Pat on the back!

I don't think parents give themselves enough credit, pats on the back or even take a minute to realize that we are raising kids that will someday be fully functioning, independent, strong and confident adults (hopefully)! I know confusing, what I am trying to say is there are some moments (they are few and far between) when it hits me "wow we are doing a good job with the girls", but I don't take the time to enjoy those moments and give myself and Scott a pat on the back for doing a good job and I need to be better about that. So I wanted to document it in some way so that during all the tantrums, dinner time arguments, fights about brushing teeth, and what shoes they can wear, that in the grand scheme of things we are doing a good job raising our kids!

Evidence #1
We have a dinner time rule to turn off the tv, sit at the table as a family and talk about our day including what we had for lunch and snack and who we played with that day. At first the girls moaned and groaned about it. Even Scott didn't understand why we couldn't at least watch the news but I refused to budge. I am not exactly sure when we started this rule but now we barely get sat down and the girls are so excited to talk about our days and how they were. We even do it if we go out to eat. So be forewarned if you eat dinner with us, you will have to tell us all about your day!

Evidence #2
For some reason Olivia has been having a hard time saying goodnight and going to sleep without crying (that is a nice way of saying throwing a fit because she can't sleep with us). After many nights of this we decided to just let her cry it out, it was tough probably harder for us than her. Just when I was breaking down Hayden got out of her bed and went into Olivia's room and gave her her favorite baby so she would stop crying. Then she went back to her bed, tucked herself in and went to sleep.

Evidence #3
Olivia likes to take her baby/toys to daycare. One day she came out with a bunch of stuff and I told her she would have to pick just one to take. To that she responded but I need one toy for each of the kids at daycare so we can each have a toy and take turns without fighting. How can I argue with that logic?

Evidence #4 (The tear jerker)
I always told the girls when we are holding hands and I squeeze your hand 3 times it is me telling you I love you. They always giggle and squeeze my hand back. Well, we were in the middle of Target and I was walking with Hayden holding her hand and we saw a mom with a bunch of kids having a hard time wrangling them just when one dumped their bag of snacks all over the floor. My heart went out to the mom and I tried to help her clean up the mess to which she snapped at me to get away. I was a little shocked it thought she was obviously having a bad day so I walked away. Just as I grabbed Hayden's hand to walk away and she squeezed it three times. I started crying right there in the middle of Target!

Okay patting officially over. Thank you for letting me brag for a minute...we couldn't be proud or happier of our two growing little girls. I just need to remember with all the crazy hard times there are always good ones in between!


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