Sunday, April 08, 2012
Tuesday, April 03, 2012
Viral Music Videos...fun for the whole family
Our whole family is more than a little bit addicted to the viral video of five musicians playing one guitar to the infectious (as in I wake up singing it) Gotye song "Somebody that I used to Know".
I guess we've played it a few times cause the kids have become infected by it to. I know it's a pretty long song but Charley really cracks me up at like 3:43 (plus you can take a moment to enjoy the song if nothing else!)
I remember many moons ago when Charley and I enjoyed a different viral music video.
I got questions on his shirt after I posted this...yes it says exactly what you think it says. Mother sucker.
And a LONG long time ago, when baby Tessa and I enjoyed some good music videos. Man that "One Egg.." video brings back some forgotten memories. I bet that kid is like a 19 year old pop star by now.
I guess we've played it a few times cause the kids have become infected by it to. I know it's a pretty long song but Charley really cracks me up at like 3:43 (plus you can take a moment to enjoy the song if nothing else!)
I remember many moons ago when Charley and I enjoyed a different viral music video.
I got questions on his shirt after I posted this...yes it says exactly what you think it says. Mother sucker.
And a LONG long time ago, when baby Tessa and I enjoyed some good music videos. Man that "One Egg.." video brings back some forgotten memories. I bet that kid is like a 19 year old pop star by now.
Parking
Just a normal day at the park for us, the exception being that because it is Spring Break for schools....the rest of Center Grove was there as well. I've never seen such competition for swing positions.
Reminder to self...do NOT go to the zoo or museum this week.
Reminder to self...do NOT go to the zoo or museum this week.
Making Daddy Proud
She did this with very little help from me! And honestly I'm not all that helpful when it comes to building things. Yes, even Legos.
But had Daddy been here, I'm pretty sure he would have shed a tear.
Jeremy's love of Legos reminds me of when he first moved from Purdue to CA. I was still finishing undergrad so he drove out by himself, ahead of a moving van (years later I would fly back with a dachshund, ahead of a slightly bigger moving truck headed to IN). Anyway, in his car he had what every 25 year old MBA needs....clothes, more than a dozen cases of wine (years later he would drive back across with something like 26 cases of wine in the same car, am I veering off course?) and a mega box of Legos.
Why the Legos? Well it was going to be a week or so until TV and internet were to be hooked up in our rental house. So basically he had a new job, a lot of wine and Legos to keep himself busy. When I first came to visit our house, he showed me an impressive 3 foot tall vase that he had built, which was actually surprisingly water tight.
When we moved back, I *think* we wrapped the vase up in bubble wrap and tried to transport it cross country, but it didn't make the move.
Maybe it's time to pass the love on to the next generation?
Photo Ketchup
I have a confession to make. I own a smart phone now. I know...make fun of me. I said I'd never have one, plus I'm notorious for being badly irresponsible with my phone. But it happened.
I've even been trying my hand at this 'texting' thing that the young folks like so much.
But having it has made a bit of a lazy blogger. Because I can do 'mobile uploads' to Facebook any time with a little story and a tag and call it a day. After almost six years of dedicated blogging, I need to promise that I will NOT let this change in technology affecting my ability to do good hair. I mean blog.
So here's what we've been up to lately, in a nutshell..
Charley got his tap costume for the dance recital. He is Diego in a sea of tiny Doras. And don't forget that for ballet he is Flynn Ryder in a sea of tiny Rapunzels. Commence swoooning.
The kids had their Easter party at preschool. And this week they are on spring break.
We've become addicted to 'real fruit' brand popsicles. These are some friends from our small group. Two peas in two pods right here.
The allergies are determined to kill me.
Glitter glitter glitter.
This picture looks too much like a senior portrait and makes me twitchy and uncomfortable. Then I remember that earlier in the day I had to help her wipe her toosh and everything seems right again.
Last week the cousins were on spring break so we took the opportunity to visit and play at the farm.
I'm fat. This is not a new revelation. Progress on that issue is underway. Ruby slippers is my favorite hair color ever. My stylist left her salon, but has agreed to do house calls to trim us all and dye me from time to time. This must be how famous people do it.
In this picture Tessa is trying to coax David into smiling. It didn't really work.
Whenever the kids play on the 'moon rock' at the farm, someone is definitely going to fall down and get wet. I think we adults should start a pool and make it interesting.
This guy is getting more awesome every day.
I've even been trying my hand at this 'texting' thing that the young folks like so much.
