Do You Need Holiday Cards?

This week I have branched out and made some new blogging friends.  One of the new blogs I follow is Nest Builder.  Julie wrote about a special that Shutterfly is running (Click here).

Right now Shutterfly is offering 50 FREE Holiday cards to bloggers when they write about Shutterfly and link up with them!  I already have my cards ordered and waiting to be addressed but I thought some of you might be able to take advantage of this offer.

2010 Favorite Things Party

As all of you know, I LOVE the blog, Clover Lane.  Sarah is such an inspiration and a Super Mom that when she says to look at something, I look.  She linked up to a blog party called 2010 Favorite Things Party 

and I thought it would be fun to participate, too.  After looking on the site, there are SO MANY really cool blogs out there!!

So, let's get on with it.

Of course, I love my babies but I took these pics because I love my sleeping babies, which this little "Bob Bob" fan woke up after taking this picture.

I love this coffee mug that I got while visiting Seattle in 2003.  It really is the perfect cup for coffee.  My whole hand will fit into that handle and the rim of the glass is thick so I don't feel like I could bite through it.  I have looked for another mug like this one but can't find it.  I'm sad because it is starting to crack.  I may have to talk Scott into a trip to Seattle soon.  Hmmmm.



In a total surprise anniversary gift, Scott got me an iPad.  I could not believe it!  I love how lightweight it is, how I can download books, magazine, games, check Facebook and e-mail.  It is truly amazing!  My laptop is old and has gotten to the point where I have to remain plugged up or else it will die.  This little gem allows me to walk all over the house and still be connected.  Love it! (Disregard all of the little fingerprints all on it)

I found this picture a few months ago at Big Lots of all places.  It was only $15 and I love it.  I love all of the colors and it is what I wish my house would be designed around.  Know a good designer?



I love these shirts and this is what I sleep in each night.  I started wearing them when I was pregnant with Gracie.  I was having a hot flash and just grabbed one out of Scott's drawer.  Cottony, comfortable and not restricting.  After that, I just stole them all.  Most of them have huge stains down the front where my baby belly from Gracie and Caleb was sticking out.



I love my fireplace.  A fire can make everything seem cozy.  I do not like winter at all but a fire makes it more tolerable.  Whether a quiet night by myself drinking a glass of Pinot Grigio or laying in front of it on a Sunday afternoon snoozing to football, a house with a fireplace is a must from now on.



I love this comb.  I've had it for years . . . is that gross?  Anyway, I can't find another like it and I freak out whenever it is lost for a day or two.  It is a teasing comb so there are several little teeth sticking up.  No matter what hairstyle I currently sport, this comb makes it easy to style.  Disregard the errant hairs.

I love these dresses.  They are hanging in what is now Caleb's room but eventually I will get to displaying them in Gracie's.  The long one on the left is Gracie's baptism gown.  Her aunt, Scott's sister, made it out of his mom's wedding dress.  It is such a treasure and I hope my grandchildren get baptized in it, as well.  The green dress is her first Easter dress.  The pink shirt is her 1st birthday shirt.  That little, tiny, sweet, pink, frilly dress is what she wore the day she came home from the hospital.  It swallowed her.

I hope you have enjoyed this little look into the things I love.  I'd love to see what you love, too!



It Has to Last Longer than 10 Minutes

Yesterday I had that dreaded doctor's appointment that all women cringe over.  Yep, the "female" doctor.

Apparently, it has been a year since my last appointment.  I didn't find this out until I was at the Costco pharmacy picking up my b.c. prescription that I had called in that morning.  When I got to the front of the line, the lady kindly informed me that my prescription was out and that they had been trying to fax my doctor all day for an ok to fill it for this one month but they hadn't received a response yet.

"What does that mean?"  I asked.

"It means we can't give you your prescription," the lady said back to me.

Now, at this exact moment, Caleb decided to start screaming, Kanin and Gracie were fighting.  Caleb was trying to pull the contact solution in the floor and Scott had his head in his hands.

