We went to Moscow "Mountain" today to go on a "hike." (Do you like my "quotations?" they're needed.) Seriously, I must be missing something with the M. Mountain. It's not a mountain, it's a hill with trees, and we walked on a gravel road that was barricaded from the forest with barb wire and no tress passing signs. ...we must be missing something. we must be. Regardless it was a beautiful day and nice to be outdoors.
And then we went to Mountain View Park, we hadn't been there in a while.
I find it comical that one of the first questions the boys ask me every morning is:
"What are we doing today mommy?"
So, for the 'ole family record. Here's a weekly rundown for the Ritters:
Monday: aerobics/playgroup 9:00-10:00
Tuesday: P.S I love you preschool 9:00- 11:30
Wednesday: Library Storytimes 9:00-11:00
Thursday: aerobics/playgroup 9:00-10:00; Library Storytime 10:30-11:00
Friday: Science Center 10:00-11:00
Saturday: Swimming Lessons 10:30-11:00; Lunch at the Science Center
and if I'm not attending one of these activities it is because I am having a playgroup or something along those lines. (music time and soccer will be added to this shortly)
Recently I was in a group discussion with "over scheduling" your children ... hmmm... and it made me reflect a bit, but honestly this works for us. I'm not stressed, I don't feel like my children are stressed so it works for us. I still have five hours for them to play and read before Jeff gets home (then it's even more play: too much candyland and wrestling). I honestly don't know what I would do if I didn't have something to break up the morning! I get cooped up too easily I guess.
We moved Levi into a twin bed last weekend. It is really nice waking him up from his nap now; just go lay down by him. I don't know if you can tell but Levi's a very cuddly little guy! --I have to be careful though when Jeff "puts Levi down for a nap" ... Jeff never returns, he just takes a nap with him now.
Some memories I don't want to forget in regarding the boys' night time routine:
It's not a "good-night mommy," it's a "supper-good-night mommy!!" with the boys racing across our house and Seth asking "Can you feel the wind?!" because he's running so fast.
Sethy is cuddling with his new addition, "Bongie." I don't know where he comes up with his stuffed animals' names. There's a dragon named Broggy, a rabbit named Chaunger, and of course Baby Bear who is a girl not a boy.
Jeff brushes their teeth at night, and to get the boys to open their mouths wide he sings, "Smile, you're on daddy camera." (to the tune of "smile, you're on candid camera."
Levi, always looses his stool, and has to search the house for it in order to reach the sink.
They both have to drink from the faucet after they brush their teeth .
The boys' prayers are my favorite, tonight Seth's went like this: "Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for mommy, thank you for daddy, thank you for Levi, thank you for Raya, thank your for my pillow, thank you for mommy's fragile camera, thank you for my shoe, Jesus Christ Amen.
Levi's: "thank you for mommy, thank you for daddy, thank you for mommy, thank you for daddy, Jesus Christ, Amen." -- they are grateful, that's foresure!
Every night we sing to them, the boys were really stuck on this song Jeff made up:
"I was driving in my magic car, just to see right where you are,
And what did I see in the park? (Boys choose an animal, for instance a Bear)
A Bear? A Bear!
And what did he say?
boys: "rararararararaaaa"
(couple more animal choices with the song ending with Raffi)
And what did I see in the park? Raffi!
A Raffi? Raffi!
And what did he say?
Baa baa black sheep have you any wool (sing rest of song).
The boys really love their Dad. He is so cool and will make up many stories and songs on the fly.
And... of course... pictures of Raya I took today.
Is it weird that I like the sad ones as well as the happy ones? Raya doesn't get upset too often, but when she does it's super quick and loud!
