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Moving

March 1, 2009 By 19 Comments

house-3Last week we found the perfect house.  It is a typical old house with hardwood floors, a large livingroom and 4 bedrooms.  Right away we took it.  It was a no brainer.  For the same amount of money that we pay now we are getting so much more.

The first thing that made it a huge no brainer is that there are four… yes I said four bedrooms!  Right now we have two and for the 5 of us it is a tight squeeze.  The girls are so excited that they were able to go to the house today and pick their rooms.  Abigail picked the room leading to the attic.  Rob was against it at first but has given in.  He had thought that she would be scared but she is more then excited.  She wants to have a spot in the attic to write.  She is a lot like her mom in that she loves to write, tell tales and imagine.  She is super excited that she has gotten the room she wanted.

Emma is excited also.  She and Analiese may still share a room although Emma is unsure.  She hates when Analiese cries and wakes her up in the morning.  I think that them sharing still will be the way it turns out.  This will allow a play room.  I am siked about this.  A play room will mean that the toys have a home other then their rooms where they get messed up!

house-2

I am super excited about a bunch of things.   Rob and I will have a door again!  I did not think that it would be bad not having a door but I am really excited to be getting one again.  I also have a small area to make an office, a dining room and a fireplace.  Oh and the best part is that we have a huge front porch.

I led a tour to all of our family members today.  They all really loved it.  I think that it is going to be so great!  The kids already had  a blast in our new backyard and Abigail even mentioned that she found the perfect tree (she like to climb trees).  I think we are going to be VERY happy in our new home!

Becca

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Addicted??

February 22, 2009 By 8 Comments
television
Image by Walt Jabsco via Flickr

All this makes me think of is: might as well face it your addicted to… love, right?  Well not in this case.  My family is addicted to TV.  If the boob tube is on they are off.  I find it to be very amazing.  How could three people be so addicted to something so stupid?  Don’t get me wrong.  I love a good show or movie as much as the rest of them.  There are just a few things that I do not understand about the television and it’s powers!  Some examples of my lack of understanding are…

  1. Why is it that once the television goes on it cannot go back off.  They all just sit there.  It is like they have a been entranced and will be hurt if they were to look away even for a moment.
  2. Even though there is often nothing good on they will still watch.  I flip through the channels and see that nothing I want to watch is on and then I do something quite odd… I turn it OFF!
  3. WHy does it have to be on all of the time and loud?  This is perplexing to me.  I just do not understand why three people, with perfect hearing, need to listen to the television so loud.  This is such a problem that I even had Abigail’s hearing tested.  I really thought that she was deaf.
  4. Why can’t they hear?  I call and I call and I call and nothing.  It is not until I turn the television off that they seem to be able to hear again.  Once I have done this tensions are running high in our house again!
  5. Once I turn the television off, you know after I have called them all for about a half of an hour.  This causes arguing close to a person who is addicted to crack!  The thing is that this is usually the only way I can get their attention.

All in all I just have trouble figuring out what makes the television so addictive?  I just do not get it.  I would so much rather be playing a game with them.  I would rather be doing just about anything with them.  This television addiction has become so bad that we have had to establish some rules in our house.  These rules are followed most days although I am not perfect.  There certainly are days that it is just not worth the fight!  So here are the rules which yes as I had stated are sometimes lax.

  1. NO television in the morning before school.  I think that without this rule we would never make it to school on time.
  2. In the evening they can watch 2 30 minute shows. after this the television should go off.  The problem seems to be when I turn it off they get angry.  I mean ANGRY!!!  Abigail will start screaming and throwing a fit, Rob decides that I have committed a sin and will not talk to me and Emma whines.  I know it makes you wonder why I turn it off at all!  Some days I wonder too.
  3. The television cannot be louder then 30.  If this rule is broken it is simply turned off.
  4. The kids are only aloud to watch certain channels and only certain shows on those channels.  They can watch Disney channel, PBS, Nickelodeon (depending on the show), and HBO family.  Rob is not allowed to watch anything rated higher then pg when the kids are awake. I know that this seems to be a no brainer but you would be amazed that the things he tries to watch when they are running around!

All in all I have to say I hate television.  I wish that we could cancel cable and just be done.  I think that it would make my life so much easier!

Becca

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What Are Schools Really Teaching????

