Ponderings

I suppose all mothers feel like inadequate failures from time to time.  Maybe it comes with the job.  Maybe the responsibility of raising a little one and molding them into decent humans is just too much.  I've been feeling it a lot lately.  Rebecca's behavior has been challenging.  Now I don't know if it's typical almost 3 year old behavior, or if somehow, my parenting skills are lacking and she's being taught all things opposite of what I'm trying to teach her. 

The truth is - I don't have it all together as a mother.  Not even a little bit.  I try, but in reality, I know that my failures have contributed to her behavior issues.  I'm exhausted.  How do I do more?  How do I do better?  Those are tough questions that I'm trying to answer.

If we, as children, could only understand a little bit more the challenging role of Parent.  Maybe we would be nicer, more patient, more understanding, more compassionate, etc.

That's my rant for the day.  I will now move on to happier things...what you all come here to see.

First up, 4th of July:

Here's our girl with Grandma and Grandpa on the 4th.

Hanging out with Grandpa after decorating the yard with flags.

Putting out the flags.  She's gaining an appreciate or at least an awareness of the flag.  Because we sing the song "Grand Old Flag" that's what she always calls it.  It's never "hey, there's a flag" it's "hey, there's a Grand Old Flag".  So cute.  She also has about 80% of the Pledge of Allegiance down.  Good girl!

Because I'm awesome (or a glutton for punishment), I made these flag Rice Krispy treats.  Thanks Pinterest!

We took her to this nice park by my mom and dad's and they have these cute little kid-sized park benches.

Next topic...music.  We're still going to our favorite music class. She loves the part where she gets to play real instruments.

 

On the music theme - here's an awesome video.  Most of you who read this know that my dad played trombone for many years. He had his own band and everything.  It's been a while since he's played, but got it out again recently to brush up on his skills.  So, when we were over there for the 4th, Rebecca and Grandpa did a duet.  Rebecca on harmonica (and backup dancing) and Grandpa on Trombone.  Remember you won't be able to see this on an Apple device.

Next topic...miscellaneous!

On the long drive up to my mom and dad's we stop at this McDonald's because they have a really nice, indoor play area.  These next 3 pics are a sequence of her coming down the slide.

We recently got the book If You Give a Dog a Donut and Rebecca wanted one, so we stopped and got some one day  She chose pink with sprinkles.

Being silly at dinner one night and putting grapes in her cheeks!

My friend Gina and her family were in town a couple of weeks ago and they invited us to hang out with them at the beach.  Rebecca loved it.  We dug holes and she crawled right in!