Here's to parenting...

I love this little girl! She's a piece of work--actually, that would be an under statement! Perhaps it's just the age (4), or maybe we're in for a 'ride' with this one. For the last two years of her life she has simply believed that rules and expectations do not apply to her. When she's hungry, she helps herself to anything she wants any time of the day or night--even if it means climbing cupboards, scaling shelves, and hiding in her secret places to eat it! She refuses to participate in household chores--Ashley usually ends up carrying most of the weight when it comes to cleaning their bedroom or toys, etc. She has a bottom lip that can hang below her chin in 'pout position' and a temper that would scare a watch dog! She kicks doors, screams, throws toys or food or whatever is nearest to her when anger strikes! She's learned how to manipulate situations and usually blames her siblings for anything gone wrong. It is a daily battle getting her to wear a seatbelt in the car or to brush her teeth. Avery is also very cute and can be awful sweet. She'll talk your ear off, sing and dance for hours, stay up most the night then sleep until noon if you let her. To this day, I don't believe she has EVER listened to an entire bedtime story! She is my only child who will eat fresh vegetables--not all of them, but a few. She actually likes to eat carrot peelings! She adores her dad and still looks very much like him. The other day Ryan was encouraging the kids to get their daily chores done. Of course they were complaining about having to work so much and NEVER getting to play. Avery, after listening to Steven and Ashley murmer (remember, Avery doesn't work...so she wasn't worried about the expectation herself), finally piped up and said "Oh, Steven, for 'sell heck!' just do your work!" Pretty funny! Though I'm a bit embarrast to say, I'm sure she learned that one from me (we won't quote the exact words). I can't get away with anything! Kids do and say as we do.....I'm not confessing that I also throw things, kick doors, scream, and eat anything I want---but some days, I sure wish I could! Here's to parenting! One wonderful day after another.......

Another Ashleyism...

We had quite a few friends over for the Super Bowl--with kids and all we probably had thirty people here! Great game, good food, and great company. The next morning Ashley walked into the kitchen for her morning hug. A few seconds later she said: "Mom, why did all of our friends (from the party) just throw their trash in our yard?" I didn't know what she meant. I turned to look out the door--sure enough, garbage everywhere! Paper plates, cups, etc., etc. strung across the back porch and from one side of the yard to the other! It was a mess! An animal must have scavenged through the garbage sacks we left on the porch. The more I think about her comment, the more I laugh! (The nerve of our friends to just throw their garbage out the back door! How rude! LOL!)

Ashleyism

On our way to school this afternoon, Ashley asked: "Mom, how come I never miss kindergarten?" I asked her to explain. She said: "We only get two days off called Saturday and Sunday. I don't want to go on the day that comes before Saturday." (long pause-thinking...) "Do you know that the Principal is the boss of our school? Well, I'm going to his office today so I can ask if he'll give us another day off! What do you think, Mom?"

Granola

I made some granola today--rather than the usual cookies or cinnamon rolls I've been making lately. It's a terrible habit of mine (sweets). I call them daily doses of sanity. At any rate, I couldn't resist the urge to bake-yet again-but chose a healthier option. Well, I over baked and under sweetened the whole batch. Sigh. This considerably lessons my chances of convincing my family that healthy snacks ARE desirable. Perhaps it will taste better after it cools and I've added some dried fruit to the mix. I snuck in brown rice this week--not favored. Even tried to convince the family that whole wheat cinnamon rolls would be just as good as the 'empty calorie' version. No luck. One question, those of you who have gone completely off of sugar--how, exactly does that work? No brown sugar on your oatmeal? No frozen chocolate chips to keep the peace (I mean sanity)? I think I would have to quit eating all together! That's all I have to say about that! HA!

The Boy Who Cried Wolf

I wish I'd thought to take a picture of Gage before removing him from the edge...instead my first instinct (after guilt, of course) was to snatch him up and place him safely someplace else. What happened, you might ask? First, let me confess that I simply cannot respond to every child's request for attention, every tattle, every hunger pain, or whim. I find it emotionally impossible! So, sometimes, when my children 'cry' I don't come running unless there is that urgency (you know what I mean) in their voice. I heard him calling my name, as he does hundreds of times each day. His calls grew a bit louder and I must admit he started crying--but the cries were not particularly urgent. I did not rush to his aide. When there was silence once again, I simply sighed relief and carried on with whatever it is that I do all day! Silence, however, isn't always a good thing when it comes to children. So, I went looking for him. Teetering on the edge of the kitchen counter, belly down-bumm up, sound asleep, was my Gage (18 months). A few deep breaths or another wiggle, he would have fallen off--rude awakening on a hard kitchen floor! It was no surprise-- finding him on the countertop. We remove him from it many times a day. He can open the peanut butter, loves to drink right from the honey bear, and helps himself to cereal and bread often (am I painting a clear picture of what kind of mother I am? Fourth child--what more can I say? Does it help to say that for Gage, I simply sweep the remnants of meals into a pile and leave it there, hoping he'll choose to eat the Cheerios he dropped during breakfast over climbing chairs and scaling countertops to find a snack) Who am I kidding? He's a boy: brave, wild, daring, and hungry! No, it was not a cliff or the roof top, but my parenting is questionable nonetheless. Sometimes I wonder if 'nurturing' is really in my nature.

Ashleyism:

Our Sunday meetings don't begin until one o'clock in the afternoon. Avery, looking for something to do Sunday morning, asked if she could watch a movie. I was about to answer her when Ashley said: "We can't do that on Sunday, but tomorrow is Monday and you can do ANYTHING you want, except steal!"

Happy Birthday Avery!

Four years ago today, our Avery was born. We were thrilled to add another baby girl to our family. She was a delightful baby--our easiest! She was our only binki baby and the only one who had attachments to special things (like her favorite blanket and stuffed Moose) Binki in mouth, moose in arms and blanket by her side--she was good to go! In fact, when we put her to bed she'd give us that look--that 'could you leave please, I've got it under control' look. She still sleeps well (when we actually convince her it REALLY is time for bed!) Avery has a great lower lip pout. (She got it from me.) She is very stubborn and has never believed that rules apply to her. Avery loves cheese pizza, bananas, cottage cheese, and apple skins. Her favorite movie is Barbie's Princess and the Pauper. People say she looks JUST like her dad....no mistakes whose child she belongs to. She adores him! Avery gives great hugs. She can talk your ear off into the wee hours of the night (if you let her). Her prayers are adorable! She still doesn't pronounce her R's--just rolls right past them. She pronounces our friend's name-Roman Yoder, like this: "Yoman Yodee." (I love listening to her talk--I said talk, not scream...she does that well too!) Of course we can't imagine life without Avery. Happy Birthday little one! We love you!