I whirled my head back around to her and she must have seen my eyes turn red.

"Do you see that?  Does it look like I need another kid right now?  This is not headache medicine it is birth control!!!!"

"Let me see what I can do . . ."

So back to my doctor appointment yesterday . . .

After doing the necessary things that the doctor needs to do "down there", we started talking about if I was done or not.  I told him that I thought I was done but that every once in a while I get a little baby fever.  It usually only lasts for about 10 minutes or until there is a big fight or I hear kids screaming and then I'm over it.

"It has to last longer than 10 minutes," he told me. 

Then he told me this story:

"My wife has been getting ready to have everyone over for Thanksgiving.  We have this piano that is really big and really heavy.  The piano has been in this room and she hates it there.  She has been on me to move it but I can't move it by myself.  So, I decided to hire a few guys to come over and move it.  They had to kind of tip it on its side and shuffle it down the hall.  Then, once there, they had to re-tune it and make sure that it sounded good.  The next day my wife kept staring at it and walking back and forth by it.  Finally, she told me that she didn't like it there and wanted to move it back.  'This isn't something that you can just take back,' I told her.  'It took a lot of time, money and planning to get it in this spot and it is staying there!'

Well, of course I'm looking at him wondering why I care about this until he said, "A pregnancy isn't something you can take back in 10 minutes.  Make sure the wanting one lasts longer than 10 minutes before you decide to do it."

Pretty good advice, huh?  Of course, I do have those moments when I miss holding an infant and carrying them around in the sling but they've only lasted for about 10 minutes.  Guess I'll start worrying when they last 11 minutes.

I've Turned Into "That Parent" or Have I?

For those of you who know me, or have read my blog at all, know that I admit to being an overprotective almost obsessive parent.  My children are my most precious gems and I don't apologize for knowing where they are, what they are doing, who they are with, how they are being treated, how they are treating others, etc. etc. etc.

This year has been very trying for me.  See here or here or here or here.  Get the picture?  Well, it is no secret that I am not fond of Kanin's school.  I didn't really have a problem with it last year but this year we are just not seeing eye-to-eye.  There are several things wrong with it starting with the day that I walked up to school to pick him up and they couldn't find him.  That's right, you read that right.  They couldn't find him!!  After that day, I have no confidence in that school AT ALL.

I never wanted to be "that parent" but that is exactly what I have turned into.  It seems that if anything is going to go wrong it is going to go wrong with me or him or us.  Today was the latest episode . . .

Kanin missed his school picture taking day back in September while we were at Disney World.  No big deal, I thought, he'll just take it on Picture Re-Take Day, which was today.  I sent a note to school with him on Monday, along with snacks for his birthday, asking for information on Picture Re-Takes.  I didn't get a response but didn't think anything of it since the billboard outside read that it would be today 11/17.  Kanin missed school yesterday but went today.  I actually remembered it was Re-Take Day so I dressed him up and sent him on his way.  I told him that he was supposed to take his picture today.

So, this afternoon when I went to pick him up the first thing out of his mouth was "I didn't take my picture". 

"What?"

"I told the teacher but she said that I didn't need to take a picture."

Ok, take a deep breath.

I get home and look in his Communications Folder and sure enough the note that I wrote him is still in there, along with a smiley face on his calendar in that same folder, so she did see the note.

I call the school and the response was the following:  (I am not exaggerating)

Me:  Hi, this is April Westerhold.  I am calling about picture re-takes today.

Secretary:  Ok

Me:  Well, my son was supposed to have his picture taken today and he didn't.

Secretary:  Well, picture re-takes are only for those students who either were not here on the first day or their parents didn't like the picture.

Me Thinking:  No Sh**

Me Saying:  Yes, I know that.  My son wasn't here for the original date. 

Secretary:  Oh

Me:  Didn't you have a list or something of all of the kids who were absent on that original date?  If so, my son's name should have been on there.