But having it has made a bit of a lazy blogger. Because I can do 'mobile uploads' to Facebook any time with a little story and a tag and call it a day. After almost six years of dedicated blogging, I need to promise that I will NOT let this change in technology affecting my ability to do good hair. I mean blog.
So here's what we've been up to lately, in a nutshell..
Charley got his tap costume for the dance recital. He is Diego in a sea of tiny Doras. And don't forget that for ballet he is Flynn Ryder in a sea of tiny Rapunzels. Commence swoooning.
The kids had their Easter party at preschool. And this week they are on spring break.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Bean Counters
If there's one thing I can't stand it is whining. Well, whining and disrespect...but whining IS disrespect is it not?
I am constantly making the kids ask me for things over and over until they can do it in a kind voice. Like....'Moooooo-oooomm, but I WANTED THAT!!!'....is not going to cut it. And they are asked to try it again with kind words.
But that does get tiresome. Especially with Tessa who is becoming more independent and knows hows she wants things to go. That's fine. But don't whine about it or Mommy's head might explode. I told Jeremy it seems our house had a problem....too much whining during the day and too much wine-ing at night after the kids go to bed.
So at the suggestion of my friend who I will call Supermom (because she has five kids remains one of the more positive people I know), we started some 'Happy Heart Jars' to keep things in check. So far the kids are REALLY responding to this idea. Thank you Jesus, cause I was starting to run out of creative ways to tell a kid to put a sock in it.
So the idea here is simple. We have little jars and we have lima beans. If the kids obey what they are told and do what they are asked to do without whining or complaining, they get a bean! If they whine, complain or fight, they lose a bean.
When the bean jars are full they get to pick their own special event or treat. Charley wants to go to the movie theater, Tessa (who changes her mind everyday) want some of the new girly legos...or a fish...or a trip to the zoo....or Disneyworld. Ahem, you're going to need a bigger jar sister.
You can see we started with big jars, then I quickly figured out that it would take them each 3 years to fill it and I wanted to make the goal more achievable.
Charley has lost a couple of beans for whining, or for times like this morning when he refused to eat what we gave him for breakfast. And losing a bean makes him flip his gourd. He just cried and cried. And even though he was screaming his face off, my heart warmed a bit.
Ah, the sounds of effective discipline.
I am constantly making the kids ask me for things over and over until they can do it in a kind voice. Like....'Moooooo-oooomm, but I WANTED THAT!!!'....is not going to cut it. And they are asked to try it again with kind words.
But that does get tiresome. Especially with Tessa who is becoming more independent and knows hows she wants things to go. That's fine. But don't whine about it or Mommy's head might explode. I told Jeremy it seems our house had a problem....too much whining during the day and too much wine-ing at night after the kids go to bed.
So at the suggestion of my friend who I will call Supermom (because she has five kids remains one of the more positive people I know), we started some 'Happy Heart Jars' to keep things in check. So far the kids are REALLY responding to this idea. Thank you Jesus, cause I was starting to run out of creative ways to tell a kid to put a sock in it.
So the idea here is simple. We have little jars and we have lima beans. If the kids obey what they are told and do what they are asked to do without whining or complaining, they get a bean! If they whine, complain or fight, they lose a bean.
When the bean jars are full they get to pick their own special event or treat. Charley wants to go to the movie theater, Tessa (who changes her mind everyday) want some of the new girly legos...or a fish...or a trip to the zoo....or Disneyworld. Ahem, you're going to need a bigger jar sister.
Charley has lost a couple of beans for whining, or for times like this morning when he refused to eat what we gave him for breakfast. And losing a bean makes him flip his gourd. He just cried and cried. And even though he was screaming his face off, my heart warmed a bit.
Ah, the sounds of effective discipline.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Making Birdfeeders Take Two--lessons learned
Lessons learned from our second year of making bird feeders.
1) Even though you've explained it to them 6 times AND they've done it before, model one...or they will just start pouring bird seeds down the middle of the ice cream cones and dumping them on the floor.
2) The three year old HATES to be messy so he will not like this project very much (after this picture was taken he was crying cause there was peanut butter on his hands). The obvious licking approach escaped him.
3) After one cone the four year old will declare the peanut butter spreading part too hard and declare that she only wants to do the seed rolling part.
4) They will beam with pride over their creations because you tell them they cannot have a treat until you get a good picture.
5) When you have two extra cones and no ice cream, peanut butter and marshmallows make a good substitute. Until the three year old gets peanut butter on his fingers again. Then all hell breaks loose.
