Monday, January 31, 2011
Grandpa Steve
Last weekend my dad made the journey up to Brainerd to visit us. On the way he made a stop in Albany to visit his brother Baylen for a night. He arrived Satruday about 12:30 just in time for Karsyn te see him before her afternoon nap. We spent the afternoon supervising Patrick grouting the tile in the shower for the downstairs bathroom and chatting. That took longer then we has anticipated, but it looks great! (we started this tiling the shower project when just after Karsyn was born, she will be two in March!) Next project is to finish the rest of the bathroom!! One step at a time, maybe in another couple years there will be a vanity with a light. =) So anyway after that was done we decided to head into town for some mexican food at Poncho and Lefty's. Yum! The girls did great, it was nice leaving a restaurant not exhausted and I was able to finish my meal! Got home from there and had ice cream for dessert and the girls got spend some time with Grandpa before bed. We actually put Karysn to bed at 8 and let Sydney stay up for a little bit and we played games: slapjack, a matching game and go fish. Sydney did well and won most of the games (we didn't even "let" her win). A very fun night with lots of laughs and giggles!! In the morning, after breakfast, my dad and Patrick decided to tackle hanging a bi-fold door downstairs to seperate the bathroom from the laundry room. Not a hard task but without directions turned out to be quite the challenge. (they somehow got lost after sitting around for a couple years.....imagine that, I picked up on a subtle hint they blamed me for that) Anywho it got done a also looks great! After that we were all hungry so I made some lunch and then Grandpa headed home to WI. Oh, of course Grandpa couldn't come without gifts. He picked up Sydney a Green Bay Packer outfit, being she had nothing Packer themed for the SUPERBOWL next weekend, and brought Karsyn a cute shirt. Karsyn has plenty of Packer clothes that Sydney used to wear. What a fun productive weekend! The girls had a great time with Grandpa and were sad to see him go.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Almost 4 and almost 2!!!
SYDNEY:
*Has most books in our home library memorized so forget about skipping pages, a word said wrong and she corrects you before you can even blink. I do it on purpose to make sure she's listening sometimes. ;)
*Loves going outside to play in the snow and as of this year I have to drag her in cause Karsyn and I are cold and want to go in. She wasn't much of a outdoor girl when it came to snow and cold last year, she used to be the one begging to head in.
*Can go potty all by herself these days. With the exception of yelling for me to come and wipe her when she has gone poo.
*Loves to do anything that I call a "project". Could be anything from crafty to taking out the garbage. As long a I call it a "project" she is in.
*Every night when she goes to bed she needs a summary of what we have going on the next day. Where we'll be going or doing, who's coming and so on.
*All of a sudden whatever I make for supper is something she doesn't like and we have daily battles on getting her to eat. She gets caught up on, how many bites she has to eat or if the bites have to be big or small. She gets her plate and immediately asks how many bites she has to eat. Its exhausting to be honest. Our Love and Logic tips are helping us on this issue and as of tonite made great progress.
*She has super long hair right now and when its wet hangs almost down to her butt. I should get it cut/chopped but don't have the heart to do it right now. I don't want her to look older, cause she acts old enough! =)
KARSYN:
*Is 80-90% potty trained. She has yet to master the pooping. Usually starts going in her pants then finishes in the potty. Last night we gave the girls a bath and while I was gathering jammies quick heard Syd yell "mom Karsyn pooped in the bath tub!" First time she's ever done that.
*Wants to do everything herself. Such as getting dressed and taking off her clothes. Monday I went to get her out of her crib in the morning when she woke up and she was naked! Yup jammies and dipaer too! Awesome......
*Loves to wear her snowpants around the house cause they make a swishing noise when she walks.
*Is kind of a neat freak. When something isn't in the right spot or if I leave a cupboard door open she points at it for me to close or put away correctly. Yikes!!
*Is saying new "words" everyday in her own language anyway. "Wawer"-water, "suppo"-breakfast, lunch, dinner or whenever she wants to eat she says that, "sissy"-Sydney, just to name a few.
*Wants to drink out of "big girl" cups. Water only goes in those....=)
*I should really get her first....I mean second hair cut (sydney gave her her first one last summer so i have a hard time counting it as her "first haircut"). She never leaves ponies or braids in so her hair its always hanging in her face and getting crusted with food. Yummy.....
