Mama's Night Out

So, last night I had the privilege of a night out with an old friend. However, times have changed since high school and college when we were busy giving our parents a run for their money. Both of us are now married moms with quite a bit different priorities than when we were young. Our night out was tame compared to some experiences we have shared, but very fun, nonetheless. Here is he gist...

You know you're a Mama when...

you get giddy when the waiter asks for your ID after you order a beer with dinner.

you go straight into Gymboree for post-dinner shopping.

you sit in the car at the far end of the parking lot while one of you pumps and the other calls to check on the kids.

you stare in aw at the pretty waitress at the bar that is wearing some sort of one-piece, spandex leotard. (didn't know grade school dance attire was in? guess I should have borrowed something from Ms. M's closet)

you don't recognize any of the music that is playing. OK...maybe I did, but she didn't. ;)

you sit and reminisce/cringe about the trouble you used to get into and how your own daughters will pay you back.

you wake up in the morning, ready to do it again ummmm, next year?

Thanks Ms. J for a fabulous "night on the town!"

Texas Round-Up

Over the weekend, Ms. M ran in her first ever race! The Texas Round-Up family mile! We started off with a full 30 second sprint. Then a little break...then a sprint...then a break...then another sprint to the finish line! It wasn't really a mile, more like a quarter mile. But we had fun and I am so proud of her! Now we just need to work on endurance...

Here is a picture of Ms. M and Ms. K enjoying a post race bagel and power aide. (They also handed out Cheetos at the finish line. Must have been hurting for sponsors considering this was part of the Texas health and fitness initiative...)

Just Say Yes

I recently read an awesome devotion from the book Hold You, Mommy written by Laurie Lovejoy Hilliard and Sharon Lovejoy Autry. It talked about the times as a mother that you feel like all you do is say "no" to your kids and everyone is in a crabby mood. It is a vicious cycle! When mom is frowning and stressed all day, so is everyone else in the family. It tends to rub off on the people around you. Believe me, I know! I do it all the time! At the end of the day, I ask myself sometimes, Did I say "yes" once to the girls today? The book describes this as a "basement day."

On the other end of the spectrum would be the "balcony day." These are the sort of days I would like to aim for! They are the days when you have patience with gum on the carpet (yes, happened this week), arguments about who gets to turn off the TV (happens daily), and questions like "Mommy, do you have a baby in your belly?" (happened today... no, I'm not pregnant). Balcony days are days when you stop saying "no" and start having a little fun with your kids. The laundry that needs to be folded can wait. Let them help with chores or make their lunch, even if it takes ten times longer and you end up with a mess. Take this time to lift them up and show them gentle guidance instead of bossily telling them what to do all day. Trust me, you will end up with better behaved, loving kids!

Well, I have been trying very hard to be a balcony mom lately. I admit I am not perfect, but at least I have a goal, right? One thing that I said "yes" to this week was breaking out the sidewalk paint. It has been hidden and forgotten in our laundry room for several months, possible a year. I have not wanted to mess with it to be honest. However, the other day, my girls had a blast in the driveway. We even had our neighbor out with us (I apologize for your messy child, neighbor!). At the end of the day, yes, I had a huge mess on my hands. They were covered head to toe. But, the joy they received from this moment of freedom was worth it!