Wow, we've been a busy little family the past few days! This afternoon we headed to Neosho with several families from our church for an afternoon of sledding. The lake is frozen over and the snowmobile races were last week, so everything was set for some fun. We didn't have sleds, but there were plenty to share. The boys have never been sledding and had a grand time. Matthew went on his own right away but Ben needed Daddy's help once or twice before he flew solo. They went down in pairs and trios more times than I could count. There were also sled rides behind an ATV out on the lake itself and the boys took a turn or two with that.
I let Anna sleep for a bit in the car before getting her out to join the fun. She and Daddy went down the hill four or five times and he also pulled her around on the sled. It took her a few minutes to wake up, but she loved it once she did. We also sent her down a small hill on her own. She had a great time watching all of the big kids as well.
Afterwards we went back to the hosts' home and had a hot dog supper. The boys behaved pretty well and even Anna ate at the kids' table. I think this was our first gathering where we didn't have to sit with a child! Wow....adult conversation!
The boys are already talking about their next sledding adventure. They had a blast and they behaved well, so I think we'll take them again.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Finally, Our Field Trip
Back in November and December, we read through Dinosaurs by Design for science. (I highly recommend the book if you've never read it! Good for adults and children) I had promised the boys that we would go see some dinosaur skeletons at the Milwaukee Public Museum but Rob started working 40 hour weeks and we weren't able to schedule it in. A good problem to be sure, but the boys have had a long wait. This past week, the C.S. closed down for two days to let orders build up again and since we're all finally healthy, we decided to take off for the museum yesterday.
Being the compulsive planner that I am, I had all of my directions written down, coupons for lunch, and the plans in motion. We took off at 8am so we could get there right as the museum opened. Since it was a Friday, I knew there would be loads of school groups so I was hoping we would be able to see the main exhibits we wanted before the big groups went through. We arrived just after nine and parked in the garage right next to the museum. Rob and I decided to rent a stroller for Anna and it's a good thing. We opted for a double stroller so Ben could sit down if he needed to, which he did often. Our children's museum membership got us in for free.
Before we hit the exhibits, we saw the woolly mammoth skeleton at the entrance. The boys were amazed by the size. My main goal for them was to see how huge dinosaurs really were. The boys and I headed up the stairs while Rob and Anna took the elevator and we ran into a small dinosaur skeleton then the skeleton of a whale. We had our family picture taken in front of a green screen and later the photographers put us "in front of" several exhibits. That was pretty neat and I wish I could scan them in, but our scanner is not working right now. So, just picture our family in horror while "watching" a t-rex eat his lunch!
The first place we hit was the Third Planet exhibit. We saw the skeleton of a torosaurus (very cool and big) then viewed geodes and all kinds of fossils, but the entire time, we kept hearing stomping and roaring in the background. The farther into the exhibit we went, the louder it became, and the more distracted the boys were. Finally I said, "Let's just go find that t-rex!" We went past the stegosaurus and other fossils until we entered a room with a life-size t-rex "eating" a triceratops with four or five small scavenger dinosaurs waiting in the wings. There was lightening and lots of sound effects and it all scared the boys to pieces! Anna just pointed at the t-rex and said, "Big doggie!" They wouldn't go anywhere near the barrier and clung to the sides of the room. If that thing had moved, they both would have bolted from the room! We continued past it and ended up in an exhibit of rainforest animals. Anna loved the insects and butterflies. After that, the boys had to go get a second look at the t-rex and weren't quite so intimidated on the second go.
We also walked through Milwaukee in 1893, which was neat. I pointed out things the boys would be interested in, like a candy shop and a toy store and they found a few neat things of their own. They had an actual candy shop in the back and we bought them each a little stick of candy. Then we toured the butterfly garden. Rob and Matthew tried getting butterflies to land on them, but I guess they weren't sweet enough. Anna just loved that exhibit. I showed her where the butterflies ate and later she told me they were eating mac 'n cheese, grilled cheese, fries, eggs, and ham. She stopped to look at the butterflies and was just enamoured with the whole place. Ben didn't like it as much, so he and I ended up leaving early. He did like the insects alive exhibit, complete with tarantula and hissing cockroaches. I'm just glad those things were behind glass!