February 21, 2009 By 11 Comments
The cigarette is the most common method of smo...
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I had an odd conversation with Abigail the other day which made me wonder what are schools teaching my child.  Abigail, who is now 8, and I were driving in the car and she said the oddest thing to me.  This is how our conversation went…

A.  “Mommy, I hate that Daddy smokes”

Me.  “I know I do too but he only smokes once in a while and never around us.”

At this point I figured that the conversation would end but with Abigail the conversation never seems to end.

A.  “Well why do people smoke?”

Me.  “I think that people start because they think that they look cool and then it is hard to stop.”

A.  “Well Daddy must be stupid then.”

Me.  “No Abigail a lot of people used to smoke.  They did not know a long time ago that it was bad for you.  Even your grandma smoked right up until mommy was in college.  It was just something that was not thought of as a bad thing for your health like it is today.”

A.  “Oh wow mommy, did grandma do drugs the whole time you were growing up?”

OK this is where I am questioning what my kids are learning in school.  Since when is smoking considered being a drug addiction?  From this point I quickly tried to explain that people who are called drug addicts do drugs that are not legal.  Cigarettes and alcohol are legal but you have to be an adult to buy them.  So by the end of this conversation I was wondering if she raised her hand in the middle of class and told them all that her dad is a drug addict?  You never know with that one.  I am walking on eggshells just waiting for the school to call about my drug addict husband.

Perhaps this makes it clear that 3rd graders are confusing the messages that they are getting.  Perhaps their young minds are just not ready to tell a difference between a smoker, a drug addict and an alcoholic.  My concern comes in that no one is clearing all of this up for them!  They walk around thinking that their father is a druggie because he smokes a cigarette every few days.  Oh and to top it off Emma, my 5 year old, hates Obama because he smokes.  She has learned in school that this means we should not respect our president.  Oh the things that they are learning are astonishing to me.  I would settle for some good old reading skills.  I think that this is an important lesson in assuring that your children get the messages being pushed on them.  You do not want to be a druggie in their eyes like my husband apparently is!

Becca

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Outside Will Get You?

February 12, 2009 By 18 Comments

abby-in-leaves

As a child I can remember going out to play.  Yes it is true!  We would play in our yard or a friends yard.  We would even take a walk around the neighborhood.  We would do anything to get out of the house.  You know we would be kids!

What is going on with the world today that a child can no longer be a child?  Why is it that we do not feel that our children need outside time?  Why have we let the media taint how children grow up?  These are all things that I have become passionate about.  There really is no more risk for bad things then there used to be.  There are just as many bad people out there but lets get real.

  1. The bad guys do not out number the good guys.  I know that the news that we watch would make us think that the bad guys are all just waiting for us to open our doors and let our kids out.  The truth is that they are not!  I do not want you to misunderstand there are bad guys.  There are men and women who take and hurt children.  How many are there really though and why do you think that they want your child?  Statistics do show though that these men and women who abduct children often know the children!  So where is the danger?
  2. The kids are safer inside.  Oh here is an arguement!  You are right it is much better to have your kids cooped up in the house playing video games or watching TV then it is to open the door and tell them to go play.  I do not know the exact numbers here but I am pretty sure that the number of kids who die a little everyday from childhood obesity are much worse off then the kids who are out climbing trees.
  3. Kids will go with anyone.  I am sorry but I know that Abigail and Emma are smart.  I know that they would not talk to anyone or approach a car.   This is because I have taught them if there is stranger danger to say no then go and tell someone you trust.  They have street smarts and are a pair.  They use the buddy system daily.  They know what to do and I am never all that far away.  Not to mention I peek outside from time to time to see where they are, what they are doing and why!

Now I know that some of you will come back and have a lot to say and for you, all I can say is remember.  That is right, take a moment and remember when you were a kid.  You played outside until you heard your mom calling you for dinner.   I think that it would be fair to say that we are keeping our kids back by not affording them the same opportunity.  So if you need to call DSS go ahead but my kids will play outside without me… EVERY day!

Becca

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Sick

February 10, 2009 By 7 Comments
Do you see any hives?
Do you see any hives?

