Some Updates

Hubby came home Tuesday night with a little surprise for HC and me! He brought HC these delightful Gerber Daisies and I received these cheery roses!! Isn't he the best! My HC is a flower girl - she loves flowers!! He couldn't have done better I tell you! By the way, he gave JB some coins for that piggy bank! JB was in heaven, hearing all the clink, clink, clink. He is our hero!!



Today is about updates, so let's start with today! We have progressed in several things on the Home School front. Many fears have been overcome. So, for a glimpse of today, take a look at this little piggie! HC cut these 3 pink circles, with a little help from me (to keep the pig in tact)! I have NEVER heard that little girl giggle SOOOO much, over something like this. It was like she was having fun AND proud of this new accomplishment. We still have work to do, on cutting shapes without destroying them, but we did have fun today!! This is her first school craft!! I am not crafty!



So our next update is... our behavior charts. We do not have the charts on the wall yet, since we moved. But we really do not need them. HC is making her bed, without us prompting her. She LOVES a made bed! YEA!! As for tantrums, they really are almost non-existent! I am not sure if it was due to the behavior chart, our being more focused due to the chart, or maybe they are outgrowing some irritable stages? Whatever - it works and we are thrilled. Another recent trick is that if they argue, AT ALL, they both go to time out in their rooms. They cannot come out until they are ready to work together and share or get along. I know Dr. Phil doesn't think time out in a room is time out but, my kiddos love to be together and/or with me, so this works wonders for us now. They really do share better and play well together. The charts were handy and I think they helped us all focus on the goal - good behavior. I am happy we have 2 happy kiddos!!

The nail biting is up next! HC did well with the suggestion by Oh Amanda. She suggested I trace HC's hands on construction paper and then she would color in one finger nail for every day that she did NOT bite her nails. This worked wonders! She stopped biting and we gave her an at home mani/pedi. She was on cloud 9! My girl loves some girly girly time! We had 2 days of nails painted pink - then she bit them again! AHHH!! We are going back to square one. We took of the nail polish right away (off toes and fingers) and we are working towards another mani/pedi. Baby steps!! :) Bottom line, she is encouraged to get that nail polish back on those toes and fingers! She isn't stressed out and neither am I!

And finally, the artist. Well, we found baking soda is our friend! If only JB could draw in smaller areas and not try to COVER the walls! :) You can see more info on the baking soda findings here. So how has JB taken the 'no drawing on walls' rule? Here is his latest work (notice the date on the photo):

My JB cannot be left alone with a writing instrument. We will not say who left him with a black crayon, but.. someone did! :) Love you someone! JB was sternly warned this time and we are hoping for a better report in the future! You can see his little face inspecting his work above. I wonder if he gets that this isn't art!?! Below is a pic of our results after baking soda. It is work, but it works. I've heard rave reviews about that magic eraser thing but I also received an email warning that it can burn skin. I am not sure about it, but I do think we will give it a go this time. Maybe it is easier than the baking soda. I am just over this phase with JB! :) Let's just paint the chalkboard paint on his walls and let him draw away!

So that is all I have for updates! There may be more in the future. I don't know. 'But that is all I have to say about that!'