Boy does time fly! It just seems like yesterday that Lord Humble was born. Now, he has his first pair of contacts. This should make gymnastics a little cheaper (less broken glasses). Although it was extremely funny watching his glasses fly across the room during a back handspring because he forgot his eyeglass band.
Just yesterday, Red was born. Today he is shaking his grove thing to Alvin and the Chipmunks version of "Funky Town". Where is the camera when I need it?
Just yesterday, Girly Wirly was born. Now, she is the teen in the making with her hand on her hip and blaming her brothers. Boy can she whip her hair around! Saaaassssyyyyyy!
Just yesterday, Mini man was born. Now, he is informing me how is poop looks like chocolate and that was why he was playing with it. HUH???? Makes perfect sense to a 3 year old!
Just yesterday, Little Bit was born. Now, she just rolled over for the first time and grabbed a rattle. I don't know who was more freaked out.. her or Red. He went running through the house screaming "she rolled over".
All I can do is laugh and enjoy the quiet memories of yesterday because today it is noisy madhouse!
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
The Human Whisperer
A few weeks ago, I watched my first episode of the Dog Whisperer. I really wasn't sure what to expect or if I would like the show. How interesting can a show be that is about misbehaving dogs? Being more of a cat person, I thought "well at least the show will give me a few more reasons why our family should not add a dog to the already existing madness" and more importantly I lost the remote.
Fast forwad to today, I am hooked on the show. It amazes me to see how inconsistent undisciplined enabling humans can produce such neurotic dogs. Could this be the true for parents and kids as well as the dog world?
My question was definitely answered last night at the playground! Sitting there watching Girly Whirly and Mini Man play, I witnessed both the neurotic and the balanced.
As I watched a balanced pack leader, it amazed me at how relaxed she was. If her son was playing a little to rough, she would calmly redirect him. If he didn't listen to her when corrected, she removed him for a short time-out. She was consistent every time.
By contrast the other mom was all over the map. Her son whined, screamed, and would throw himself on the ground/bench about everything. Whenever he tore the arm on his stuffed animal she went and got him a new one from the stroller. Whenever he pushed other kids, she would threaten to not buy him ice cream but backed down everytime he yelled or slapped her.
After watching this eposide of the "Human Whisperer", it made me wonder if I am a balanced "pack leader" OR am I creating a bunch of nuts who will need intense therapy once grown?
Fast forwad to today, I am hooked on the show. It amazes me to see how inconsistent undisciplined enabling humans can produce such neurotic dogs. Could this be the true for parents and kids as well as the dog world?
My question was definitely answered last night at the playground! Sitting there watching Girly Whirly and Mini Man play, I witnessed both the neurotic and the balanced.
As I watched a balanced pack leader, it amazed me at how relaxed she was. If her son was playing a little to rough, she would calmly redirect him. If he didn't listen to her when corrected, she removed him for a short time-out. She was consistent every time.
By contrast the other mom was all over the map. Her son whined, screamed, and would throw himself on the ground/bench about everything. Whenever he tore the arm on his stuffed animal she went and got him a new one from the stroller. Whenever he pushed other kids, she would threaten to not buy him ice cream but backed down everytime he yelled or slapped her.
After watching this eposide of the "Human Whisperer", it made me wonder if I am a balanced "pack leader" OR am I creating a bunch of nuts who will need intense therapy once grown?
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Gold Medal Sacrifice
Tom (husband/dad) and I are totally supportive of all of the kids goals and activities. We are at all of Girly Wirly's (she's 5) soccer games, dance recitals, swim lessons. Little Man (he's 3) is just now showing interest in activities other than Thomas the Tank Engine, Lightning McQueen, and Nemo. Little Bit (she's 2 months) is only interested in nursing. Then there are the boys' interests....GYMNASTICS!!
My two oldest sons are competitive gymnasts. Lord Humble (he's 14) has been competing for 4 years and Red (he's 12) has been competing for 3 years. Red wants to continue competing through college. Lord Humble wants to be an Olympic gold medal winner. Not just one Olympics either, he wants to go and win in several.
WOW! The Olympics! We talk to him seriously about the sacrifices that he will have to make in order for his dream to become reality.
