Our current phases

I am blogging tonight full of guilt.  I am not in a great place, which makes for a grumpy mom, and I lost my temper with Ramsey tonight while she was having a tantrum.  She doesn't have many tantrums, but this was the worst one ever and I was not ready for it.  She has been in an "asserting my independence" and "boundary testing" phase, and it is getting to me!  I have all kinds of excuses--my foot is broken, my 50-page report, exhaustion from Beck's coughing at night--but really, enough is enough.  I cannot be a screaming and shouting kind of mom.  Ramsey, I'm sorry.  You're being a normal kid, and while it is challenging, I'm supposed to be the grown-up.  

Here is a summary of our current interests...

The boot for my foot.  I thought it was a bunion problem, 

but the podiatrist said I have a fracture below the ball of my foot and I have to wear this boot for 6-8 weeks so that it will heal properly.  This is harder than I realized!  It is definitely throwing the kids off that I cannot do as much as I could pre-boot.  I am a totally frustrated busy-body with this thing.  Matt's funny comment:  "oh no, that thing is going to smell."  Haha!

The keyboard.  WE LOVE IT!  Beck requests "Muffin Man" 

and they both play along in their own way.  

ANIMALS!  Ramsey has been obsessed with animals for 2 years now.  Beck is also interested, but when Ramsey puts something on top of the white cabinet, that means she doesn't want Beck to "get" it.  

Dolls and other items from the dollhouse.  Notice that Ramsey enjoys lining things up!

Beck's "tractor."  He likes getting on and going backwards.

Makeshift canoe.  Ramsey insisted that Beck get in with her.  Luckily, he was super into it.  

I need medicine!  Both kids like medicine, maybe a little too much?  

They like getting on the counter for the administration of said medicine.  

Matt with our Valentines Day spread.  He picked up Elevation Burger.  

I really enjoyed the burger and shake.  Yum.  Plus, he's a dang handsome valentine.  

I'm a lucky lady.  He has been working a lot lately and we're missing him.    

And of course, the outdoors.  

Found this puddle on our walk to the park.  

It was hard to walk away from it!

Muddy and happy.

I realized Ramsey has been climbing these green bars since she was Beck's age.  

She is so agile.  Beck hasn't shown any interest yet, but he is very active and loves the playground.

They both LOVE finding a new spot to sit.  The neighbors' steps are always enticing. 

BOTH kids in the stroller.  This never happens anymore!  They enjoyed it--

we strolled to the shops up the street and walked back.  

 I guess it wasn't really walking as much as climbing and running.

Time to take a deep breath and count my blessings!  Tomorrow is another day, time to reload.