Ever since I deemed “Mine” a bad word in our home, our kids have been really good about it. In fact, surprisingly, they have not only eliminated the word, they have actually tried to do and be the complete opposite. Scout and Navy are always trying to do nice things for one another and Dash.
But will this time come quickly to a close?
Navy asked me toady, “Mom, I know I can’t say that bad word, but can I say mind?”
I was stuck.
I wanted to say no, but how could I?
Isn’t it interesting that a three year old little girl can be so literal/mischievous.
So when I heard “that is MIND” today, I had to sit down and talk about the “idea” of mine instead of the actual word.
Sounds just like someone I married.
Especially when games are involved.
I don’t call him “King Loophole” for fun!
A few nights ago for Family Night, we learned about being Selfless and not selfish.
I told a story of a sweet little Grandma digging in the trash for bottles and cans, and instead of buying a donut with my dollar, I gave her a bottle I found in my car, and the dollar. I told them how happy it made her, but that it really made me the happiest.
Then we declared the word “Mine” a bad word in our family.
Ever since that Family Night, you should see my boy and girl work overtime in Sweetsville.
Navy has made Bella’s bed, wrapped little treats for both of her brothers, and shared her things like crazy.
Scout has let Navy use his pillow, shared his popcorn, and told me to find the little Grandma so we can give her the cans he usually turns into school.
And then there is the always-perfect Dash!
Honestly, coming off the week I had last week, I couldn’t be happier about this pleasant change.
Merry Stinking Christmas to me!
I helped in Scout’s school today, and love catching him in his element.
With his buddies at recess.
Painting up a storm.
And drinking from a nasty water fountain.
Dash took a tumble off the bed.
There was a head wound.
And some back scraping.
But none of these could deter his love of Elmo and Andrea Bocelli singing together.
Especially when he has his very own Elmo doll that Nonnie picked up for him the day before.
If I am being honest, I would describe my kids this way.
60% Best Friends
20% In Trouble and Working On Being Best Friends
20% Teasing/Reacting
All I have to say is that I am glad that the majority rules.
But that other 40% of the time — and that 20% especially COULD KILL ME!
I know I was a huge tease growing up, so Navy and partly Scout come by it innocently.
I also know Micah has a streak of that in him also.
But why….why…WHY!
Why can’t we all just get along?
It started last Saturday at the Christmas Tree farm. I saw a naughty like I have never seen before. Micah took her out, and I thought that would be the end of it. Well, a week later, I can tell you it was not.
The teasing is bad enough, but this sweet little girl was completely defiant towards me — and I was NOT having it.
I knew this was a case of If-it-isn’t-nipped-in-the-bud-immediately-this-will-never-go-away.
So I had a really long week.
It was constant time outs, constant no-tolerance policies and constant positive reinforcement.
I saw improvement, but she was nowhere near where she needed to be.
I took her on a special date with Dash, and she was sweet.
But afterwards, right back to stinky.
This went on day after day.
It was exhausting, and Micah was working overtime all week, so I was solo.
One week strong, I was so frustrated, because I knew something was going on, but didn’t know what.
Maybe she didn’t feel well. (Which she did.)
Maybe she didn’t like school? (Which she does.)
So finally, when it could be arranged, I took her on a solo special date (what they are designed to be).
We went to breakfast, then glittered some Christmas Trees and ornaments. We spent until 1:00 just laughing and creating together. Then we headed to pick Scout up and to gymnastics.
And the rest is history.
This girl needed some solo attention. She gets plenty of attention between all of her admirers, but she just needed some solo M-O-M attention.
Since then, we have been the best of friends.
And I couldn’t be happier.
-
She really is like the very first poem my mom helped her memorize.
We have entitled it NAVY:
There was a little girl,
Who had a little curl,
Right in the middle of her forehead.
When she was good,
She was VERY VERY good,
But when she was bad
She was HORRID!
-
I am SO glad we are back to VERY VERY good!
Have I told you lately….that I LOVE YOU!
Scout you are like a breath of fresh air.
That only gets polluted once in a while — when you react to the shenanigans of others.
Or should I drop the “S” and say other?
Krispy made his farewell today.
Halle-stinking-lujiah!
the kids were stoked on the marshmallow snowmen they got from the North Pole.
Can’t you just see the deterioration from day one with the mini donuts.
Can you imagine if I had to go another 15 days?
It would have been bad.
Krispy left the two oldest Snowmen towels (that have been in my closet for two years).
And the younger one — an oatmeal bottle.
All is well.
Especially since tomorrow is our last Elf on the Shelf day.
Who came up with this nonsense anyway?
And those who do it all month long…..take my lead!
I love the ten day thing.
I think I am minimizing it down to five days next year!
Our tree is never a really organized feature of our Christmas.
I personally like having it a bit mish mashed every year, but it gives my mom anxiety.
SO in an attempt to ease her frustrations, we at least got the lights on within a week — or so?!
Micah did the top, but Scout took the reigns towards the bottom.
I told him I needed him to learn this “man job”, and I think he was proud to take on the responsibility.
Navy was in charge of vacuuming. She loves to do things where she has to hyper focus on little areas (coloring, puzzles), so this was right up her alley.
And Dash was just in charge of drinking in all of the excitement. This boy is an observer just like Scout was. At first I was a little worried that I had wallflowers, but now I realize that they just like to assess situations, and then dive in full force. And then there is my second child who assesses nothing.
It was such a pleasant evening, I decided to get a picture with my three tangled in the lights. But everything went sour quickly. Look at that little girl trying to act like Miss Innocent while Scout is tantruming it up and Dash is taking notes.
-
Merry Christmas, and it is off to bed you three go!
Krispy got all of these weasels with a blue Sharpie last night.
And in honor of the hoax, guess who else sported one of these beauties.
But conversely, mine was washed off before 7 pm that night.
| DESIGN BY