December

Filling out Christmas Cards.

Wrapping presents.

December

Baking Christmas Cookies.

December

Putting up Christmas Decorations.

Baking bread

Above is a picture of my bread 'rising', yes I made home made bread. I mixed the ingredients, I kneaded it, with help from my little ones. It was a lot of work, but kinda fun, I really like trying new things.

My idea was to try and teach my kids thankfulness. I think I am the only one really thankful for store bought bread after this.


I learned a few things,

1) How thankful I am for store bought bread.
2) Homemade does taste much better.
3) It truly is a workout, great if you feel like punching someone.

My kids really enjoyed the kneading and punching part of baking bread.

Terrible Twos!!!

Why? I might ask myself, Karma my mother replies. I was cursed and oddly blessed the day she ranted, "One day you'll have a child just like you."

Now, I have an almost two year old. Her face is losing some of her baby-ness. She is talking more and more. Daily she is learning new things, exploring more, I see her personality changing and developing before my eyes.

When I find my newly wrapped presents, unwrapped...
I tell myself she is just curious.
When I find this the second time, I reassure myself, she doesn't remember Christmas and is learning.
The third time today, I calmly counted to ten.

When My darling angel covered her face and hair with face wash. I washed her up proud that she wanted to be like me.
When I had to unclog the toilet, she was no longer allowed in the bathroom.

When She came running to me saying "pee mama pee" I knew I had a genius. Until she turned around to lead me to her potty and I saw poop on her butt and found little droppings down the hall to her diaper.

I marveled at her mind when she carried a chair to the kitchen to reach the counter. As I turned to get my camera, I was stunned to turn back around, and see she was smashing my freshly baked cookies.

She signed she was all done with lunch, I knew I had raised her well, all her carrots were gone. Then I lifted her out of her seat and they fell out of her shirt.

When she says no I respond calmly. I know how to do this.
When she refused her nap, I held firm. Consistency, really does work.

When she was asleep, looking like an angel I thanked God for this precious gift. So peaceful and innocent.

When she awoke and hit her brother, threw her snack, declared me a "mean mama" I still know I can do this. All days will not be like this. She is learning.

But, oh how a bottle of wine sounds real good right about now.

Thanksgiving Break

Baking Cookies

Playing in the snow

Enjoying the fire

C.J.'s class Thanksgiving

C.J.'s class had a wonderful Thanksgiving feast. They performed two songs for the parents and then we all ate friendship stew together. The table were decorated with the childrens' artwork. Jasey and I went we had a wonderful time.

Tis the season...

I hear the parents talking about what they are buying, or how much they are spending. When did Christmas turn into a competition? Giving gifts isn't about who can buy the best one.

Giving your kids everything you never had, doesn't make you a better parent.

I feel disgusted at the shallowness suddenly surrounding me. The thanklessness, the attitudes, the greediness. I almost don't even want to do Christmas.

This is what I want my kids to LEARN:

1) No one owes you a gift, be thankful for everything.

2) Be thankful, because many kids don't get anything.

3) Be compassionate to the suffering of others and help out a person in need.

4) The best feeling is not receiving, but giving.

5) Life is more, than acquired objects.

6) Remember the true meaning of Christmas.

This is what I want my kids to REMEMBER:

1) Decorating the house as a family.

2) Watching Christmas shows together.

3) Baking cookies and listening to Christmas music.

4) Helping others.

5) Love, Family and Laughter.

6) Excitement of giving another person a gift.

We are doing so many things this year to enhance the Thanksgiving season, and I want to do the same for Christmas.

Mainly, I want to teach my children to love, Because love never fails.

Dr. Phil show

I just watched the Dr. Phil show about mommy confessions. I was in tears. The way this mom was choosing to discipline her 7 yr old son was appalling. Holding hot sauce in your mouth, forced to take freezing cold showers, jumping jacks, wall sits. This is too much. I do understand that she was frustrated. It is hard when you feel like you are trying everything and your child just won't listen.

I have a "strong-willed" child. He pushes my buttons, he's not fazed by most discipline. Its hard not to feel like a failure when your trying and trying and nothing is working. First you need to realize not all children are the same, what worked for one may not work for the other. Second, it is so important to keep your cool. Thirdly, parents should educate themselves on child development so you are sure your expectations are realistic. Fourth, never hurt a child!!!!!! Fifth, after the time out or scolding there needs to be a come together time to cuddle and hug. To tell your child that you love them so much and are trying very hard to teach them what is right and wrong.

The biggest thing that helped me was someone pointing out that my son has FREE WILL, sometimes he just chooses to make bad choices, through no fault of my own. I try very very hard to not think of things as failures but as temporary set backs. I could never imagine hurting my child I feel horrible for just raising my voice. There are things we do to curb problems in our house.

1) Eliminate caffeine.
2) Make sure they are getting enough PROPER rest.
3) Make enough time for physical activities.
4) I recognize certain times are very trying for kids, so I try to plan things around them.
5) We talk about what is expected and lay down rules, before they are expected to follow them.
6) We have sticker charts to reward good behavior.
7) We let the kids have choices in there behavior, while firming stating the consequence. "If you are going to choose to hit, you won't be allowed to play with us."
8) We recognize desired behavior. "I like it when you share, it makes me want to play with you again."

I wish I could say I was a perfect parent, but I'm not. Every day I just wake up and try my best.

Most importantly, if you ever feel like your loosing your cool, ask for help. Call a friend to come over or drop your kids off with some one. Or just stop everything and sit on the floor, pull them into your lap and just rock and hug. Nothing is so important then your children being safe.

November

This year we have chosen to do some activities at home to enhance the Thanksgiving season. When I think of Thanksgiving I want my kids to know about the 1st Thanksgiving, Why the Pilgrims came to America, To know about the Indians, To learn to be thankful etc...

I found some awesome pilgrim, Indian and a ship printables online. I wrote a short sentence on the bottom of each picture and had the kids color them. When they were done we read the pages as if they were a book. We went over three main learning points; 1) The pilgrims came to America from Europe on a ship, 2) They came for Freedom including religious freedom and 3) The Indians, who already lived here, helped the pilgrims find food.


Another day, we read scripture about giving thanks. I wrote them on paper and the kids colored them while I read the versus and then we drew pictures of what we are thankful for. We chose Psalm 105:1 and Psalm 106:1.




We have also chosen to teach our children about cheerful giving. We let them help us pick out healthy food for a food drive at C.J.'s school. We talked about things we might need someone to give us if WE didn't have any money. It was a new concept to C.J. that there are people in this world that don't have enough, or children that don't have parents. Jasey I'm not sure got it, but hopefully next year she will understand more. I want my children to grow into adults who are able to show compassion, empathy and giving.