My son, the one who just turned four, is getting confused by his sisters. I understand that girls and boys are different and can confuse each other, so I was trying to help him. Here are some things we came up with that every boy needs to know.
1. Girls do not have three hands, do not just hand them all the things you are supposed to carry.
2. Girls actually like boys that treat them nicely.
3. Girls are not exactly like boys and they don't always want to talk about boy things.
4. Girls like candy.
5. Girls like food, and they eat.
6. Girls do not like it when boys burp.
7. Girls do not like boogers.
8. Girls like to do things that are fun.
9. Girls do not like boys who hurt them.
10. Girls sometimes like to be alone.
Here are some things that girls need to know about boys.
1. Boys like cars.
2. Boys like planes.
3. Boys like burping.
4. Boys like getting dirty.
5. Boys like toys.
6. Boys like girls.
7. Boys like boogers.
8. Boys like bugs.
9. Boys like food.
10. Boys like candy.
As you can see boys are a bit different from girls but there are some similarities. Let's hope this helps you understand boys or girls.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Things to do during a blizzard
When you have four children that love to play outside, and an ice rink they like to skate on it can be difficult to entertain them during a blizzard. We have a small house, so that adds to the challenge. We are currently experiencing a blizzard for us. I realize that our version of a blizzard is what people in the north of us would call a small spring storm, but here's what we are doing now.
1. Playing catch. It turns out that the area with the kitchen table is perfect for this, move the table.
2. Practicing hitting the ball. The tiles work well for home base.
3. Teaching the baby how to roll a ball. He would really rather eat it so this could take a while.
4. Discussing the differences between golf and baseball. There aren't as many as I thought.
5. Running the bases. There are currently only two bases so it's faster.
6. Discussing the differences between ballet and baseball. It turns out there are really only two, the glove and the bat. Who knew.
7. Discussing why we shouldn't throw the bat when playing baseball in the house.
8. Cleaning the pizza off the floor after it was hit by the ball.
9. Getting more pizza from the kitchen.
10. Applying ice to the wounds that occurred from numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 8.
I sure hope it isn't snowing tomorrow.
1. Playing catch. It turns out that the area with the kitchen table is perfect for this, move the table.
2. Practicing hitting the ball. The tiles work well for home base.
3. Teaching the baby how to roll a ball. He would really rather eat it so this could take a while.
4. Discussing the differences between golf and baseball. There aren't as many as I thought.
5. Running the bases. There are currently only two bases so it's faster.
6. Discussing the differences between ballet and baseball. It turns out there are really only two, the glove and the bat. Who knew.
7. Discussing why we shouldn't throw the bat when playing baseball in the house.
8. Cleaning the pizza off the floor after it was hit by the ball.
9. Getting more pizza from the kitchen.
10. Applying ice to the wounds that occurred from numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 8.
I sure hope it isn't snowing tomorrow.
Mother's day gifts she actually needs
My husband doesn't buy me Christmas presents, or birthday presents, and this is a mutual thing and I'm really happy with it, but he does get me Mother's Day presents. So if he were to ask, which he hasn't because it's only February, I would give him this list of things that I always need and never remember to purchase when I am at the store.
1. Superglue gel, I love this stuff, it works on almost all the plastic toys I step on regularly.
2. Pens that work. I have yet to find pens with a child-proof lid, but that would be ideal.
3. Pony-tail holders, also called hair-tyes in colors that aren't black. I always see these at the checkout and realize I need them (remember I have two daughters) but the only color at the check out is black. Black is boring :(
4. Pencil erasers. My children have taken to chewing the erasers off of the pencils during school. I can't figure out a good way to stop them so I have big erasers that I keep where they can't find them. So of course they find them and eat them or something and the erasers are no where to be found.
5. Staples. You might notice a trend of office supplies but staples apparently disappear if you leave them in a desk drawer.
Of course these are things I need, I will likely get something I don't need but inherently gives me more joy like a cool beaded necklace that matches my cool hand-print shirt, or something equally important for my wardrobe. I hope I get something made with lots of bright colors and multiple pictures or hand prints. That would be wonderful. I will just put these other things on my shopping list and buy them myself.