It was getting pretty close to lunch, but we headed up to the second floor to see if we could see any part of the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit. Nope. Rob and I want to go back on a date and view it by ourselves, especially since it costs extra. We hit the third floor and saw the mummy (Matthew loved it!) and then headed back downstairs to return our stroller and go to lunch. We ran into some friends as we were leaving and it was fun to chat for a bit. Oh, the boys also got a little souvenior of a dino in a bouncy ball with their Valentine's money.
We took off for Steak n' Shake (one of only two in the whole state) and had a good time there. I had some coupons I'd saved so it was a good and cheap meal :) We let the boys order milkshakes b/c we had a buy one get one coupon, but our intent was to share it with them. During the course of the meal, they finished 3/4 of it! They did finish their lunches as well and amazingly, didn't have tummy aches.
We all came home tired, but very happy. Pictures are up on Facebook :)
Being the compulsive planner that I am, I had all of my directions written down, coupons for lunch, and the plans in motion. We took off at 8am so we could get there right as the museum opened. Since it was a Friday, I knew there would be loads of school groups so I was hoping we would be able to see the main exhibits we wanted before the big groups went through. We arrived just after nine and parked in the garage right next to the museum. Rob and I decided to rent a stroller for Anna and it's a good thing. We opted for a double stroller so Ben could sit down if he needed to, which he did often. Our children's museum membership got us in for free.
Before we hit the exhibits, we saw the woolly mammoth skeleton at the entrance. The boys were amazed by the size. My main goal for them was to see how huge dinosaurs really were. The boys and I headed up the stairs while Rob and Anna took the elevator and we ran into a small dinosaur skeleton then the skeleton of a whale. We had our family picture taken in front of a green screen and later the photographers put us "in front of" several exhibits. That was pretty neat and I wish I could scan them in, but our scanner is not working right now. So, just picture our family in horror while "watching" a t-rex eat his lunch!
The first place we hit was the Third Planet exhibit. We saw the skeleton of a torosaurus (very cool and big) then viewed geodes and all kinds of fossils, but the entire time, we kept hearing stomping and roaring in the background. The farther into the exhibit we went, the louder it became, and the more distracted the boys were. Finally I said, "Let's just go find that t-rex!" We went past the stegosaurus and other fossils until we entered a room with a life-size t-rex "eating" a triceratops with four or five small scavenger dinosaurs waiting in the wings. There was lightening and lots of sound effects and it all scared the boys to pieces! Anna just pointed at the t-rex and said, "Big doggie!" They wouldn't go anywhere near the barrier and clung to the sides of the room. If that thing had moved, they both would have bolted from the room! We continued past it and ended up in an exhibit of rainforest animals. Anna loved the insects and butterflies. After that, the boys had to go get a second look at the t-rex and weren't quite so intimidated on the second go.
We also walked through Milwaukee in 1893, which was neat. I pointed out things the boys would be interested in, like a candy shop and a toy store and they found a few neat things of their own. They had an actual candy shop in the back and we bought them each a little stick of candy. Then we toured the butterfly garden. Rob and Matthew tried getting butterflies to land on them, but I guess they weren't sweet enough. Anna just loved that exhibit. I showed her where the butterflies ate and later she told me they were eating mac 'n cheese, grilled cheese, fries, eggs, and ham. She stopped to look at the butterflies and was just enamoured with the whole place. Ben didn't like it as much, so he and I ended up leaving early. He did like the insects alive exhibit, complete with tarantula and hissing cockroaches. I'm just glad those things were behind glass!
It was getting pretty close to lunch, but we headed up to the second floor to see if we could see any part of the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit. Nope. Rob and I want to go back on a date and view it by ourselves, especially since it costs extra. We hit the third floor and saw the mummy (Matthew loved it!) and then headed back downstairs to return our stroller and go to lunch. We ran into some friends as we were leaving and it was fun to chat for a bit. Oh, the boys also got a little souvenior of a dino in a bouncy ball with their Valentine's money.
