Thursday, March 31, 2016

Family

A few weeks ago my younger brother, Ham, and his family came to a location within 3 hours of us. (They live about a 24 hour drive from us) We drove to meet them.  It was a nice visit.  We don't get to see them nearly enough.  On visits like these it reminds me just how much I wish they would move back.  It also makes me conscious once again just how blessed I am to have a family that loves each other and actually WANTS to be around each other.

Have a great day!
Ms. T 




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Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Kid Catch Phrases

     I have noticed my munchkins each have their own catch phrase.  Sweet pea begins almost every conversation with me this way: "Mommy, I have to tell you something."  To which I always reply, "Okay, tell me something."   Firecracker's conversation opener is: "Mom, just for you to know this..."

     Now mind you, I am the least observant person ever
so who knows how long they have been opening conversations this way before I actually noticed.  However, now that I HAVE noticed it tickles me to hear them say their little phrases.  Kids really don't have any idea how entertaining they can be sometimes.

Have a great day!
Ms. T 




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Thursday, March 24, 2016

Choosing Your Battles

Once a child begins to express their own opinions and desires their parent has one of two options: 1. Fight every battle to get their own way, or 2. Pick the battles that are the most important.

My mind set before I had children was that the first option was the most important.  A child should know who's boss right?  Oh my my my has my opinion changed. Honestly, my opinion on parenting has changed by leaps and bounds since I've had children.

 I read a quote that sums up my current parenting philosophy, "If you choose to fight every battle you won't have the energy to win the battles that are the most important." (I'm paraphrasing)  Honestly, I do not remember where I read the quote, but it is totally legit.  Firecracker wants to wear a pair of pants that are too small and look like high waters?  Whatever, as long as he understands that will be the last time he wears them before they are passed down to tank, his cousin.  (Seriously, I don't know where he finds the clothes that are too small.  I go through his clothes pretty regularly to get rid of ones that no longer fit.  I think they just appear out of thin air.)  Sweet pea wants to wear leggins that are hot pink, green and hot orange striped with a dress that is yellow plaid?  Sure, whatever.  She is proud she picks out her own clothes, and I am happy she isn't naked.

You may be asking what battles will I fight?  To me the important ones include things like obeying immediately when I tell them something.   Sweet pea doesn't want to stop running ahead of me in the store?  That is a battle I will fight.  Firecracker wants to talk back?  Oh yeah, Mom is gonna win that one.

Like I said, I WILL FIGHT the battles that are important to me.  The way I see it the clothes they wear at this age (6 and 4) and (most of) the games they play aren't going to shape their little personalities.  However, the things that matter in the long run that will affect the people they will become?  Those are battles worth fighting for.  

It has taken me 6 years to become this kind of parent.  And I'm glad I've learned this lesson now.  I hate to think that if I fight every battle just to make sure I win that I will push my kid away, because no one likes to be dictated to constantly.  They need room to let their personalities flourish, however, they also need boundaries to understand there are rules.  It is a delicate balance we parents have to try to strike daily.  Honestly, some days I get it right and sadly, far too often I get it wrong.  I can only pray that my kiddos will know that I love them and am trying to do the best I can.

Have a great day,
Ms. T 




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Monday, March 21, 2016

Firecracker is 7!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FIRECRACKER!!!  Mommy and Daddy love you sooooo much!

Holy cow bells!  How in the world is my baby turning 7 already?!  It seems like just yesterday we were holding him and helping him take his first steps.  And now he is 7!  Wowzers!  It's insane!!  Don't blink, because one minute they look like this:


 And the next they look like this:

It makes me wanna cry, for real... Happy birthday, Little man!  We love you more than words can say.

Love,
Mommy and Daddy
 




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Tuesday, March 15, 2016

A Girl That Is Secure In Her Identity

 I usually let Sweet Pea decide what type of hair do she wants for school.  As long as her hair is pulled back I really don't mind what style she chooses. She usually picks an "Elsa braid" which is just a single french braid that drapes over her shoulder.  Occasionally, I can talk her into "Anna braids" which are two pig tail braids.  

The other day she was deciding what her hair do would be for the day and she said, "I want one Anna braid and one pig tail."  At first I tried to sway Sweet pea into picking either two piggy tails or two Anna braids.  However, she was adamant that she wanted one braid and one pig tail.  So that is what she got.  Sweet pea was happy and I made sure everyone that saw us together knew that her hair style was HER choice.  Most people thought it was cute.  You can judge for yourself:
And yes, she went allllll day that way.


Have a great day!
Ms. T   




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