1. Superglue gel, I love this stuff, it works on almost all the plastic toys I step on regularly.
2. Pens that work. I have yet to find pens with a child-proof lid, but that would be ideal.
3. Pony-tail holders, also called hair-tyes in colors that aren't black. I always see these at the checkout and realize I need them (remember I have two daughters) but the only color at the check out is black. Black is boring :(
4. Pencil erasers. My children have taken to chewing the erasers off of the pencils during school. I can't figure out a good way to stop them so I have big erasers that I keep where they can't find them. So of course they find them and eat them or something and the erasers are no where to be found.
5. Staples. You might notice a trend of office supplies but staples apparently disappear if you leave them in a desk drawer.
Of course these are things I need, I will likely get something I don't need but inherently gives me more joy like a cool beaded necklace that matches my cool hand-print shirt, or something equally important for my wardrobe. I hope I get something made with lots of bright colors and multiple pictures or hand prints. That would be wonderful. I will just put these other things on my shopping list and buy them myself.
Friday, February 22, 2013
2 February birthdays
We had tons of fun helping my little girl turn six years old. She wanted bacon for breakfast and Indian food for lunch. I made a cake of Rapunzel's tower, and she got lots of fun goodies. I asked her what she liked best about being five, she said "getting big enough to reach the kitchen counter." I asked her what she was looking forward to about being six, her brilliant reply "I don't know, I just got to be six." I think she's in for a great year. I can't wait to see what she learns and accomplishes this year.
We also had fun helping my son turn four years old. We went on a ski vacation and his birthday was the first day. He spent his birthday on the slopes, and had steak for dinner. I asked my son what he liked about being three. He said "learning to run faster." I asked him what he was looking forward to as a four year old. He did not hesitate, "getting to eat more carrots." You now know pretty much all he thinks about. Running, or otherwise moving, and food. That's about it. I am excited to watch him grow this year as well. He is learning how to be a big brother, as a third child this is a slightly difficult adjustment, but he's getting better and it's fun to see.
We also had fun helping my son turn four years old. We went on a ski vacation and his birthday was the first day. He spent his birthday on the slopes, and had steak for dinner. I asked my son what he liked about being three. He said "learning to run faster." I asked him what he was looking forward to as a four year old. He did not hesitate, "getting to eat more carrots." You now know pretty much all he thinks about. Running, or otherwise moving, and food. That's about it. I am excited to watch him grow this year as well. He is learning how to be a big brother, as a third child this is a slightly difficult adjustment, but he's getting better and it's fun to see.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Quote to consider
Human happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.
George Washington
I ran across this as I was reading something else and it made me stop and think. If he truly said this, I haven't checked the source, he was a wise man. I know George Washington was known for being intelligent and a quick learner, but this is something most people lately seem to not learn. Are they unwilling to learn it, unable to learn it, or is our society becoming so morally bankrupt that this is nearly impossible to learn. We have become so incredibly afraid to offend people that we have forgotten that sometimes the truth is offensive. True friends and those who truly love you will be more concerned with trying to improve you than with trying to appease you.
These are things I've been thinking about of late and these thoughts have lead me to truly appreciate those who truly love me. Thank you to those who have improved me especially when the truth was painful for me to hear.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
10 things I'm pretty sure I'll miss in about 17 years
I've been seeing a picture going around facebook that says that when our children leave home we will miss the huge pile of laundry that is keeping us from going to bed at a decent hour. The first time I saw this, I was sitting on my bed nursing my smallest in the middle of a pile of clean laundry. I thought to myself, "I will not miss the laundry, but the reason for the laundry." Of course I started thinking about all the other things that could be said instead of laundry, and a few of the things I will actually miss. So here's 10 things I will not miss, followed by 10 things I will miss terribly.
Things I will not miss...
1, Cleaning the floors and the bathroom in the middle of the night.
2. Changing diapers.
3. Having to purchase milk at Cost-Co weekly.
4. Sweeping the floor, five times a day.
5. Dishes.
6. Mom-showers
7. That stuff under the carseat.
8. Having my pants pulled down in public.
9. Looking for shoes before leaving the house, finding them, putting them on someone else.
10. Averaging four loads of laundry a day.
Things I know I will miss...
