Happy Daddy Day!

This Daddy is one special guy. One that would fight for his family. One who puts 100% into everything he does. One who loves without fail. One who tries to understand. One who gets down on the floor and plays with his kids.One who I'm proud of in more ways than I can name.

Happy Fathers Day Sean! We love you! Love, April,Kinsleigh and Kyla!

Tough Love

Today we had to take discipline a step further. Kinsleigh has had a hard time lately being "nice"to others and has especially loved to take charge and tell others what to do. She has also become afraid of pretty much anything and everything. Not cool. But the "mean-ness" is the main problem. This is partially due to her age I'm sure but most likely due to having a little sister and not being around many other kids lately. Let's just say she's gotten a little out of control.

Me as a mother is wondering, "Is this because of something I've done wrong in my parenting approach? This is a totally different kid! What is going on?"

Today, she flipped out in her bed while refusing to take a nap and starting throwing herself all over the place and screaming. That was it. I knew we had to take a bigger consequence approach that would really affect her and literally make her sad.

Once we let her out of her room, she had to come sit on the couch with no T.V., no toys, no books for 5 min until she calmed down. Then she had to go in her room with Mommy and Daddy and pick out ALL her most favorite toys and place them in a box to be taken away. She placed all of them in herself one by one. The box is quite full, yes, so I may seem evil but I was at a loss of what else to do. She can start earning them back when she decides to be nice to others. For now they rest in the garage under a huge blanket.

It broke my heart to see that little pout lip come out and tell the toys bye bye but I think it may have a good result when she starts seeing how exciting it is to get them back. I never knew that I would HATE disciplining my children so much. It's called tough love for a reason.

It's a big deal!

I'm going to keep this short and simple. Because I'm going to cherish every moment for what it is worth. This may not seem like a big deal to you, but to me, it's a life changing event. Today, June 6, 2011, I placed both of my girlies in their bed and put them down for nap at the exact same time. And this is what I'm looking at...

I hope to see this again soon. Like tomorrow, and every other day after that. As a Mommy, we love our children to pieces and spending time with them. But we need our quiet time every now and then. So long, while I go enjoy my last half hour or so of peace.

Summers's here. Now what?

Looking for some free/cheap ideas for entertainment this summer for your little one? Here are a few of the things we do to keep busy and get out of the house.

Animal shelter to look at animals or even PetsMart is good enough most of the time!

Lowes Build and Grow projects (Every other Saturday morning at 10a.m)

Library (check summer schedule of events at your local library)

Splash pads all over town (sometimes there are events going on at the parks too!)

Riverwalk movie theatre and BA moviestar have free movies during the day for kids. Here's a schedule of what's showing. (http://www.selectcinemas.com/index.php)

Consider going in half/half for aquarium and zoo passes with a friend. Makes it very affordable. Names aren't on the passes anywhere so you can share them however and get your whole family in on them.

Buy a pass to the community pools which then makes it equal to $3 instead of $5 each time you go. (Children 3 and under are free!)

At home, make sure to get creative with crafts to do or snacks your child can help participate in making. Play in the sprinkler, A LOT. Being stuck at home more often with a newborn now has shown me that I can make staying at home very enjoyable and entertaining for my 2 year old. It sure doesn't take much to make her happy! So get creative and have a HAPPY SUMMER!

Imagination is Priceless

Stories as told by a 2 year old...

"Goodnight Moon"

"This is a shadow book. I can jump to the moon shadow book.

A house is a home. It can make Thomas a home.

I roll on my shoes. I bounce on my shoes.

The bubbles are jumping at their house.

A brush!

I can blow bubbles for breakfast.

The stars said "it's so dark in here.""

The End

(from an Usborne paper doll book she has)

"Shopping is a very good thing.

They're skating outside.

They're dancing at the stars.

It's a crown says look at their dresses.

Night night came to life.

Sleeping at Walmart.

Diddle diddle diddle for her tennis dress.

And she lost all her hope"

The End

Last day of Toddler II

Today is Kinsleigh's last day of school as a Toddler II gal! She loved her teachers, Miss Aubrey, Dana and Tracey so much and is going to miss them dearly. I got to hear about them and all her friends every day. School is the highlight of her week. She comes home telling me about her art and many times teaching me new songs that I've never heard before. She's a little smartie and school has helped her learn so much more than she already did know! So until next year when she joins the older two's class, here's to 12 long weeks of summer!!! This could be a good thing and a bad thing. Ha!

Here she is with her gifts she helped make for her teachers and enjoying a little brownie herself afterwards. She's the sweetest!

Happy Mothers Day

Being a Mommy involves a lot of hard work, tears, dress up, singing songs for everything, sleepless nights, hugs and kisses, dancing around like no one is watching, baking cookies, sending your kids to time out, packing lunches, playing at the park, tea parties, getting really messy, back scratches, breaking the bank, playdates, endless dishes, lots of laughs, noisy car rides, piggy back rides, silly faces, going on adventures, arts and crafts, repairing boo boos, riding bikes, flying kites, watching Mickey Mouse 3 times a day, reading board books, shot day at the Dr.'s office, playing in our tutus...

You can feel happiness, sadness, pain, fear, energetic, exhausted, frustrated, helpless, silly, and clueless. Sometimes all at the same time.

For all these things, I am grateful! Thank you Kinsleigh and Kyla for giving me the privelege to be your Mommy. I love you more than words can say!

And to all the other Mommies out there! Great job! You are deeply loved! Happy Mothers Day!