I want one too!

I've had a pretty busy month. I made a red chausible for Hubby for Reformation Sunday (for the uninitiated, a chausible is what pastors wear over their white alb when they preside over communion), some curtains for the boys' room, curtains for over the kitchen sink, and a purple chausible for Advent (some congregations use blue for Advent and some use purple).

I did up the purple one yesterday afternoon. (A good friend comes over to play with the kids so I can sew more with fewer interruptions. I enjoy the visiting too!) When it was done and Hubby was trying it on to make sure the hem was right, the Boy came up and said that he wanted one too. A green one. And, of course monkey see monkey do, Boy2 said he wanted one as well.

So, when Hubby went back to the church for Confirmation, the kids and I went downstairs and looked through the fabric box. Then I told them I'd try to get then sewn after bedtime.

First thing the Boy asked when he got up this morning was if I had made it and could he wear it? When he saw it, he wanted to wear it. We said sure, but not to preschool. Both he and his brother wore them until breakfast. I'm going to have to get a picture of all three men wearing their chausibles. Just to remind the boys that they wanted to be just like Daddy.

Oh, Christmas Tree!

The Boy was positively vibrating yesterday! After church, they brought up the Christmas stuff so decorating could happen this week, and so the boys were both running around and playing around the trees. It was all I could do to get them home for lunch!

After lunch, all I heard was "It's Christmas time? We go downstairs and set up the tree?" We did finally get the kids to sleep, but as soon as he got up again it started all over. So I went down and brought up the artificial tree. We've had it for a few years, it's only 4.5 feet tall. After it was up and lights on, Hubby looked and said "That's pretty small, is that all the pieces?" So he went out and picked up a 6.5 feet pre-lit tree.

Now, we have a tall tree in one corner of the living room and a smaller tree in another corner. Only one tree has ornaments on it, and it's looking a bit sparse, but it'll be fine for now. I'm sure we'll be collecting ornaments as the years go on.

Hubby has a bit of a cold. He's been sleeping more (or trying to) and he picked up Dayquil to get through church yesterday. About half an hour after bedtime last night, Boy2 woke up crying. He has it too! His poor nose! He ended up sleeping on the futon with his Dad for most of the night after having some medicine. Gave him some this morning too, and he fell asleep on the chair for a half hour this morning. Tired, sick little boy!

we're in the van!

The Girl slept! I know that's not really news with this little angel, but last night she nursed and fell asleep around 7:30 and did not wake up again until 5:30 this morning! Count them, that's ten hours straight of uninterrupted ZZZZzzzzz's! Added benefit was that the boys were sleeping and Hubby and I both crashed around 8 too, so we all, EVERYBODY, had a really good sleep.

Yesterday we were helping my brother and his wife clean their old place and try to set up their new one (well, my brother was working so we were technically helping his wife). My parents and one of my other brothers came up to help too. As we were driving in the city, the Boy asked if we were going to the city. I said yes, we were in the city. He said no, we weren't. I said yes, we were. He said no, we weren't. We were in the van. That really made me chuckle!

Boy2 HAD to bring his froggy to church this morning. He needed a coat for him. I managed to convince him that we could use a tea towel as a blanket instead. Too cute! Plus he fell asleep in church (which NEVER happens!)

Don't kids say funny things?

Yesterday the Boy told his dad that there was a baby stegosaurus in his tummy. A few minutes later, he said that the baby was born and it was a baby boy stegosaurus. Last night, before supper, he waved a pencil crayon over my head and told me he was using magic to put a girl baby stegosaurus into my tummy. That's not quite how it works, Sweetheart!

He also put together a 24 piece puzzle together all by himself! He is so clever, it's kind of frustrating when we can't understand his words. He was trying to tell us about echolocation (something he learned watching "The Cat in the Hat Knows Alot About That") and it took us a while to understand.

Boy2 is growing so fast. He asks for help when he needs it. He also seems to have listening issues. (but what 2 year old doesn't?)

The Girl is actually sleeping at night, sometimes going 5-8 hours before eating. She giggles, holds her head, and loves watching her brothers! We need to buy her a new swing, though. The motor burned out of the one we got when the Boy was a baby.

I've been a little busy. I made curtains for the boys' room, a red chausible for Hubby, cut out fabric for a purple one, and will be making curtains for over the kitchen sink. I need to plan out our living room for Christmas, because I can't see how we can decorate the way it is right now. Busy, busy, busy.

parenting rant

I know I just posted this morning, but I just turned off the TV because I just couldn't handle it. What was I watching? Supernanny. I have my training in childcare, I'm aware of the nature and development of children. I am disgusted that there are parents who, even for a minute, allow their children to walk all over them. Yes, there are difficult children and compliant children. Yes, the easy path is called that for a reason. IT IS NOT WORTH IT!!!!!!

I have been told that my children are wonderful. They are, I'm the first to admit it biased though I am.However, I don't dismiss it and say that they are always listening, always obedient, and never defiant. They wouldn't be children if they were those things.

From the very beginning it has to be established that you are the parent and they are the child. I'm not saying that you can't be your child's friend, only that you are first and foremost a parent. That means disciplining. That means following through. That also means applauding when something is done well, when the listening actually happens.

Granted, my parenting techniques haven't stood the test of time yet. Hard to see how the kids will ultimately turn out when they are so young yet. But I feel that I have great kids because my best efforts are being put into them. There are many battles. The emotional and mental ones tire you out the most. They are testing the boundaries because it is the only way they see where the lines are drawn. If an authority figure is always giving in, there are no boundaries and the pushing will continue.

Every now and then the boys will push an issue, whether it's biting, hitting, cleaning, or food related. They are checking to see if the rules have changed. Sometimes they do, most times they don't. There are certain non-negotiables (No, your teeth are for food, not your brother's arm) but there are also things that don't matter as much all the time (yeah, okay, you can have the sucker this time).

There also has to be a logical punishment for infractions. Safety is always a time out for us. You bite, hit, or run away in a store, you get a time out. If they don't pick up the toys, they don't get to play with them later. (I usually start picking up and say that they won't be able to play with them, but I would. They rush to help) It's hard to stick with the punishment once it's said but, generally if you follow through once or twice it's all that's needed.

I just couldn't believe my eyes tonight, though. I sometimes have watched to get ideas, but I didn't even get that far into the program tonight. Those parents were at their wits end! They'd tried everything, but I have the sneaking suspicion that they didn't try early enough in the children's lives.

Oy vey!

today

it's been a bit interesting this week. Between one thing and another, it has been both long and fast. Kids get crazy and start aggravating each other the moment I'm sitting to nurse, demands for candy or other treats, demands for the TV to be put on, lack of sleep for everyone (except the Girl)... well, you get the picture.

luckily, after we got home from our brief trip down further south, we all were in bed by eight (yes, parents included). Kids are always crazy, though. At least mine are.

I hope today will be better. I'm going to try to get things organized for the weekend. (cleaning, groceries, etc) Hope no dinosaurs will leave teeth marks, that no ambulances give black eyes, and naps would be fantastic, too!

pictures of the Girl's baptism