^^From a recent hike at the Monticello Trail and title quote from one of my favorite poems. I love that trail so much! I was thinking recently that I need a weekly checklist of things I need to remember to do. Kind of like those summer bucket list checklists? It would have things like:
- Hike the Monticello Trail
- Eat a tin of sardines
- Go to a yoga class
- Read for an hour
- Make a massaged kale salad
- Take a bubble bath
- Play a board game
You know, all the things that make life extra full : )
I did do a lot of those this week though – sardines included!
When I just have a smoothie for breakfast, sometimes I miss having something hot. Not just coffee, but something like eggs/toast/pancakes that is warm and cooked. But having buttered toast on the side satisfies that craving so a smaller smoothie + toast with butter has been my favorite breakfast combo of late.
I made a great Blue Apron dinner recently – Cajun Catfish & Spiced Rice with Collard Greens & Mushrooms – and it was a big hit! (Blue Apron is my favorite of the fresh meal delivery services out there, and I’m working with them this year on some posts. I have a fun recap of a Blue Apron girls night coming up next week!)
Mazen had a kids version, but he wasn’t interested in the little bites of fish I put on his plate. He really wanted A WHOLE FISH MOMMY! So I had a great idea – I opened a tin of sardines and presented him with a whole fish. And he ate the whole darn thing! Hahaha!
One was enough though, so I had the rest of the tin for lunch the next day : ) Sardine salad – check!
I’ve also been really into sandwiches recently, but they must have pickles or banana peppers inside. Plus smashed avocado and maple smoked turkey.
And finally, my mom sent Mazen the Moana soundtrack. This is a CD I don’t mind having on repeat all day 🙂 If you follow me on Instagram Stories, you’ve probably seen some of the funny stories of Mazen listening and singing. Boy loves him some Moana! And Miss Nelson one of my all-time favorite kids books!!
Mazen told me that he wanted a new mommy last week when he was being disciplined (sob), so I told him I could arrange for one to come the next day and that she would have purple hair and a ton of rules. Needless to say he changed his mind : ) My mom sent Miss Nelson Is Missing in the mail the next day, and he loves it (especially because I do a great accent for Miss Viola Swamp!)
I’m sorry you had to hear those words from your little one last week. I know my time will come as my daughters are a bit young for that right now. However, it’s so refreshing to hear someone talk about disciplining their child. So many people are against that kind of thing these days. In the long run, its ultimately what’s best for the kiddo! As a former teacher of 10 plus years, I applaud parents who take the time & effort to discipline. Job well done. That kiddo loves you to pieces!
aw thanks. I read the book Raising Your Spirited Child and it changed everything! I have so much respect for teachers : )
Out of curiosity, what about Mazen’s behavior do you think is spirited?
Everything the book says!
Do you think this book would be helpful for parents of older kids? My spirited boy is almost 9. We basically have a handle on most things (we’ve had years of practice with him lol!), but I would love to read different perspectives/techniques.
Yes, I think it would help with understanding. It’s not particularly toddler focused.
What a great list of things to do each week! It’s so easy to let those moments of fun / relaxation fall by the wayside when life gets busy. I’m going to make my own list and it will definitely include reading outside in the sunshine (it’s already quite warm in TX), dining alfresco, and having a nice glass of wine, preferably on the back patio and not in front of the tv!
Yes! When I am busy, I always make a note to do this or that when I do have some relax time, and when that time comes I always back out of whatever it is – even if it’s something fun like reading in the sunshine. I read at a table for 5 minutes instead and then move on to something else. It makes no sense!
looks like a fun trail to hike and not to challenging! I loved that book in elementary school. I haven’t read, seen, or even thought of it in years!
I loved this post. Made me so happy and like I should live in the moment SO MUCH MORE. 🙂 Thank-you!
Awww thank you!
I love that you added sardines onto your summer checklist. You’ve inspired me to go grab a can of sardines myself!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
That book was the best I forgot all about it! I can’t believe he ate the whole sardine! Better than me! ha ha
I remember having to memorize that poem for school. My kids also love the Miss Nelson book.
