Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Because I said so

If you ever have a chance to hear John Rosemond talk, GO! Seriously, just go. Lauren's school flew him in for a parenting talk this evening, so Adam and I went. It was so enlightening, and funny! I was not expecting funny, but he had the entire audience laughing out loud, hysterically at times. People, he made us LOL, no joke.

Some of my favorite lines of the night:
* Two year olds are mini criminals. They think "I want what I want, I'll get what I want, the ends justify the means."
* God said about husband and wife: "Until death do they part, not until children do they part." Have a relationship with your spouse, not your children.

When you tell your kids no and they ask "But why/why not?" use one of the following as a reason:
1) You're not old enough.
2) You might get hurt.
3) There's not enough money.
4) There's not enough time.
5) We don't believe in that.
6) We don't like those kids.
He suggested putting these in a bowl and randomly pulling one out every time your kids questioned you about why you wouldn't let them do something. Your children will never admit you're right, so why give them a correct response?

Walk away with these pointers:
* You need to be in a leadership role with your children, not a relationship. You need boundaries to have respect.
* You do not need to explain yourself to your children. "Because I said so" is an acceptable response.
* The punishment should NEVER fit the crime. One minute of time out per year of age is ridiculous, and wastes everyones time. Make it bigger, so you nip the trouble in the bud. Make them remember the punishment.
* Don't ask them to do things, TELL them.

And so it begins...

Yesterday Lauren announced she had her very first loose tooth!

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Cousins


Nothing much going on around here lately, just the normal day to day stuff. Waiting for the weather to realize summer is over!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Sunday, September 13, 2009

The addiction started years ago

It's a tradition that started after Lauren's 6 month checkup - Jamba Juice to soothe the shots. After every doctor's appointment from then on out we'd stop to get one. In fact, when any of my friends say they can't get their little ones to learn to drink out of straws, I recommend they go there. Now, it's a weekly thing for our family. My kids can spy out that familiar whirl anywhere, anytime. I think it's in their blood, since that's where I was working when Adam and I met and started dating!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Herbivore

It's an overcast morning with the leftovers of an early morning shower on the ground, my kind of day. All of the windows in the house are open to enjoy the breeze and wet earth scent. A neighbor just started mowing his back lawn and the smell of fresh cut grass is wafting in. Owen says "Mmmm, Mama, I smell a salad!"

Friday, September 11, 2009

Never - ever - forget.


“WE WILL NOT WAVER,

WE WILL NOT TIRE,

WE WILL NOT FALTER,

AND WE WILL NOT FAIL.

PEACE AND FREEDOM

WILL PREVAIL.”

President George W. Bush

October 7 2001

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

A picture is worth a thousand words

First day of preschool - so excited to hit the road!

Obligatory picture with the sign.

Picking out his cubby.

Listening to Ms. Lily.

Getting a lesson on the coolness that is a big wheel.

Chill-axing in the tube.

Enjoying a snack of cantaloupe and cheerios.

As of 1 October 2007