January 16 – We took advantage of the slightly warmer weather today by spending the morning at the park. While we were there, a firetruck randomly pulled up, they set up all of their hoses and sprayed it next to the park for about 30 seconds before packing up and leaving. It was completely random, but Samuel ate up every minute of it.
Photography 365 Introduction
Brothers and sisters can sometimes be overzealous in their demonstration of affection toward their siblings. It can provide the parent with a difficult dilemma when they watch their child protest their sibling’s well-intended hug or the playful tackle. We know that it does no good to tell the recipient to just deal and it is important for the kids to learn to look for and respect the other child’s boundaries. However, when there is a positive attempt towards affection from one of the siblings, it can also be damaging to shut the giver down. Relationships grow through giving and receiving and interacting and that must be encouraged.
Alternative solutions are sometimes more obvious than others, but when you witness one of these interactions between your kids, do your best to rechannel the affection. Suggest an activity that they can participate in together, give them a common cause, or simply suggest another way that physical affection might be demonstrated. If the recipient is old enough, they could also be a part of the conversation.
Another important key in these tricky parenting situations is to keep your parenting positive. You correcting them with frustration or irritation in your voice or by using punishment will only succeed in growing resentment between the kids. Not only will their attempt at affection or interaction have been rejected by the desired recipient (their sibling), but they will have been punished by you for even attempting it. Affirm them for their desire to interact with their sibling and help them to learn how to interact in ways that they will both enjoy.
Warm up your spouse inside and out by surprising him with a steaming cup of coffee or hot chocolate. Drop it off to him at work or pick up a cup for him on your way home from the store.
Large tokens of affection make for lifelong memories, but those little tokens of affection breathe life into our relationships during the day-to-day.
January 15 – Pigtails! I did a really fun photo shoot with Kaelynn today. (See the full photo shoot.)
Photography 365 Introduction
This is one of my family’s favorite enchilada recipes. It is quick, easy, and packed with rich Mexican flavors without being too spicy. I have made it with ground meats and also with chicken before – both are delicious!
Enchiladas
1 lb ground beef, ground turkey, or shredded chicken
1 onion, chopped
1 t minced garlic
1 T Worcestershire sauce
1 8oz can tomato sauce
1 t paprika
2 t chili powder
1/2 t cumin
1/4 t salt
1/4 t black pepper
3 c shredded Mexican cheese blend
1 10oz can enchilada sauce
Tortillas, flour or corn (if making gluten free) (quantity will vary between 6-12 depending on tortilla size)
1. Cook onion in a little bit of oil until tender. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add cooked meat, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, salt, black pepper, chili powder, and cumin. Simmer for 10 minutes.
2. Pour 1/3 of the enchilada sauce into the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
3. Fill each tortilla with a scoop of the meat mixture (amount depends on size of the tortilla) and cheese. Roll up tortilla and place it into the baking dish seam side down. Repeat with all tortillas. Top enchiladas with remaining enchilada sauce and cheese.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until bubbling.
Garnish with sour cream and cilantro.
January 13 – This week, after a long hiatus, I’ve started doing preschool with Samuel again.
Photography 365 Introduction
January 12 – Perler bead crafts are one of Samuel’s favorite activities right now. Today, though, the craft went to a whole new level when I had to fish one of the beads out of my son’s nose. A first for me.
Photography 365 Introduction
Sometimes you have one of those weeks. It can be due to a buildup of stress, family issues, a core event (or sequence of events), or even just a teething baby. The cause matters little. What does matter is being aware of your limits. When you’ve reached it, no amount of pushing or “fixing” or analyzing will remedy it. You have simply reached your limit and true productivity ceases.
When that happens, give yourself a mental health day. No expectations, ideals or analyzing. Just be. Relax, do minimal chores, rent a movie, answer only the phone calls that you want to answer and lay to rest whatever you have been thinking about. It will all still be there tomorrow. Today is for you. Your sanity.
When you acknowledge your limits and let yourself rest, you will be stronger tomorrow as a result.