Sounds like Mazen is right on target developmentally – testing you to see if you will love him and be there for him unconditionally. I know its hard sometimes to hear those words from our kids (I have two boys in elementary school and they try to push back by being hurtful at times) however its crucial for kids Mazen’s age to feel that you will be there for him no matter what. I know you must have cuddled and reassured him afterwards to rebuild his trust.
Great bucket list! I can’t wait until its nice enough here to do more walking outside!
That’s good to know! Yes, we snuggle all the time <3
Robert Frost is one of my favorites, too. Did you know he did not intend for that serial comma in the line “lovely, dark, and deep”? Some editions keep it in there but I like how it subtly shifts the meaning when read as “lovely, dark and deep”.
My 4-year-old is also on a 24/7 Moana soundtrack kick, and I love it! AND I also got the “I want a new mommy” line. Ouch! Just when you start to wonder if your kid is the only sassy one, you get back up that they’re all pretty much the same. We have stomping in puddles (in light-up rain boots) and washing cars in the driveway on our to-do list, hours of easy fun.
I love that comma, but interesting! Guess I should take it back out?
I read this quick this morning on my phone and saw you told M that you would get him a new mom with dark hair and lots of rules. I came back to read through more thoroughly and comment and I see now you’ve changed it to purple hair. I’m guessing you received some comments regarding the dark hair comment that prompted this change, but saying purple instead of dark doesn’t make it any better. While M’s comment must have hurt, teaching your child to fear someone based on their physical characteristics is a dangerous precedent to set. Parenting is hard and we all say things we regret in the moment, but I hope you’ll take this chance to reflect on how you react in the future and instead of threatening M, you instead try to respond more positively. Something like, “I understand you are upset with me but I am your mother and will always be here for you,” might be a better response to that remark and also reinforce that even though he’s had some big changes in his life recently, you are always there for him no matter what. This is not to say that he shouldn’t be disciplined, but take a moment to think before you respond. I know you wouldn’t want him to fear or dislike someone based physical appearances.
Yes you are totally right. I was using the description so he would know she would be different than me – inspired by one of my favorite books where the teacher has a different color hair – but I guess maybe even the book isn’t teaching the best lesson about appearances.
Also let me clarify that “threatening” him wasn’t my discipline – I had already disciplined him and he was mad at me for doing so and that’s when he asked for a new mother. So the new mommy stuff wasn’t the discipline itself but my response to his comments about me being in charge.
Parenting is so hard sometimes! Especially in the moment. The other day my husband said to my son “if you don’t stop I’m going to send you to live with aunt Teri.” He was joking and sarcastic, but a four year olds brain doesn’t work that way.
Haha now I am scared of Aunt Teri!
…with moments to go before you sleep, with moments to go before you sleep… 🙂 OMG What is that tree trunk?! Did someone deliberately cut a hole in that thing?!
purple hair with a ton of rules… 🙂 hahaha love that!!!
kids keep us happy, exhausted, loved, and humble. 😉
Kath i love your list! except for the kale and sardines part. how about a slice of pizza and a donut each week instead? yes. 🙂
I think one week you should come to my yoga class, too.
I’d even throw in a donut. no kale tho.:)
XOXO
Yes! I forgot those!! Haha
i just saw that people thought your comment to M was wrong. oh my goodness. He’s a little boy who is gonna be ornery and say things and your response was perfect. you adore him and he knows it.
People sometimes make me go… wha? seriously?
haha love you Kath!
Haha yeaaaahhhh. He knows I love him dearly! I tell him all the time.
Polly, did you have a chance to read Mary’s comment above? She had a great point about how our little jokes and comments could actually be taken very literally by little minds. I have a 4 year boy too, and I really am taking to heart what Mary said about not indirectly teaching my son to fear or dislike someone based on physical appearance. I am sure Kath didn’t have that intention, it was just an innocent comment, but 4-5 yr olds are at a place developmentally where they take most things pretty literally. I know that I will try and be more intentional and careful with my teasing and joking. Kath- I am sure you hear plenty of, “But why, Mommy?” just like I do, when asked to explain something I have said! It is the age!
I did read Mary’s comment.
Kath is clearly a sweet mom, and Mazen is a normal little boy and was frustrated. She didn’t react harshly or mean. She just said okay buddy, but she will have purple hair and rules! i giggled when i read that!
