Simplifying Spaces

I started my day like any other, coffee. It was directly after this I was abruptly reminded of the messes the kids make the excess of toys and how I need to make them listen and clean their crap up.
I wasn't too thrilled to be starting my day with a list of complaints and I moved on drank my coffee cooked breakfast and went about my morning as usual really. Feeling quite annoyed with everyone at the same time mind you.
I was upset that my children pretty much refuse to follow directions, orders, or requests of any kind. I was upset that I was practically being scolded for their lack of listening. But I refused to allow myself to become upset over it too much or too angry at any one person. I accept partial responsibility and I acknowledge what needs to change.
So when my dear boyfriend left for work I made a cup of coffee and decided to pack up the majority of my kids toys.
Most of my brilliant ideas are thought up over a sweet cup of coffee.
I let the kids keep their favorite toys and their newest toys. I moved all educational toys and artsy toys to the office and I cleaned out their closests. I did recruit my children to help me and they did so pretty well.
They are thrilled to have less toys. When my son told me that his room was awesome and thanked me I smiled and said "less is more". I don't know that he understood but he smiled back and went back into his room to play.
But even with bins and boxes around me I could feel the tension dissipating from their rooms.
I am hoping this makes it a little easier for everyone.
The extra bins are headed for the attic, just as soon as I finish my coffee!

Holy Freaking Weird

So I am sitting eating dinner and a memory comes to mind.
I could see and smell and taste a certain food. It is gooey and sweet, and semi-solid.
Then it dawns on me "this is an Egyptian dessert... I remember learning about it in school". Just through general study of culture, food, etc.
I am sitting there remembering and I can literally taste it in my mouth! However, I'm not sure if this is a real memory or not. Maybe the teacher brought in some for us to try?

Anyways... however this memory came to me... I remember eating Basbousa.(I did my research on what it actually is.)

I am however bothered by the entire concept of eating something, and remembering I ate it but not remembering where or even when it happened.
For all I know... this could be someone else's memory.


For more information about my Basbousa the following link provides some information and pictures.

http://www.albohsali.com/sweets/basbousa-nammoura/

Nourishing Your Child's Talents & Strengths

Lately I have been trying to zero in on my kids natural talents, interests, and things I can gently encourage them to try out.

My son is the oldest and our only boy. He is also my biggest critic when it comes to food. I know that if I taste the meal I just prepared and think "Ehh this could be better." or "The chicken is too dry." he will blurt it out too. He has a sense! Instead of just eating what his mommy makes he has to first tell me what he likes and what he doesn't like and he usually tells me why he feels that way. There are days when I put his meal on the table and tell him "Gavin, I know it sucks but that's what I made." Gavin is also a little book worm these days ( a past time his father and I both enjoy when the book is right ). He's also highly coordinated with backyard sports. We'll see where that goes I am sure!

My oldest daughter is forever singing. She absolutely loves to sing, she likes to dance too. She's pretty awesome. Just today she came home singing a song perfectly that she learned in school. Her big brother said it made him want to cry. I am overjoyed that I have one musical child, possibly two... I am looking into putting Cambria into music lessons or dance next school year. She just started kindergarten, so I don't want to put too much on her plate too fast. She is equally brilliant at both singing and dancing. I should also tell you that while she asks some of the strangest things I have ever heard a 5 year old ask, she is very smart and eager to learn.

My youngest child, Arayla is the artist, the forever talking coloring on walls and furniture artist! She loves drawing and painting and she sings. Sometimes at the same time. Some of the notes that come from her mouth amaze me. She's still young, I know this. But I think she'll have the singing gift as well. Plus... ever since she was little, like barely walking, she has been insanely flexible and if my gut (pun intended) is right, I think she's going to be the athletic child(I am not athletic by any means aside from the fact that my body type is naturally athletic when I allow it to be). Did I mention she is fearless?! Strangest thing I have ever seen in my life! The only thing she seems to be afraid of are ceiling fans.  

