Colorful Bandaids: The Shifting of Sibling Rivalry in the Beehive

For a while there, it seemed like the kids would never be friends. Ever.

The Bear could not walk by The Bird without giving her the shoulder. Consequently, when he would get near her she would start yelling and crying whether he engaged or not.  

DaveBee and I felt like we were walking a tight rope teaching them compassion, empathy and right from "she's too little swing around by her arm!" We were so careful in choosing our words and sometimes we chose to say nothing and let them work it out and other times we had to intervene! 

"No, go pick her up and give her some love!"

"You need a break because that is the 27th time you have done that today!"

"Now, don't cry if he simply walks by you without touching you."

"Wait, get back here and help her up, first!"

"Wait, he's just trying to give you a hug!"

"She does love you she is just used to you knocking her over...that's why she doesn't want a hug."

UGH!

But, today something momentous happened. A series of things, really.  Some of these things definitely have occurred in the past but were usually fleeting.  I feel like an axis is tilting somewhere and balance is becoming restored in the Beehive!

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The Bear and The Bird came in the big bed early for a snuggle.  Instead of The Bear sliding out of bed the moment The Bird arrives he actually stayed.  He reached over the sleepy lump that was me and caressed her sweet cheek and said "good morning, sugar plum."

I immediately put on my glasses to double check that it was truly The Bear in the bed!

The other awesome part of this is that The Bird received the caress with a sweet, sleepy smile instead of grunting in response. 

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After shopping today The Bear held out his hand to The Bird when we started walking outside.  She gladly accepted.

These are the rare moments I just keep my mouth closed.

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The Bird was upset about her mean 'ol mom not letting her roll down her window on the freeway. While she was crying The Bear said, "It's ok sissy, we can roll them down soon!"  The Bear then proceeded do something to make The Bird laugh out loud. 

 The gravity of this relationship formation starting hitting me fully when he jovially said to me: "Sissy is so silly.  She is so sweet and so silly."  

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When The Bird got up from her nap she had this unrelenting scowl because she had discovered this microscopic, ancient scab on her foot. 

I tried to no avail to distract her while The Bear simply went and got the colorful bandaids.  He gently put it on the scab and contentment was restored.

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This is not to say that between these gentle moments there wasn't discord 

but 

for a brief moment I could feel this new balance happening.  It may not be our parenting, it may be that their age difference is becoming less noticeable, or, who knows, it may even be because the actually like each other. I even had flash-forward of a beautiful friendship in their future.  Stranger things have happened.

Naps. 5 Things You Can Count on During Naptime.

Naps.  Where do I begin.  Naps are glorious.  Naps can also be detrimental to your psyche... especially when it comes to putting your own child or kids down for one.

You read the books.

You listen to your doctor.

You listen to your friends.

You listen to your mother.

There are things that they prepare you for and others that we must all experience for ourselves.

I think we might all agree that kids function better on a schedule or a rhythm or whatever you want to call it. Up until a certain age, part of most kid's schedule consists of naps, and eventually, a nap, and ultimately, no nap.

How our children go down for naps {breastfeeding to sleep, crying it out, driving around, etc.}, where they take their naps {crib, your bed, on the middle of the living room floor where they collapsed}, and nap duration {The Bear frequently treated me with 3 hour naps from age 0-3 while The Bird's maximum nap time has always been 2 hours.} vary so wildly.

Yet I think we all have encountered the wrath of Naps.  So, I give you:

5 Things You Can Count on During Naptime

1. The exact moment you FINALLY get said baby to sleep inevitably it is the exact moment your neighbor starts mowing their lawn, taking out their garbage cans or using this log splitter {yes, this happened}.

2. You put your baby to sleep, you sneak out of the room, and you begin madly attempting to complete every task you've been half-assing all day.  The moment you're done and you lay your head on a pillow to rest... they wake up.

3. You put your baby to sleep, you sneak out of the room and you step somewhere new on the floor that makes an excruciatingly loud creak and the baby wakes up. And you thought you knew every squeak and creak in that floor!

4. You put your baby to sleep and the neighborhood dogs go berserk over the mailman, utility worker, church group outreach, { enter your own  } milling the the neighborhood.