*I think she loves her "blankie" more than me. Thats ok, I'm sure I'm a close second anyway. ;)
Can't believe Sydney is almost 4 and Karsyn is almost 2. Time flying by so fast makes my head spin!! WoW!!
*Has most books in our home library memorized so forget about skipping pages, a word said wrong and she corrects you before you can even blink. I do it on purpose to make sure she's listening sometimes. ;)
*Loves going outside to play in the snow and as of this year I have to drag her in cause Karsyn and I are cold and want to go in. She wasn't much of a outdoor girl when it came to snow and cold last year, she used to be the one begging to head in.
*Can go potty all by herself these days. With the exception of yelling for me to come and wipe her when she has gone poo.
*Loves to do anything that I call a "project". Could be anything from crafty to taking out the garbage. As long a I call it a "project" she is in.
*Every night when she goes to bed she needs a summary of what we have going on the next day. Where we'll be going or doing, who's coming and so on.
*All of a sudden whatever I make for supper is something she doesn't like and we have daily battles on getting her to eat. She gets caught up on, how many bites she has to eat or if the bites have to be big or small. She gets her plate and immediately asks how many bites she has to eat. Its exhausting to be honest. Our Love and Logic tips are helping us on this issue and as of tonite made great progress.
*She has super long hair right now and when its wet hangs almost down to her butt. I should get it cut/chopped but don't have the heart to do it right now. I don't want her to look older, cause she acts old enough! =)
KARSYN:
*Is 80-90% potty trained. She has yet to master the pooping. Usually starts going in her pants then finishes in the potty. Last night we gave the girls a bath and while I was gathering jammies quick heard Syd yell "mom Karsyn pooped in the bath tub!" First time she's ever done that.
*Wants to do everything herself. Such as getting dressed and taking off her clothes. Monday I went to get her out of her crib in the morning when she woke up and she was naked! Yup jammies and dipaer too! Awesome......
*Loves to wear her snowpants around the house cause they make a swishing noise when she walks.
*Is kind of a neat freak. When something isn't in the right spot or if I leave a cupboard door open she points at it for me to close or put away correctly. Yikes!!
*Is saying new "words" everyday in her own language anyway. "Wawer"-water, "suppo"-breakfast, lunch, dinner or whenever she wants to eat she says that, "sissy"-Sydney, just to name a few.
*Wants to drink out of "big girl" cups. Water only goes in those....=)
*I should really get her first....I mean second hair cut (sydney gave her her first one last summer so i have a hard time counting it as her "first haircut"). She never leaves ponies or braids in so her hair its always hanging in her face and getting crusted with food. Yummy.....
*I think she loves her "blankie" more than me. Thats ok, I'm sure I'm a close second anyway. ;)
Can't believe Sydney is almost 4 and Karsyn is almost 2. Time flying by so fast makes my head spin!! WoW!!
Post Love and Logic
So last thursday Patrick and I took a Love and Logic class, which was great. The speaker Dr. Charles Fay was hilarious. Patrick even had fun. =) After a few days of implementing just a few of the strategies, they have made a huge change. The girls are responding well and mommy is very happy. The hardest part is figuring how and when to use the information. To read more on it go to http://www.loveandlogic.com/ . I am looking forward to the girls misbehaving so I can use what I've learned. I just hope when they misbehave I know what to do! =) Its been great not having to repeat myself as much because they are learning to listen the first time.
A few Love and Logic tips:
*No warnings, set limits without anger, lectures or threats.
*Hand the problems children cause back to them in loving ways. Use empathy, "This is so sad", "Oh man. Thats too bad", "What a bummer", etc...
*Our favorite "The Uh-Oh song". We are using this on Karsyn. When she's having a tantrum or not listening we use this. "Uh-Oh time for a little bedroom time, you may come out when you're sweet". Put her in her crib and when she is calm/not crying we go get her out. When getting her out we don't explain what she did wrong just get her out give her a kiss and its done. (I know it seems weird that you don't exlpain what she did wrong, but it works!! )
*When kids are arguing with you use a "one-liner". Such as: "I know", "Love you too much to argue", "Nice try", or make up one that works for you. The less talking/explaining the parent does the less arguing there is. (this one is kinda tough but is effective when used consitently)
There are more but I could go on all day with it so I'll stop now before I bore you to death! =)
A few Love and Logic tips:
*No warnings, set limits without anger, lectures or threats.