1. No other sport activities. "Not a problem, don't really like other sports", he says.
2. Lots of time in the gym (up to 24 hours per week). "The more the better", he says.
3. Not alot of extra "hanging with your buds" time. "Most of my friends are gymnasts", he says.
4.Homework and meals in car. "Okay", he says.
For the past 4 years, he has made the sacrifices and more. He has cried, ripped the skin on his hands repeatedly, fallen on his face and has always gotten back up ready for more. He's in love. It is his bliss, his passion. It is a gift that we get to watch.
It has never felt like a sacrifice on my part until this past week. We moved to a new gym. It is a lot farther away (1.5 hours each direction). Because of Little Bit, I can't get them there every day. So in order for the boys to practice more days a week, they are staying with another gym family a few nights a week.
I didn't think that it would be this hard for me or the other kids! I didn't think that I would be the one having to make sacrifices so that their dreams can be fulfilled. I knew that eventually they would leave the nest, but I wasn't ready for it now! I keep telling myself that it is only for a night here, a few nights there. Is it really any different than them staying the night at a friends house? But somehow it feels different. I'm invested in their progress. I feel out of the loop? How are your giants? Kip? Working rings?
The Madhouse isn't quite as mad without all of the kids being here. I guess instead of the madness being in the house, it is all in my head.
My two oldest sons are competitive gymnasts. Lord Humble (he's 14) has been competing for 4 years and Red (he's 12) has been competing for 3 years. Red wants to continue competing through college. Lord Humble wants to be an Olympic gold medal winner. Not just one Olympics either, he wants to go and win in several.
WOW! The Olympics! We talk to him seriously about the sacrifices that he will have to make in order for his dream to become reality.
1. No other sport activities. "Not a problem, don't really like other sports", he says.
2. Lots of time in the gym (up to 24 hours per week). "The more the better", he says.
3. Not alot of extra "hanging with your buds" time. "Most of my friends are gymnasts", he says.
4.Homework and meals in car. "Okay", he says.
For the past 4 years, he has made the sacrifices and more. He has cried, ripped the skin on his hands repeatedly, fallen on his face and has always gotten back up ready for more. He's in love. It is his bliss, his passion. It is a gift that we get to watch.
It has never felt like a sacrifice on my part until this past week. We moved to a new gym. It is a lot farther away (1.5 hours each direction). Because of Little Bit, I can't get them there every day. So in order for the boys to practice more days a week, they are staying with another gym family a few nights a week.
I didn't think that it would be this hard for me or the other kids! I didn't think that I would be the one having to make sacrifices so that their dreams can be fulfilled. I knew that eventually they would leave the nest, but I wasn't ready for it now! I keep telling myself that it is only for a night here, a few nights there. Is it really any different than them staying the night at a friends house? But somehow it feels different. I'm invested in their progress. I feel out of the loop? How are your giants? Kip? Working rings?
The Madhouse isn't quite as mad without all of the kids being here. I guess instead of the madness being in the house, it is all in my head.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Mother's Day
1.) Mom and Mimi, thank you for all of the support, guidance, and love that you have sent in my direction! It has been a huge comfort to know that both of you are in my corner.
2.) To my wonderful kids, you are what makes our madhouse so much fun. I am amazed and inspired by all of you!
3.) To Tammy, I have learned so much from watching you with my neice and nephew. You are always giving me ideas of stuff do with my own kids. Your strength is amazing. Thanks!
4.) To Steph, I am so lucky to have you in my life. You have always been there for me and I know that if one of my daughters is "girly" that you will be there to help with hair and make up.
5.) To all of the women in my life who have played the "mom" role whenever I needed the extra support and nurturing; THANKS! It is comforting to know that there is always a warm shoulder to lean on.
2.) To my wonderful kids, you are what makes our madhouse so much fun. I am amazed and inspired by all of you!
3.) To Tammy, I have learned so much from watching you with my neice and nephew. You are always giving me ideas of stuff do with my own kids. Your strength is amazing. Thanks!
4.) To Steph, I am so lucky to have you in my life. You have always been there for me and I know that if one of my daughters is "girly" that you will be there to help with hair and make up.
5.) To all of the women in my life who have played the "mom" role whenever I needed the extra support and nurturing; THANKS! It is comforting to know that there is always a warm shoulder to lean on.
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