The ground rules

I think we have pretty good kids.  Most days they are sweet to one another, use their manners, and obey when asked to do something.  But they're kids, and they're not perfect.  We've noticed as Reagan gets older she is starting to assert herself more.  She "bargains" when asked to do something; she corrects anyone that she thinks is wrong; she can get very bossy with her sisters.   We were talking yesterday about how to help correct this behavior now before it gets out of hand.  As the parents, we know this responsibility falls squarely on our shoulders.  I don't want to make the mistake of assuming she will grow out of it either.  It's easier to deal with a six year old's defiance than it is a ten year old that has been getting away with it for years.

I read a great blog from miss Amy about a family binder.  I have my own system of chores, budget, organizing list, but since we only have one child able to read we will probably wait on putting the rules in it a little longer ( I think it's a FANTASTIC idea!).  But it got me thinking.  We need to establish a few ground rules for the house.  If the girls know the rules, they know when they are breaking them.  In like fashion, we also need to establish consequences if the rules are broken.  We are not going to go overboard with rules (it's hard for a 3 year old to remember 15 rules!).  So far I've come up with three.  We will start with those.  The one I'm most excited about is the rule to obey the first time you are asked to do something.  Lately I've been having to ask the girls (well mostly the older two) to do something repeatedly.  I ask nicely the first time.  The second time I get a little frustrated. The third time I am downright irritated! But it's after that third time that they finally comply because they know I mean business.  Now, there will be a consequence after the first request is ignored.

We just need to come up with age-appropriate consequences now.  Any suggestions?

Coming out of the "fridge"

I admit it.  I'm addicted.  Hopelessly addicted.  To what?

This.

I've tried to go without but it's just not the same.  I end up not drinking as much coffee so I get a headache and drag through the afternoon.  It's a terrible ripple effect.  I know, I know...I should probably cut out coffee altogether, but that ain't gonna happen anytime soon. Last year I was able to find it after Christmas and just "stocked up."  I bought enough to get me through March and then went through withdrawals until October when stores started carrying it again.  Why does it have to be so seasonal? (on a related note, why is Peppermint ice cream a seasonal thing too!?)

I looked in eight different stores for this creamer before I finally contacted the company (sad, I know).  They informed me that it is no longer just a seasonal item!!! Can you believe it? You can get this year-round now! The lovely customer service rep I spoke with said, "You just need to find a store that will order it for you."  THREE stores later, I found a lovely manager at Albertsons that said "Sure, I'll order a case for you."  WOOHOO!

I am a very happy girl.  And now an Albertsons shopper for life.

Am I Crazy?

Please forgive the blog appearance.  I'm in the process of renovating.
Now, on to my post:

It's all over facebook:
"kids go back to school tomorrow-hurray!"
"I'm so excited that we go back to our routine tomorrow!"
"The last two weeks went fast but I'm so glad I can send the kids off tomorrow and stop coming up with things for them to do!"

Our district is different.  The kids start the second week of August so they can have three weeks off at Christmas.  That means while everyone else goes back to school tomorrow, we have one more week.

I'M SO EXCITED!

Am I crazy? Why is everyone so excited for their kids to go back to school? I love having Reagan home.  I've made sure she has been doing her reading and practicing writing stories, but we've just been enjoying family time.  The week before Christmas is always a whirlwind.  Then last week my mom had her stroke, so it feels like it flew by as well.  This week we are going to have lots of fun (and sleeping in!).  I have a few things in mind, but mostly we're going to just hang out.

I've often wondered if I would enjoy home-schooling because I genuinely love having my kids at home, but what I've realized is that I love having them home without obligations.  I like the separation of school and home.  Plus, Reagan really likes school.  I'm open to the option later, but for now, she is thriving on the social part and really learning more than I ever imagined! (You may remember me expressing concern over the lack of challenge she was receiving.  Rest assured that has been remedied and she is thriving with the challenges!)

This week it's just us girls! I'm so excited!

Happy New Year!

For many, 2009 was a year they are ready to forget (especially if their facebook statuses are any indication).  I'm indifferent.

We had our fair share of trials, but we were blessed beyond our measure.  A lot of folks are still reeling from the drop in the housing market.  But that drop is what allowed us to become homeowners again.  There are more and more folks looking for jobs, and fewer jobs to be had.  So we are grateful for Brian's job and the security it brings (especially since we are a single income family!).  Our girls helped us make amazing memories last year.  That doesn't mean I want to do the last year over again by any means.  I've had my fill of medical drama, moving, and political disgust.  I am just praying that 2010 is a bit more boring.  :)  Of course 2009 went out with a bang.  We had a wonderful Christmas with the girls and my family.  Brian gave me an amazing new camera and I'm thrilled!! I can't wait to take more pictures!!

Reagan opening the ONE thing she REALLY wanted (My Little Pony Gumball House)

Bailey trying on my new boots (she got a pair of her own but mine were far more exciting!)

The obligatory "kids in front of the tree" shot.  Bailey did have red jammies but I don't remember why she wasn't wearing them.

Three days after Christmas, my mom and I were talking on the phone and her words started to slur.  She said "I think I'm having a stroke" and then something about calling her later.  My dad rushed her to the ER and thankfully the stroke was mild.  She spent a few days in the hospital so my dad and I juggled time between my grandmother (who requires constant care) and time with my mom.  My amazing husband stayed home with our three blessings.  She is home now and recovering.  We thank the Lord that she made such huge progress in the short time she was in the hospital and that she was home before the new year.  She still has some progress to make but I am confident that she will make a complete and total recovery.  I think we're all ready to start this new year with a clean slate.

