I think I've posted on this subject before, but Big Sissy has been quite a challenge for the last several months. She's learning to be independent, but if she needs help or you do something for her that she wanted to do herself, it turns into a full-blown tantrum/ordeal that sometimes ends in tears for all of us (literally). I keep thinking it's getting better, and then Monday she did it at Chic-Fil-A. How embarrassing. I felt like everyone was watching to see if (1) my child had some kind of disorder that would make one behave that way and (2) what I would do to handle it. I hate being watched. She literally kicked off her shoe in the tantrum, and some kind lady kept it on her table until we returned from the tantrum in the bathroom.
But...she still has her sweet little girl moments, which gets us through the hard days. Tonight I was hugging her good night. She gave me the sweetest hug and said, "Mommy, I wish we could just hug forever." Oh, how I wish we could too!!!! I love those moments. Let's just hug forever and forget potty training, learning to get dressed, eating vegetables, and trying to get anywhere on time. What do those things really matter anyway?
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Trampoline Tricks
You know that new trampoline we got for Big Sissy because she loves to jump so much? Turns out she'd rather jump on her bed/the couch/our bed/anywhere but the trampoline. Here's what she does with the trampoline.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Organization Tips
Today at MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) the speaker was a professional organizer. I was soaking it all in. I think I used to be organized, but now I am usually in survival mode. I did get some great ideas, though, so I thought I'd pass them on.
* Get a "tickler file." She uses an accordion-style folder that has each section labeled 1-31. If you have a bill due on a certain day, put it in that day's number. If you have a birthday party on a certain day, put the invitation and directions in that day. You get the idea. Then have a master planner that just gives the basics (ie. Joe's birthday party). I hang EVERYTHING on my refrigerator, so this would really help the clutter!
*Hang a "mommy inbox" by the front door. This is where mail, report cards, permission slips you need to sign, and anything you need to take care of goes. Take 15 minutes at the end of each day to go through it, then file what needs filed, sign what needs signed, put things back in the kids' backpacks, throw away things. Go through it every day.
*Try a cleaning schedule. Either you can tackle one task per day to make sure it all gets done weekly, or you can schedule 40 minutes per day and just decide what needs done that day. That way it doesn't pile up. Kids can help--maybe even do a 10-minute "blitz" with a timer so it's kind of fun and competitive.
*Always keep a box for give-away items. If you don't use something, put it in the box. If you get something new, put 2 things in the box. Every time you pass a Goodwill or your favorite charity, take the box with you. This keeps clutter from staying in your closets.
*Tackle one room per month for deep cleaning/organizing. Just don't try to organize while you're cleaning or you'll never get done. Keep them separate.
*Keep a basket on each floor of your house for things that don't belong on that floor. Instead of putting things away one at a time, throw them in the basket and then take it with you when you're done. Then you can put everything else where it goes.
*Always keep a running grocery list and "everything else" list. That way you don't have to take the time to look around or try to remember when it's time to do shopping. (My sister made a great grocery list on Excel that you can just print and circle your regular items).
*Make the most of your minutes. Plan to be early to things in case you get stuck in traffic. If you are early, use that time to jot your thank you note, make a phone call, make a list, etc. Clean the bathroom while your toddler is playing in the bathtub. You have to be in there anyway.
*Have an under-the-bed storage box for each kids' artwork. Only keep the masterpieces that they would appreciate later. Rotate the rest from the display area to the trash.
There was more, but these are the things that stuck with me. I LOVE organizing tips. If you have any others, I would love to hear them.
* Get a "tickler file." She uses an accordion-style folder that has each section labeled 1-31. If you have a bill due on a certain day, put it in that day's number. If you have a birthday party on a certain day, put the invitation and directions in that day. You get the idea. Then have a master planner that just gives the basics (ie. Joe's birthday party). I hang EVERYTHING on my refrigerator, so this would really help the clutter!
