Science

This boy loves Science. He loves learning about ecosystems, animals, fossils, marine life, rocks...all of it. He loves it. When people started asking what a good birthday gift for Conner would be, I told them Science related things. One of the things we got was a crystal mining kit. The crystals were hidden in this block of plaster and when I say it was hard to bust open, hard is an understatement. At one point we decided we'd use our own tools/ It was super cool and equally messy and he loved it.

Making Changes

Change is one of those things that is always worth it but so hard to actually DO. Lately, Conner's behavior has been less than stellar. Let's face it, it's been straight up awful. I have tried almost everything to get his attention, to encourage better choices and behavior. I've tried positive reinforcement, negative punishments...nothing really works. Since Halloween, we have fought over candy every.single.day. He will sneak it to eat it. He hides it so he can go get it later. I have decided NO more. I'm going to limit what he eats. He's alawys been very picky and we've just said, whatever he will eat is better than him not eating but he's five now so his diet is getting an overhaul. It's going to require work from me (no more box mac and cheese), but I know that making him eat whole foods, non-processed crap will help him. It will help the dynamics of my family. It's not like he eats junk all day long but he doesn't eat a large variety of foods. He will eat strawberries, apples, applesauce, grapes, PB, cheese, yogurt, some chicken, pork, beef, spaghetti, mac and cheese (but now I'll have to make it or buy annies but is that really better?). He will not eat any veggies and I mean zero. He will not eat eggs, he will not even try a lot of things. Food has always been a battle for me with Conner. I have NO idea how I will actually pull this off but I am determined. I think Trader Joe's will be my new bff. Stay tuned...hopefully I will have good behavior reports soon!

"those" days

You know the days I'm talking about...the days when the kids that went to bed too late get up too early. Those days when all they do is fight...and it starts just because one looks at the other. Those days when the baby refuses real food, for no good reason; maybe he just wants a bottle. Those days when one child ends up with scratches and a busted mouth from fighting...and it's only 8am. Yep, it's one of THOSE days at our house today. These two precious gifts have fought over the air they breathe. They have stolen food from one another and have tried to create a wwf ring on the couch. Meanwhile, the baby (who just wants to be big and can climb stairs. omg), is trying to get in the mix. I can't even think straight and it's 8am. I want a drink...maybe I'll spike my coffee. Did I mention...it's election day so there's no school. Yep, one of those days. BUT during one of these days, I remind myself that they are little, they need to be taught not yelled at. They need love, not for a mommy to yell. They need extra cuddles, because yes they are tired (and woke up coughing so they probably don't feel well). They need their own space, they are little people and all people have rough mornings and crappy days. So, instead of yelling, I show them some grace. I love them, unconditionally. I have tired days too and days when I don't feel well and I express that by telling them that I'm really tired or don't feel well. They are little; they can't (and don't) always express that verbally but by using behavior. It's grace they need and it's grace I'll give. Now, that doesn't mean that I haven't yelled at one or both of them (seriously, leave the baby ALONE) but I just have to remind myself of the grace that I like extended to me and I try to extend that to them.

this post makes no sense and I know that. whatever. It's tuesday one of those days and I'm tired. I'm going to get more coffee. Happy Tuesday :)

So What Wednesday

So what if...

I'm having coffee at 4:25pm.
I JUST realized it is Wednesday. really? wow.
I need a haircut. desperately. I won't get one until my hair guy is available and that really may be never since he got a FT job NOT doing hair anymore...
I am seriously considering a homeschool type program for Conner. Josh is not happy about this.
I just put make up on. yes, it's 4:30 in the afternoon. Apparently I think I'm starting my day over w/the coffee and make up. whatever.
I love my van, but I hate my van.
I think it's hilarious that Conner has started chasing girls on the playground...why? oh, b/c they scream. hilarious.

Link up w/Shannon!

I have a confession...

Can I just be like Maxine?