*Hand the problems children cause back to them in loving ways. Use empathy, "This is so sad", "Oh man. Thats too bad", "What a bummer", etc...
*Our favorite "The Uh-Oh song". We are using this on Karsyn. When she's having a tantrum or not listening we use this. "Uh-Oh time for a little bedroom time, you may come out when you're sweet". Put her in her crib and when she is calm/not crying we go get her out. When getting her out we don't explain what she did wrong just get her out give her a kiss and its done. (I know it seems weird that you don't exlpain what she did wrong, but it works!! )
*When kids are arguing with you use a "one-liner". Such as: "I know", "Love you too much to argue", "Nice try", or make up one that works for you. The less talking/explaining the parent does the less arguing there is. (this one is kinda tough but is effective when used consitently)
There are more but I could go on all day with it so I'll stop now before I bore you to death! =)
Monday, January 17, 2011
Mr. Mom
Last weekend my hubby got to experience a weekend home with the girls, while I went to my Dad's to help my sister-in-law, Sami, celebrate her 21st bday. Here are some of the struggles he had:
1) Satruday AM. Patrick was cleaning the garage, the girls were "helping" and going in and out of the house playing and what not. Sydney asks from the door way if she could have a sucker, (she had the sucker in hand already mind you) Patrick said no. Sydney took the news very well (not usuall) and without blinking an eye asked if she could play downstairs. Patrick said sure. A minute later Karsyn comes up to him whining and saying "uck, uck". After a bit he realised she was trying to say sucker, and then realised that she must have seen one to want one. So off to find Sydney...... She was found downstairs behind the couch loudly enjoying her sucker. Patrick was not happy and threw the sucker in the garbage and proceeced to have her scrub the floor from a crayon mess that occured earlier that moring.....
2) For some odd reason Saturday was also "pee pants day". By 8:00am Sydney had peed on the rug in the bathroom and Karysn had peed her pants at least once. By noon Karsyn was on pants #3 and needless to say Patrick was losing his patience. Later that evening I recieved a text from him stating that he was going to start peeing his pants too cause it must be fun!! Yikes!! He got the girls bathed and in jammies and before he got Karsyn to bed she'd peed her diaper. As of lately Karsyn has maybe one or two accidents a week and as for Sydney I can't even tell you the last time she had a accident. Not sure what that was about.
3) When I arrived home Sunday about 4pm I was greeted by a couple very excited girls. I noticed that Karysn's hair looked wet. Upon further investigation I discovered that it was in fact lotion. I had to ask Sydney how that happend because Patrick was on the phone when I arrived. I say, "whats in karsyn's hair?" She says, "lotion." I say, "from where?" She says, "your room." I say, "what was daddy doing when you playing with the lotion?" She says, "watching TV." Hmmmm......I see. =)
I'm sure there are more struggles/mishaps that occured over the weekend that will come up as they are remembered. =)
1) Satruday AM. Patrick was cleaning the garage, the girls were "helping" and going in and out of the house playing and what not. Sydney asks from the door way if she could have a sucker, (she had the sucker in hand already mind you) Patrick said no. Sydney took the news very well (not usuall) and without blinking an eye asked if she could play downstairs. Patrick said sure. A minute later Karsyn comes up to him whining and saying "uck, uck". After a bit he realised she was trying to say sucker, and then realised that she must have seen one to want one. So off to find Sydney...... She was found downstairs behind the couch loudly enjoying her sucker. Patrick was not happy and threw the sucker in the garbage and proceeced to have her scrub the floor from a crayon mess that occured earlier that moring.....
2) For some odd reason Saturday was also "pee pants day". By 8:00am Sydney had peed on the rug in the bathroom and Karysn had peed her pants at least once. By noon Karsyn was on pants #3 and needless to say Patrick was losing his patience. Later that evening I recieved a text from him stating that he was going to start peeing his pants too cause it must be fun!! Yikes!! He got the girls bathed and in jammies and before he got Karsyn to bed she'd peed her diaper. As of lately Karsyn has maybe one or two accidents a week and as for Sydney I can't even tell you the last time she had a accident. Not sure what that was about.
