Like in picture, you are wearing the flames for Ella's kitchen as a hat. The more people laugh, the longer you kept it on. Wyeth and Ella love to laugh with the adults when you are being silly, which you find delightful. You love your siblings. You aren't always as kind as I would like to see, but I know you cherish them both.At your two year well-baby, we learned that kinda little for your age. Except for your head, it's huge! All those brains I suppose. You were 22 lbs, which is in the 10 percentile. It's hard to impress our pediatrician, but you weren't about to perform to win her over either.

Your hair!!! I know it's not the top of your list as you are learning language and walking backwards and how to color in the lines, but really... it's time to grow some hair kiddo! Your sister had you beat at this age. No pressure, just sayin'.

I love you, my darling girl. Let's work together on finding healthier ways to deal with our emotions. I vow to do a better job of remembering you are only two and you work on not biting those who wrong you. Deal?

My Wy-guy

My little buddy,

I am not sure how you got to be five years old so quickly. It seems like just yesterday I was feeling you kick inside my tummy. You continue to be one of the coolest people I have ever met.

I am a little nervous about you being five, dude. I can remember things my mom said when I was five. I have always chalked my "bad mama" moments up to the fact you probably won't remember them, but that is all changing now. I hope the things you remember me saying this year are about how proud I am of you. We have had some interesting talks lately. You told Ella that guys call there penises, nuts. And I felt compelled to set you straight. Daddy was surprised at how I explained things, but I think if you want to call your testicles, nuts, that is your deal. I just wanted you to have the facts. It is my hope, you trust me to tell you the facts, all of them. Even if they are funny and make us giggle.

You told me the other day, that it is time for us to get a baby in my tummy. It's amazing to me that you would want to risk getting another sister, but you said it's worth the risk. You also added that it would be super cool to get twin sisters. And to that son, I have to say, Mommy might have to go live in a padded room. I think siblings 13 months apart is plenty close enough.

I know how smart you are, but sometimes it just floors me. I think it is the man gene that makes you be able to remember the smalled details about a trip to Missoula three years ago, but not be able to find your shoes in middle of the floor in your room. Just as I am often sure that the man gene has ruined you, you show me how kind and loving you can be with your sisters when I am least expecting it.

We have had several conversations about "girlfriends" lately. You are convinced you are going to marry a girl named Jenna from your Pre-K class. She is a sweet little girl...precocious too. She told me when I was picking you up from VBS that you were going to fight for her hand and if you win you will be able to marry her. Oh little girl, it won't be my guy...it will be you fighting for my baby!

You start Kindergarten in a matter of weeks. I am not sure how to feel about it. It's so exciting to think of all the adventures you will meet in the years to come. But it feels like school is a slippery slope. First it's two days a week for pre-school and then POOF! I will be helping you rent a tux for prom, or apply to colleges. However, I know your world is going to explode when you learn to read; so so exciting. You have been "studying" (your word) all summer. Having you out of the house five days a week is going to crazy for me. I can't promise I won't cry a little. Mostly excited tears but there will be a few sad ones in there too.

Your fifth birthday was your first "kid-only" party. You fell backwards off a swing and knocked your wind out about 18 seconds into the party. I thought you were going to have to go to the ER, but you pulled it together after you and Daddy went away to have a "chat". You are tough. Way tougher than your daddy and I know.

You make me proud almost every day. You make being a mommy easy stuff and have taught me how to forgive. Life with you is unconditional love on a new level. I love you Wyeth.

QOTD

Fara is saying, "Oh my gosh...." about everything. It's by far one of my proudest parenting moments.
Cute thing!