Holding Space for Feelings

I,age Courtesy of Pixabay

Day 312

Yesterday we ventured out to run a few errands which included a stop by the farmers’ market and Barnes and Noble. At the book store we gave the kids a budget and told them at least half of their expenditures had to be books. They saw very quickly commercial toys are so terribly over-priced their ‘extra’ money did not go far.

Our time at the farmers’ market was brief. I purchased a basket of heirloom tomatoes and a basket of peaches. They love peaches and love knowing I will make a peach cobbler for everyone to enjoy sometime during their visit.

We found a little hotdog restaurant (not normally on our diet) where we stopped for lunch. We were all famished because it was a little later than our normal lunch time. The hotdogs were okay — not great — but they seemed to enjoy them a lot. Their eating habits have reversed. Our 9 year old has slowed down and she is much more selective in what she wants to eat. The 6 year old wants to graze all day long. Must be a growth spurt.

They both fell asleep in the car and slept through a couple of grocery store stops while I ran in and picked up the fixings for meatloaf which is my granddaughter’s favorite meal to help prepare and also help eat!

We came home and they were allowed some screen time with Grandpa while I peeled peaches and made a peach cobbler for dessert. We decided to pull together left-overs for dinner since we had such a late lunch. Then it was time to read and color and just relax a little. Our grandson was so proud of himself for reading a whole book all by himself.

Several times throughout the day the children were bickering and getting on each other’s nerves. They have been in close quarters with each other all summer long. We pulled them apart, each of us spending some quality time with the other. I listened while they both aired their frustration with the other while I tried to explain why things happen and how the other must feel about certain circumstances. They seemed to feel better once they were able to blow off a little steam.

I established a FaceTime call with their parents so they could tell them all about their day. They went into the other room and chatted away for about 30 minutes.

The hunt for lightening bugs was quick since a storm was rolling in and it became quite windy. The bugs were blown around so catching them was difficult. We came in and started to wind down for bedtime. Sleep evaded us all last night. I know they nap in the car kept the kids from sleeping and their squirming and giggling kept us from going to sleep. Grandpa read to them for a while with the promise of Chapter 3 of Diamond Eyes tomorrow.

Today is a planned down day. Tomorrow we will go mining for gems. All in all a good day in the foothills.

Advertisement