We took off for Steak n' Shake (one of only two in the whole state) and had a good time there. I had some coupons I'd saved so it was a good and cheap meal :) We let the boys order milkshakes b/c we had a buy one get one coupon, but our intent was to share it with them. During the course of the meal, they finished 3/4 of it! They did finish their lunches as well and amazingly, didn't have tummy aches.
We all came home tired, but very happy. Pictures are up on Facebook :)
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Stop Growing Up!
Seriously. Why do the children insist on getting bigger?? I'm sure there are many wonderful benefits to have school-age children, but I really enjoy the toddler/preschool years. Especially since I'm getting the hang of it...just in time to start running out of toddlers and preschoolers!! I'll just have to treasure the next few years before I run out of little ones :)
To reinforce my woes, here are the "growing up" moments the children have had recently. We took a trip to the library today and I told Matthew to go pick out some easy readers. He usually gets a pile of them to read each week. He looked at that section, then turned and headed to the back of the children's room where all of the series books are kept and said, "I want to read some chapter books, Mom." I walked over to help him select some and that's when he informed me that easy readers are too easy! Wow! He's currently reading the first book in a series about pirate camp. And since I know he reads quality stuff in school (and enjoys it) I'm not too worried about him picking up "fluff" literature.
Ben is having his fourth birthday in two weeks and I got a little teary-eyed thinking about it. He'll be officially out of the nursery (3's are only in the nursery on Sunday mornings anyway). With Matthew I couldn't wait to move him to the 4's class but Ben seems littler than Matthew at this age. We have the invites out already for a Curious George party and he has invited five of his little friends to come. (I also hope I'm awake for the party b/c I'm going to see a former student of mine perform in the Broadway tour of Hairspray the night before.) I'm excited about having a party for six little boys (seven if you count Matthew).
Anna had a little grown-up moment herself today. She and I went to JoAnn fabrics to use my 50% off coupon on a tray for my stamp stuff and I decided to let her walk. She was such a good girl and held my hand the entire time. She only disobeyed one time but obeyed right away when I called her on it. She's learning to obey right away much quicker than the boys did. Could be a girl thing, or it could be that I'm finally getting the hang of it!
Hopefully, we'll all be going to the Milwaukee Public Museum tomorrow as Rob has the day off. He and I have both had a quick little instestinal bug that I'm over and he's almost over. As long as no children get it, we'll be off to see the dinosaurs!!
To reinforce my woes, here are the "growing up" moments the children have had recently. We took a trip to the library today and I told Matthew to go pick out some easy readers. He usually gets a pile of them to read each week. He looked at that section, then turned and headed to the back of the children's room where all of the series books are kept and said, "I want to read some chapter books, Mom." I walked over to help him select some and that's when he informed me that easy readers are too easy! Wow! He's currently reading the first book in a series about pirate camp. And since I know he reads quality stuff in school (and enjoys it) I'm not too worried about him picking up "fluff" literature.
Ben is having his fourth birthday in two weeks and I got a little teary-eyed thinking about it. He'll be officially out of the nursery (3's are only in the nursery on Sunday mornings anyway). With Matthew I couldn't wait to move him to the 4's class but Ben seems littler than Matthew at this age. We have the invites out already for a Curious George party and he has invited five of his little friends to come. (I also hope I'm awake for the party b/c I'm going to see a former student of mine perform in the Broadway tour of Hairspray the night before.) I'm excited about having a party for six little boys (seven if you count Matthew).
Anna had a little grown-up moment herself today. She and I went to JoAnn fabrics to use my 50% off coupon on a tray for my stamp stuff and I decided to let her walk. She was such a good girl and held my hand the entire time. She only disobeyed one time but obeyed right away when I called her on it. She's learning to obey right away much quicker than the boys did. Could be a girl thing, or it could be that I'm finally getting the hang of it!