1. Getting up at 5:30am to drive 4 hours for a 1 hour game, and the "thank you, Mom" that comes with it.
2. Tying so many skates that I have a callous from September to March, and the smiles when their skates hit the ice.
3. Spending many hours going over the same lesson again and again, and the look of accomplishment when they finally get it.
4. Answering questions. This week's winners "Mom, do all unicorns have wings or just the magic ones?" and "If I have to move far away when I grow up, do you promise to come visit me a lot?"
5. Washing the table, and the floor, and her dress, and her shirt after she made a lovely watercolor masterpiece. Getting to keep the masterpiece.
6. Putting on my boots to cook dinner so when I get hit with a puck it doesn't hurt so much, and the "Did you see that shot, Mom?"
7. The "Mom! I forgot my towel!" and the warm thank you hug that results.
8. Bedtime talks.
9. Early morning tickles.
10. Hearing the answer to "Well, what do you think?"
Things I will not miss...
1, Cleaning the floors and the bathroom in the middle of the night.
2. Changing diapers.
3. Having to purchase milk at Cost-Co weekly.
4. Sweeping the floor, five times a day.
5. Dishes.
6. Mom-showers
7. That stuff under the carseat.
8. Having my pants pulled down in public.
9. Looking for shoes before leaving the house, finding them, putting them on someone else.
10. Averaging four loads of laundry a day.
Things I know I will miss...
1. Getting up at 5:30am to drive 4 hours for a 1 hour game, and the "thank you, Mom" that comes with it.
2. Tying so many skates that I have a callous from September to March, and the smiles when their skates hit the ice.
3. Spending many hours going over the same lesson again and again, and the look of accomplishment when they finally get it.
4. Answering questions. This week's winners "Mom, do all unicorns have wings or just the magic ones?" and "If I have to move far away when I grow up, do you promise to come visit me a lot?"
5. Washing the table, and the floor, and her dress, and her shirt after she made a lovely watercolor masterpiece. Getting to keep the masterpiece.
6. Putting on my boots to cook dinner so when I get hit with a puck it doesn't hurt so much, and the "Did you see that shot, Mom?"
7. The "Mom! I forgot my towel!" and the warm thank you hug that results.
8. Bedtime talks.
9. Early morning tickles.
10. Hearing the answer to "Well, what do you think?"
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Thursday Morning
I so look forward to my Thursday mornings because my Mom takes the girls to dance and I get a few hours with just my boys. I usually try to go shopping because it's so much easier with only two children in tow. This morning however my boys are both asleep. I am struck with time, during daylight, by myself. I know, What? So, what should I do. Dinner is already in the crockpot and the bread needs to rise for at least another two hours. I could exercise or work on lesson plans but instead I decided to read for fun. This lasted about 30 seconds until I realized that I had overdue books at the library, so then I logged on to renew them. I was online anyway so I read my facebook, that took me to an interesting article about not cussing in front of your children, which led me to think that I should add a blog entry, when I realized I could drink my morning tea while it was hot. And, while I was drinking my tea I could read my book, but I forgot where I put it last night because there was some emergency while I was trying to read before bed. I thought all this through and realized that I am a little disorganized lately. That reminded me that I used to be very organized. I liked my house clean, I did all my laundry at once and put it away, yeah, all three loads in my small washer. I used to do the dishes after every meal and I had a menu for the week. Now, not so much. My husband says he sometimes feels bamboozled. "I always feel frazzled, but in a good way." Is my standard reply. Which reminded me that I have six loads of laundry to fold and I didn't wash the sheets on Monday like I usually do. On my way to get the sheets I stepped on a tupperware lid which reminded me I need sandwich baggies at the store so I went to write that on the list. Now both the boys are awake and eating cereal together, not sure the 3 year old should be feeding the almost 10 month old, but they are both happy and not making too big of a mess. Well, there goes my free time! I got nothing done. Now we have to run errands and do school and I should work on the girls lessons and I guess I should finish the laundry. I have to go to the library because I can't renew the video we checked out. And my tea got cold while I was looking for my book. Ah, my nice relaxing morning...
By the way, I can't even say frikin, my son says it's a bad word, now I say toejam, mostly because it usually makes me laugh and yelling it when you are angry is very satisfying.