I think that my favorite kids poems ever is “Sick” by Shell Silverstein.  I used to love this poem more then anything and I cannot tell you the number of times I have read it in my life.  I sit here thinking about this poem for a few reasons:

  1. Abigail keeps faking being sick.  This is what the poem is all about.  It is about a girl who has everything wrong with her until she finds out that it is Saturday.  She is then by some miracle better.  This is now Abigail starring in the role of the faking little girl.  She has gotten one over on me a few times in the past few weeks but now I am on to her.  I do not know why she is avoiding going to school.  It used to be something that she loved!  All I know is that no more children will be staying home with mommy unless they have a fever and cannot move off of the couch.  I do not want to entertain all day.  I want to see Abigail and Emma off to school and play with the baby.  I want to work when the baby is sleeping not entertain an imitation sick child. 
  2. The baby is sick:  Yes it is true I think that we have an ear infection on our hands.  This would be the first for baby Analiese which is impressive being that we are moving closer to two with each passing day.  I hate when babies are sick.  They cannot tell you what hurts.  They cannot tell you when their fever is creeping back up.  It makes it all so hard to have to watch them hurt and be sad.  It just breaks my heart how Analiese still wants to be a trooper and has not learned better yet.  She still wants to play even though I know that it hurts for her to hold her head up.  She still wants to come to dinner even though she does not want to eat.  I just find it all so heartbreaking.
  3. I want it to be Saturday:  Yes I know that the week just started but in the poem it is all better because it is Saturday.  I sit here wishing for one of these magical Saturdays!

** oh and to top it off I just picked Emma up from school.  She had one hive and this was apparently a reason to come home urggg**

I hope that you are having a better time this February with your sick little ones!  I am just looking for Saturday!

Becca

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Kids and Cellphones

February 2, 2009 By 11 Comments
phone popularity poll 2008 - january 12 (proje...
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I am completely annoyed that so many eight year old’s have cell phones.  I have run into this so many times with my eight year old that I want to scream!  Since when do kids need phones?

While my eight year old, Abigail, tries to get me to say yes she can have a cellphone I sit and wonder why we are even having this conversation!  AT the age of eight what could you possibly need to  a cell phone for?  Here is what she things she needs it for:

1.  In case I need to call you mom.  Ok this would be a valid argument if it were not for the fact that I go everywhere she does.  She is not 16 with a drivers license.  She is 8.  It is not like all of her friend parents do not have phones in their homes and cell phones!  DENIED!
2.  To talk to my friends.  I am a big believer that kids do not need privacy.  There is no need for it.  She is again 8 years old and I think that it is important that she not be lurking in corner talking to people without being in ear shot of me.  In our home you have to ask to use the phone.  It is after all my phone.  DENIED!
3.  I want to text my friends.  Well unless you have a job I am not paying for my eight year old to text.  She cannot even spell word correctly!  DENIED!
4.  They are rude.  I have run into this problem in Girl Scouts more then once.  Girls texting while we are in the middle of a meeting.  Kids do not think of them as means of communication they are looking at it as a toy.  Parents who are buying these 8 years old girls phones are not even taking the time out to teach them good manners with them.  I think that it is crazy!  DENIED!

At this point Abigail gives up and tells me that I am the worst mom ever and that she hates me.  The thing is that I am ok with all of that.  I just will not buy my eight year old a phone even if she is the only kid in the world without one!

Becca

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Valentine’s Day Bookmarks

January 28, 2009 By 7 Comments

bookmark-1A craft for kids:

This is a simple yet cute craft to enjoy this valentines.  It would be great for preschool, 4H groups, Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts.  I think that it is better for children ages 3-6 but I know Abigail enjoyed making one.  As always let Alli and I know how it comes out.  We would love the feedback!

Difficulty Level: 1 Star

Supplies:

  1. Popcycle sticks bookmark-open
  2. Glue
  3. Wooden conersational hearts
  4. crayons, markers or paint

Step 1:

Have the children color or paint their popcycle stick.  They can decorate it in any way they want.  Younger children could just color the stick while older kids can get a little more creative adding designs, words and just about anything else they can think of.

bookmark-2

Step 2:

Glue the conversational heart to the top of the popcycle stick.

bookmark-3

Step 3:

Let it all dry and you have a new bookmark to keep as children begin to learn to read or they can pass it along to parents or grandparents as a great little gift.

We hope that you enjoy the valentines day bookmarks.  Our kids all had a blast making them.  We would love to hear and see how yours came out.  Please leave us a message in the comment box!

Becca and Alli

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New Year’s Eve

January 3, 2009 By 1 Comment
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 07: The newly-designed Ti...
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Not Quite what it should have been:

As the ball dropped in Time Square this year I was feeling a little down.  New Year’s Eve. was partially ruined when Analiese threw up everywhere just before we were about to leave.  This made Abigail beyond anoyed, it made Emma cry and it left me yet again in a place where I was about to feel disapointed in myself.  I wanted to curl up in a ball and cry and be anoyed right along with the kids.  I hate change even when it is so small and minimal.