Hopefully, we'll all be going to the Milwaukee Public Museum tomorrow as Rob has the day off. He and I have both had a quick little instestinal bug that I'm over and he's almost over. As long as no children get it, we'll be off to see the dinosaurs!!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
My Funny Little People
I was reflecting on my little ones this morning and how silly they all are and I thought I'd share a bit of their funniness with all of you :)
Just a few hours ago at lunch, Matthew was telling me about his 59 children. He said that one of them died because they couldn't make it to the hospital in time. They drove for thirty days before they found one. I asked him where he was driving from and he said, "All the way from Minnesota!" And then he also said that he broke his memory bone awhile ago and that's why he forgets things.
Anna is just a crazy little toddler. She has so much fun running around in circles and singing to herself. She'll chatter away while she's playing, stop and laugh at some joke she's told, then go back to playing. Yesterday she found my Wakko doll from the Animaniacs and he's been her new best friend. Usually she drags a baby doll around the house with her and feeds them sausage and mac 'n cheese for lunch. And for such a verbal little girl, she still can't ask "up" when she wants to be carried. She stands there and says, "uh-uh-uh" with her arms out.
Ben's not as outright silly as his siblings (the Fulkerson insanity gene did not get passed on to him) but he is a funny little guy all the same. He's not the least bit afraid of insects and has been known to pick the wings off ladybugs. He tries hard to do everything on his own and that's probably part of the humor for me. He's still my little cuddly guy and carries around a blankie periodically. I told him he'd have to give it up when he turned four (in three weeks, yikes!) but he refuses :) Even if he isn't as silly as his sibs, he always knows when I'm teasing.
Oh, their just funny little people that keep me laughing through my day!
Just a few hours ago at lunch, Matthew was telling me about his 59 children. He said that one of them died because they couldn't make it to the hospital in time. They drove for thirty days before they found one. I asked him where he was driving from and he said, "All the way from Minnesota!" And then he also said that he broke his memory bone awhile ago and that's why he forgets things.
Anna is just a crazy little toddler. She has so much fun running around in circles and singing to herself. She'll chatter away while she's playing, stop and laugh at some joke she's told, then go back to playing. Yesterday she found my Wakko doll from the Animaniacs and he's been her new best friend. Usually she drags a baby doll around the house with her and feeds them sausage and mac 'n cheese for lunch. And for such a verbal little girl, she still can't ask "up" when she wants to be carried. She stands there and says, "uh-uh-uh" with her arms out.
Ben's not as outright silly as his siblings (the Fulkerson insanity gene did not get passed on to him) but he is a funny little guy all the same. He's not the least bit afraid of insects and has been known to pick the wings off ladybugs. He tries hard to do everything on his own and that's probably part of the humor for me. He's still my little cuddly guy and carries around a blankie periodically. I told him he'd have to give it up when he turned four (in three weeks, yikes!) but he refuses :) Even if he isn't as silly as his sibs, he always knows when I'm teasing.
Oh, their just funny little people that keep me laughing through my day!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Our Sick Day
Yesterday we had ourselves a Litwiller family sick day. Rob and I came down with this head cold thing in the middle of last week and were both feeling pretty terrible on Saturday. I did some e-mailing and one of the other nursery committee members told us she would take care of our responsibilities and we were to stay home. After waking up feeling pretty miserable on Sunday, we took her advice.
Ben was the only one not exhibiting any symptoms of the cold, so it was a pretty wise move. Matthew and Anna still have the cough (although they had no coughing fits last night!) and Rob and I were crummy. So, we did what we always do when we're both sick--we tag-team parented. Rob made our usual omelette breakfast and I did the toast. After eating, Rob worked on a ham for lunch and I threw together a little Sunday school lesson for the kids. Then we rested. Then I taught Sunday school and did a simple little craft with the children. Rob put in a Veggie Tale afterward and we rested. (Catching the theme?)