By the way, I can't even say frikin, my son says it's a bad word, now I say toejam, mostly because it usually makes me laugh and yelling it when you are angry is very satisfying.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Sports Parents
I've played sports since I was quite young and I've now had a child in sports for four years. I've seen many kinds of parents over the years, here are some of my favorites.
1. The "random yell" parent. This is the parent that picks a phrase that might be applicable in some situations during the game such as "Get there!", "Faster!" or my personal favorite "Gowafter it!" This parent then yells this same phrase over and over ever thirty seconds or so for the entire game, for the entire season. They are from then on known as the "Get there!" guy, the "Faster!" lady, or Mr. "Gowafter it!". These people often do not realize that they are called this name at dinner tables around town, but we thank them for the conversation starter.
2. The "BOOOO" parent. Do not be this parent. It is ok to voice displeasure every now and then, and there might be times when it seems appropriate. You do not want to be known as the boooer. This means that you don't cheer except to put someone else down. What are you teaching your child? I mean really.
3. The "my child is the greatest" parent. Your child is great, so are all the other children on the team. It's o.k. to point out when your child is doing well, just remember that other players are doing well too. When you point out that your child is the greatest you are either wrong, or you are gloating. Either way you look a dork.
4. The snack parent. This is the parent that either brings snacks or makes sure someone else does to every practice and game. These are the parents that seem really organized and make the rest of us feel bad. Secretly we are glad to have them on the team because we totally don't have time to be this organized.
5. The encouraging parent. This parent only says positive things. Often you will listen to this parent cheer because you are sure that they will yell something negative and you want to catch them because they can't be that good, can they? Usually they are, they really are, and because of them you believe in humanity just a little bit more. You secretly wish you could be this parent, but know you will fail eventually.
6. The "organized cheer" parent. This is the parent that knows all the rhyming cheers, like the cheerleaders with uniforms know. I don't really know these cheers. You sometimes feel like you need to join in these cheers, that's a good thing because it builds a sense of community with the other parents. It's also acceptable to just opt out. The neat thing about these organized cheers is that no one really notices if you participate or not.
7. The "silent" parent. This is the parent that shows up to all the games, all the practices, sits alone, and never says anything. No one knows who this person is, which child is theirs, or even if they have one. Hmmm.... Not every team has this parent, but when you do it's a little odd.
8. The knows everyone parent. This person knows everyone there, in the play, away from the play, probably even the snack bar guy. You will find out that they have three or four children in the sport and have been doing this WAY too long. They are also inherently good at remembering names. Do not feel bad that you are not as good as them at remembering who everyone is, this is their special talent, they are awesome.
9. The take charge parent. This person is either great or really annoying, depending totally on their personality. You will likely have to deal with both. Sometimes this person is awesome, they are positive and truly trying to help the youth sport organization because they think it's important for children. If this is the case, offer to help, you will learn a lot and be totally impressed. Then, there are the ones that try to take over for their own child. If this is the case just stay out of the way, it's safer.
10. The "crazy cheer" parent. This is my favorite. I think it's important for the children to have one of these on each team. This is the parent that yells loud and proud and dances. It is a huge embarrassment for their child, but when they yell positive cheers it actually helps the whole team and isn't too bad for their son or daughter either. Yes, it's silly, but it's oh so neat to get people to realize IT'S ONLY A GAME!
So, go, be sports parents. Go, go I say, enjoy the early morning drives with your child, the lifelong friends you will all make, and the great conversations you have after the game. You can be one of these, or make up your own but remember, be positive.
1. The "random yell" parent. This is the parent that picks a phrase that might be applicable in some situations during the game such as "Get there!", "Faster!" or my personal favorite "Gowafter it!" This parent then yells this same phrase over and over ever thirty seconds or so for the entire game, for the entire season. They are from then on known as the "Get there!" guy, the "Faster!" lady, or Mr. "Gowafter it!". These people often do not realize that they are called this name at dinner tables around town, but we thank them for the conversation starter.
2. The "BOOOO" parent. Do not be this parent. It is ok to voice displeasure every now and then, and there might be times when it seems appropriate. You do not want to be known as the boooer. This means that you don't cheer except to put someone else down. What are you teaching your child? I mean really.
