WHEN IT'S GOOD... IT'S SO GOOD

Tuesday was good to me. Actually this whole week has been on the ups, but Tuesday was especially insightful.
The day started off pretty rough. I was actually looking foreword to following my workout plan. It was 6:15 am, my walking shoes on, dog leash in hand and T-minus .5 seconds from walking out the door and Layla's door opens and she wanders downstairs. "Where you going mom?" Then a tantrum ensued because she couldn't go with me and I begged her to go back to bed. Of course her blood curdling screams awoke the entire household and there you have it - my attempt at exercise was once again sabotaged. Layla learned a hard lesson that if she gets out of bed and starts her day screaming... chores will fill her spare time until we can regain control over her now awake brothers. She put a load of laundry in and helped me fold a basket of dry clothes. Then we reviewed the get out of bed rules: 1. if you need to potty - go do it and get back in bed quietly. 2. you're welcome to get out of bed when the upside down letter L is on your clock and when you're happy. (7am)... and we continued on our day.

I had all the kids dressed, fed and the house cleaned by 9:30 am and that felt amazing. The boys napped and Layla helped me prepare all the ingredients needed for our dinner. She loves to don her apron and work as my assistant chef. As I was working on putting together my grocery list for later in the day - Layla came up from the play room holding a broken table leg. Instead of ranting and raving about how climbing on tables is not ok... I tried with all my might to implement the Love and L0gic techniques I've been trying to learn. I simply said, "Uh Oh, that's so sad. How are you going to fix that problem?" She didn't know so I made the suggestion that she probably needed to pay for the tools to fix it. She agreed, so we went upstairs and emptied her piggy bank onto her bed. She decided that 1/2 of all her money was enough to pay for the new table leg and I agreed. We gathered her coins into a bag and she happily handed it over to pay for some wood glue and screws. Done. Lesson learned and no screaming or crying required. I doubt she'll be climbing on any tables again soon. It was an awesome motherhood moment.

My mom came over and watched the boys while I took my Buca Bird on a little date to the grocery store. I certainly forgot how fun it is to hang out with her individually and she is such a gem. A sweet little helper that likes to have fun and soaked up the attention she so readily deserves. We shopped and tickled and sang songs and ate chocolate. I just love her so much.

Home, groceries away and we ALL took a nap. Yes, I took a nap with the Ohwee on my bed and it was a slice of heaven. He is my snugga bug and I hope he stays my little man forever. We all awoke and decided to play in the basement. The kids played happily in the playroom, I had Pand0ra Toddler Station blaring and I folded laundry. It was one of the happiest moments I've had with these three kids.
Then thanks to my morning dinner prep with Layla - dinner was done in a breeze.

Kids bathed, jammied and we played in the boys room until their eyes grew heavy.  And I watched my three beautiful children crawl around each other and giggle and laugh. My life is oh so good.

The key to my successful day was planning ahead, staying calm, and most of all LIVING IN THE MOMENT. BREATHING IN THE NOW. It makes such a difference when I just slowed down enough to enjoy the moment. Even the times when things weren't running smoothly. I really thought about the speed at which these kids lives are flashing by - this is a really hard stage but it's going to be over so so soon. Another year and Rider will be 2 and owen will be 1 1/2. I MUST SLOW DOWN AND ENJOY THESE BABY BOYS WHILE THEY ARE STILL BABIES. I feel like I missed the last year of Layla's life. She turned 2, all chaos began and before I knew it 3 hit me across the face. I don't want to miss anymore time. So I think we'll try to make more days like Tuesday. And life will be good.