On Toddlers and Chores

It's a new year. And with that comes the customary reflections, making goals,and hoping for potential changes, etc. W and I made resolutions last year that we still need to finish reflecting on. I know, I know, many people scoff at resolutions. Maybe you're one of them. But when I make mine, I don't expect to do them all for the entire year. No way. I might not even do one. It's just good to reflect and make decisions about what you'd like to work on. With God's help, that slow progress can happen.

I have yet to really sit down and figure out some goals for this year. But I was pleasantly surprised when W pushed a small piece of paper across the breakfast table last week with his goals. What can I say? I'm a sucker for a man who thinks about the direction we're heading in. :)

With that preface in mind, here's one area we've recently talked over...

{E circa 01/11}

Ezra loves helping me or W around the house. He pretty much pushes himself into any activity I'm working on. Be it the dishwasher-- he leaps in and starts handing me the utensils, plates, and anything else on the bottom shelf. Be it the laundry-- he wants to help me move the clothes to the dryer. Or be the one to put Papa's socks in the drawer. I think we were on to something when we named him "God's help". Perhaps our next child's name will mean "Completely obedient the very first time, always listens to instruction, and never whines." Wouldn't that be nice? 

So over time, E has a few certain activities that he helps out with and has even almost taken over completely {like feeding the pups and putting his dirty clothes in the hamper}. We've been going back and forth over starting a picture chore chart or should I say, something concrete that clearly lays out our expectations for his weekly responsibilities. I already like the habit we have of including him in our activities and that he thoroughly enjoys helping us. It's a wonderful start to the training/teaching processes. I'm just wondering if we're ready to take the next step without overwhelming him.

Here's some of what Ezra likes to do:

-help makes bed morning and after nap

-put pjs in hamper

-set the table for meal times {all but breakable plates/cups}

-help clean up his face, hands, and table area

-help unload dishwasher

-help put toys away

-feed the pups

-put shoes/jacket away once inside

-pick out pjs and clean diaper before bath

-put day's clothes in hamper

I found in searching that I'm not the first one to wonder or even implement toddler chores. I  found several free printables but none that struck my fancy. But it's so nice not having to re-invent the wheel! :) I found these posts particularly helpful: here, here, and here.

Our conclusion: I think for now we're just going to focus on consistency and rhythm. Trying to do the same 'chores' around the same time of day with Ezra. He's very quick to turn something into a habit so hopefully as we continue to have him do these things, we can slowly release him to do them on his own. In a few years, we'll add a bit more structure to this whole thing and probably an allowance as well. One post talked about how her kids have some required chores {you're are a part of the family} and some extra chores that can get paid out {learning the concept of earning and budgeting}. We really liked the dual-chore idea.

Our ultimate goal for now is that he can anticipate the next activity simply based on our consistency. But I wonder if that means I also need to be consistent in my chores. He has yet to ask why our bed isn't always made. We'll see how that goes... ;)

What A Sneak.

This is Miss Kara. 

2 years old next month. 

She's the youngest of our favorite Seattle friends. 

And she got into lotion. 

I just loved the picture.

So I thought I'd share it.
When her 5.5 year old brother saw this, he said,
"I wonder if this is what it looks like to God, when we make a total mess of things."

Have a great Wednesday!

A House Called Home

I was looking through pictures in my mom's iphoto albums several evenings ago {remember, I have her ibook now because mine mysteriously ended up on our tile floor from the couch?! So odd how those things happen!}. Anyway, I found this picture taken three years ago when it was sold:

It's the lovely little house I grew up in! That top window slightly ajar was mine. A sort of Romeo-meets-Juliet framework. I was a little over a year when we moved in, but it's the only house I've ever known. When I look at this picture and remember it now, I would die to own a house like this, in a location like here...well, a tad smaller would be better. But in my teens years, I despised the apparent 'smallness'. Guess that's what happens when all but a few of your best friends move into a gated community with gargantuan custom-built homes. Truly a bummer to be so confused and ungrateful.

One of my favorite things about this house, not counting my window, was the color. Bright but not in-your-face yellow. A cheerful yellow. How could you not be excited to come home with a paint color to greet you like this one? That green front door was the backdrop for all my first day of school pictures. From a little tyke in a t-shirt and leggings with a tin lunch pail to a high school cheerleader in uniform. Behind our backyard fence was an open field. One rainy day, a friend & I had a full out mud fight with huge chunks of sloppy, wet mud. During the summer, we'd sled down the grassy hill on cardboard then climb the oak tree on slabs of wood nailed to the trunk like a tree-house.