In real life if Kath had told me that story, and a real live person actually said to her “well, you know… he is a little boy and teaching your child to fear others based on physical appearance is a dangerous precedent etc…” i would just stand there staring in disbelief.
Polly, I didn’t say anything about Kath not being a sweet mom or Mazen not showing age-appropriate behavior. Rather, I acknowledged that Kath’s intention were likely very innocent, as most parent’s are. I am sure most of us don’t set out to try and teach our children things like fearing or disliking people based on appearances. Mary just made a very thoughtful comment that made this mom of a preschooler think a little harder, and Kath herself acknowledged that the book she was “modeling” her comment off of was maybe not teaching the best lesson. (Not to speak for you Kath!)
It sounds like at least two people here took a step back and considered how we can continue to grow into the best parents we can be. It isn’t about someone doing something wrong and others calling her out for it, Mary just brought something to the table that is only positive and helpful for parents to consider and absorb.
I ate sardines the other day and two of the little guys were pregnant! The eggs were absolutely disgusting. 🙁
What?!?!!?! omg!
Yeah, I was pretty freaked out for two days straight and couldn’t stop thinking about it! I am better now…I think. Haha.
Now, this–THIS is the comment we should all be freaking out about!!
GAAAAHHH!!!
I kind of wish I hadn’t read the comments. Everyone has different parenting styles and approaches, but it seems like it’s so easy for other parents to second-guess someone else’s approach. I think it’s very clear how much you love Mazen, and you are bringing up a wonderful, loved and lovING little boy. It must be very difficult to decide what to share in your blog when it comes to Mazen. (Or other personal areas.)
I have no objection to discipline, and how one person chooses to discipline is none of my business.
My quibble is that I could see a little kid walking into a new classroom, finding a dark-haired teacher with lots of rules, and melting down. I say this with a sense of humor … they are my always rational creatures!
*not always*
That is true for a younger child, but I want to add that Mazen understands it was Miss Nelson all along!
These are such cute photos! x
Izzy |http://www.pinchofdelight.com
I love that poem, too! and the pic of Mazen eating sardines. LOL
I loved the anecdote about your response to Mazen’s request for a new mom. Don’t worry–I’m sure most of your readers “got it” and chuckled. Geesh, people.
I’ve had the same exact breakfast each morning recently! I love how simple it is. And you can never go wrong with coffee (I’m obsessed with Counter Culture — they have so many organic options, too). Also, I give you so much credit for sharing your life with us even though you know everyone is going to throw their 2 cents into the ring. Takes a lot of courage. I don’t judge because I have no idea how I would respond. And I really don’t think anyone has found the right or perfect way to parent. Actually, there is no right way to parent because all children and their parents are so uniquely them.
I remember being mad at my mother once, and I wanted to write her a note telling her I hated her. Except that I couldn’t figure out how to spell “hate” so I actually had the nerve to go ask her! I remember her being in the basement cleaning it (which is why I hated her, she couldn’t do something for me because she was cleaning the basement) and turning around to answer my question, with cobwebs in her hair and just asking me “why do you want to know?” Needless to say, I was like “never mind!” and ran back upstairs.
She probably wishes she had a book about spirited children back then!
Haha awwww. Your sweet mom with cobwebs!
I loved that book when I was little! I think there were two? And what a perfect response to his comment,I’ll have to remember that one!
omg ! i visited c-ville for a quick little family getaway around Christmas and we went to the Monticello Trail twice in one weekend! We absolutely loved it. On our last night we also got crepes from that little hole in the wall on the edge of the downtown area! Topped off of course with baby scoops from Splendora’s. I hope to visit again, what a lovely place to live 🙂
Oh yay! All great choices!
Have you tried Plated?
I have and liked it but Blue Apron is a bit more gourmet in my opinion
I’ve been reading your blog since around the time Mazen was born and I just wanted to let you know I think you’re a great mom! I hope in the next few years when I become a mother I’m half as good as you!
Thank you love <3
Mrs. Nelson is Missing is a CLASSIC book from my childhood! Awesome
Lefties unite!
Haha yes!
This is so funny – I unearthed a bunch of books from my parents attic this weekend, and Miss Nelson is Missing is one I found. I loved that book as a child! I read it to my 5 1/2 year old and he was mesmerized. Such a great book!