3) When I arrived home Sunday about 4pm I was greeted by a couple very excited girls. I noticed that Karysn's hair looked wet. Upon further investigation I discovered that it was in fact lotion. I had to ask Sydney how that happend because Patrick was on the phone when I arrived. I say, "whats in karsyn's hair?" She says, "lotion." I say, "from where?" She says, "your room." I say, "what was daddy doing when you playing with the lotion?" She says, "watching TV." Hmmmm......I see. =)
I'm sure there are more struggles/mishaps that occured over the weekend that will come up as they are remembered. =)
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Life Resolutions
Over the last week or so I've been thinking of some ways to better myself/my family, some would call them "new years resolutions", I might call them "life resolutions" maybe that will help me actually stick to them. I can honestly say that I have never followed through with ONE of my many "new years resolutions" over the years. Which I'm sure is true for many. I have heard that writing them down and being specific is key. I'm assuming "blogging" them will suffice.=) Also I'm thinking with y'all reading them will help the chances of me sticking to them. Here we go......
1 Excercise at least 3x a week. (of course should top the list)
2 Learn how to cook healthier. (take a cooking or nutrition class possibly)
3 Find some hobbies for myself. (i seemed to have lost them nor can I remember what they were)
4 Watch less TV. (find other ways to relax)
5 Be more money conscious. (my husband will love this one)
6 Become more adventurous and open to new things.
7 Learn how to "go with the flow" better.
8 Stop freaking out over messes. (i'm slowly getting there)
9 Pay attention to politics. (not excited about this one in the least, but its something i need to do)
10 Blog at least once a week. (hopefully more)
11 Take more pics of my girls and get the video camera out more. (life is flying by)
12 Last but most certainly not least.....arrange for date nights or date lunches with my hubby. (without talking about kids) =)
Well there they are.....YIKES!!! I'll take one step at a time. Wish me luck!!!
1 Excercise at least 3x a week. (of course should top the list)
2 Learn how to cook healthier. (take a cooking or nutrition class possibly)
3 Find some hobbies for myself. (i seemed to have lost them nor can I remember what they were)
4 Watch less TV. (find other ways to relax)
5 Be more money conscious. (my husband will love this one)
6 Become more adventurous and open to new things.
7 Learn how to "go with the flow" better.
8 Stop freaking out over messes. (i'm slowly getting there)
9 Pay attention to politics. (not excited about this one in the least, but its something i need to do)
10 Blog at least once a week. (hopefully more)
11 Take more pics of my girls and get the video camera out more. (life is flying by)
12 Last but most certainly not least.....arrange for date nights or date lunches with my hubby. (without talking about kids) =)
Well there they are.....YIKES!!! I'll take one step at a time. Wish me luck!!!
Love and Logic
So during the last few weeks (with the holiday craziness and such) I've come to notice that we have lost it......I'm talking about kid control. The whining at our house is at its highest volume, the fighting over toys has become unbearable, listening in general is well.....nonexistant to say the least. The girls have taken over and run this house and I've decided to put an end to it ASAP! I took a class a couple years ago called "Love and Logic". Its a parenting class to help "raise responsible kids without raisng your blood pressure". This class targeted on kids birth to age 6 (there is one for older kids too). The techniqes I used on Sydney (back when I just had one child) worked great! She listened and life was good. Patrick was unable to attend the class with me so there was a lot of me telling him how to do it. (which you can imagine didn't go over well) Of course I've offered him to read the workbook they handed out but he never got to it. ;) Last week at Sydney's school they gave out information on a seminar about "Love and Logic". The speaker is a son of one of the founders of "Love and Logic", Dr. Charles Fay. It's a two hour seminar (instead of the 6 week one I took a couple of years ago) and Patrick has agreed to go with me! (after much pleading) I think he will respond better if he hears it right form the people who educate about it then from me. Then we can decide how and if we will use the techniqes they recomend and more importantly have a consistent way of discipline.
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