My children are absolutely amazing and especially so when you take the time to see their strengths and natural talents. Every parent should take the time to say "My child can...." instead of "My child can't ___ yet" or "I wish __ could do that". (Instead of seeing a picky eater, I now choose to see a child who may grow to love food as much as his insane mother.)
Just like you and me our kids are their own people and they will excel in various areas of their lives. You may have one child that seems to be able to do everything so well and another that will struggle and get discouraged easily. That's ok!
Take the time to know your children and recognize that maybe your kid really loves singing, but doesn't want to have to practice it. If Cambria tells me "Mum, I don't like singing lessons I just want to sing when I feel like it." I will look into any other possible reasoning for these feelings first but stop pushing her to get better. I love her just the way that she is and if she is happy, I will be happy for her. Always. And if Arayla trades in her paint brushes for drumsticks or boxing gloves that's cool too.

My plans now.... are to spend more time in the kitchen with Gavin. He's a critic not a chef and I want him to be both, someday. Everyone has to eat and everyone should be able to cook well. Even if he is only watching or listening. I know that it will sink in.
This is how I learned to make my dad's salmon patties "Are you listening Rach?" he asked as I was sitting at the counter annoyed because I wasn't on the phone or the computer. "Yeeesss". So when I grew up and hadn't had my dad's awesome salmon patties in years I called him up and sounded something like this, "Hey dad, what to do put in those salmon patties I want to make sure I remember it right." He sounded flabbergasted that I had possibly forgotten and I think he might have called me an "egg head". For the record I DID remember the recipe! Haha. I learned so much about food from my dad. Especially how to pick good steaks. He was wise to tell me everything he did when I was growing up, I would have been so lost when I went out into the world on my own.

I know that Gavin could gain so much from cooking with his being all picky about eating. When the girls are a little older they'll learn all the tricks too. 

I will encourage Gavin in the kitchen, play more music for Cambria and designate some painting clothes for Arayla. One of the amazing parts about being a parent is giving your children the tools they need to succeed in life.

Deactivation Complete

I have just deactivated my Facebook account. Woo! It always makes me so excited. ^__^ 

In the next couple of days I will be brain storming topics for blogging (and finding the old ones I already had listed) and figuring out a good way to add in pictures.

I use my cell phone for picture taking... I am wondering if there is an easier way to upload them here...
My blogs are so bland without pictures. Sorry about that!

And as usual, I will still do my "free-style blogging" because it makes me feel good! 

 Look random picture of pecan tarts!!! 

I have neglected you!

I realized I have neglected my poor poor blog!

Life has been busy, very busy!

But I promise once my kids head out for that first day of school. I will return with more words for your pretty little eyes dear readers.

Until then, I have a fiesta to throw, a puppy to train, school clothes/supply shopping, don't forget that the fair that I grew up going to as a child will be in town again so we have to attend that.
And... next week, we have to fit in some awesome end of summer stuff to do with the kiddos... 


Until the first day of school.... I bid you a loving farewell and an apology for neglecting you.

And my coffee is getting cold!....

~Rae  

While I was making a chore chart

My creative juices were flowing while trying to make up a chore chart... and I ended up with this!

Chores and Things

I pick up my toys morning noon and night

I put away my things so they can sleep tight

Gavin will practice Reading and Math

And Cam will do her A B Cs

And we'll try to teach Arayla where to go pee!

We will be polite, kind, and respectful too

This is what our parents want us to do

And we'll have lots of fun, they don't mind if we do  

But we better not fight or Mommy's face will turn blue!

We are very good kids, and we will help when we can

We'll play outside a lot and clean up when we're done

Summer is, after all, lots and lots of fun! 

Self Improvement *February 2012*

I have been working on myself lately. Hopes, dreams, goals, how to, and all that jazz.

I have been trying to get myself back on track and out of my BLAH mode. Which has included some creative endeavors. Including painting and sketching. I don't have a lot of time for these things but when the chance is there and so is the motivation I take advantage of it. I recently made a cake for a relative's party and I was pretty proud of how it turned out.