5. You put your baby to sleep. Then, you start your routine to put your big kid to sleep {milk, book, etc.} and then have to return them to their bed 1000 times.  Finally, they are both asleep.  You either lay down to catch up on some lost but not forgotten zzz's or sneak around the house doing chores.  Just when you're entering your REM cycle or have gotten knee deep in laundry... the baby wakes up.  Which,  in turn, wakes up your big kid.

Does this sound familiar?  Regardless of our parenting styles I think we have all been there.  For all of you with only one child and one on the way... just wait!

Grilled Cheese, Tomato Soup and Spinach Salad: Simple Fall Feast {Gluten Free or Not!}

Soups have most definitely been on the menu in The Beehive lately.

Whether you are looking for a fresh dinner idea to add to your shopping list or simply need to be reminded of the soul-warming feelings a Grilled Cheese Sandwich and Tomato Soup conjure up here is the version I made. I know many gourmet recipes are at our fingertips but there is just something so reminiscent of comfort and youth when you bite into a tomato soup-soaked, melty cheddar cheese, and butter-toasted bread.

Read to the end to see my secret weapon for the recipe!

Grilled Cheese, Tomato Soup and Spinach Salad {Gluten Free}

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

2 Slices Bread {Gluten Free or not}

3-4 thick slices of Cheddar Cheese {enough to cover surface of the bread}

Butter {enough to coat the pan twice}

Onion slices (optional)

Coat a frying pan* on low-medium heat with generous amount of butter.  Place one slice of bread in pan and add sliced cheese. Add onion slices if you are adventurous! Place second slice of bread on top.  Cover with a lid.  My trick is to cook them low and slow so the bread doesn't burn.  Once the cheese starts to melt ever so slightly, add more butter and flip it. When the cheese is melted all the way through, IT'S DONE!

*Note: Use two different frying pans if making both gluten free and regular sandwiches so you don't cross contaminate.

Tomato Soup

I cheat with my soup and use Trader Joe's boxed soup and add Italian spices {rosemary, sage, oregano} and Parmesan cheese while I warm it up in a medium pot on low-medium heat.

Spinach Salad

Spinach {about half a cup per person}

Cranberries

Nuts {I used candied walnuts or roasted sunflower seeds}

Dressing {a cheese based dressing or a simple homemade vinaigrette will do} 

On each plate I add spinach then simply sprinkle cranberries and nuts and drizzle with a bit of dressing.  Add warm sandwich and cup of soup! 

 I like the cold, healthy addition of the salad juxtaposed with the hearty sandwich and soup!

My secret weapon to ensuring this meal is a success is...

The Bird right by my side {quite literally}.  We got a new and larger food preparation area and she enjoys hanging out right on top!  

This dinner is a big hit with The Bear and The Bird, by the way!

Refreshing: Fall Cleaning

In the words of The Bird:

Oh, Wow!

I switched around a few things in the kitchen and living room and they both feel refreshed and BIGGER!

Our kitchen is really LONG because of the way that the original owners added on to the house.  Our counter space was limited so DaveBee and I bought some natural wood butcher block islands a few years back.

We used the smaller one for food prep next to the stove and the other one stored the microwave, toaster, coffeemaker and any other junk I needed to throw somewhere.

I switched the two and about tripled my food work space.  I feel like I was the recipient of a kitchen make-over! Giddy. And excited to get to cooking!

Our "cozy" livingroom was feeling dark and drab due to the dark brown curtains that hung from the main window.

I lightened it all up with some awesome soft blue/white statement curtains that actually tied the room together more than I anticipated.  The came in as almost a PERFECT match to the paint on the wall next to them and pull out hints of blue in the rug.

Note:  Sorry for the dimness of the pictures, our middle blinds broke and we are waiting for a replacement!

With two small changes...all is good in The Beehive and we are ready for fall.

Stealthy Finger Painting

It truly amazes me the activities that The Bear can get into when he is supposed to be taking a nap.

He is stealthy.

He is silent.

He is creative.

He is fingerpainting his wooden hammer without getting a drop on the carpet.

Notice his hands, pants and face.

Notice the paint neatly poured into the paint tray wells.

Notice the beautiful hammer.

Lastly, notice his accomplished face and his victorious stance as if to say, "Mom, watch out for me."

I say: World, watch out for him.