Post Office Tour

Today we had another fun day - a tour of the Post Office. Kristy read a book to us first - about the various methods of mail delivery over the years. Pretty large crowd huh?

Posing with their mail in hand.
More posing. They brought letters to mail on this special day.
Here we are in the back of the post office. Getting the inside scoop of how mail is sorted.
They were able to see inside this mail carrier.
And then they posed by a mail man on his way to deliver his pile of mail. They had a great time.
Then it was time to mail their letter.
One last pose with their coloring books in hand.
What a fun time.
After a group lunch we met friends at the park. The high was in the 60's!! Beautiful weather!

Goldilocks and The Three Bears

Today we had the pleasure of watching a play. The play had a little modern twist to it, they began the story with Goldilocks having trouble keeping her hands to herself at home. She played in Mommy's jewelry and broke it. She touched Dad's guitar and broke it. She dug in a bird's nest and took the baby bird from the Mommy. She took acorns from a squirrel. She ended in the Three Bear's home and you know the rest of the story. What a way to drive the message home.... "KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF!" The kids loved it and it had a bit of humor for the Mom's too. SO much fun. Here's HC posing with Baby Bear: Here she is with Goldilocks. JB was glad to watch the play but not interested in posing with anyone. :)
JB was willing, although far from thrilled, to pose in front of the family portrait of the 3 Bears.
Here they are sitting with one of our home school buddies (above and below).
More home school friends! I love home school field trips!!!
Group shot.

We had such a fun filled day. Looking forward to our field trip tomorrow!! More fun is on it's way! WooHOO!!

Super Bowl Sunday

Super Kid Game Day is more like it! We had a SUPER time with all the super activities and super food and super company! That's alotta super! Here's HC and her buddy - the thing I love about these two is that they are girly girls, yet they can hang with the boys too. They are up for a challenge. My big guy on his actual birthday and first ever Super Bowl Party. 4 years old! So much has changed over night since he is now officially 4. More on that later!
A little warm-up with "Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes".
Then the line race. They had such a good time running to each line and then back to the finish line.
Then they were seeing who could make the most muscles with the balloons. After this game they all stomped on the balloons. I don't know which part they enjoyed more! :)
Then a football toss - and yes! My girl threw the ball in on the first try!
Wouldn't you know it! The paparazzi had to show up! You never know when they will pop in on the fun!
After some delish Chili (thanks Stephen), Hot Dogs, Wings and Dip.... the kids were back out on the deck to run around the deck at least 50 times... not kidding here. They were WILD and WIRED!
After the parents ate, the kids decorated their cupcakes. Ashley is so creative! :) They put green icing on the cupcake and made yard lines with white icing and then added a football ... bon appetite!
YUMMY YUMMY IN MY TUMMY!
Ta-dah!
Supervising the cupcake eating.
JB found the guys watching the game.
And then the kids decided it was time to crash the Daddy's party!! Tickle time and a little football smack talk! GEAUX TIGERS by the way! LSU Tigers that is! You know... the good 'ole Purple and Gold.

I must confess I have no idea who was playing and I don't care! We were there for the company not the game. Just glad the event brought us all together. I know the Dads had the game watching covered! Thanks for having us over for such a great time Ashley!!

4 Years Old - Where Did The Time Go?

My sweet baby boy... I know. He tells me ALL the time "I not a baby! I'm a BIG boy!" It amazes me that he's already so grown up. I still steal all his kisses and hugs - even if it requires tackling and playing rough with him to sneak them in. (He's becoming more and more stingy with his kisses.) Daddy's boy for sure! (When he's not being Momma's boy that is!)
Chuck E Cheese can stay way over there and sing to me. No need to come any closer.
Ready for his cake.
Blowing those 4 candles. My sweet boy!
My baby girl loves chocolate!!! Even if it was the worst cake we've had yet. Convenience doesn't equal a good product. But everyone seemed to enjoy it.. my kids like a little debbie cake here and there soo... it at least matched that quality! haha
So much fun and he gave it all he had!
After opening his presents he laid in the wrapping paper. haha He was saying "Chuck E CHEESE" as he held his birthday medal.
Happy Birthday JB!! We love you tons and tons!
Now... JB's 4! Look out T-ball.... HERE HE COMES!!!!!

That Will Cost You a Penny

My kids love love love love love love love love love love LOVE putting coins in their piggy banks. Today I had my limit of telling HC the same thing over and over... "Stop complaining, arguing and whining. Just obey Mommy right away." There have been times when I've been provoked to say the same sentence so many times in a single day that I finally begin shouting and losing my cool. My goal this year is to enforce our rules without losing my cool. I'm FAR from perfect and I have already missed my mark BUT.... I've raised my voice so much less lately.

My latest wins have been due to stopping in the moment and saying to myself "what are you going to do now? you got any new ideas? how you gonna get this in their hearts so they begin obeying without you over their shoulders?" This was quickly followed by "God, I have NO idea what to do next. Any ideas how to make this sink in without my temper growing into the mad monster?"

One win was when JB REFUSED to share a toy and HC was DEVASTATED! The complaining from HC alone was deafening. JB was shouting in a hateful tone about how he would never share with her again. Same old song, different day. They often change roles in this scene alone. They are GREAT at being equally stubborn. The last time this occurred, I stopped and prayed because I was at a loss. All my efforts up to now had hit the proverbial wall and fallen flat. I prayed for wisdom with how to handle the moment and separated the kids. Then I had an obvious solution, maybe to the veteran parent, that I tried before with little success.