It's funny how you move on and forget most things. I was chatting with a friend from high school the other day, and I was so shocked by how little I remembered. I think I remember more dance moves from routines than I do specific events from those days.

I do remember some things. Like, being crammed into Valley View's girls' bathroom stall in second grade. Helping my friend, Shawna, clean up after she didn't make it in time while trying not to gag. In middle school, Limited 2 was the place to shop. And even though I had clothes from there, I still didn't feel like I fit in. Probably because of my forehead break-outs and braces. Just so awkward.

Freshman year had me literary running from cheer practice to theatre rehearsal in the MP while juggling soccer practices and games. I remember trying not to fall asleep in some classes because I was up late the night before studying. And that horrid buzzing sound of the alarm in the morning before A period. No one should have to wake before the sun; I guess unless they're farmers.

This house holds some good memories and some hard ones. Hard ones like my mom's miscarriage on my 10th birthday during the middle of the night. I can still see her trying to walk down the stairs while leaning on my dad. It was the first time we had to call 911. Or the night I woke up to my mom screaming and glass breaking. Someone had thrown bricks into two of our front windows. I don't think I was ever a deep sleeper after that.

When W and I were dating and getting to know each other, we whole-heartedly agreed that if we met in high school, we would have never dated. He was the track geek who ate in class and was too skinny for my taste. Always 'friends' with the teachers because he was the younger sibling of so-and-so. He likes to remind me that he use to tutor cheerleaders like me. Whoa, I took lots of AP classes, buster! But I'm glad he got to see my old house. Our first kiss was there actually, when he came to meet my parents for the first time. A few months after we became an item.

After it was sold, I drove by on the way to lunch with a friend. It felt strange. I'd spent almost 18 years on that court, in that house. And now, an entirely new family was living in it. Their truck was parked where our suburban use to be. That meant they were swimming in their pool. Eating cereal in front of their television with the sunlight pouring in from their slider-door. Looking out their kitchen window at the beautiful view.

Even though I miss it, I wouldn't want to go back. I love our Swenson house very much {well, technically it is a townhouse}. It's small with only a patio, but it's our home. It's not yellow but it's still welcoming. Of course, we'd love to own a nice little house one day, don't get me wrong. But I'm in no rush to upgrade just yet. I like the memories we are creating in this space.

{{There was really not point to this post, just a remembrance of an old place.}}

You can never go home again, but the truth is you can never leave home, so it's all right. ~Maya Angelou

Two Really Good Things

1. I fit into the only pair of "fat" pants I have (Barely, but the button is done! And who cares about the few rolls spilling over?!)

2. For the first time in (what feels like) a really long time, I was bored at home this afternoon {yes, W, I know boredom is self-induced} :)

Now perhaps to anyone is was not recently pregnant & gave birth, these two things could be very depressing. But to me, they are great signs of recovery! Baby steps to regularity! Things to be celebrated! :)

On Fairy Tales & Dragons

"Someday you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again." -C.S. Lewis

Una and the Lion by Briton Rivière, 1880

“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.” - G.K. Chesterton

Anticipation

I'm so thankful to have carried this little one full-term without complications or major symptoms. I'm still in awe of the whole miracle that God created! What a beautiful process and design! We are both so thankful that we got to experience this! I mean, really?! How is it that we can create new family members?! Children are truly a blessing & reward from the best Father!! We're already experiencing that blessing. With our due date approaching *tomorrow*, here are some things that I'm really looking forward to...

-riding my bike

-sleeping on my back again

-having W call out the gender

-getting to experience labor & delivery with my best friend

-seeing my hubby be a Papa, not just an Uncle

-discovering if s/he will look/act more like W or me

-getting to know our newest family member

-not bumping into people/things because I don't know my new circumference

-shaving my legs

-running

-eating feta, brie, sushi

-drinking wine, cosmos & margaritas

-watching our friends & family interact with our little one

W is looking forward to...

-finally naming our little one

-family meal time

-catching our little one & cutting the cord

-finally being a Papa

-teaching him/her how to survive the wilderness and handle

sharp objects & fire safely (scout's honor!)

-going camping as a family

-going on "Papa Dates"

-learning the ropes of parenthood with his wife

-teaching chivalry

-getting his wife pregnant...again

W & I

♥ What are your middle names?

