strengthen the relationship

I need to remind myself while helping my children with their homework that the point of my helping is not to discount what they are doing but to praise them.  Please Lord look over me during these times and aide me in my relationship with my children.  Amen

idea for the day

This was posted on a blog that I read daily:  Becky Higgins she has great food ideas, homecare ideas, and a wonderful item called Project Life! 

The other day she posted this phrase and I just LOVE the idea behind it.  Read about that here: Purpose of the Task

Small Successes - February 17

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So here are mine.. follow the link above to record yours!

1. Went to Fort Worth and back this weekend for a training workshop.  The workshop was great!  However, I think it took me this trip to realize that this may not be for me.  And to me that was a success.
2. Stuck to my guns regarding a bad grade.  The child in question tried to blame everyone but themselves.  I told this child that we make choices every day and if they choose not to study as long as they need to then the outcome is all theirs.  I believe it is my job as a parent to assist in the homework process not to do the homework.  If they choose to not study when I repeatedly ask if they have then the grade they get is the grade they get. 
3. Have been going to be early (for me) this past week.  It does make a difference.

Now your turn......http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/one/

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day

Hoping that everyone has a great and lovely day.

Small Successes - February 10

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph.

1) Kids were back in school and our routine is back in gear with homework, play, and outside activities.

2)  Packed up 3 bags of clothes from the kids & me to donate.  We probably have more to donate and hubby needs to go through his closer & dresser but that is a great start.

3)  C's snow boots zipper broke.  We bought them from LLBean and I called yesterday and they will take them back (bought in Dec 09) and replace with a different style.  So glad for that!  Also, why can't you buy winter stuff during the winter....

Now it is your turn

here comes the snow

Now that we have a path cut through the ice for us to walk from our front door to the garage - SNOW has to start to fall.  Of course we are out of salt and as far as we know everyone else is also out of salt (even the stores). 

Small Successes - Feb 3 - day 3 of ice day

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph.

1) have survived being home with the kids for 3 days now because of the ice storm that came through Central Ohio.  Survived is the key word.  We did really well until today and now I think everyone is tired of one another

2) As cookie leader for my daughters Brownie troop I was able to compile and turn in all the orders on Monday night in order to avoid the ice storm

3)  last night the 5 of us went outside with hammers, weights, and garden tools to break up the 2 inch thick ice on our sidewalks.  We got the main sidewalk from the front door to the drive.  Tonight onto the drive.  Since we share a drive we are just doing a path - our neighbors are not much help with the drive.  Now if they were older or had babies this would be OK but they are in their 30s with a teenage son.  All 3 are runners (I have seen them all run around the neighborhood) they have no excuse - get out there and break some ice!!!!!  Sunshine at 18 degrees is not going to do it.

Ice Day part 2

Today is the 2nd day that the kids and I are home.  And if the sheriff was nice my hubby would be home to but it is only a Level 2 snow emergency not a Level 3 so he has to go to work.

Yesterday the kids and I had fun!  We did homework, read, played outside, played on the Wii, cleaned our rooms, bundled up clothes to donate, rearranged the kids dressers, and tried to stay warm.

So now what do we do today???????

Ice Day

Today everyone is home (except for hubby) because of ice.  There is about one inch of ice all over the place.  I knocked it off my swing so it does not break the canopy. I knocked some off the back steps - could not break the ice off the front steps. 

The kids & I then broke the ice off of the snow (I think it sounded like thin cracking on a pond).  The kids then took the ice pieces and threw them to watch them break.  It was fun until the boys started throwing at one another - boys!

The kids then used their sleds to go down the drive.  I stopped this because they kept sliding into the street.

They are now playing on the Wii and iPod. Hopefully the day continues nice and smoothly

Weekend in Review

This weekend we had basketball on Saturday for the boys and Miss C.  The boys coach is not the coach I have issue with but his son is on that team.  Thankfully, he was not there.  The boys won! and they had a whole lot of fun.  Miss C's game was her first of the year.  She had defense down - she now needs to work on her offense.

After basketball we bundled everyone up and headed to Malabar Farm (Bogart & Bacall where married there) for a winter hike.  We hiked for about an hour than the kids and Tony did a little sledding.  I do not like to sled - I am afraid to fall off.  I did do one run and that was enough.  After the hike we headed to an Amish-style restaurant for dinner.  While there we bumped into my in-laws.  It was a nice surprise.

Sunday we headed north to visit my parents.  My dad's birthday was the 27th and they were out of town on a cruise for his birthday.  They got back on Sunday and were lucky enough to have us and my brothers family for a visit. 

buying the kids clothes

I remember when my kids were little and they would wear whatever I bought for them.  There was no complaints about color or style.  I think I have good taste and I buy high-end quality clothes that will last more than one season and one kid (my cousin who has two little boys is the beneficiary of these clothes) unless of course if they are stained. 

Well -- it is time for new winter gear (end of season sales and all).  Normally I would pick something really warm (temp rating -5 or less at the low end) and in the appropriate favorite color of my kids.  P likes blues, D likes reds, and Miss C is a girly girl so definitely Pinks.  After my Christmas clothes gifts there were a few complaints about this and that.  So I decided why not give them a 'say' in the matter since they are the wearer of these clothes and I would not like it if someone picked everything I wore.

So I asked them to help and all I get is well I don't know, not sure about the color or style, why isn't that in PINK!.... don't they know end of season sales clothes go quickly and what you like today may not be there tomorrow or even later today.

EDIT:  winter coats bought!  P picked Black;  D pick green & black; C picked Fuschia  ;)  Happy Mom that this is done.

schooling

We are trying to determine what to do about schooling starting this fall.  We are planning on leaving our local parishes school because of how the school is handling a particular situation. 

The situation is that my son's coach 'assulted (not sure if this is the right word to use or not)' a parent at a game.  He came into the stands and poked the man in the chest.  If my brother (a high school coach) did that move he would have been fired or at least suspended.  Well nothing happened to this coach at all and the parent who this happened to they are pulling themselves and their kids from all activities.  This was the straw that broke this camels back.  I do not see how a Catholic school and the Church (this went as far as the parish priest) can support a person who would do this action.  If he will poke a parent what about a kid?  After basketball season we are pulling our kids from all sports.  Only reason we are finishing basketball is that we made a commitment to that particular sport.

So now we are going to have to go and shop for a new school.  Our options are: 1) homeschool, 2) public school in our county or 3) a different Catholic school that will involve a drive of at least 20 - 30 minutes.   We are praying about this but I know that this decision has to be what is best and most advantageous for our kids.  What gives them the best opportunity, best education, and if we go route 1 or 2 where will they attend PSR (since we will have cut our ties with our parish by leaving the school).

Small Successes - January 27

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph.

1)  lost another pound - slowly but surely reaching my goal!

2)  made a menu for last week and this week and stuck to it!  Kids not happy but they will be fine.

3)  kept my cool during a strange situation at D's basketball game on Sunday.  Not happy with what happened as a result but it has started other things into motion that have been on the edge.

what are your successes???

Small Successes - January 20

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph.

1) lost 4 pounds doing my 10 day cleanse!  Hubby lost 6.5!

2) survived basketball games & practice this week.  The 3rd grade boys coach stresses me, my hubby, my sons, and generally everyone else I know (except a few) out.  He was out of town for their game and it was such a joyous occasion for all!  Daniel scored a basket! and so did each and every boy on that team!

3) took a winter hike with the family!  our dream is to move to Northern Michigan so we are learning to enjoy and embrace the winter weather where we are instead of just dreaming about it down the road.