Noticing {Day 20}

Recent reflection of times I am the most impatient: When we are running late, and when I'm trying to get something done for myself (or someone other than the girls). What I need to do: Start getting ready earlier (ie even earlier than I think I should have to), if we are still running late, quit worrying about it because it is what it is, and/or help them with tasks that I'd normally try to get them to do independently for practice, and if I'm working on a task and they need me get to a stopping point quickly and put my attention on them (whoa sentence). It's not worth the frustration, and they need me because they are kids.

I am constantly teetering on that fine line of, "If I help them too much, will they be helpless and way too dependent?" and "They are just kids and still cannot do everything on their own -- I need to be sure I have reasonable expectations."

I'm learning, and the above has been going really well overall. This morning and evening (I had one of those evenings where, by 4:00, I felt like I was being pecked to death by chickens -- shoutout to your mama, Kara) was a bit of a setback, but we'll be back on the patient horse tomorrow! Yeehaw!!

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Kaitlyn told me today that she had a "recipe" to show when we got home from school. "A round cracker, peanut butter, and a chocolate chip. She made them for each of us. Love her.

I had to take both girls to get flu shots. Worst.thing.ever at this age. It's not like I can lie to them until the moment I am restraining them in my lap with the needle inches from their poor little arm. I had to confess on the drive there, where I was taking them. Before I told them, I promised them "any treat in the whole wide world. Pick any treat you can imagine." Kaitlyn picked a donut; Austen, ice cream.

They both expressed their disgust with the situation on the car ride. Austen in tears, Kaitlyn with words. I explained that the reason that I was going to let the doctor give them shots, even though I knew they didn't want them, is that I love them too much to let them get sick. And that, even though they still might get a cold or fever, this shot would help not to get sick worse than that. Kaitlyn calmed down and said, and I quote, "Well, I still don't want a shot, but I see why you want us to get them." Again, love her.

K went first because I thought there was a chance that she wouldn't cry. She didn't until it went in, then her lower lip quivered, the crocodile tears started rolling, and I promised her a pony. Just kidding, but it was on the tip of my tongue.

Austen started crying as soon as Kaitlyn did, and the rest is history with her. I felt so dang bad. They both calmed down pretty quickly, and we were off to the donut shop, then ice cream. I got ice cream because I got my flu shot two days ago and they didn't take me to get a treat. They said that sounded fair.

A few hiccups, but a great day overall. Sometimes, you just can't ask for more than that. Here's to tomorrow.