On the Go Go Go!
This summer I've made it a goal to go go go. The park, the splash pad, the zoo, the museum, Elitch Gardens, the library, tumbling gym, etc. And we've literally done all of those things in the last two weeks. And I usually have an extra child (or four 😂) in tow!
Lincoln is at such a fun age and Abbie is getting old enough to enjoy everything! She's getting more independent and adventurous and it makes going to the park and other adventures really fun! She's always aware of where I am and never wanders off. The children I watch have a very calm nature. A double stroller, baby wearing, and obedient children make these outings possible!
I often get the cliché "Wow! You've got your hands full!" comments. Or "Oh my! Are they all yours?!" I usually just smile and move along. I have too many ducklings to stop and chat with the opinionated and very vocal strangers. But I love the "They're all so beautiful! You're so blessed!" comments. I'll take those all day! I always thank them and stop to chat so they can say hello to the kids.
It's not unusual for me to literally have my arms and hands and lap very full these days.
And I do feel very blessed! The parents of these children trust me with their entire world. I've met and gotten to know some of the sweetest little souls through childcare. So many personalities! Having built-in best friends with childcare is the best part of my job. Sometimes it can be crazy and I look like the old lady who lives in a shoe, but we're living the dream!
I'm very fortunate to be able to stay at home with my children and have a few extra children here that they can play with. They keep my kids occupied and my life is actually easier with more kids hanging around! Our trips are more fun with friends!
One time Abbie Rae was a hot mess with her ice cream. I was feeding a baby a bottle and couldn't wipe her face as often as she needed. A sweet grandmother sitting across the way from us grabbed a bunch of napkins and cleaned Abbie up for me. I thanked her over and over again. It takes a village! People are often very aware of Mother Goose and her gaggle. Herding cats is quite the challenge and I appreciate all the help I can get!
Target is my jam. Target is clean and bright and shiny. Target is also more expensive. But Target also has those amazing carts that can hold ALL of the children and all of the things! It is glorious. I don't mind paying a little bit extra if it means I can push the boat full of children! Strapped down!
Life is so busy but it's only going to get busier. As Lincoln and Abbie get older and get into sports and clubs and school, life is only going to get crazier! So I'm soaking up the time I have with my little ones. Adding a few childcare children into the mix is such a blast!
This summer we have a trip to Georgia and Florida, another trip to Florida (DISNEY!), I have a class reunion in Georgia, and then Thanksgiving and Christmas trips! We may stay home for the holidays to recover from the summer trips!
If you follow along with our adventures then you know I travel a lot. And it's usually solo with two kids! Lincoln has flown on more planes than I can even count. Abbie Rae is getting up there in flights as well! My kids are seasoned travelers and do so well. Knock on wood! I hope I didn't just jinx myself! 🤪🤪🤪
I look forward to these trips. I'm a planner and find joy in the details. Making memories is worth all the work that traveling requires. And we're always visiting with family that we only get to see a couple times a year at most. One of our trips includes meeting a new niece! I cannot wait to snuggle a newborn!
Life with the Grahams is hectic and busy and fun and chaotic. Some days I feel like I'm drowning in house work. It's exhausting. And then I look around and can't even tell that I've cleaned. The mountains of clean laundry on the bed that I've neglected since that morning. Sometimes it ends up on a chair for tomorrow. Or next week.
The goldfish and mandarins oranges smashed into my wood floors. Abbie is quite the tornado. Her favorite thing to do is empty the pantry shelves and leave them all over the house. And then put random objects onto the shelves. It's quite funny to discover a shoe or a package of wipes tucked in with the fruit snacks and applesauce.
Lincoln is such a ham and my best friend. He's so sweet and helpful with Abbie. He grabs me diapers, helps her off the bed, holds her hand coming up and down stairs, and helps her with any and every little thing she needs. He's very aware of her struggles as a toddler trying her best to navigate this big world.
This morning she was wearing her tutu bathing suit. Lincoln, in a high pitched and sweet voice, told Abbie she looked so beautiful in her skirt. And that she looked just like a princess. I was melting from the cuteness.
Lincoln is at such a fun age and Abbie is getting old enough to enjoy everything! She's getting more independent and adventurous and it makes going to the park and other adventures really fun! She's always aware of where I am and never wanders off. The children I watch have a very calm nature. A double stroller, baby wearing, and obedient children make these outings possible!