Secretary:  Well, a list of students was sent out to the teachers and they decided on whether or not to send the kids to picture re-takes. 

Me Thinking:  I hope you meant they were in charge of sending them down and not they decided on whether or not to send them.

Me Saying:  So, are you telling me that my son will not have a 1st grade picture and will not be in the yearbook.

Secretary:  Well, you can always contact the studio and drive him out to take a picture there or they do other schools around here.  You could find out where they are going to be and then take him to that school to get the picture done.  It still probably won't be in the yearbook, though.

Me:  So, you do realize that if I take him to another school that I will have to pull him out of school to do that.

Secretary:  Oh.  Can I get your name?

Me Thinking:  This principal is going to say, "Oh, shi**" when she see that this little episode happened and it happened to me. 

There is more to the whole "go to the studio thing" but that is a whole other issue.

So, back to the original topic . . .

Do these things only happen to me (us)?  Is this stuff normal at most schools?  I asked Scott his question and he said, "No, I think it just stands out more because you pick him up everyday and see the things happening and you pay attention to the stuff that is sent home and activities at the school".  Aren't parents supposed to pay attention?  I understand not everyone can pick their kid up from school everyday but don't most parents pay attention to the day-to-day nuances of their kids' lives?  Wait, I already know the answer to that.  Aren't parents supposed to pay attention to the day-to-day nuances of their kids' lives? 

This whole incident may sound like no big deal and could probably just be written off as an honest mistake but I can name probably 10-15 different mistakes made directly toward Kanin or me this year that it really, really makes me not like the school.  Have you ever been yelled at by a school worker (don't know if she is a teacher or not) because you wouldn't pull out in front of a child trying to walk to her mother?  Well, I have.  God forbid that I actually stop and let the mother and daughter get to each other and ensure the child didn't get hit.   Aaargh!

Ok, so the rant is over but, in all honestly, do these things happen with you and your school?

Quibbling Siblings

Our house has become a war zone.  I mean an all-out, in the desert, getting sniped at war zone.  Scott and I are going insane. 

Not only do the kids fight with each other but it seems like a constant battle between the older two and Scott and I, as well.  Everything becomes a challenge of authority and it is so exhausting.

Not long ago I ordered two books Have a New Kid by Friday by Dr. Keving Leman and Love and Logic by Jim Fay and David Funk.  While both of these books had good tips, I felt that in many of the cases the examples were just not feasible. 

For example, one of the books (can't remember which one) told the story about how everytime the family got into the car together the kids started fighting.  Finally, one day the dad pulled over and kicked the kids out of the car and made them walk the last mile home.  Of course, he said that he drove slow enough to keep an eye on them but there is no way I could or would kick out a 3 and 7 year old and have them walk home, not even once we got into our neighborhood.  Another example was when it was really cold outside and the kid was throwing a fit and did not want to wear a winter coat.  The parents gave the child the choice not to wear it and believed that he learned a valuable lesson because he was cold the rest of the day.  Once again, not really anything that I can put into practice for a 1, 3 and 7 year old.

Both Kanin and Gracie are great with Caleb.  They both get a little rough at times with their play but, overall, they are both very good at sharing, watching out, and helping their baby brother.  The problem comes when they look, talk, sit by, stand by, pass in the hall, etc each other.  This fighting will start literally the moment they wake up and not end until bed time.  If they speak nicely or kindly to each other for a combined total of 30 minutes a day then that was a good day.

I asked my Facebook friends for advice and not the "all kids do it, they'll grow out of it" kind.  I am going to try to list some hints that I have found online and through some friends (and put them to use).  Here are some things that I found:

From Empowering Parents:

   1. Hold both kids responsible.  When arguing starts, both get in trouble.  They used the example of going to bed half-hour early.

   2. Set up a "bickering table".  When your kids argue during the day, make your kids sit at the "bickering table" that night for 30 minutes and bicker.  They must sit there for 30 minutes.  If they do not argue during the day then they do not have to sit at the "bickering table" for that night.

