Too Smart

I put Christmas lights around the fireplace on Thanksgiving Day. This afternoon, Tyler walked over and plugged in the lights saying, "Mommy, Christmas lights not on." I gently explained that he cannot plug items into the wall and the he needs to get mommy. The irony, he has not attempted to do that with anything else. He just wanted to see the Christmas lights.

Oh, did I mention it was like 1p in the afternoon? The kids have yet to get the concept that the lights should be on at night. Oh well.

Thanksgiving Day 2010

Whether we think so or not, we have so much for which we should be thankful. The mere fact that you are reading this entry confirms you are better off than someone else. I am thankful for the two cute cuddly little ones in the photo. They are healthy, smart, developing well, and just a joy.

(After getting dressed, Tyler walked downstairs, went into the cabinet, grabbed the bag of cereal and began eating. He was then joined by his sister.)

I am thankful for my family. Although they are miles away, I was able to see all of them using Skype this evening. I am thankful to have "a friend" who is caring and hard working. He thinks of me and the kids and does alot to help make things easier for me. He spent the holiday with his family in Fort Myers, FL but he called several times to check on us throughout the day.

I am thankful for my church that teaches me so many life principles to help me grow and develop. I am thankful for the people in my life who are friends and love me and the kids in a healthy way.

Although I work three (3) jobs and am putting myself through school, I am thankful that I had the opportunity to pursue a higher education to open doors for me. I am thankful that I have the opportunity to pursue a doctorate degree.

And the list could go on and on. Let us learn to look at the positive things in our lives which is how God views us. Choose to be continually thankful.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
2 Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out!
Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies."
Psalm 107:1-2

"You are my God, and I will praise You;
You are my God, I will exalt You.

29 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever."
Psalm 118:28-29

"I am thankful for..."

NyCee's Pre-K class completed a Thanksgiving Day project. It was a necklace with leaves showing three things for which she is thankful. I was so touched to see she stated she was thankful for her mom. The sixth grade class serves as buddies to the pre-k class and helped them write the items onto the leaves.

The kids had a Thanksgiving Day celebration and the parents were allowed to attend. The kids played Turkey Bingo with M & M candies. After that, they sung a son about a turkey being a good pet. It was so cute.

NyCee is in the front wearing the purple jacket.

She really enjoys going to school and is developing so well. She has fun "reading" to Tyler and teaching him colors. I am so pleased with her development.

"Because Why"/Upcoming Changes

Little Fred has joined the world of "Because Why" mommy. When instructed to carry out a task, he responds, "Because why." When told it is time for a bath, he replies, "Because why?" When told to clean the playroom, he responds, you guessed it, "Because why."

He is such a smart little boy. He can identify colors and is starting to count. His potty training is coming along nicely. He actually stays dry at home. When he is with the sitter, she says he doesn't tell her when he has to use the bathroom. At home, he does not use pull-ups. I only let him use them when we go to church or he is at her house.

Upcoming Changes
Beginning, December 20th, the kids are going back to a daycare facility. I found one close to the school NyCee is scheduled to attend for Kindergarten. I am learning to move quickly when seasons change in my life. I knew about a year ago the kids needed to go back into a facility full time. But the cost factor is no joke. This time, I embraced the season and trust God to meet the need. The bible tells us, 'God supplies all are needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.' Therefore, ensuring I have a means to pay for daycare is God's job. My job is to be obedient and move when He prompts me to move.

Dealing with in-home care has advantages and dis-advantages. The biggest issues relate to Tyler's potty training, nap time, and schedules. She wants me to accommodate her family's schedules by working certain hours or picking up my kids from different locations. It just got to be too much. There are days when she can't keep them and it costs me too much money to keep finding alternate care. Besides, Tyler needs to be around other kids and begin to develop socially.

Once I secure my full-time teaching job, NyCee will go back to pre-K and Tyler will remain at the day care. It will be cheaper for me to have NyCee in school and Tyler in full-time daycare than it is right now. God is so smart! I love following His plan. We do not see the big picture at the time but we know that by following each step, it comes more into focus.

"Me" Moments

I have developed the habit of having daily "me" moments. After I put the kids in bed, I take a hot bath with a cup of cocoa. It is fabulous. Just a way to decompress from the day. I am usually in there for about 20-30 minutes. Once I am done, I am relaxed and can complete the rest of my tasks for the evening. It is a small thing but big help to keeping me balanced and stress free.

Mommy's Big Helper

A couple of days ago, I woke up the children in the morning to get ready to leave for the sitter's house. Little Fred decided he was going to have a "moment." After he used the potty, I had to escort him to his room so that he could find his happy and get dressed. NyCee walked into the bathroom to get her face washed and teeth brushed. Without prompting, she lifted the seat on Little Fred's potty, dumped the pee-pee into the big toilet, washed out the seat, and replaced it perfectly into his potty chair. I was so proud of her for completing a task without being told to do so. (Normally, I would have done it as soon as he finished but we had to take a trip to help him find some happy.)

That is amazing for a 4 year old to accomplish such a big task without prompting and she did it with excellence.

For several weeks, she had been asking for a pillow pet. I was going to get it for Christmas. Instead, I bought it Friday night as a surprise gift to her. She earned it.

Compliment

I took the kids to IHOP this evening for dinner. I do that a couple of times a month to get them adjusted to eating in restaurants. Overall, they did well. Tyler became a little impatient while waiting for his "Chicken Fries" (chicken strips and french fries).

There was an older couple sitting across the way from us. I marvel at couples who have been married for years. I watched the husband has he still looked adoringly at his wife. When their meals were complete, the woman walked up to me and said, "I just want you to know that you have well-behaved children. You deal with them very well." She then turned to the children and said, "You have a wonderful mom." Both kids said, "Thank you."

I nearly cried because I felt they were a bit disruptive. Tyler had a bit of a "moment" but he corrected himself fairly quickly. A couple of times they were loud and had to be reminded to use indoor voices. It is hard to not think of myself as a bad mother. I get so irritated at times when I just want silence. Instead of silence I hear, "Ma, may I have this. Ma, Tyler hit me. Ma, Sissy took my toy." Besides, no one tells me I am good mom so sometimes I feel like I am not. However, a friend told me, "If you think you are a bad mom, then you are a fabulous mom. Bad moms do not care and do not think they are bad moms."

That was a very truthful statement that has stuck with me. Bad moms do not buy Christmas toys beginning in September. Bad mothers do not forgo their own needs to ensure their children have Hananah Montana and Spiderman bed sheets. Bad mothers do not work 3 jobs to support their children. Bad mothers do not pursue a higher level of education to make a better life for their children.

I am a pretty good mom!

"5 Minutes"

This morning, I walked into Tyler's room to wake him up. When I pulled the blanket back from off his head, he whined, "No mommy. Five more minutes."

Who knew a two year old would make such a declaration?

Harvest Festival Weekend

(Sorry the pictures are late)
On Thursday, October 28, 2010, NyCee's class had a carnival. I went to her school for the last hour of the day be a parent helper.

Saturday night was harvest festival at church. The kids enjoyed bounce houses, games, face painting and crafts. NyCee couldn't find her wand and Tyler lost his hat. But they had a good time. The candy has been rationed out as treats when warranted.