Positive Self-Talk & Ice Cream Cones

It is hard for me to admit this, but last week I told Jeff that I was looking forward to school starting in September. I feel so guilty admitting that. But I have found this summer to be long and the girls to be very challenging. Last year, Heather was in school Tuesday, Thursday and every other Friday. Addie had preschool two mornings a week. Even though it was only a few days a week, it was the break that I needed from the girls (and I am sure they needed from me) and the break the girls needed from each other. Since summer vacation started I haven't really had a break from them (except for my kayak trip and my trip to Manitoba) and they have not had a break from each other. I think it is important for all of us to have these small breaks every once in awhile.

We went to the park this morning. I pushed Lauchlan in the stroller and the girls rode their bikes. They started bickering about who gets to ride in front of me and who gets to ride behind me. I found myself getting so annoyed and frustrated (we had already had several bickering episodes at home before leaving for the park). I usually have a hard time with my self-talk and find that I inwardly say things that are negative. Today, as we walked along, I made a conscious effort to change my self-talk and to focus on the positive side of things. While it didn't stop the bickering between the girls, it at least allowed me to respond in a more positive way and I didn't feel so grumpy. It is such a simple thing to do and yet in the heat of the moment, I usually forget to do it.

Once we got to the park we ended up having a lovely time.

Lauchlan wondering which animals to go to next.

Heather and Addie eyeing up the turkey.

My climbing girl.

We decided to take the scenic route home.

We passed by one of the two swans along the way.

We stopped by the waterfall to cool down a little.

Once we got home for lunch I noticed this poor squirrel flaking out on our front porch. I think he had too much of this heat!


We tried a new craft today (after Heather announced that we should try a new craft every day!). The craft came from a book called Summer Fun by Usborne books. What I like about this craft book is that most of the crafts require using basic supplies that we already have on hand (coloured paper, glue, glitter etc.). This craft is called "Ice-Cream Cone".

Here is Addie painting the cone.

Heather is adding glitter to hers.

Mmmm. Yummy!

The sample cone that I made.

After lunch the girls spent a lot of time playing cooperatively together. It was such a nice change from the fighting girls of this morning!