Dinosaur Park

We love the Dinosaur Park. Today we went to get pictures of the kids. The park has a gorgeous waterfall we used as a backdrop. The deal was that if the kids were cooperative, they would be allowed to feed the ducks and then play at the park. Needless to say, they did a good job and deserved their reward. I didn't get pictures w/ the ducks cuz I was helping Alex feed them without her hand getting chomped at. I only failed once.=) It shocked her when the goose got her finger and she gave me a dirty look, but then went back to feeding them ... a little more carefully.





This past week has been a bear and today at the park reminded me of what life is all about. We had lots of fun and then a nice gal helped me see my life from the outside in. Let me share.





When we were about to leave, I let the kids play at the sandpit for a few mins. There was a gal there w/ her 4 yr old daughter who looked like she was about to have a baby any min. Turns out she's already a week late and anxious to get that baby out.=) Anyways, we chit chatted a bit and she made some comments that reminded me that I'm not a bad mother and that I'm succeeding w/ my kids even though this last week hasn't seemed like it.





She commented on how polite Andrew was. He got to the sand pit first and said to the little girl, "May I dig with you please?" The lady was impressed. Then Alex got in the pit and while I went to go find Izzy to tell her where we were, Alex had tried climbing out a few times, and Andrew was a big helper trying to help her out. The lady was again impressed with how sweet he was with her. Then she saw me come over w/ 2 more kids and asked if they were all mine. (This was before we'd talked.) "Yes. They're all mine." She commented on how impressed she was that I had 4 of them and they're all so sweet to each other. I should've said she caught us on a good day.=) But really, I guess for the most part they do get along with each other. I just get to see all the bad times too.=) When it was time to leave, the lady was shocked when they weren't throwing fits or whining to stay longer. They were pretty much ready to go and she aksed what my trick was. The trick is a 5 min. (or 2 min. or whatever time you have) warning. It lets them know to be prepared when mommy says it's time to go. Then as we were leaving she asked if I homeschooled. I thought that maybe Andrew had said something before Izzy and I had gotten there, but she said nope, we just look like homeschoolers. I hope that's not a bad thing.=) Anyways, she wants to homeschool as well, but has the same fears that I think EVERY SINGLE PERSON who has wanted to homeschool has feared. Can we really do it? Can we really teach our kids what they need to know? Can we discipline ourselves to get the teaching done? (Check out this site on the history of compulsory schooling. http://www.thomhartmann.com/realschool.shtml I'm not sure how true it is, but I don't want my kids to learn loyalty to their teachers more than me. Interesting article.) Anyways, we chatted some more. We couldn't chat much because the kids were getting restless and since I'd said it was time to go, they were ready to go and we really needed to get home to eat dinner. But it was so nice to talk to her and hear the nice comments she had to say about my kids. Now I'm not trying to brag about my kids. As I said, this last week has been a rough one and the past few days I've just been ready to throw in the towel. I'm tired. I miss my husband. The house is always a mess. We were doing so well too, but me being sick for a week kind of threw things off and getting back on track hasn't happened yet. So the break today and then this sweet lady pointing out so many good qualities that I haven't taken the time to notice lately, put my life back into perspective. I really do have GREAT kids. Sure they need some work, but what family doesn't.=) I'm sad to think that this lady will never know what a difference she made in my life today. Enjoy the fun pictures of my cute kids.


Inseparable brother and sister ... almost. They have fun playing together. They are the best of friends ... and the worst of enemies. One time Izzy said she couldn't wait til she grew up. When I asked why, she said cuz she wanted to get married. Who does she want to marry? ... Andrew. I'll have that discussion w/ her someday.=)

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! Alex loves the swings.

"Izzy, watch out or he'll eat you." (Click on picture to see closer up. The look on her face is really an attempt at an echo scream.)

"Giddy-up"