If only I would post oftener, I wouldn't feel conflicted about what to write about. Since I haven't written in awhile, there feels like so much to tell. Like the girls and my trip to Chiliwack and Nanaimo for a wedding and visit with their great-grandparents, or my trip to Spokane with my hubby (sans kids), or our multiple vehicle and air conditioner break downs which could lead to a large rant on money and the evils of it.
But I think I will write about potty-training. That's interesting, right?
Leigh is currently potty-training. We started once we got home from our little vacation. My mom had been here the end of June, and she said that she thought Leigh was ready since Leigh always said poop, and then she would have a poop in her diaper. So once we got home it was panties only for little Miss Leigh (except for nap and bed times, and also when we go out somewhere).
Leigh hasn't fussed about not being in diapers, though that's not a surprise since it seems to be trait that children are born with to love running around naked. This must seem like one step closer to naked to her. But she has yet to do anything on the toilet. But it's only the first week. Some people might wonder if she truly is ready yet, she's only just turned 2, but I am fairly positive she is because she consistently tells me "poop" right after she pees in her pants.
And once she says poop, we both run to the washroom, her leading the way. So she has the concept down, just not the timing. But she will get it, I'm sure. I am actually being much more patient with her about this (most days) than I thought I would be. Usually having to take time away from "my" day to do things irritates me, but I guess God is working in my heart (thank goodness!) and making me more aware of what is truly important in "my" day, i.e. my kids.
So hopefully by the next time I write about this, we will have some victories to report! Because I am so ready to have no more diapers, at least until the next one!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
How to Get Your Daughter to Try on Her Dress so You Can Adjust the Straps Accordingly
The title is slightly misleading since I haven't figured out how to do this myself 100% of the time, only 50%. Leigh was a great model putting on the dress and taking it off when I needed to. But Abby, no way.
I was even prepared for some resistance, so I had candy as a bribe. Some nice, big, blue whale candies. I gave her one right away, and then popped her shirt off. But as soon as I tried to put the dress over her head, well, that was when the cooperation ended.
I then proceeded to pry the candy from her mouth, since the candy was for trying on the dress. She naturally got upset about that so I tried to put the dress on again, all the time explaining why she got the candy and that it was conditional.
Nope, not happening. So I shoved my finger in her mouth, trying to avoid her sharp little teeth, and amazingly enough, I got the entire candy out of her mouth. Not something I really want to do everyday though; saliva, gross.
I gave her a little time-out in her room since she was freaking out. And then we tried again. But still she refused!
This has now turned into a battle of the wills and I am determined to win. But I know from experience (just last night for example) that Abby sticks to her guns pretty strongly. So I'll let you know the winner!
On a completely different matter, does anyone know how to remove the security tags from clothing? I bought Abby a skirt while I was away and they didn't remove the tag and the store is a good two plus hours away. And I live in a small town where I don't think any stores use security tags...
I was even prepared for some resistance, so I had candy as a bribe. Some nice, big, blue whale candies. I gave her one right away, and then popped her shirt off. But as soon as I tried to put the dress over her head, well, that was when the cooperation ended.
I then proceeded to pry the candy from her mouth, since the candy was for trying on the dress. She naturally got upset about that so I tried to put the dress on again, all the time explaining why she got the candy and that it was conditional.
Nope, not happening. So I shoved my finger in her mouth, trying to avoid her sharp little teeth, and amazingly enough, I got the entire candy out of her mouth. Not something I really want to do everyday though; saliva, gross.
I gave her a little time-out in her room since she was freaking out. And then we tried again. But still she refused!
This has now turned into a battle of the wills and I am determined to win. But I know from experience (just last night for example) that Abby sticks to her guns pretty strongly. So I'll let you know the winner!
On a completely different matter, does anyone know how to remove the security tags from clothing? I bought Abby a skirt while I was away and they didn't remove the tag and the store is a good two plus hours away. And I live in a small town where I don't think any stores use security tags...
Friday, June 17, 2011
Preschool is Coming Along
Today Abby was sick. And without any warning. Well, she was cuddly and not wanting to run around and play, she just wanted to lie with me on the couch, but sometimes she's like that. I didn't think anything of it until after she threw up all over the couch, rug, herself, and myself. Poor kid. She couldn't keep anything down today. So we haven't done much except watch movies.
Yes, I let her watch movies all day. Poor mom award, right here. But honestly, I don't think there's anything wrong with a movie day once in awhile. It's not like she's sick every day. Plus I needed something to get her mind off of food because despite being sick, she still wants to eat. But I can't let her. So the movies sufficiently distract her.
We didn't do any kind of "work" today, but I have to toot my own horn and say that we have actually been doing "work" almost every day this week, and even most of last week! By "work" I am meaning preschool activities intended to teach her stuff.
We have been using the Raising Rock Stars Preschool activities from 1+1+1=1, as well as preschool packs from there and Homeschool Creations. We don't do everything but kind of piece things together. I also will just look over the internet for crafty ideas for the letters and such.
We have been working through the alphabet, and are currently on C. Each week there is a verse and song, that we sing every day and Abby really enjoys that. She will even drag me over to the chart so we can go through them. It is encouraging to see her wanting to do this. She will either repeat the words after me for the verse, or try to say them with me. And she will sing the song. Even if she doesn't know it. It's so cute.
