Feed the Birds

Life is different with a new born.  All the sudden, I'm changing schedules again, and breaking my day into "between feedings".  It really makes it hard on me, but also the kids.  I can tell that they are feeling a little bored (you know, not leaving the house because the baby is too new...  It's a little like house arrest, but louder), and sometimes they are feeling a little detached from mom.  So, over the last few days, I've worried less about stressing about having them clean up between feedings, and we have done more.  I have never had that "house cleaning" talent, where my house looks like a museum and everything is in it's place.  I do clean, but the truth is, it's usually a little chaotic.  Typically, I'd prefer to have them clean up after themselves constantly... but that does require me hovering and reminding.  The last few days, I still have had them clean up after themselves... but a few times I told myself "if we wait until this room is clean, we will miss our opportunity to have fun" and just let it be.  This is one of the activities that we would have missed out on if I had waited until they cleaned up the dishes they were playing with first.

Making bird feeders!  I gave them each 3 half toilet paper rolls, honey, a spreading stick, and bird seed... demonstrated what to do, and then let them have at it.  It was sticky fun.

 Then we added some string and some cheerios.

 Yes!  This project definitely added to the chaos and messy state of my house.

 But look at those smiles!  It was worth it!

 I'd like to think the birds are smiling too.  We hung 4 out back and 2 out front.

After this project, I cleaned up the kitchen, feed Preston, and started dinner.  Noelle took it upon herself to clean the entire toy room, her bed room, and the living room without me asking!  I'ms so glad I went with my instincts and did the craft instead of forced them to clean and played the part of the "bad guy" all afternoon.  This was much more fun.

Also, we discovered we have a bird's nest and a baby bird in the tree in our front yard.  Hopefully that little bird family will eat our yummy creation.