Erin and David

♥How long have you been together?

On Sept 10th, it was 3 years

♥ How long did you know each other before you started dating?

We knew each other exactly ONE week. :)

♥ Who asked who out?

W asked me out at his nephew's 10th birthday party.

I asked him "Why?" in the attempt to buy some thinking time

while he thought it was the BEST question ever to ask!

His answer to the question was very good!

♥ Who made the first move?

Definitely him. He pretty much pursued me at each

moment of our meeting & dating which I'm so grateful for.

I never worried about his intentions or commitment about us.

♥ How old are each of you?

me-26

him-28

♥ Did you go to the same school?

Nope.

♥ Are you from the same home town?

me-here

W-Anaheim

♥ Who is the smartest?

That's a really tough question. W is extremely smart both

in the world and now come to find out at school too. He can do so well in his

classes without much effort (which drives me crazy!) So, I think either him or both of us!

♥ Who majored in what?

Me- Mass Communications & Multiple Subject Credential.

W- Culinary Arts & Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting

♥ Who is the most sensitive?

W when I'm not pregnant

♥ Where do you eat out most as a couple?

Thai or Sushi

♥ Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?

We went to Mexico for our honeymoon,

but I think Chicago, IL is further mileage wise??

♥ Who has the worst temper?

Hmmm...neither?

♥ How many children do you want?

A quiver full ;)

♥ Who does the cooking?

At first, W...but now we're about equally

helping out with preparing meals

♥ Who is more social?

Both

♥ Who is the neat-freak?

I'm definitely much more tidy than W.

But neither of us are really into spotless cleaning.

♥ Who is the most stubborn?

Both, I guess. But we are both willing to

admit when we're wrong and ask for forgiveness too.

Or to try and compromise.

♥ Who wakes up earlier?

W does on work days when it can be as early as 3am!

Yikes!

♥ Where was your first date?

Ice Skating and dinner at Mimi's Cafe.

I loved his wrangler tight jeans because I could look at his hot butt!

Plus I hadn't gone ice skating in a looong time

so of course he had to hold me to make sure I didn't fall! :)

♥ Who has the bigger family?

Definitely W- 7 kids total. And that's not

counting spouses & nieces/nephews.

♥ Do you get flowers often?

Not really. It happens every once in

awhile when I least expect it!

♥ How do you spend the holidays?

For thanksgiving, we just stay here with my folks since he doesn't get much time off.

At Christmas, we do both!

♥ Who is more jealous?

Neither! With God's grace, we attempt to live in a way

that's wholly dedicated to the other in sacrificial love

and therefore avoid situations that create this reaction!

But if he gets a job where he travels & I can't go, then I'll be jealous! ;)

♥ How long did it take to get serious?

Oh my! Not long at all. W says he *knew* after the first day of meeting me.

It took me about a week. :) We started talking marriage about a month or so in.

No messing around here!

♥ Who eats more?

W-unless I am pregnant. Then we're even.

♥ What do you do for a living?

W- Student & Chauffeur

Me- Baby-Maker & House Keeper

♥ Who does the laundry?

All me.

♥ Who’s better with the computer?

Both. Probably W more though.

♥ Who drives when you are together?

Him.

♥ What is "your" song?

It would be the song W wrote for our one year anniversary, or

"Only Fools Rush In" by Elvis which we danced to at our wedding

I tag...Stef, Megan, Jill, Amy and Edie!

The Chicken and The Egg

Last night I posted on my facebook status that we eat so many eggs that we really should just get our own chickens. Well, one thing I like about facebook is that people comment! :) And a friend from college told me about this amazing website. Wow!! I would seriously like to own a chicken or two, which reminds me that I need to resurrect my veggies garden too. I don't think we have enough space right now, but I'm not forgetting this website if we ever re-locate!!


(photo from backyardchicken)

Pure Insight to My Week

I have nothing to say other than: please visit my mother's blog for a full hilarious report on my week. Enough said. :) 

Thank you, Mom! You helped me keep my sanity this week! I love you!

A Great & Short Article

By Mark Discoll while he spent time with the amazing J.I. Packer-- a wonderfully faithful man & theologian. It's short, simple but oh, so good to remember!!

Here's the link to check it out. I really liked the 3rd point about godliness starts in the home. How so important is our spiritual condition inside our home!!