Highlights

We have had a great week around here, though not necessarily frustration free. The Monkey is experimenting more and more with limits, and he seems to get frustrated over not being able to communicate with me...or his toys. So there's been hitting and more than a little screaming. Thankfully, we have both been able to move on from it pretty quickly. Still, I'm glad it's Friday, and we have two full days with two extra hands...minus those six or so hours of golf on Saturday (that my Other will be playing. He will also be compensating me with a few hours to myself on Sunday...so don't worry. I'll be getting my time too. Rest easy.).

I found the picture below when I was sorting through some photos from earlier this month. My son has my eyes and many of my expressions. Everything else on him looks like my husbands. But this? This looks like me, even on a perfect day! Therefore, it's one of my favorite photos of him. In fact, it's sort of descriptive of how I feel (and look, really) as a Mom most days.

Another challenge I've been facing with the Monkey is boredom (his, not mine. O.K., mine too). He loves to be around people and see new things. So when he has the pleasure of spending the entire day with just me and his ho-hum toys, he gets a little cranky as the week progresses. To sort of ward that off we've been getting out more. Here are some highlights of what we've been up to this week:

Edible Play Dough. Of course, this was at home, but something new nonetheless. I used this oatmeal play dough recipe, hoping he would squish it and sculpt a masterpiece. Here's what he did instead:

Library. Though the toys didn't bear the highly valued VTech logo, or sing to him, or teach him Newton's theory of relativity, he seemed to enjoy himself thoroughly.

Nature Center. Someday soon we will try a hike out there, but this week we just explored their museum. It's nice to discover another place in town to help me wear him out where he can learn and grow.

Graham Crackers. Did y'all know that graham crackers are dairy free??? I don't remember what day I figured this out (they all run together, when surviving living moment to moment), but they literally saved me from the pit of despair that particular day. I ate approximately one full sleeve of them. (Just a teeny confession here: I fell off the dairy free wagon on my trip back home, but I'm back on now. What? Like I wasn't supposed to eat Mexican food in Texas? Besides, Jesus forgives. That's the premise of Easter, so consider it an experiential Bible study, K?) 

Date Night. Tonight I will wrap up a great week with a romantic dinner with my Other at our favorite Italian restaurant here in town, while the Monkey spends some quality time with his grandparents. (We have a gift certificate there that expires in a couple of days. I just adore mandated romance, don't you? But I'm certainly not one to look a gift certificate or free child care horse in the mouth. I will be savoring every moment and bite...do I have to wear makeup?)

How do you keep your little one busy week to week? I'd love some ideas!