Peace - it's a Good Thing!

Day 1 of PG out of being town was a pretty rough one this week. I think it was a combination of me being drained from a couple really busy weeks, and the girls realizing that I was drained (and thinking they had all control.) But, nope. Shortly after the half-way point of day 2, I had to call a Family Meeting . . .  with my 3 and 7 year olds.

Have I ever told you about our family meetings? We hold our gatherings in the room where most of our time is spent, the kitchen. When the girls hear "FAMILY MEETING" they know exactly what it means. They run and stand at attention in front of the refrigerator. (I know. I don't even let them sit down. But it honestly is the cutest little thing you would ever see . . . the two of them standing side by side, arms touching each other, as if to let the other one know they are not alone.) This is the place were I say my peace. I settle arguments and disputes here. I discuss plans and expectations. I mean business. And they know it.

So, at about 4pm on Friday night I was at my wits end. PG had only been gone a day and a half. A battle of the flip flop was underway between Katie and Ella - and I was loosing it. I thought there is NO WAY I am going to make it through 3 weeks of Daddy's trip in the current state I was in. So, I called the Family Meeting. There Katie and Ella stood, ever so cautiously, awaiting my latest speech. And there, with both of them in front of the refrigerator, I discussed our options for the next few weeks. I told them we could either have an awesome few weeks and do lots of fun stuff, laugh alot, make yummy treats, do cool craft projects, go fun places, have lots of snuggle time, watch movies, make popcorn, and have a really great time together.Or,we could spend the next few weeks fighting over a flip-flop, yelling at each other, crying, staying inside, and having no fun at all. I explained that Mommy wasn't about to do anything fun with two little girls who couldn't even be nice to each other. So, the choice was theirs. 

With that, my two little angels turned and hugged each other. They wiped each others tears - little angel returned big angels flip-flop to her, and the three of us agreed on 3 weeks of fun .... and of Peace. No yelling, no arguing, no fussing ... and it was settled. Pinky swears and all.

Day 2, 3 and 4 have been just that . . . . pure FUN!!! Lots of time outside - lots of time in our little pool - and an extra special day at the beach today with dear friends Karen, Tod and Holly. And my angels have made me so proud . . . here a just a few photos of the beach fun . . .

Ella could not get enough of the sand. She played and played ALL DAY in the sand - building and crushing building and crushing. I could watch her for hours.

There is a method behind everything that she does. I may not get it, but she knows what the plan is. What her plan is, anyway.

And Katie celebrated a great milestone as she passed the swimming test for venturing out to the "deep end" of the water. I swam along side of her as she took the test and found myself that proud parent screaming "You can do it!!! Keep going!!!" as she worked her way through the water. She was SO PROUD of herself - you can see it in her face. The lifeguard drew the peace sign on her shoulder (their symbol to easily identify those who have passed the test). And she immediately said, "Mom! Take my picture so you can show Daddy!"  I love that the PEACE SIGN is their symbol at the beach - and that Katie happened to wear her Peace sign bathing suit today. I think we needed some PEACE today. And, we ALL found it.

While sitting at the beach, I glanced up above me for a brief moment and grabbed my camera to take this shot. It was at near the end of our visit, after the sun had long kissed our faces, and the water had shriveled all of our fingers and toes. It was such a beautiful moment - the tree above me, the beautiful blue sky, the sound of the children splashing water in the distance, really so peaceful. I think I could have sat there for another few hours . . . just looking up at the sky. Yes, this is exactly what I needed. Peace. It was lovely. (Thank you, Karen!)

Tomorrow, back to work. But for today, we kept our agreement of fun and peace.

Here's wishing you a peaceful week, dear friend.