3. The "my child is the greatest" parent. Your child is great, so are all the other children on the team. It's o.k. to point out when your child is doing well, just remember that other players are doing well too. When you point out that your child is the greatest you are either wrong, or you are gloating. Either way you look a dork.
4. The snack parent. This is the parent that either brings snacks or makes sure someone else does to every practice and game. These are the parents that seem really organized and make the rest of us feel bad. Secretly we are glad to have them on the team because we totally don't have time to be this organized.
5. The encouraging parent. This parent only says positive things. Often you will listen to this parent cheer because you are sure that they will yell something negative and you want to catch them because they can't be that good, can they? Usually they are, they really are, and because of them you believe in humanity just a little bit more. You secretly wish you could be this parent, but know you will fail eventually.
6. The "organized cheer" parent. This is the parent that knows all the rhyming cheers, like the cheerleaders with uniforms know. I don't really know these cheers. You sometimes feel like you need to join in these cheers, that's a good thing because it builds a sense of community with the other parents. It's also acceptable to just opt out. The neat thing about these organized cheers is that no one really notices if you participate or not.
7. The "silent" parent. This is the parent that shows up to all the games, all the practices, sits alone, and never says anything. No one knows who this person is, which child is theirs, or even if they have one. Hmmm.... Not every team has this parent, but when you do it's a little odd.
8. The knows everyone parent. This person knows everyone there, in the play, away from the play, probably even the snack bar guy. You will find out that they have three or four children in the sport and have been doing this WAY too long. They are also inherently good at remembering names. Do not feel bad that you are not as good as them at remembering who everyone is, this is their special talent, they are awesome.
9. The take charge parent. This person is either great or really annoying, depending totally on their personality. You will likely have to deal with both. Sometimes this person is awesome, they are positive and truly trying to help the youth sport organization because they think it's important for children. If this is the case, offer to help, you will learn a lot and be totally impressed. Then, there are the ones that try to take over for their own child. If this is the case just stay out of the way, it's safer.
10. The "crazy cheer" parent. This is my favorite. I think it's important for the children to have one of these on each team. This is the parent that yells loud and proud and dances. It is a huge embarrassment for their child, but when they yell positive cheers it actually helps the whole team and isn't too bad for their son or daughter either. Yes, it's silly, but it's oh so neat to get people to realize IT'S ONLY A GAME!
So, go, be sports parents. Go, go I say, enjoy the early morning drives with your child, the lifelong friends you will all make, and the great conversations you have after the game. You can be one of these, or make up your own but remember, be positive.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
My Birthday
So today was my birthday, I turned an age that is appropriate to be the mother of my children. I am not ashamed of my age, I just always get "Wow, you're young!" or "Hmm, I thought you were younger." So, I don't mention it anymore.
I had a lovely day, but it really started last night. I had the 10 pm hockey game. I think I am the only one in the whole league that likes these. I find them fun and I don't have to worry so much about the children I left at home with my husband because I know that he and the baby will sleep on the couch while the other three watch movies on pbskids. Somehow this is comforting. It was a fun game, my Dad got a hat trick and I stopped a penalty shot so way fun. Oh yeah, and we won in overtime.
When I got home from hockey I couldn't sleep (of course) so I logged on to Facebook hoping my friends could amuse me and it was great because I'd already started getting Happy Birthday posts on my timeline. I know not everyone has Facebook birthdays but I must say they are AWESOME. I just yelled that in my head so it was in caps. I just felt so much love, in a good way, from all my Facebook friends.
My children let me sleep in until 10:30 because they were up until I got home from my hockey game and made them go to bed. When they woke up I packed up their school stuff and took us all out for breakfast. We did school in the restaurant after we ate. My son asked for harder math because the addition he's doing is for babies. These were his exact words...
"Mom, can I have kindergarten math, these problems are for babies. I am almost 4! I thought we were doing homeschool so I could go at my own pace."
The man at the table next to us looked at us strangely and shook his head. Then my so proceeded to tell his sister the answers to her math problems and said "See Mom, I can do that."
Hmm, I'm thinking I need to start him on multiplication.