Usually when we're both sick, one of us ends up grabbing some fast food. Thankfully, we had a simple but yummy dinner already planned. Rob cooked a ham, I reheated a potato casserole I had made the night before and threw some steamable veggies in the microwave. Viola! Sunday dinner in a snap! After eating, we had a family rest time and the boys watched a movie while Rob napped on the couch and the girls napped upstairs. After rest time, Rob did run out to grab some frozen pizzas for supper (which I abhor b/c there are so many nasty things in frozen pizza) and I rested from my nap. Yes, I did rest from the nap b/c I woke up feeling worse!
We had a leisurely evening of watching Veggie Tales and playing with Daddy while Mommy read a book on the couch. It was a good day together and probably one of the easiest ones I've ever had while both of us were sick. Praise the Lord we made it through and that we're feeling a little better today. We're supposed to get a good snow storm tonight and tomorrow so we still won't be going anywhere for awhile (except for Rob to work) so we have a little more time to recoop. :)
Ben was the only one not exhibiting any symptoms of the cold, so it was a pretty wise move. Matthew and Anna still have the cough (although they had no coughing fits last night!) and Rob and I were crummy. So, we did what we always do when we're both sick--we tag-team parented. Rob made our usual omelette breakfast and I did the toast. After eating, Rob worked on a ham for lunch and I threw together a little Sunday school lesson for the kids. Then we rested. Then I taught Sunday school and did a simple little craft with the children. Rob put in a Veggie Tale afterward and we rested. (Catching the theme?)
Usually when we're both sick, one of us ends up grabbing some fast food. Thankfully, we had a simple but yummy dinner already planned. Rob cooked a ham, I reheated a potato casserole I had made the night before and threw some steamable veggies in the microwave. Viola! Sunday dinner in a snap! After eating, we had a family rest time and the boys watched a movie while Rob napped on the couch and the girls napped upstairs. After rest time, Rob did run out to grab some frozen pizzas for supper (which I abhor b/c there are so many nasty things in frozen pizza) and I rested from my nap. Yes, I did rest from the nap b/c I woke up feeling worse!
We had a leisurely evening of watching Veggie Tales and playing with Daddy while Mommy read a book on the couch. It was a good day together and probably one of the easiest ones I've ever had while both of us were sick. Praise the Lord we made it through and that we're feeling a little better today. We're supposed to get a good snow storm tonight and tomorrow so we still won't be going anywhere for awhile (except for Rob to work) so we have a little more time to recoop. :)
Friday, February 5, 2010
School Update
I've been meaning to update what we've been doing in school for quite some time, but life keeps getting in the way :) I have succumbed (sp?) to this head cold going around the house and, of course, I got an allergy attack on top of that. I'd just like to know why the east coast gets all the snow and we get a dirty air mass hanging over us??? I'll trade!!!
Anyway, we've really been enjoying Core K. Matthew loves the Mother Goose book and other poem book we read each day. He loves how silly the original Mother Goose poems are and sometimes we launch ourselves into a small history lesson because of them. We're doing an overview of world history this year and I will admit that it's hard to restrain myself at times. History is one of my passions (having taught it for nine years) and I'm able to add little extras into each lesson. He's fascinated with what happened "back then" so I may have my little history buff. We also work our way through a book and so far we have reread the first Boxcar Children story (we read it about a year ago) and are almost done with The Apple and the Arrow, a story about William Tell. Matthew LOVES this story and begs me to read more each day. I have to admit I'm enjoying it as well! He's always more interested in our readings when they are based on a true event (or legend, in this case.) Again, my little history buff!!
The one thing he hates is handwriting, although he's doing well with it. I don't use a program with him and have had him printing from my sample writing. When he tries and concentrates, he writes well. He just doesn't like doing it and I think it's just a "guy" thing for him. I let him take his spelling tests orally unless he really messes up, then he has to write. It's great motivation for him to get the words right the first time!
