Wish upon a star....

After a beautiful and long overdue vacation, I am feeling refreshed. This means that I am un-stressed enough to recall all the wonderful, good-for-you (and your family) things that I have never really started or completed, but really wanted to do. On my mind today, in no particular order:

1 - Start Blogging (again). A quick review of my old Blog shows that I never really got going (last post: 2009 -ouch!). I can't even journal properly, why did I think I could blog? Nevertheless, in the spirit of trying to better myself, here I am, posting to this blog.

2 - Focus on Family. This was a sort of resoultion that my husband and I had earlier this year. Yes, we should all focus on family. But we wanted to really do better - spend more time with the kids and be outdoors were the two things we summed it up with. I am happy to report that we feel we have done well this first year of focusing. We are outside all the time now, and the girls have truly, truly enjoyed this summer. Camping, parents playing softball (which means the girls can spend time with their friends), and biking. We need to do more biking....

3 - Work Less. This is a tough one. With one income right now, work is all consuming with little effort. After all, without work, there is no paycheck......even still, I know better. To spend time with the family means that you cannot be working all the time - or THINKING about work. Focus, focus, focus. Work at work, and play at home. This should help with the stress, after all.

4 - Eat Better. Well, we all want to do this, don't we? There are so many ideas about the best way to eat better and be healthier. I think everyone can agree that it needs to be done, but which way is the right way? Paleo? Organic? Both? Non GMO? Local and Fresh? How do you fit it all in? My thoughts today are "everything in moderation," cut down on the protein (I am high protein eater), and eat fresh. I am going to start there and see what comes. Mum sent me a homemade ketchup recipe the other day.....sounds intriguing.

5 - Quit Smoking. Ugh. Do I need to say more? This has been on my mind for a long time. 4 unsuccessful attempts over the past two years. Here I am, this lovely mother of three, with a beautiful family and life. Why ruin it? God, grant me the peace and strength I need to get this challenge over with!

Hmmph. I think 5 things is a good way to start - I don't want to overdo it, and it looks like there is plenty to do in that list. Three cheers for me!

A New Edition

A new edition - well, addition really! Evelyn Sage Dionne Bennett, born September 8, 2009 at 4:45 pm after a quick 8 hour labor, weighing in at 6 pounds, 10 1/2 ounces and measuring 19 3/4 in length.

"Evie," as we call her, has proven to be another NH Bennett - a happy baby who sleeps, eats, poops, and gurgles just like her bigger sisters did. Rosie and Lilly are so pleased to finally have their new sister, and are eager to help and soothe the baby whenever needed. Rosie has always had a huge interest in babies, real and imagined, and she definitely enjoys having Evie around. Lilly is a bit more reserved with Evie, but will help in other ways, sometimes without asking. Lilly has become quite the organizer and cleaning helper - I couldn't ask for a better six year old!

Wow, how time flies!  We spent the day "preparing" for a Memorial Weekend BBQ.  Tomorrow (Sunday) we have a couple of friends and children coming to visit.  Rob spent most of the day cleaning the yard, including a lot of mowing!  I planted our veggie garden (a bit more of a task when you are six months pregnant!), and the girls helped us both.

Rosie has only one more day of school left, and Lillian's Kindergarten class has started their "countdown" to summer vacation!  We are looking forward to a wonderful summer, filled with lots of outdoor play.

Oh, and yes, I am still on the Preschool Board!  Seems like I can't move on quite yet, but this time as Treasurer instead of President.  I think almost 2 years as President is quite enough work!  :)

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays from the NH Bennett family!  

We are gearing up for Christmas, having just finished a wonderful Thanksgiving with the Maine & Connecticut Bennett's and GG Bennett!

Lilly and Rosie enjoyed two extra nights with Grammy, PawPaw and GG before Thanksgiving Day.  Rob and I had the luxury of two nights alone.  Yes, we did nothing.  I mean it - absolutely nothing.  Well, okay, we watched 4 movies (2 per night).  No cleaning, no cooking, no talking (unless it was about the movie or how quiet the house was without the girls...).  It was bliss.....and actually a tiny bit boring.

All went back to crazy normal though once we caught up with the girls in Maine.  A wonderful dinner and Rob and I went shopping on Black Friday.  Wow - it really was a crazy week for us!  Shopping wasn't too bad though - not nearly as busy as we anticipated.

CHRISTMAS is right around the corner.  Our shopping is almost done, the cards are ready to be mailed, and I asked Rob when we were to get our tree today.  He said this was the earliest I have ever asked him about it.  I reminded him that we are early on all things Christmas this year - shopping, cards, and tree!  I even played Christmas music tonight while cooking dinner.

The girls have been on their best behavior lately - perhaps they are looking for that special gift from Santa this year.  They have been eagerly working on their lists, and each visit to the store brings the question, "Can I put this (toy/game/whatever) on my Christmas list?"  ABSOLUTELY!  Of course, it might not mean that you will get it darling, but go ahead and put it on the list.  We can pare it down together later on!

Here is wishing you a wonderful holiday season - happy and bright as child eyes and childlike  anticipation!  To all our family throughout the USA - we miss you and love you and hope to see you again soon!  Break out the eggnog!

School is here!

And so school has finally begun!  We are a few weeks in now, and I am pleased to report that both of the girls are doing well.  Seems like all-day kindergarten has helped Lillian with her excess energy!  After school each day (where she has recess TWICE each day) she visits an after school program where she participates in plenty of activities with other children.  By the time we pick her up after work, she is ready for dinner and bed.  Oh, and a bath....we love her, but she does smell a little sweaty from all of that playing!