 
I'm a terrible house wife. I get very, very tired of cleaning/picking up the same things over and over again. I can keep it picked up and I do vacuum the rug and sweep the floors and clean the kitchen every day but the rest. ick. I hate it. I wish I was OCD about it. I wish it drove me insane. I mean, on one hand it does. It's an organized mess. Laundry is my nemesis. Bathrooms (with little boy pee all over them) make me want to curl up into the fetal position. I DO clean, I really do but I hate it and I never want to do it. I need HELP in this dept.  I try to clean one thing every day but nothing is ever all clean at once and that just annoys me so then I think, well, why bother?!? When I had just Conner, the house was always clean...always. I mopped twice a day (clearly I had NOTHING better to do). Then I had Parker and it was a little worse and I mopped once a day. Now I have 3 of them (all mobile) and I mop every other day and the bomb of toys gets bigger and the craziness is louder (and I'd totally have more kids, if we could!), but I need to clean this hott mess and simplify my life.  What works for you? How do you get organized and how do you keep everything clean?

So What Wednesday

This week I'm saying so what to...

I feel off the clean eating bandwagon. I need to get back on. I'm not saying it's a fail...yet.

I have not worked out in almost 2 weeks. I don't know what my problem is. I just don't feel like it.

There are many things in my life that I can not control nor do I know what to do about them, so I just dismiss it. I can't worry about everything.

FB sucks. I admit it. I also can't delete b/c of my business page.

I have been having a lot of abdominal pains. Every test has been 'normal' and my pcp says I can go to a GI "if I want to". I don't want to.

We're having family photos done Sunday and I'm not sure what we are wearing. I can dress YOUR family but not mine.

I love school. It's the best thing I have ever done for my kids.

What are you saying so what to? Head over to Shannon's blog and link up!

New design/Layout

Do you like it? I LOVE it. Jessica over at Diamon Doll Designs did a great job. She even helped me come up w/that cute little tag line about all these boys that live in this house with me. If you need a new design, you need to check her out; she's amazing, (clearly) talented and super, super sweet! Tell her I said 'Hi"

Fall Festival

We have had a busy October (already) but it's been fun. The kids have had soccer and have been sick. We spent the weekend on a gorgeous lake a few hours north of us and hit up a fall festival where we ate (until I wanted to gag) kettle corn, played in a creek (but didn't get wet, it was chilly), went fishing and just got away. It was super fun and I wish I could just permanently live that way but that isn't reality...it was fun and I think it was really needed. I like my hubby more now and that's always a good thing ;)

**disclosure, this post will have a lot of photos. I'm not sorry for it.**

My favorite thing about this festival is the old school. Parker liked ringing the school bell.

Conner thought this big pumpkin was awesome!!

Parker kept chasing the train! He was so excited when he finally got to ride it.

Tyler was just happy to be held. He loves Papa.

The next day we went to another festival (ate more kettlecorn) and played in the creek.

While they played, I took photos of my baby. why not?!

When we got back, we went fishing. The sunset was outstanding!!!

Scary Fall

Our house is completely divided when it comes to "Fall" decorations. The boys (except for Tyler) like the scary Halloween stuff and I like the cute scarecrow, yellow/orange flower, pumpkins and gourds stuff. What do we do here except mix them up...sort of. (for the record, I started this post a week ago. seriously smh)

SO what Wednesday

wait, it's wednesday?...

this week I'm saying so what to...

I bought a groupon to crossfit at a gym that has childcare and costs more money. I'm only going to do it for a month, even if I love it.

We've been inside since 2 b/c well, I don't want to sit outside anymore today. Did I mention the weather is perfect? I have cleaning and laundry to do.

I love can frosting. I could (almost) live on it. I don't but I want to.

I haven't worked out all week. I'm dragging ass and am not feeling well.

We are going to the fair this weekend and I want to stay home. I'm begging to stay home but the hubs won't have it. (I don't know why that's included in SWW)

I need to get my hair done. I don't want to spend the money so I'm going to scour groupon and see if I can find something.

I left the kids at school for an extra hour today (paid for it too) and it was awesome! I wish we could afford to do it every day!

I need to drink more water. I have been having some health problems and water would probably 'fix' a lot of them.

I have 2 drafts going b/c I can't get it together enough to finish them; I'm actually shocked that I haven't been interrupted w/this one yet.


What are you saying so what to? Go link up!