Okay, in all seriousness, I'm going to come right out and say it:
Although being a mother is one of the noblest professions, it can be downright boring at times.
I can only play "I Spy" and kitchen and dollhouse and sing "Old MacDonald" and read Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day so many times before I want to lock myself in the closet and chant "Serenity Now" over and over.
That's why MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) is such a lifesaver for me. We have meetings twice a month so the 80 or so moms can have brunch and a chat without the bebes present; but we also have two Outside Events Coordinators who plan fun things for us to do, whether it's an event with the kiddos or a moms' night out.
March was "Sizzle Month," and the MOPS girls met up a couple of weeks ago at the fire station just around the corner from my house. We had a fire safety talk from a real fire fighter and the kids got to run around the garage with the trucks and ambulances.
It was a kid's dream come true.
I loved that the fireman put on his gear at the end of his talk to show the kids that there was nothing to be afraid of.
I need a sign like this one in my house (Keep Back 500 Feet):
And what better way to end the morning than with a lunch at Firehouse Subs?
{What are some ways you mix up the routine in your life?}
**Check back in tomorrow for a fun Giveaway!**
So much fun! We used to be in the local MOMS Club, and I remember a visit to the firehouse, too.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any great tips to break up the routine. I try to plan my days so that they're not all the same (e.g., I might wash double laundry on Monday and none on Tuesday). Exciting, right?
The closest MOPS group to me is more than 30 minutes away, so I never joined. But I have heard awesome things about it! We head to the store just for fun or hit the park when sitting at house starts to drive me batty:)
ReplyDeletePut all the planners away and go...no plans, live int he moment. Fun always comes of it!
ReplyDeleteSounds/looks like such much fun! :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like y'all had fun! Isn't it amazing what a day out every once in a while makes you feel normal? After being cooped up for two weeks with sick kids, I thought I was gonna go NUTS!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a lot of fun - my kiddos would love it.
ReplyDelete5 years ago, I was a working mom, and then we moved to another state and I was- POOF!- a SAHM. I would never have survived that whole transition without MOM'S Club. So many fun activities and lifetime friendships. My daughter's playgroup from 4 years ago is pretty much (unofficially) still together.
ReplyDeleteWe also did story time at the library every week. Miss Mae took classes at the rec center, then Little Dude did too. I admit we still see the McDonald's playground a bit too often in the winter time when we can't get outside to play. And the park, the park, the park!!! Every possible day! (Not any more, cause homework has entered the picture! Now we only go on Fridays) We are lucky to live in an area where there are a lot of things available for kids to do.
Remember last year when Where the Wild Things Are was made into a movie? When I first saw a preview for that, I started reciting: "The night Max wore his wolf suit and made mischief of one kind and another, his mother called him 'Wild Thing!' and Max said, 'I'll eat you up!' so he was sent to bed without eating anything. That very night in Max's room a forest grew. . . " Girl, it's been years, but I can still recite most of that book. Same thing with Caps for Sale.
ReplyDeleteYep. Motherhood is indeed a noble profession, but sometimes it gets a bit boring. There's so much that the same, day after day.
So thank God for MOPS and remember that--I'll say it again--the days are long, but the years are short.
Besides, some days are like that--even in Australia.
Cute pics! Although mine are grown now, I remember 'those' days. LOL We had a moms morning out group when my son was a wee one. I LOVED the 2 hours of ME time each week!
ReplyDeleteYour girls are too cute! That Firehouse Subs shop's decor is adorable, perfect for a fire themed birthday party!
ReplyDeleteSo cute- my nephew would LOVE this firehouse visit.
ReplyDeleteThank you for checking out my blog - I'm following you now so I will be back!
Emma
www.emmanemhandmade.blogspot.com
Sam says, "Your sister's kids are so d@mn cute!"
ReplyDeleteLooks like fun! My kids have loved the trips to the fire station they've taken over the years.
ReplyDeleteHow absolutely adorable. I need to join a group and get out more around other kiddos with the dude!
ReplyDeleteWe have a mom's group at Church and it's so nice to get out of the house, let the kids play and talk to adults (during the daytime). And we have the most fun at our nights out :) In fact we had play group this morning!
ReplyDeleteLove the "keep back" sign, I think you could turn that into the next big thing (like the "keep calm" sign) :)
I remember taking my little ones to the fire department. It was so fun to watch how much fun they were having.
ReplyDeleteAnd, yes, mind-numbing. Because, as cute as they are and as much as you love them, some days it's just old.
I wouldn't trade what I do for the world, and I love being a mom. But I do get by with a little help from my friends, who help me keep my head on straight.
I used to love the trips to the firestation. I felt special because I my neighbor was one of the fireman and he was a higher up ha.
ReplyDeleteMOPS sounds like such a great group. A firehouse outing sounds like fun for the kids. I still have the plastic fire helmet that I got on a kindergarten trip to the fire station. (Mama saved everything.)
ReplyDeleteAwe they are so so sweet :) what cuties! xx
ReplyDeleteI've missed this event two years in a row now. :( Looks like a lot of fun. I've also never been to Firehouse Subs. I noticed the dalmation spotted tables right away (you know...themes!).
ReplyDeleteSo cute :)
ReplyDeleteI would kill for some mommy friends!
Those are 2 of the cutest firefighters I've ever seen. Cute girls ;)
ReplyDelete