Rosina is doing well with visiting preschool twice a week.  She is fairly devastated each Thursday when she realizes she has to wait until after the weekend before she can go back to school.  She has made new friends at school and loves the teachers.  It doesn't hurt that Mummy is on the board either, I suppose!

Work is, well, work.  Fall is here and that means that the College is busy with incoming students.  My desk has been pretty overwhelmed since last year due to new systems, but we are now finding that things are straightening out pretty well.  I am pleased to report that my workload, while has not reduced, has finally come to a manageable state.  Rob is also doing well at work, where they are preparing a new product roll out at the end of this month.  

Rosie's 3rd birthday is on Thursday.  My, how the time flies!  It seems like just the other day when we brought her home from the hospital.  Never mind that Lilly will be 6 in January! 

And all are happy, and all are well.  We could not ask for more, and feel very blessed.

It's 9:41 pm and I am tired....

Seems as though the girls are going through a phase.  I call it SUMMER.  

For over a month now it has been hard to get both girls to go to sleep at a decent hour.  We try the standard - run their energy down by letting them play hard outside, feed them a big dinner, bathe and ready them for bed (with the same schedule as winter), and yet, at 8:30 pm, they still are wide awake.

Note that I said they are "wide awake" versus "not tired."

Attitudes are rampant (overtired) and they cannot get themselves to sleep.  They have lost priveleges and pamperings, and still sleep does not come.  Last night Lillian did not drop off into slumberland until 11:00 pm.

And this means that I can't sleep.  Call it motherhood - I cannot sleep until I know my girls are asleep and all is well.  I drift in and out sometimes, sure - but good old fashioned sleep has been elusive.

Tomorrow the girls go to Maine to visit their Grammy and PawPaw for a week.  Surely, I am assured some sleep then.  Alas,  I have found it is hard to sleep when the girls aren't home.  I fear my future with empty nest syndrome.....

While the girls are away with Grammy and PawPaw I have some things planned:  

First, clean the house (after all, a good cleaning will certainly wear me down, and I hope be comforted by the unusual non-clutter); 

Second, paint the bathroom.  Yes, I am crazy.  But the flower wallpaper has to go!  It has been 4 years since we bought our home and I still get nauseated when I walk into the bathroom. 

Third, a true SPRING cleaning of the girls bedroom.  ALL toys will be reviewed, sorted, and what is staying will definitely be relocated from the bedroom to the playroom.  

Lastly, some good dark curtains will be put up against the windows in the girls bedroom. According to Lillian, it is her "natural clock" that won't let her sleep (a direct quote from 2 nights ago).  I call it curtains that aren't dark enough and they let too much summer light in.  I love New England - and I love New England summers.  They usually aren't too hot, and when they are the time is short.  But like summer everywhere, the days are long and that means children don't care to go to sleep.  

All in all, the girls are enjoying their summer.  Both are excited for school in the fall (Lillian to Kindergarten and Rosina to 3 year old Preschool), but have been overjoyed at gardening, sandturtle play and general backyard fun.  We hosted a large family BBQ on the Fourth of July that was fantastic fun, with lots of backyard games (Polish Horseshoes, anyone?)

Both Rob and I have been working too hard and playing too little.  Part of my lack of sleep can certainly be attributed to work.  Here, nearing the end of July, I have found that my priorities at work are shifting and the burden is a bit lighter (Fiscal Close is done!  yea!) and I am assured less stress.  Next week while the children are away, the parents will play....and sleep.  Lots of sleep.....zzzzzzz.

Cleaning

Ever notice how young children are so helpful?  They have an innate sense of wanting to help.  I know many parents struggle against this - they try to get their things done (laundry, dishes, etc) without the help of the younger folk.  I don't blame them - I have fought with the children to try and get things done myself because I know it will be quicker and easier that way.  It is much simpler and quicker for me to load the washing machine without the "help" of my toddler who doesn't yet understand the difference between whites and darks!  As time has gone by I have learned that it is better to give in and let Lilly and Rosie help me.  Not only does it strengthen our bond, but they seem so much happier afterwards - for HOURS afterwards.  And even if it takes longer for the task to be done, I feel happier too, because they are happy.  I take the opportunity to show them how to get it done right, in the capacity that they can understand.  

One household duty that required little instruction from me was teaching the girls how to feed our cats and dogs.  Both are filled with pride and a sense of belonging to the family by giving the animals their dinner each night.  The only teaching we really had to do was (1) only 1 scoop per bowl and (2) Lilly - the dog food does not belong in the toilet.  

Lilly and Rosie are now quite good at putting away toys in designated areas, making sure their beds are pulled together (I dare not say "made" quite yet!) and putting all dirty clothes in their hamper so Mummy knows to wash them.  Both girls have "washed" dishes, done laundry, vaccumed, dusted, and learned to feed and brush the animals.  

Parenting is hard - harder than one would have thought in many ways.  The daily grind can wear any parent down.  Working and raising a family brings on challenges that we never would have guessed.  It also brings a lot of joy.  Tears of joy when we hear our oldest sing a song or our youngest sing the ABC's.  Hearing thoughtful manners or praise to other people when we are out in public.  Even on the days that they have a bad attitude at home, when they behave kindly in public we figure that we must be teaching them something right!

If we can let our children help us as much as they can, then we can foster their sense of contribution.  It also helps us learn how to let go of things that really aren't that important. Well, if we can't get all of the laundry done in one day, at least I had a happy family while we did what chores we could.

Now if I can just teach Lilly how to make coffee for me - then I think we are making progress!