I often get the cliché "Wow! You've got your hands full!" comments. Or "Oh my! Are they all yours?!" I usually just smile and move along. I have too many ducklings to stop and chat with the opinionated and very vocal strangers. But I love the "They're all so beautiful! You're so blessed!" comments. I'll take those all day! I always thank them and stop to chat so they can say hello to the kids.
It's not unusual for me to literally have my arms and hands and lap very full these days.
And I do feel very blessed! The parents of these children trust me with their entire world. I've met and gotten to know some of the sweetest little souls through childcare. So many personalities! Having built-in best friends with childcare is the best part of my job. Sometimes it can be crazy and I look like the old lady who lives in a shoe, but we're living the dream!
I'm very fortunate to be able to stay at home with my children and have a few extra children here that they can play with. They keep my kids occupied and my life is actually easier with more kids hanging around! Our trips are more fun with friends!
One time Abbie Rae was a hot mess with her ice cream. I was feeding a baby a bottle and couldn't wipe her face as often as she needed. A sweet grandmother sitting across the way from us grabbed a bunch of napkins and cleaned Abbie up for me. I thanked her over and over again. It takes a village! People are often very aware of Mother Goose and her gaggle. Herding cats is quite the challenge and I appreciate all the help I can get!
Target is my jam. Target is clean and bright and shiny. Target is also more expensive. But Target also has those amazing carts that can hold ALL of the children and all of the things! It is glorious. I don't mind paying a little bit extra if it means I can push the boat full of children! Strapped down!
Life is so busy but it's only going to get busier. As Lincoln and Abbie get older and get into sports and clubs and school, life is only going to get crazier! So I'm soaking up the time I have with my little ones. Adding a few childcare children into the mix is such a blast!
This summer we have a trip to Georgia and Florida, another trip to Florida (DISNEY!), I have a class reunion in Georgia, and then Thanksgiving and Christmas trips! We may stay home for the holidays to recover from the summer trips!
If you follow along with our adventures then you know I travel a lot. And it's usually solo with two kids! Lincoln has flown on more planes than I can even count. Abbie Rae is getting up there in flights as well! My kids are seasoned travelers and do so well. Knock on wood! I hope I didn't just jinx myself! 🤪🤪🤪
I look forward to these trips. I'm a planner and find joy in the details. Making memories is worth all the work that traveling requires. And we're always visiting with family that we only get to see a couple times a year at most. One of our trips includes meeting a new niece! I cannot wait to snuggle a newborn!
Life with the Grahams is hectic and busy and fun and chaotic. Some days I feel like I'm drowning in house work. It's exhausting. And then I look around and can't even tell that I've cleaned. The mountains of clean laundry on the bed that I've neglected since that morning. Sometimes it ends up on a chair for tomorrow. Or next week.
The goldfish and mandarins oranges smashed into my wood floors. Abbie is quite the tornado. Her favorite thing to do is empty the pantry shelves and leave them all over the house. And then put random objects onto the shelves. It's quite funny to discover a shoe or a package of wipes tucked in with the fruit snacks and applesauce.
Lincoln is such a ham and my best friend. He's so sweet and helpful with Abbie. He grabs me diapers, helps her off the bed, holds her hand coming up and down stairs, and helps her with any and every little thing she needs. He's very aware of her struggles as a toddler trying her best to navigate this big world.
This morning she was wearing her tutu bathing suit. Lincoln, in a high pitched and sweet voice, told Abbie she looked so beautiful in her skirt. And that she looked just like a princess. I was melting from the cuteness.
Thomas is the man behind magic. He works so hard to make life easy for us. He's definitely the celebrity around here. My favorite thing to hear is when Abbie yells "DAD!" and goes running full speed into his arms. Lincoln squeals and jumps up into his other arm. He's so playful and patient with those little monkeys climbing all over him. And sometimes it's nice that he's the tree they're climbing and not me! Hahaha
He works long hours, commutes, holds responsibilities at church, and still makes time for us. He lets Lincoln help him with yard work or garage tasks. He plays peek-a-boo with Abbie and tickles and tosses her around. He is the best Daddy ever.
As for me I'm just moseying along. Some days are harder than others. Being a stay at home mom is so rewarding but can also be very lonely. Getting out and about helps with the lonely. Sometimes a mom friend will join us at the zoo or museum. Sometimes it's a small chat with another mom at the park. Other days it's rainy and cold and we're stuck inside all day with movies and playdoh and extra messes. But I wouldn't trade it for anything. Every job has its good and bad parts. I just take it one day at a time.
I love this wonderful life.
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