6) Because last year when we hung them on a string the birds had nowhere to perch, so we decided to set them on things. Like the fence posts.
7) It's spring so there is an abundance of worms and bugs for the birds to eat. So when you put them out on the fence posts, don't be surprised if the bird don't give a crap.
8) This project is better for winter (like we did last year!) when the birds are desperate for food. Otherwise your feeders will sit there for days and eventually turn to mush after a heavy rain.
9) I often question the point of these silly kid projects.
1) Even though you've explained it to them 6 times AND they've done it before, model one...or they will just start pouring bird seeds down the middle of the ice cream cones and dumping them on the floor.
2) The three year old HATES to be messy so he will not like this project very much (after this picture was taken he was crying cause there was peanut butter on his hands). The obvious licking approach escaped him.
3) After one cone the four year old will declare the peanut butter spreading part too hard and declare that she only wants to do the seed rolling part.
4) They will beam with pride over their creations because you tell them they cannot have a treat until you get a good picture.
5) When you have two extra cones and no ice cream, peanut butter and marshmallows make a good substitute. Until the three year old gets peanut butter on his fingers again. Then all hell breaks loose.
6) Because last year when we hung them on a string the birds had nowhere to perch, so we decided to set them on things. Like the fence posts.
7) It's spring so there is an abundance of worms and bugs for the birds to eat. So when you put them out on the fence posts, don't be surprised if the bird don't give a crap.
8) This project is better for winter (like we did last year!) when the birds are desperate for food. Otherwise your feeders will sit there for days and eventually turn to mush after a heavy rain.
9) I often question the point of these silly kid projects.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Weekend Getaway
(Absolutely every picture is copied from Facebook. Mom and I kept posting pics to keep each other in the loop. So these may be old to you if you're on FB!)
This past weekend was our 9th anniversary. Since we never really do anything to celebrate anniversaries and adult birthdays (well except big ones!), I decided we needed to. I let Mom know that the kids were coming her way and picked the right weekend.
Since Jeremy travels so much for work, he gets Marriott reward points. Most of the time we use the points to get free electronics like our Wii and Camcorder. But this time we used it for two night stay in the JW Marriott in Downtown
See the view behind us? This is from our room window...the state museum, zoo, white river garden and canal. Beautiful!
So we did this kind of thing...
While the kids did this kind of thing with Mamaw and Papaw....
And on Sunday we were all united and promptly fell asleep in the car. Thanks Mom and Dad!!!
This past weekend was our 9th anniversary. Since we never really do anything to celebrate anniversaries and adult birthdays (well except big ones!), I decided we needed to. I let Mom know that the kids were coming her way and picked the right weekend.
Since Jeremy travels so much for work, he gets Marriott reward points. Most of the time we use the points to get free electronics like our Wii and Camcorder. But this time we used it for two night stay in the JW Marriott in Downtown
See the view behind us? This is from our room window...the state museum, zoo, white river garden and canal. Beautiful!
So we did this kind of thing...
While the kids did this kind of thing with Mamaw and Papaw....
And on Sunday we were all united and promptly fell asleep in the car. Thanks Mom and Dad!!!
Walk it Off
On Wednesday mornings there is an 8:30am Zumba class that I like to get to. But sometimes we just don't get there. Especially since Mondays and Tuesdays are the 'busy days' for the kids and they can be hard to pry out of bed on Wednesday mornings. So can I sometimes.
So this morning we walked instead. My foot keeps getting stronger and stronger with these walks. Especially when pushing 80 lbs in a double stroller...
They usually sit without complaint. Usually, but not always. I typically don't bring toys or electronic games or anything with us. Sometimes snacks. But I think it's a good skill for them to be able to ride along and just look at the scenery without needing extra stimulation. I feel the same way about the car. I think alot of kids today 'need' something to entertain them all the time.
Okay I'm off my soapbox.
I actually do have a box of soap upstairs. Anyway.
When we get back to our street, they are allowed to run free!
After 25 minutes of walking while pushing 80lbs in 80 degree weather I look like this.
So this morning we walked instead. My foot keeps getting stronger and stronger with these walks. Especially when pushing 80 lbs in a double stroller...
Okay I'm off my soapbox.
I actually do have a box of soap upstairs. Anyway.
When we get back to our street, they are allowed to run free!
Hey that's our house. We like it.
After 25 minutes of walking while pushing 80lbs in 80 degree weather I look like this.
So since I was sweaty we stayed out and pulled weeds. They are EVERYWHERE. So are ants. Guess it's summer already!
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