I told HC that JB did not have to share with her. There have been many times where she refused to share and this made JB sad too. Then I told JB, how about I put the timer on and you play with the toy and when the beeper goes off.. then HC can have a turn. JB said, "That's a GREAT idea Mommy." I turned on the timer and before the timer even beeped JB offered HC her turn. Problem solved. Since then this solution has worked many times. Maybe they are now old enough to reason with?

Today, I was sick of the whining and such from HC. The drama she can create when she is not happy is exhausting. I was about to spout off the normal banter when I had a great idea! Pennies!!!!! I told HC.. "Mommy is making this sign. Every time you complain or whine or argue with Mommy. I will make a mark on the sign. At the end of the day we will see how many times you complain and we will take that many pennies from your piggy bank." Silence. The arguing/debating I normally hear was gone. Crickets was all I could hear and boy was that a welcome change.

Then JB wandered into the room and asked about the sign on the wall. I explained the rule and told him that I was now making a sign for him too but his sign is going to be different. He will get a mark for every time he hits or says mean things. JB said "OK Mom. I'm going to be the nicest to my sister. OK?" I said "Great!"

Some say they've tried this and it has a short life but... for now I am experiencing peace. At this point a coin is a coin so dollar value doesn't matter. What does matter is I haven't heard 'but Mom' since enforcing this rule. No more harsh words towards HC from JB. Just good ole fashion cooperation is making a comeback in my house! Now that is music to my ears.

(Just had another idea - I think we will begin giving a coin to them everytime they obey right away! I've gotta get that one in their heart asap!)

Passing the Torch

One job I really enjoy doing is laundry. I love the smell of clean laundry, the feel of the warm clothes, the heat of the dryer as I open it up... LOVE ALL OF IT! My HC has shown much interest in this part of my day lately and the other night she was eager to be in charge. Since it was the kid's laundry anyway... I let her have it. She removed the laundry from the dryer and brought it all to the sofa for folding. It took the 2 kids many trips to accomplish that goal alone. Then the folding began.

JB decided he wanted to fold his and this really upset HC. So then she refused to fold a piece of his stuff. She began making a pile for JB to fold his own stuff. It was at that exact moment that JB realized the error of his ways. He never watched me do laundry. He never helped me fold laundry. He cannot fold laundry. Then he asked "Will you fold my laundry sister?"; HC "No, you said you don't want me to fold your laundry so you do it yourself." JB looked at me and said "She said no". Straight to the point huh JB? haha Anyway, I told him "That is why it is important to not make an enemy with your sister. You never know when you will need her help." JB "What's an enemy?" I will save you the explanation since you know this answer. He then walked over to HC and said "HC, I'm sorry I told you not to help me. Will you forgive me? Will you help me now?" HC: "I'll think about it." JB: (with glee) "SHE SAYS SHE'LL THINK ABOUT IT!!! SHE REALLY WILL THINK ABOUT IT." HC thought it over and she decided to help JB. Here she is talking him through the process. What was absolutely hilarious about this was when JB (typical male) lost focus and began watching TV.. HC would whistle at him and say... "You're not watching bud. You've got to focus!" JB "OK. I will. I will focus"
JB finally earned the right to practice for himself (with close supervision of course).
Then with the thumbs talk complete - JB was free to try to fold his socks. I wish I recorded this - it was truly HILARIOUS!!!
The pile of laundry wasn't being folded too quickly and HC took a look at the remaining pile and felt a bit overwhelmed. After saying "I'm never going to finish this.". I offered to help and we knocked it out pretty fast! Truly an entertaining end to our Saturday!

Hopefully I'll have the chance to catch this on video next time.

Good Mommy Award? Almost.

Well, Saturday started off as a gloomy day in our part of the world. The clouds returned and the rain fell but not too much. Around noon the sun started peeking through the clouds and before I knew it - the blue sky was a never ending backdrop. The next thing I know I hear "Mommy, may we PLEASE go outside to play?" I debated whether to say yes or not.. the mud... the splatters of mud would be everywhere.
I gave in and thought I was bound to win the "good Mommy award" for the day. Then JB jumped in a mud puddle and knocked on the door. His pants were soaked but I was OK with that. Go play, were my instructions. He was determined to change clothes and return outside for more play. I was willing to have one dirty set of clothes each. I said no and encouraged him to play. After repeated knocks on the door and repeated opening of the door, I decided to try and make things fun. (I should have noticed the droopy tired eyes and brought JB in but... I wanted him to enjoy the mess of the mud since I was in the mood to let him.) JB is normally up for a muddy fun time but I think he was just tired. Anyway, I brought my camera outside and told him, "Let Mommy take a picture of you jumping in a mud puddle and making BIG splashes." He shouted "NO!" and began running and that's when it happened. He fell flat on his tummy in a pile of mud. So much for getting the award for good Mommy, I basically ran my son into the mud. ho hum... Here is my thrilled son after falling in the mud: (Is it cruel that I took this picture AND posted it?)
After a little while of playing around on her own, HC too was ready to come in. She was less tormented than her brother. You never know though! :) It all depends on the mood of the day. My HC managed to remain clean this time.

We've Come A Long Way

Last night a beautiful thing happened in my house. HC asked "Mommy, may I please read one of my Bob Books to Daddy?" Things sure have changed around here! :)

Yesterday morning she actually did the same to me - she asked if she could read to me. We've come a LONG way from my encouraging her that she was doing a great job to her wanting to read. I am so proud of this win and I had to share it! Three cheers for HC.. hip hip HOORAY!! hip hip HOORAY!! HIP HIP HOORAY!!!