The rest of "the story"...

Everything Belongs

One of my reasons for keeping this daily-ish blog is to be able to look back at these moments long after they are over...and remember. Of course, I rarely photograph those moments of frustration, exhaustion, irritation, and consternation.  For some reason, I just don't reach for the camera. Go figure! So, lest I think yesterday was nothing but fun and sweetness, as the photos might suggest, I'll remind me that, as with every bit of life, amongst the goodness was the not-so. Here goes. 

(Hmmm...now isn't that interesting?! I'm having trouble remembering those feelings that were so raw yesterday, so I'll have to dig a bit here. Nice to know those moments were yesterday's and are actually non-existent at this moment, so I'll have to recreate the story line...which is what we do any time we "think back". AHA!)

Oh yeah, Sawyer pitching a fit at Subway and PapaRob pitching one right back at him. Yes, there are limits! Hosing the kids off after they wanted to go back inside for the umpteenth time and telling them if they went in, that would be it for the afternoon. Then, while managing Sawyer in the backyard, hearing doors slamming and whoops and hollers inside...going in to discover they had run out of things to do and were just going wild. (I suppose this is the natural culmination of too many hours together.) So, much to Caleb's dismay, I tell his friends the party is over and they mope home, with Caleb begging me for just one more chance.  

Lessons Learned: 

Limiting together-playtime is essential, even when it looks like 

they are having a ball. It will not last forever. Two hours of kid-time 

is probably enough. Time-apart breaks are needed.  

Bringing Sawyer into the mix too early will most likely create new challenges. 

Caleb will lose his "seat of honor", and it will all go south pretty quickly.

PapaRob has limits and needs space; this will become evident way 

before Emmy hits her own needs for limits and space.

Now, enjoy the pictures!