Another part of his language arts is reading. For the first 18 weeks, he is supposed to read The Beginner's Bible and then there are questions to answer each day on the reading. As soon as that book came out of the box, he snatched it up and it's been his constant companion! He's read it through twice already and is working on a third round. He likes to read it before bedtime b/c he says that it keeps him from having nightmares. I don't make him reread it during "school time" unless he can't answer the questions. So far, we've only had two re-reads.
We also have a map that we use for several subjects to find places we're studying or reading about. Both boys are fascinated with the map. I marked where we live so that can get an idea of where everything is in conjunction to us.
Now for Ben. I was allowing him to join Matthew at his leisure, but he seemed to lose interest in school time completely. I didn't really care since he's only three and let him join more to humor him than anything. However, he started becoming very disruptive once Matthew got his new school material. That got me to thinking and I realized he was just jealous. So I decided to pull out the Early Education book I used for Matthew last year in preschool and we've been working through it. We read some library books, a Christian Mother Goose book (gotta be like Matthew), and we ordered him the Get Ready for the Code books for some simple phonics lessons. We do a page each day. We are also working through the Brain Quest cards for 3's. He's whizzing through them and will be ready for the 4's in no time.
Rob decided that he wanted to teach science, so he ordered the Science K material from Sonlight. They just started this week and are having fun learning with Daddy.
My mornings became a little more full doing two separate school times, but it's not a big deal. I'd rather teach than do housework any day :) Ben's only takes 15 mintues and Matthew an hour, so it doesn't eat up that much time.
And I do spend some special time with Anna each morning. Sometimes we play, sometimes we sing, but we always end up reading a pile of her favorite books. Right now a potty book is one of them, but it hasn't inspired her much yet. She is a funny little thing and strings together new sentences all the time. Today the boys were trying to put a hat on her head and she said, "I said no hat!" When they laughed at her, she replied, "I'm a funny baby!" Rob often does a word count on her sentences and I think the highest complete one is ten words long. She's also as girly as the day is long and is enjoying girl things. It's fun to have a little friend when I get ready in the morning and do more girl things with her. I love my boys, but a girl is loads of fun!
As for Rob and I, we're almost finished with the parenting class we started in September. We have enjoyed it for the most part and have learned a few things that we're implementing with the boys especially. I do recommend Growing Kids God's Way, even if you may not agree with all of it. It's a bit technical at times and seems long, but the results that they have seen over the past twenty or so years of the program can't be denied. No program is perfect, but I think this one may help change our family. One simple thing they taught is that if your child is getting out of control, have them sit down and fold their hands. It really does work! Matthew gets crazy sometimes and all I have to do is tell him to sit, fold his hands, and gain control of himself. Works like a charm! The other thing we have them do is say, "Yes, Mommy" or "Yes, Daddy" after an instruction or reprimand has been given. Just by agreeing with us, their behavior changes. Ben is rather stubborn about this instruction b/c he knows once he agrees to whatever it is we said, he's "stuck." But he does it, and it works.
Wow. Long post. Hope you didn't fall asleep :)
Anyway, we've really been enjoying Core K. Matthew loves the Mother Goose book and other poem book we read each day. He loves how silly the original Mother Goose poems are and sometimes we launch ourselves into a small history lesson because of them. We're doing an overview of world history this year and I will admit that it's hard to restrain myself at times. History is one of my passions (having taught it for nine years) and I'm able to add little extras into each lesson. He's fascinated with what happened "back then" so I may have my little history buff. We also work our way through a book and so far we have reread the first Boxcar Children story (we read it about a year ago) and are almost done with The Apple and the Arrow, a story about William Tell. Matthew LOVES this story and begs me to read more each day. I have to admit I'm enjoying it as well! He's always more interested in our readings when they are based on a true event (or legend, in this case.) Again, my little history buff!!
The one thing he hates is handwriting, although he's doing well with it. I don't use a program with him and have had him printing from my sample writing. When he tries and concentrates, he writes well. He just doesn't like doing it and I think it's just a "guy" thing for him. I let him take his spelling tests orally unless he really messes up, then he has to write. It's great motivation for him to get the words right the first time!