*Hang a "mommy inbox" by the front door. This is where mail, report cards, permission slips you need to sign, and anything you need to take care of goes. Take 15 minutes at the end of each day to go through it, then file what needs filed, sign what needs signed, put things back in the kids' backpacks, throw away things. Go through it every day.
*Try a cleaning schedule. Either you can tackle one task per day to make sure it all gets done weekly, or you can schedule 40 minutes per day and just decide what needs done that day. That way it doesn't pile up. Kids can help--maybe even do a 10-minute "blitz" with a timer so it's kind of fun and competitive.
*Always keep a box for give-away items. If you don't use something, put it in the box. If you get something new, put 2 things in the box. Every time you pass a Goodwill or your favorite charity, take the box with you. This keeps clutter from staying in your closets.
*Tackle one room per month for deep cleaning/organizing. Just don't try to organize while you're cleaning or you'll never get done. Keep them separate.
*Keep a basket on each floor of your house for things that don't belong on that floor. Instead of putting things away one at a time, throw them in the basket and then take it with you when you're done. Then you can put everything else where it goes.
*Always keep a running grocery list and "everything else" list. That way you don't have to take the time to look around or try to remember when it's time to do shopping. (My sister made a great grocery list on Excel that you can just print and circle your regular items).
*Make the most of your minutes. Plan to be early to things in case you get stuck in traffic. If you are early, use that time to jot your thank you note, make a phone call, make a list, etc. Clean the bathroom while your toddler is playing in the bathtub. You have to be in there anyway.
*Have an under-the-bed storage box for each kids' artwork. Only keep the masterpieces that they would appreciate later. Rotate the rest from the display area to the trash.
There was more, but these are the things that stuck with me. I LOVE organizing tips. If you have any others, I would love to hear them.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Christmas Photos
We planned for today to be the kids' Christmas photo day, where we were going to get some really cute pictures of them at Portrait Innovations and get Christmas cards made. Little Sissy fell asleep on the way there, unfortunately. Luckily, we had planned to get some made of Big Sissy by herself since she just turned 3. Those turned out great. She was a little ham. Once Little Sissy woke up, though, she never really stopped being clingy and her nose kept running and her nose was turning more and more red. We didn't get a single "Christmas card worthy" photo of the 2 girls together. I'm not sure if we'll try again or what. I hate to keep spending the money on more pictures! Anyway, here are the ones that turned out well. They are cute. Too bad they couldn't do a card with 2 pictures on it. Then we would just put the 2 individual pictures on there. Bummer! Enjoy the cute pics, though!
Friday, November 23, 2007
Thanksgiving Memories
Four blogs in one day...must be finals week. :) That's usually when I catch up on everything else I need to do. Aunt Saundra and Nana usually organize a craft for the kids after the meal on Thanksgiving, so here are some shots of craft time. In case you're wondering about the little "hippie" girl, she put her headband on all by herself.
OK, one more. This is Big Sissy preparing a feast for all her babies. How cute is this?!
Meanwhile, Little Sissy was playing with toys and Aunt Darla in another room. Poor baby had a bloody, runny nose all day. Silly mommy should have wiped it BEFORE I took all the pictures. Oops. I just thought she was so cute.
OK, one more. This is Big Sissy preparing a feast for all her babies. How cute is this?!
Sleeping Friend
While at the circus I noticed that the "night" setting on my camera didn't work. I thought it might be because of the other little lights around (exit signs, ring of fire, etc.), so I tried it out at home. It's weird to use this setting because it has to be totally dark, so you can't see anything through the viewfinder. I got lucky and captured my sweet baby snuggling with her lamby as she slept. I love these moments.
Circus Pony
I haven't blogged much lately because I'm supposed to be focused on school, but I need a break and I want to write something fun. Last Saturday we went to the circus, and Big Sissy got to ride a pony. Hubby's parents went too, and they bought her a blow-up Dora the Explorer on a stick. Why they make toys on long sticks for children I cannot figure out (especially when the seats are close together the sticks are longer than the allotted space between people). Anyway...she had a great time. We couldn't convince her to ride an elephant--maybe next time. Here are some pics of her on a pony.
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