I had to stop as we got in the car and regroup.  I could not start out the new year bad.  I told Abigail and Emma we were on a mission.  We needed to gather everything we could think of from Grandma’s and Pop-pop’s and make a party at our house. I knew that they still had tons of left overs that they were looking to get rid of and I was short on cash.

As we began to rummage through the treats in their house the girls began to have a good time.  They started to look forward to our small intimate party.  We left with cheese and crakers, some dips and chips, a plate of cookies, fruits and veggies to snack on and even drinks.   In the car on the way home from our treasure hunt I assigned each child a job with an adult to help.  Abigail and Dad were in charge of the food and drinks and Emma and I were in charge of streightening up the livingroom and setting up a small table for our new found snacks.

The amazing thing was that we all had fun.  We watched the ball drop and a few of the musical acts.  This year we did it by the light of our Christmas Tree and the comfort of our couch.  There were people who were disapoointed that we did not come.  We even recieved some funny calls from friends who wated us to come and sit in the car as the ball dropped at their house so that we were a part of the party.  Just between you and I it was a nice change of pace.  I enjoyed this New Year’s Eve more then any other.

I think that the thing that I walked away from in 2008 is that when I adjust to the changes in a positive way the kids will follow.  I think that we will all remember this New Year’s Eve for a long time to come.

Becca

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69 Days of Christmas

October 18, 2008 By 2 Comments
Father Christmas // Santa Claus // Père Noël

Image by Stéfan via Flickr

So here we are with only 69 days left until Christmas. At this point I want to get an idea of what the kids want this year. I think that accessing what they want and what are priorities is an important thing to do! Abigail has said that she is going to ask Santa for a Wii. Because I know that they will be getting harder and harder to find as we get closer to the season I think this should be near the top of my list.

Emma has not asked for anything. She is a challenge at Christmas. Her birthday is at the end of November so it is had to choose what she wants for what! I think that for her birthday she will like the new Barbie movie. Perhaps the doll for Christmas. She also may want some American Girl Doll stuff. I know this would be a fine hit for either of them.

The crime of it is that none of my Children NEED anything. Year after year we get more and more toys in this house. We live in a VERY small house! We can not handle one more doll, Barbie, play food, dress-up or anything. I am sure that we are not alone. This year because I have some time to plan we are going to have a Thanksgiving Give Away.

Rules of the Thanksgiving Give Away:

1. Each child must choose at least 10 toys that are in good shape that they do not play with anymore.

2. These toys have to be in good shape. If I find one that is not I will throw it out and they will have to try again.

3. The kids will come with me to bring their chosen toys to the GoodWill. This will show them that we should give back!

All of this will then make room for new toys and treasures. I think that cleaning out the old and making room for the new is not only a good lesson but it will teach them that it is ok to let things go. I think that this is an important lesson. So many people have trouble getting rid of this. I am included in that which is why I want to teach my children that it is ok. It is reusing as part of reduce, recycle and reuse. I think all in all we will leave with a great lesson and give another child a toy which they may not be able to afford otherwise.

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70 days Until Christmas

October 17, 2008 By 1 Comment

Shopping For Christmas Dresses

SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 24: People ride down...

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

OK so here we are 5 days into my 75 days of Christmas plan. So far it has been 5 days and it time to shop. I have saved about $100 between ebay and saving. It is time to get holiday dresses for the girls. I had forgotten to budget for this expense. This will certainly mean that I have to make up this money with more ebay sales.

The challenge is to be able to go out and find dresses for Abigail, Emma and Analiese that all match. I am not sure how Abigail will feel about matching this year. I think that since she turned eight her opinions have become stronger then ever before. I think that we may just have to find one that coordinates for Abby rather then matches.

I have looked online so that I know where I want to shop. My foot is still quite bad so it is important to know where I am heading to limit the amount of time on my feet. I did like some of the dresses at www.Gymboree.com. The black and white dresses are worth stopping by and taking a look. I also liked a few dresses for Emma and Analiese at The Children’s Place. I will also go to take a look at the Gap also. I really think that Abigail would like their little pleated party dress.

I will also take a look at Macy’s, but I think that it will be a little harder in a department store then it is in a smaller specialty store. I know that many people think that it is early to get holiday dresses but they have already been out for weeks. Since I have three kids that I am trying to match I think that it is important to get it now. This will also allow me to get their photos done before the holiday rush begins.

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