After that we usually do some little worksheets or craft or something. There are some tracing ones, and she isn't too keen on staying on the line. I think that she could, but she just likes to follow the gist of where the line is going. The ends justifies the means, kind of thing. But she enjoys this and that's what counts!
Yes, I let her watch movies all day. Poor mom award, right here. But honestly, I don't think there's anything wrong with a movie day once in awhile. It's not like she's sick every day. Plus I needed something to get her mind off of food because despite being sick, she still wants to eat. But I can't let her. So the movies sufficiently distract her.
We didn't do any kind of "work" today, but I have to toot my own horn and say that we have actually been doing "work" almost every day this week, and even most of last week! By "work" I am meaning preschool activities intended to teach her stuff.
We have been using the Raising Rock Stars Preschool activities from 1+1+1=1, as well as preschool packs from there and Homeschool Creations. We don't do everything but kind of piece things together. I also will just look over the internet for crafty ideas for the letters and such.
We have been working through the alphabet, and are currently on C. Each week there is a verse and song, that we sing every day and Abby really enjoys that. She will even drag me over to the chart so we can go through them. It is encouraging to see her wanting to do this. She will either repeat the words after me for the verse, or try to say them with me. And she will sing the song. Even if she doesn't know it. It's so cute.
After that we usually do some little worksheets or craft or something. There are some tracing ones, and she isn't too keen on staying on the line. I think that she could, but she just likes to follow the gist of where the line is going. The ends justifies the means, kind of thing. But she enjoys this and that's what counts!
I was trying to get a picture of her matching pictures and words;
she just wanted to make faces at the camera
Monday, June 13, 2011
Good Morning Girls Book Club - Week 4 (ok, and 2 and 3) Thoughts
I am horribly behind in my reading. I am just starting chapter 4. I don't even want to admit this because I am doing my reading during my quiet time with God. So if I haven't read in a bunch of days, then the obvious conclusion is that I haven't even sat down to read God's Word either. Wow, that's a horrible confession to make for me.
But I can change! Right!
But even though I'm not "caught up" I am still wowed by the chapters I have read. It totally brought tears to my eyes. I probably could have sobbed for quite awhile actually, but I held it in since I was in bed with my hubby and he was watching some TV show (can't remember what now). I didn't want to interrupt, haha. No, he wouldn't care, but I seem to have a disinclination against giving in to crying. Maybe it's a sign that I am trying to be strong and rely on myself and not give into weakness.
Anyways, off-track. Everything she writes about feel like it is hitting me, BAM BAM, right in the heart. Holy Spirit has been convicting me over so much. Especially the encouraging words. I realize that when the girls mess up, I can tend to say some mean, sarcastic things, like "Do you really think that I wanted to spend my afternoon cleaning up the bathroom? Why on earth would you turn on the water under the sink? Do you think this is fun?"
What does that do to my girls? Do they feel stupid, or embarassed? Oh my heart aches when I think of all the idle words that I have spoken without thought. It is so wrong of me to just let my emotions control me.
And the other side, to speak encouragement to them. I need to do that more. I know that I do try to praise them when they do good, such as sharing a toy or treat, or even asking me if I'm ok when I get hurt. but I also want to speak life into them. To observe and acknowledge their strengths, and to help them build on those (with God's help of course) and also to help them take their weaknesses to Him.
I guess what I want is to show them the Father's love and to have them know how much He loves them and for them to love Him back. That's what this mothering thing is about.
This was a little more personal and revealing than I planned. But I shouldn't be ashamed because I know that our Father forgave me and I don't want to put on a front that pretends to have it all together.
But I can change! Right!
But even though I'm not "caught up" I am still wowed by the chapters I have read. It totally brought tears to my eyes. I probably could have sobbed for quite awhile actually, but I held it in since I was in bed with my hubby and he was watching some TV show (can't remember what now). I didn't want to interrupt, haha. No, he wouldn't care, but I seem to have a disinclination against giving in to crying. Maybe it's a sign that I am trying to be strong and rely on myself and not give into weakness.
Anyways, off-track. Everything she writes about feel like it is hitting me, BAM BAM, right in the heart. Holy Spirit has been convicting me over so much. Especially the encouraging words. I realize that when the girls mess up, I can tend to say some mean, sarcastic things, like "Do you really think that I wanted to spend my afternoon cleaning up the bathroom? Why on earth would you turn on the water under the sink? Do you think this is fun?"
What does that do to my girls? Do they feel stupid, or embarassed? Oh my heart aches when I think of all the idle words that I have spoken without thought. It is so wrong of me to just let my emotions control me.
And the other side, to speak encouragement to them. I need to do that more. I know that I do try to praise them when they do good, such as sharing a toy or treat, or even asking me if I'm ok when I get hurt. but I also want to speak life into them. To observe and acknowledge their strengths, and to help them build on those (with God's help of course) and also to help them take their weaknesses to Him.
I guess what I want is to show them the Father's love and to have them know how much He loves them and for them to love Him back. That's what this mothering thing is about.
This was a little more personal and revealing than I planned. But I shouldn't be ashamed because I know that our Father forgave me and I don't want to put on a front that pretends to have it all together.
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