When we got home from breakfast about 2, we started baking cookies for my birthday dessert. Then, about 3:30 I had the ingredients out for the cookies. About 4:45 I put two of the children on the ice rink in the back yard because I couldn't figure out how to make cookies with three helpers. Then about 5:15 I put too much flour in the cookies. Then, about 5:30 the cookies were in the oven. Hmmm, it used to take me about 35 minutes to bake 4 dozen cookies. Right, we will not think about that ever again.
We then had a lovely dinner at my Mom's with family and friends and I got some really neat presents. Of course my favorites were from my oldest daughter, She made me a stick horse head from one of my socks, I think it will make a nice pillow on our next road trip. She also made me a lovely curtain for me kitchen window. I am now really glad I said she could have a sewing machine for Christmas. Mixed in with my pride for her was a little sad/glad moment when I realized that she is getting really grown up.
When we got home from dinner I started getting the ski stuff out. That's right, we are going skiing tomorrow. I am excited and will consider this part of my birthday and not only because my husband is taking off of work on a Wednesday.
Now I need to sleep so I can wake up early tomorrow. Thanks to everyone who made this birthday a great one.
I had a lovely day, but it really started last night. I had the 10 pm hockey game. I think I am the only one in the whole league that likes these. I find them fun and I don't have to worry so much about the children I left at home with my husband because I know that he and the baby will sleep on the couch while the other three watch movies on pbskids. Somehow this is comforting. It was a fun game, my Dad got a hat trick and I stopped a penalty shot so way fun. Oh yeah, and we won in overtime.
When I got home from hockey I couldn't sleep (of course) so I logged on to Facebook hoping my friends could amuse me and it was great because I'd already started getting Happy Birthday posts on my timeline. I know not everyone has Facebook birthdays but I must say they are AWESOME. I just yelled that in my head so it was in caps. I just felt so much love, in a good way, from all my Facebook friends.
My children let me sleep in until 10:30 because they were up until I got home from my hockey game and made them go to bed. When they woke up I packed up their school stuff and took us all out for breakfast. We did school in the restaurant after we ate. My son asked for harder math because the addition he's doing is for babies. These were his exact words...
"Mom, can I have kindergarten math, these problems are for babies. I am almost 4! I thought we were doing homeschool so I could go at my own pace."
The man at the table next to us looked at us strangely and shook his head. Then my so proceeded to tell his sister the answers to her math problems and said "See Mom, I can do that."
Hmm, I'm thinking I need to start him on multiplication.
When we got home from breakfast about 2, we started baking cookies for my birthday dessert. Then, about 3:30 I had the ingredients out for the cookies. About 4:45 I put two of the children on the ice rink in the back yard because I couldn't figure out how to make cookies with three helpers. Then about 5:15 I put too much flour in the cookies. Then, about 5:30 the cookies were in the oven. Hmmm, it used to take me about 35 minutes to bake 4 dozen cookies. Right, we will not think about that ever again.
We then had a lovely dinner at my Mom's with family and friends and I got some really neat presents. Of course my favorites were from my oldest daughter, She made me a stick horse head from one of my socks, I think it will make a nice pillow on our next road trip. She also made me a lovely curtain for me kitchen window. I am now really glad I said she could have a sewing machine for Christmas. Mixed in with my pride for her was a little sad/glad moment when I realized that she is getting really grown up.
When we got home from dinner I started getting the ski stuff out. That's right, we are going skiing tomorrow. I am excited and will consider this part of my birthday and not only because my husband is taking off of work on a Wednesday.
Now I need to sleep so I can wake up early tomorrow. Thanks to everyone who made this birthday a great one.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
10 I am trying to not do this new year
These are not resolutions because those just discourage me. I set a resolution, then I mess up once, then I give up. I decided to not do that this year, instead I'm going to try my best to get better.
1. I will not get upset when I don't get to follow my plan for the day.
2. I will not think I failed if no one likes dinner.
3. I will not get discouraged when projects take twice as long as they did before I had children.
4. I will not apologize for being tired because I stayed up late reading a good book. (I will try to limit this to about once per month)
5. I will not feel guilty for spending the afternoon playing monopoly instead of doing laundry.
6. I will not wait until my house is clean to invite people over.
7. I will not wait until my chores are done to take my children to the park.
8. I will not forget my anniversary.
9. I will not only rent movies for the children.
10. I will not let the ants eat my strawberry plants.
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