Snow Days

We did get the snow days I had been hoping for! Monday I kept all my girls home just out of spite for it not being a snow day.  I thought I can decide if I want us all home together.  Then Tuesday back to school and I worked at Grace and Pearl's Montessori school, VMS.  Wednesday was a snow day for VMS but Ruth(11) still had school.  Papa stayed home with me, Pearl (5) and Grace(3) and about 1 hour into it I thought I am going to go crazy if I don't get these girls out to spend some energy.  So I turned on the heater in the playhouse and asked them to pack for a trip, backpacks, a baby and sleeping bags.  I packed them a picnic and away they went on their 'trip' to the playhouse-which for today's purposes was a hotel. It was just the thing we all needed.  I hate when I look so forward to being home all together, I think I have too high expectations and then I'm let down.  In the mean time it makes me feel like a horrible mother.  I plan baking, crafts all those 'hallmark moments' and then instead I just want 5 minutes peace!  I usually find we all had expectations and not all the same.  One imagines playing a game, the other playing outside and one maybe being alone with me. (without her sisters)  When this doesn't all happen in the first 10 minutes, grumpiness sets in.  My job?  Set clear reasonable expectations and discuss them with the girls.  Let them know what the day might look like and let them have input.  Mostly though we need to connect with them first thing in the morning.  They need to climb into our bed (if they aren't there already) and just BE.   Which does conflict with Mav and I's desire to drink our coffee in bed, still and quiet.  But we are working on merging the two!

Last year's recall of over 20 million toys should give us all pause as we purchase gifts for children this holiday season.  Wouldn't it be great if toy makers created toys that reflected a love for children and our communities?  Instead we are deluged with toys that are unsafe and offensive from corporations promoting materialism.

BUT THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES...

1. BOOKS

2. European made toys have the highest safety standards.  They are more expensive, but a few quality toys are all a child needs.  Too many toys can foster materialism.

3. Practical gifts- yes they can be fun and useful! Consider: sports equipment, a camera, sleeping bag and tote for sleepovers, bulletin board, a new lunch bag etc...

4. Family activities- passes to the children's museum, zoo passes and of course board games

5. Discernment.  All toys shouldn't have to teach moral values, but at the same time should never compromise them.  think, "can I imagine Jesus as a child playing with this?" (that sounds really cheesey I know!)

6. Give the real thing! Gifts that model positive adult behavior could be child sized tools, real cookware, art supplies, musical instruments, desk set, stethescope...

7.  Gifts that encourage appreciation for God's creation.  A fish bowl, plants and watering can, bird house/feeder, telescope or magnifying glass

8. Did I mention BOOKS?

Half my prayer answered

Okay so it didn't snow enough to amount to anything.  So we went to church.  I am glad we did.  But then because it is icy the evening service was cancelled.  This meant we got to stay home.  Now here I am hoping school will be closed tomorrow.  It is Mav's day off so it would be perfect!

Why?

Here I am.  Why?  I'm not sure.  I have zero time to give blogging.  Yet when I stumble upon someone else's blog I want one.  I am definitely opinionated enough.  

Where to begin?  Homemaking?  Boston Terriers?  Montessori?  Tattoos? Post modern children's ministry?

Well for tonight let's just say I am praying for snow.  Ironic because I want snow so church will be cancelled tomorrow. ("Shhh..." Isn't that naughty?)  I just really need a few days cozied up with my family at home.  No place to go, all together.