I'm not usually one to have a new year's resolution, but this year I am giving it a whirl.  Here goes:
1) We will continue to eat healthy and add more organic, healthy foods to our diet.
2) I want to be more organized.  I plan to go through every room in our house over the course of the year and purge items we do not need and organize the ones we do.
2) I want to have a huge yard sale to sell our purged items.
3) I want to exercise more frequently.
4) I want to enjoy the "now" more.  I get caught up in the "five years from now" and forget to enjoy today while my girls are small (and still think we're cool).
5) I want to read through the Bible in its entirety.

If nothing else, 2009 has taught me that this life is precious and fleeting.  We have to take advantage of each day we are given.  Hug more.  Smile more.  Use gentle words.  Most importantly, share my story of the grace I am given every day by Christ alone.  If it were not for that, this precious fleeting life would mean nothing.  

I pray that each of you begin this new year filled with hope! I'm looking forward to what's in store for our family this year!!

Holiday Happenings

It's been a while since I posted! We've had a busy busy house here!

Reagan is finally done with school and we are SO happy that she gets three weeks off so we can enjoy some quality family time together.  During her third week off we are planning a trip to Seaworld because we figure most folks will be back in school by then.

We got our tree and decorated it! Sorry no pictures of it decorated yet, but here's one of my wonderful husband securing it to the stand.

I finished shopping! Yay!

I got all the Christmas cards out! Here are my two favorites:

Santa came by our neighborhood (or as the girls say...one of his helpers), and handed out candy canes.  Funny enough, Reagan couldn't remember anything she wanted for Christmas, but Skylar started giving him "the list."  I can't wait to see their faces on Christmas morning when they open gifts!!

I was able to get almost everything wrapped because Reagan and Skylar are spending a few days with my parents.  We forgot how easy it was to have just one child.  We even went out to dinner and it was so quiet I was able to eat and enjoy my meal.

Bailey has been doing MUCH better with her toddler bed.  She is napping in it now and she is sleeping MOST of the night in it.  She usually wakes once.  If we don't hear her right away, she just runs into our room and climbs into our bed. We'll get that one figured out soon!

Mom's birthday is tomorrow so we're going out tonight with them and walking around a neighborhood known for their Christmas light display (and I'm making a dark chocolate cake!).

Into the home stretch for Christmas!

I hope your "week before Christmas" is blessed!!

Not So Silent Nights

This kid.

I love that sweet face.  Her kisses and snuggles make me melt.  But it's not all sugar and spice.  I think the Lord knew what He was doing when He made her our third.  If she had been our first, she probably would have been an only child (funny enough, B's mom says the same thing about him).

She can destroy a room in less than ten seconds (which is how she got the nickname Hurricane Bailey).

If she's not happy, you know (it's hard to miss the screaming at the top of her lungs).

She literally doesn't stop eating.  She should weigh 40 pounds or more with how much she consumes, but she doesn't stop moving either, so she's still only 21 pounds.

She started climbing before she could walk.

Most recently......

She has decided she hates naps and bedtime.  It used to be so easy.  If you put her in bed, she would lie down, say nigh-night, blow you a kiss, and go to sleep.  Gone are those days.

Now she protests every nap and every night.  One night last week, we "battled" it out until almost 2am.  She was finally asleep in her bed and I went back to my bed, only to have her wake up screaming at 4am.  This momma's tired.  It's only been complicated by the fact that she has discovered how to climb out of her crib.  Two nights ago, her bedtime "fussing" turned into an all out "cry for help" so I ran into her room to find her hanging on the outside of her crib (two inches from the ground...but she didn't know that).  I helped her down and she spent the rest of the night in our bed (her favorite place to be).  She made it quite clear that we needed to turn her crib into a toddler bed.  I was hopeful that she would love the "new bed" but that was not the case.  Now, her entire schedule is off.  She falls asleep out of exhaustion at random times.  In random places.  Like sitting up in our bed. Or in her highchair.  Or the couch.

I'm hoping we can get back into a routine soon.  I miss my sleep.  And my bed.  She's lucky she's so cute. :D

The gift of music

When my dad was little, his parents purchased an upright piano for him to learn how to play.  He spent a few years in lessons, but then the piano just sat for a while.  I remember going to my grandparents house and "playing" with the piano.  When I was old enough, my grandparents gave me their upright piano and I started taking lessons.  They were not cheap and when we hit some hard times financially, my piano lessons were the first to go.  So, it has been sitting at my parents house.  For years.  The girls have "played" with it, much like I did when I was little.

When we moved 7 months ago, the piano came with us.  Reagan would sit and "freestyle" for long periods of time, so we wanted to encourage her love of the piano by getting professional lessons.  She started in September (just three months ago), and had her first recital last weekend.  I was so proud I cried.

She was SO nervous! She kept telling me that she felt like her legs were shaking (they probably were!).  She played a duet with her teacher and it was beautiful.  She is so glad to have it behind her, but I'm so proud of what she has accomplished thus far.  Her teacher says she has a natural gift with music.  (I knew it!).

I love that she is learning something other than academics, and even more grateful that our lovely piano has someone to play it the way it was meant to be played.

Baileys cheese grin

Waiting for her turn to play

Here is a link to the video of her very first recital song, "Jolly Old St. Nicholas."
Reagan's Recital Video
(Blogger isn't letting me upload a video so hopefully you can access it through facebook)