A quick explanation

Without making excuses, I'd like to explain one reason for the dearth of information lately. I am currently working on another project that leaves less energy for most everything. But I'm happy to report that all the major systems are in place for the next addition to our family. We are on to the growing big enough to survive stage. We're excited for our next baby. I'm especially thrilled to have recently started the third trimester.

In the meantime, the children keep growing faster than I'm ready for. They are enjoying school, except for when they don't. The boys recently got haircuts all around. Football season is over. Young T still doesn't understand that there are some things 2 year-olds just shouldn't do. We haven't had stitches since Labor Day. The primary program went well. We are getting close to being done with eye therapy. (Hooray! Hooray!) Miss M went skiing. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving (with a reminder to be grateful for heat. The furnace broke over the holiday weekend. We've loved the heat since it was fixed.) And now we are preparing for the infusion of family coming next week.

Easy birthdays

I enjoy toddler birthdays. It is so easy to make a little one's day. Weeks ago, Young T turned 2. As part of his day, I took him to the dinosaur museum while the others were all at school. And, when that had been thoroughly enjoyed, we got him 2 balloons, stars and ducks. He loved it.

Block Sampler 1.30 ~ Friendship Star

Come, not go

Another lesson I've been repeatedly reminded of in the years since that small two bedroom apartment we lived in is that children respond much better if we say, "Come," rather than, "Go."

As with most of these principles, I have an image associated with this one. It involves time-out or being sent to the corner or the bedroom. I have found that if I say, "Go to your room," I am much less likely to have either compliance or respect from the child. But if I say, "Come to your room" and walk them to the bedroom for some time to start over, things go much, much better.

Recently, Young A needed to put the clothes in his hamper in his drawers. This was so overwhelming to him, he refused. If I had demanded and pushed, we would have had tears and anger. Instead, I remembered this principle and said, "Come, let's go do it together." I went with him. He was able to help do the job. At the end of it, I had a happy, calm boy.

I've learned that the more often I say "come", the easier it is for my kids to handle the times I have to say "go". They trust me more and can help me better.

Block Sampler 1.29 ~ Friendship Star

Photo op

I think this is one of my favorite pictures of Young T.

Block Sampler 1.28 ~ Friendship Star