Chad's busy hanging one of the ceiling fans in our bedroom right now! The boys are in there "helping" him! LOL Actually Jacob has helped him, get screwdrivers and a couple other things he needed. He's almost done I think, I haven't ventured in there. I will once it's done, and I'll have to strip our bedding and go wash it! Yipee. Oh well I have more laundry to do anyways, might as well toss in a couple more loads while I'm down there! Do you FEEL the excitement over the laundry?
This morning Chad and the boys went over to the battalion. Chad had some reciepts he needed to turn in and talked to a couple people. Then he took them to the park. I had no idea they went to the park, otherwise I would have joined them. Today is also the last day of public school here on post. I'm sure the park will have a lot more kids out in at during the day from here on out. Of course we'll be spending our days at the pool for the most part, but honestly it's nice to hear the sound of kids playing. That was always something that bewildered me at Ft. Riley. It seemed like so often the kids were not outside playing. When we first moved to our house from the apartment (different area on post) there were all kinds of kids and then they just seemed to disappear. They would rarely come out and play. It's really sad that so many parents let their kids stay inside. They NEED outdoor play. They NEED that excercise! My goodness it just lets them sleep so much better at night. They're healthier inside and out as well. On average the boys are outside 3-6 hours a day/evening and with summer coming it's going to be even more. We're all stocked up with new sunblock, lipblock, etc. I'm truly looking forward to our days at the pool. I want my boys to have wonderful memories of their childhood! Some of my favorite memories are from summer breaks. Although we're raising our children quite differently than I or Chad was raised in the fact that we homeschool. We're a military family as well and let me tell you that in and ofitself is a world apart in so many ways than how either Chad or I grew up. We live in Germany for starters!! Chad is often gone about every other year for a min. of 12 months. Me I grew up with 2 parents, both worked. We grew up in a small town in Kansas of aprox 3500 people...everyone knew everyone for the most part. I grew up walking country miles, watching the waving wheat (literally) and loving it. I grew up riding my horse, running in the pasture with my brother and neighbor friends, playing in the creek (while my crazy brother and the boy neighbor went swimming in the pond...YUCK!). Chad grew up with a single mom and his sister. Although Chad and I had different childhood's, much different..they were still pretty average.
I look at my boys and want a good, carefree childhood. I don't want them to worry abot adult problems, which seems to be all the rave anymore for some rediculous reason. What is so wrong with letting kids be kids. They don't NEED to be watching violent movies and cartoons. They need carefree fun. They play Army just like Chad did when he was a kid. They play superhero's, cars, etc. Yes Daddy is a real life soldier, but they don't know exactly what he does when he is deployed and they don't NEED to know. Reality will come soon enough. I hope my boys look back and remember a carefree childhood, where yes Daddy was gone but they always knew they were loved. Where they got to go and play and have fun daily. Where adult problems were just that and kid problems were just that.
Right now I'm looking at a 3 yr old who for the 3rd day in a row is wearing a Spiderman costume. He HAS clothes on under it, but it's kind of pointless! LOL We've taken that boy all over the place in that costume, but this is where parenting comes into play...you pick your battles and is it worth fighting with a 3 yr old over a custome so he can pretend he's spiderman? Not in my opinion. Before I know it, he won't want to dress up anymore.
I'm just so thankful that so far my children have a carefree childhood. Their worries are whether they can take water guns outside and where their bike helmuts are. I want them to have fun, enjoy their childhood.
T
8 comments:
yup, when they get older, then you pick some of your battles about what they wear....gilrs have to have their bossoms and bellies covered in my house!!! but if they wanted to be cinderella for 7 days in a row as a little girl, that was just fine!
Becky
It is so wonderful that God has enabled you to be able to provide a carefree childhood. I look at our situation and it is vastly different sometimes with me working from home and watching them at the same time. But way better than daycare, who hardly let them go outside at all. I work about 4 or 5 hours a day at the donation thing and then another couple hours per week on Avon to help make ends meet. This means my kids have to grow up quicker and it is a source of frustration to me that my husband has to work so many hours to make a decent living. They do not pay maint techs very well these days for his full time job so he has to be gone all the time at his second job ... the business. I do wish it was easier... but I do try and I think the majority of the time they are carefree, but it is hard to have it that way all the time. I agree with you, put off the reality of adult problems until it has to happen. That's why I insisted my husband get that pool for our kids for this summer so they will have lots of happy memories right here in our own backyard. Hugs,
Lisa
they grow up way to fast:) hug and love them:)
Deb
Your children are so blessed to have a mother and father like you and your hubby. I hope I can do the same for my little girl as she grows. I want to keep her innocent for as long as I can! I hope she likes to play dress up. I look at some of the clothes that they have for sale for even toddler girls and I just don't get it....A local high school has the following rule for dress attaire in that the 4 "B's" have to be covered...the bottom, bosom, back, and belly--that will definately be the rule at my house as well! :)
Have a great day! :)
janis
I am sure they will have wonderful memories of these days when they are older. You are doing such a fantastic job as a mother. Sure, none of us are perfect and we all have our days - but I think it's the big picture they remember most. I know you work twice as hard when Chad is gone, especially in making sure the kids know that their daddy loves them. It's not always an easy job (heck, it's hardly even an easy job). But, by the grace of God we will raise our children to follow the path that He has laid out for them.
They will have great memories of living in Germany for sure! It takes a certain kind of parenting to ensure that the kids have a good time and just get to act like kids. Good for you.
Traci
Shoot- I can't keep mine in even when I want him in! I totally understand about your wanting them to be kids as long as possible- I want the same. We homeschool too- my parents thought I was nuts (Probably still do) and so do most others, but I'm past the point of caring. We live at the end of a 2 mile dirt road with trees and cows and horses all around, a place for him to run all over and learning is a part of that. I really can't ask for more- except like you- let him be a kid for as long a possible! God Bless you and your family! Your boys (and soon to be little girl) will have some great childhood memories I'm sure! Carolyn :)
Great entry Christy, I couldn't agree more. Linda
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