The Busy Bee Mama
Dance, Dance, Dance and Working With Children {
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Friday, February 29, 2008
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This past weekend we had my brother-in-law, Dylan and his wife, Kelly stay for an overnight visit. We were so excited since they have never been here and just to get some visitors. We found out they were coming on Wednesday (2/20). Usually when someone comes to stay I give them one of the girls rooms. I got the idea this time though to clean the attic and set it up as a guest suite. I wish I would have taken a picture of the before. We had two days to transform our cluttered attic into this welcoming retreat. I love a good challenge. The kids love being in the attic and love to feel needed so they were up to the task too. We took breaks for lunch and dinner but for the most part we worked all day Friday.
Before I get grief about working my kids to death let me clarify their part in all this. They helped wash down the walls and tidy up. Then as I was moving boxes around I found a whole box of National Geographic Magazines(Kid's Editions) from the eighties. I cleaned an area for them and laid out a blanket. They spent hours looking through the magazines. We also have a v-smile video game system I set up for them. To make a long story short we transformed that attic in just one day. The best part is that I didn't tell Jason I was doing it. When he came home the kids told him they had a suprise for him. He was completely shocked and said that maybe we should make it our room. Before our guests arrived I made some nice extra touches to the room. I filled a little potpourri crock and let it simmer away. Also I made a welcome basket with clean towels, wash cloths, trial size bottles of deodorant, shampoo, disposable razors, two bottled waters, and some Hershey's kisses. We also placed a Hershey's kiss on their pillows. Another great find in the attic was a huge tote of pictures. The kids thought it would be nice to display some pictures of our guests so they could really feel like they were at home. Even though my guests had never been here before they could see the effort we put into their special room. It was a great lesson on hospitality for the children. You can get even big jobs completed with your little helpers. You just have to be realistic and realize that you must include them. As I said earlier kids want to feel as though you need them and not that they are a hinderance. Give them a rag. Let them pitch in. Ask for their ideas. I never would have thought about displaying pictures of our guests. That idea was from Madie who is 5. I do believe the old saying, "more is caught than taught". Not only did the kids learn that day but we really had a good time together. I was silly with them and loved on them throughout the day. I told them how blessed I was to have such good helpers. I am finding some new tricks along this parenting journey. One thing that would make me long for alone time was all the questions I was asked by the kids throughout the day. Some days I know I have answered over a thousand questions. Not easy questions either. Right now I feel like Webster's Dictionary. "Mama, what does word package mean?" To eliminate the question asking firing squad I now offer more explanations and ask them more questions. "Molly, do you like these curtains?" "Madie, what color would you paint this room?" It really does help and it makes them feel good too. What am I supposed to be writing about again? Oh yes, dance, dance, revolution. Jason's coworkers told him about this game. I was as always skeptical about this. I am always concerned with negatively influencing my kids. I have to say though that with proper monitoring of the songs this is a fun family game. For those of you that don't know about it don't feel bad. I hadn't heard of it either until last week. Let me see if I can explain. There is a dance pad with arrows (N, S, E, W). You pick a song and then the beat of that song is displayed on the screen with arrows. You use your feet to hit the correct arrow that matches the beat of the song. Ummm......... does that make sense? Anyways it really is fun. Jason and I had a little friendly competition going on. The game we bought has numerous songs from the eighties. Did I ever mention that I like eighties music? Well, I do!!!!!!LOL. I captured some pictures of my husband and Brooke dancing. I will take a picture of our finished room later and post it. Keep in mind I didn't buy anything for the room. I used whatever we had here to decorate. The kids are still sleeping and I don't want to wake them. Have a great day! Love, Jess Ill have to write about my recipe later. I need some coffee!
Jason's brother and Brooke dancing. Jason dancing. { Post a Comment } { Last Page } { Page 8 of 14 } { Next Page } |
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