My favorite time of year!

It's Daddy Trip time! That means my husband and six of our kids -- yep, SIX this year -- are off gallivanting all over the country while I stay home with the littlest ones and get caught up on projects.

They'll be gone for ten days. It's been wonderful so far. I cleaned my kitchen right after they left. It's stayed clean. I've started organization projects and left them out without completing them. No one's messed them up. I've taken naps. No one's woken me up.

No one's talked back to me, had to be reminded to do their chores or clean their room, whined, or demanded anything of me. There have been no sibling battles, no large meals to prep and clean up after, no sticky floors, and lots of peace and quiet. It's been heavenly.

There's just one little hitch.  Harmony.  She'll be two next month and up until this week, I didn't know that she doesn't know how to entertain herself.  I've never noticed that she's not interested in toys.  Nope, this week all she's been doing is following me around, mimicking everything I do.  She bangs on the computer keys, smears peanut butter on the counter, pushes herself on my lap when I'm feeding Katie, runs to Katie when she cries and tries to shove her pacifier in her mouth, and refuses to play with toys.  I've seen her play with them before, and I've gotten plenty out, but I guess they're only fun when she's playing with siblings.

And here's the thing:  I don't remember how to entertain a toddler!  Oh, sure, I've read her a few books and we've gone for walks and to the library, and I've talked to her and handed her crayons and such, but there are sure a lot of hours in the day.  So, here's your chance, all you young moms -- remind me how to entertain this little gal so I can actually get some of those projects completed?



One of my projects is to make our 2009 book.  Every year I pull together my weekly newsletter emails, blog posts, and pictures and throw them together in a book using Blurb.  I do some scrapbooking of the pictures along the way.  This year, I've switched to 12 x 12 size and I'm really enjoying the way I can fit so many pictures on the page.  I'm currently working on May of 2009, with the goal of doing two months a day.  In the last three days, I've done 18 pages!  I'm not a perfectionist with pages; throw them on, balance it out, add a cute background and a few elements and I'm done.  But still, I think they look great; don't you agree?


Comments

Deserie said…
Beautiful pages! You're so very talented!
Jacki said…
WOW! SO many pages- I really like Family Fun, Moving and Growing, and 6 months old (she's so cute!)
One thing my little ones love is a BIG Rubbermaid container full of dry pinto beans. They dig in them and play with measuring cups, etc... Good luck- I always miss the older ones entertaining the toddlers too!
Corri said…
Your pages are stunning!

Have you tried play-doh and cookie cutters yet?
Archer's Mum said…
cubby houses, throw a blanket over the kitchen table, a few cushions and toys underneath- might keep her entertained for a little while :) good luck.
What an adorable family you have. I'm with you, motherhood is the greatest job ever. How did you get your husband to take your kids on a trip and leave you home? I'm very impressed.
Saw your blog on MMWB. I'm Lisa, nice to meet you.
Claire said…
10 days?? What a fun daddy!

My two year old is the same way. She is bored to tears with her older brother and sister off at summer camp each morning. I've been taking her for lots of walks and little trips to the park...it's kind of fun just to have the two little girls with me for once. When we're home she sticks to me like glue though. I sit on the couch with the baby and she sits right beside me and brings me piles of books and papers she wants "help" coloring. I guess doing all that wouldn't help you get any projects done though! There's always nap time, right?
Getting things done with a toddler...good luck :) Right now sam loves being out in the water, setting up a sprinkler or a splash pool can keep am busy for an hour or so, just keep lots of water to drink on hand and find a shady spot where you can sit and get a little done. You could also see if someone in the ward with a toddler would be willing to take her one day for a play day and you take the kids on another day
Carol said…
I haven't visited in SO long! Can't believe how big everyone is, and the new baby is adorable!! Also feeling very jealous of your *almost* quiet house!
Dan and Marci said…
Brenna is three so her attention span is a little longer but I'm not sure what I'm going to do all day when the others are in full day school. It is so nice to have entertainers :) Your pages are great.
Dina said…
I remember that my kids loved a bin of water and some cups at that age. Do you have a fenced back yard with a patio that she can play while you can see her? Otherwise the sink will do. And I got HOURS out of turning a hose on very low in the driveway and letting them entertain themselves with buckets and cups and a watering can for the plants. :)
Stacey said…
Beautiful pages! I think it's so funny about Harmony not knowing how to entertain herself. I guess you could say that's the downside to having so many siblings! LOL They get used to being entertained by their siblings, which is great for the mom. I think it's great that your hubby takes off with the older kids for so long all alone! I wish my hubby did that!
Lindsay Ruiz said…
That picture of Harmony with the toys is darling. Her hair looks perfect! Entertaining little ones, hmmmm, let me think. As I think about it, I don't think Julianne knows how to entertain herself either. Except for food, she pretty much follows me or her sisters around too. Find the messiest thing in the house and let her go at it. Maybe the refrigerator? That would probably entertain Juliianne for hours.

Good Luck!!!