Another part of his language arts is reading. For the first 18 weeks, he is supposed to read The Beginner's Bible and then there are questions to answer each day on the reading. As soon as that book came out of the box, he snatched it up and it's been his constant companion! He's read it through twice already and is working on a third round. He likes to read it before bedtime b/c he says that it keeps him from having nightmares. I don't make him reread it during "school time" unless he can't answer the questions. So far, we've only had two re-reads.
We also have a map that we use for several subjects to find places we're studying or reading about. Both boys are fascinated with the map. I marked where we live so that can get an idea of where everything is in conjunction to us.
Now for Ben. I was allowing him to join Matthew at his leisure, but he seemed to lose interest in school time completely. I didn't really care since he's only three and let him join more to humor him than anything. However, he started becoming very disruptive once Matthew got his new school material. That got me to thinking and I realized he was just jealous. So I decided to pull out the Early Education book I used for Matthew last year in preschool and we've been working through it. We read some library books, a Christian Mother Goose book (gotta be like Matthew), and we ordered him the Get Ready for the Code books for some simple phonics lessons. We do a page each day. We are also working through the Brain Quest cards for 3's. He's whizzing through them and will be ready for the 4's in no time.
Rob decided that he wanted to teach science, so he ordered the Science K material from Sonlight. They just started this week and are having fun learning with Daddy.
My mornings became a little more full doing two separate school times, but it's not a big deal. I'd rather teach than do housework any day :) Ben's only takes 15 mintues and Matthew an hour, so it doesn't eat up that much time.
And I do spend some special time with Anna each morning. Sometimes we play, sometimes we sing, but we always end up reading a pile of her favorite books. Right now a potty book is one of them, but it hasn't inspired her much yet. She is a funny little thing and strings together new sentences all the time. Today the boys were trying to put a hat on her head and she said, "I said no hat!" When they laughed at her, she replied, "I'm a funny baby!" Rob often does a word count on her sentences and I think the highest complete one is ten words long. She's also as girly as the day is long and is enjoying girl things. It's fun to have a little friend when I get ready in the morning and do more girl things with her. I love my boys, but a girl is loads of fun!
As for Rob and I, we're almost finished with the parenting class we started in September. We have enjoyed it for the most part and have learned a few things that we're implementing with the boys especially. I do recommend Growing Kids God's Way, even if you may not agree with all of it. It's a bit technical at times and seems long, but the results that they have seen over the past twenty or so years of the program can't be denied. No program is perfect, but I think this one may help change our family. One simple thing they taught is that if your child is getting out of control, have them sit down and fold their hands. It really does work! Matthew gets crazy sometimes and all I have to do is tell him to sit, fold his hands, and gain control of himself. Works like a charm! The other thing we have them do is say, "Yes, Mommy" or "Yes, Daddy" after an instruction or reprimand has been given. Just by agreeing with us, their behavior changes. Ben is rather stubborn about this instruction b/c he knows once he agrees to whatever it is we said, he's "stuck." But he does it, and it works.
Wow. Long post. Hope you didn't fall asleep :)
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Changing a Diaper, Dad's Way
So Rob changed Anna's diaper today. Apparently, there was a problem that only duct tape could solve.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Health Update
Rob took Ben to see Chip, the NP today, and Ben has another ear infection in the same ear. I think we're just going to keep the kids as isolated as possible this week and hope that they are better by Sunday. I did find a Moon Sand kit at ShopKo, $30 marked down to $7.50, and that kept the boys occupied this afternoon. I think we'll be playing lots of games and doing all kinds of crafts to keep the kids occupied while they are quaranteened. I don't want to make anyone else sick, and I don't want them catching anything else in their weakened immune state.
I did finally make it to my dental cleaning today. I had to cancel last week b/c I felt icky. I have one more tooth to be pulled and some cavities to take care of before I am done. Woo-hoo.
I did finally make it to my dental cleaning today. I had to cancel last week b/c I felt icky. I have one more tooth to be pulled and some cavities to take care of before I am done. Woo-hoo.
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