Summer Fun!

Bits Of Everything: Parenting tips for Young Children

I haven't posted in a while and mostly it's because we are so so busy. But I must admit that Libby and Drew, at age 4, are giving Darrell and I a run for our money lately. They are so sweet and loving one moment and then turn into wild monkeys the next. I get frustrated because I don't want them to be disrespectful to us and wish they would listen more. I'm hoping and praying it's just a phase. I have to remember that big culprits to their behavior are sleep, food, and especially SUGAR. We need to just give up treats like candy from favor bags or anything "junk" before bed/nap time because they just get wild. Thankfully I found this blog post today and need to re-read it every morning!

Bits Of Everything: Parenting tips for Young Children: "  Here are some helpful ideas I've found that have helped in parenting a strong willed child:
1-Provide the fundamentals. Children well fed and with enough sleep and the right foods cope best.
2- Daily, give children personalized time, attention and affection
3-Avoid name calling and labeling kids, "Hyper", "Trouble maker" or "problem child". Labels don't help a child's self-esteem.
4-Maintain a predicable schedule. Warn children of changes in routine and let them know when they can expect things to end. (Let them know when they have 10 minutes, then 5 minutes left in an activity)
5-Make sure children get hands-on active play time. It helps them use their energy constructively. Avoid over-scheduling children, but give them an activity that's a good outlet for energy.
6-Model and encourage positive social skills, such as trading, sharing, inviting others to play, offering to help others, and asking for help.
7-Choose your battles wisely. Use clear directions and enforce age appropriate limits, with reasonable consequences. Avoid over-reacting, raising your voice, or offering false threats. Dealing with problems matter-of-factly can help your child gain control and trust in your parenting.

Veggie Garden

We decided to plant veggies this year and decided to have a container garden on our deck since this is where we get the most sunshine. We have been very diligent about looking for pests since our tomato fiasco last summer. Our Early Girl tomatoes are doing great and are so good!

Same with our zucchini (no veggies yet but nice and healthy plant):

But yesterday I checked our cauliflower and found this!

Yep, little green caterpillars all over! I picked off about 20 over 2 days and the kids wanted to keep them as pets. So we dug in the recycle bin for an old jelly jar and put in some leaves. It is pretty gross though b/c there is sooo much poop in there! Eewwww. But we'll have to wait and see if they form some pupae or chrysali (?) soon.

Look who has visited our tomato plant! They say that ladybugs bring good luck, so I hope this little lady brings lots of tomatoes, too. Libby was amazed at how teeny-tiny this little lady was- plus she kept asking why she was orange and not red! My favorite response of the summer... "Because that's how God made her." It has worked for a variety of situations already!

Seafood

After spending a Saturday running errands and browsing in Salvation Army and Goodwill, we decided to try out a new seafood restaurant nearby. Of course Libby and Drew order spaghetti and mac 'n cheese at a seafood restaurant!

There IS Such Thing as a FREE Lunch (or Dinner)

Yes, we have no shame in having our kids dress up as cows (oh, but we did it, too) just to get a free meal at Chick-Fil-A tonight. We printed out some masks from their website for the kids. Darrell used painter's tape to attach the pieces to them. Note to others... DO NOT USE PAINTER'S TAPE ON SKIN. It hurts, I mean really hurts. :(

Happy 4th of July - 2011

We had fun at the South Riding Parade and Fireworks Finale this year!