  3. Stop refereeing the kids' fights unless there is a bullying situation.  Tell them to work it out or give them the consequences.

 

From Facebook friends:

  1. Make the children arguing give each other legitimate compliments.

  2. Keep them apart from each other for 30 minutes.  Set a timer.  One has to sit in their room for that time, then switch.

 

From Healthy and Life Style:

  1. Parents should take measures to help their kids compromise with each other and get along after fights.

  2. Praise your child when you see they are doing something right.  Note to self:  Do this more often.

If you have any other ideas, websites, books, sources, etc., please share!

The Baby Slips Away

Yesterday was Kanin's 7th birthday.  I almost kept him home from school yesterday because I just don't think that you should have to go to school or work on your birthday.  It is your own personal holiday.  But, he wanted to go to school on his birthday.  When it's your birthday you get to be the line leader.

 (Sidenote:  Today he really is sick so I did keep him home.  Good thing I sent him yesterday.)

Since it was his birthday, I told him that I would bring him some lunch and that he got to choose what it was.  He wanted Jimmy John's.  Yes! If he got Jimmy John's for lunch then so did I.

When I got to school his class was still at recess.  He was hanging around on the sidewalk and kept looking at the door.  The teacher told me that he had been looking for me that entire recess.  When I walked out on the playground with the #14 in the sack with a bag of bbq chips and container of milk, I could see relief.  Mommy hadn't forgotten.

After getting lined up and led in the building, there was a little chaos.  Kids washing their hands, going to the bathroom, hanging up coats.  I stood to the side, out of place, not knowing what they were doing.  We finally started walking to the gym where they eat and I started to walk into the first door.  "No, Mommy.  That's the wrong door.  We go in the last one".  Oh, ok.

In the lunchroom he led me over to the table where he normally sits.   Yep, the girl table.  Here's my little guy surrounded by 6 girls.  Great. 

We took out his sandwich and his chips and he began to eat.

In that one moment, my time stood still. 

As I sat there at the little folding cafeteria tables (the same kind that I used to sit at when I was in school), it became very real to me that Kanin isn't a baby anymore.  He was sitting in a room full of first graders.  He was talking to me about his day and I sat there and listened.  "I have music today" and "we're studying squirrels" in class. 

And, even though I have these conversations with him at home, this was a new environment, away from home.  The place where he spends his days. 

"I only have 8 more minutes until lunch is over" as he looked at the clock.  Really?  Since when does he know what 8 minutes is?

Where did my baby go?  

Then, he gave me this look and I saw him still in there.  There is my little 6 lb 1 oz baby boy that came in and stole my heart and changed my life forever.  "I love you, buddy.  I hope you are having a good birthday."  "I am, Mommy."

"That's the end of my lunch.  I gotta go."

Off he went.  My baby.  My 7 year old.

Kanin's 1st Friend Party

This year Kanin had his first "Friend" birthday party.  He loves to skate and my niece and nephew have both had parties at the skating rink before so we decided to go ahead and have a skating party, too.

Earlier in the year we went to a party at Great Skate and realized that they had come up with these cool training bars for those who do not know how to skate.  One of my friends commented that it looked like a preschool and nursing home all at one time between the little kids and all of the walkers.  LOL

Kanin has discovered a love for soccer.  Last year he had a hockey cake so he decided that he wanted a soccer cake this year.  Funny thing is, he doesn't like cake.  We got this one for everyone else and bought a cookie cake for him.

Gracie was really excited for Kanin's birthday party.

Kanin received a lot of great presents.  Here he is with a camo vest from Mama and Papa.

I wanted to take a picture of all of the kids together.  I think I should have planned it out better, though.  They were all on skates and had their little walkers so they couldn't get close together.

We ended the night with Kanin in the party box.  He put on some goggles and these little tickets with different money denominations were in there.  He was in there for 30 seconds and then got to pick out some little treats and toys with the tickets.