The Mom of OZ: cheerful children

Showing posts with label cheerful children. Show all posts

Monday, August 25, 2014

Back to school 2014

Back to school cookies tradition continues:

Vanilla sandwich cookies for Maiya

Peanut butter for Ben

Brownies for Cora

Popcorn cookies for Ella

Friday, May 23, 2014

Benjamin (or fine.. Ben) at this moment has all grades above an 85, he is well liked by his teachers and I am complemented often on what a good kid he is. Next year: HIGH SCHOOL!! He got his very own computer for his birthday and tomorrow morning he reports to his very first job. Here you can start working at 14.
I can't believe how fast this is going. We are so proud of him. He wrote this acrostic for his leadership class and his teacher sent me an email saying how impressed he was by it:

E ... Embrace Challenges with the strength and courage of a bull.
A... Accept punishments and accusations with firm responsibility.
G... "Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul." Henry Ward Beecher
L... Lie if you want to be lied to, if not speak with truth and honesty.
E...Every elder you see has gone through what you have so treat them with respect.

L...Learning to stand and tolerate insults is like learning to act as an adult.
E...Everyone can sacrifice time or money but only when you give something you love does it count.
A..."As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." John F. Kennedy
D... Drawing up the composure to not attack someone or do anything foolish is the ultimate tool.
E...Empathy is not about forgiving someone but understanding them.
R...Realizing when you have done something wrong and stood by your mistake is integrity.
S...Serving someone is not loyalty, but believing and staying by them is.
H...Having a good attitude is the key to having a good life.
I...I would stand and persevere anything for family and good friends.
P...Preparation is the key to success.

What does Eagle Leadership mean to me? To me eagle leadership means to be yourself while being the best you can be to get people to appreciate you and live a good life.

-Benjamin, May 2014

Monday, October 21, 2013

I have six kids and I'm sticky.

I have six kids.

I have some advice about that, did you have a comment about six kids pop up in your mind? If so, lets get that out of the way. For the record: YES I KNOW WHAT CAUSES THAT.

(Wipes forehead)

My husband and I wanted a big family. Now we have one. I can guarantee I don't have more patience, skills, or sanity than you. Here are some tips about how I manage a household of eight:

1. Lowered expectations.

This one is sort of self explanatory, but just in case you are a self proclaimed perfectionist let me introduce you to this: Life is not perfect. If you add children especially many children to that equation there will be a high ratio of non perfect moments in the mix. That is ok. There is beauty to be found even on the days where there is too much yelling and crying and everything in your house is sticky. Learn to laugh and practice it often. Laugh at yourself and make sure to do it in front of the kids. Let them see you get frustrated and let them see you get over it.

2. Get over any hang-ups you have about poop.

All moms, but especially moms to many deal in the currency of poop. You have to breastfeed enough, buy groceries enough, prepare said groceries enough so that everyone makes some poop. Then you have to change the diapers, run the toddler to the toilet, assure them they won't fall in, make sure everyone is wiping, and teach the older ones how to clean a toilet before they are one day parents themselves dealing in the currency of poop. Skip the gagging. It just adds time and you have better things to do.

3. Chores.

Always clean with one goal in mind. Get rid of 50% of the items in any given room. Don't worry. Somehow no matter what you do - the stuff will return in one form or another. Socks? Give up. Get a GIANT basket throw the socks in and let everyone fend for themselves. They aren't helping enough anyway. Dishes. Everything must be dishwasher safe, if its not, you didn't want it to own it. Trust me. Resist the urge to put sticky children in the dishwasher, though they are top rack safe, they don't fit. Clothes. Sort? who has time for that, like dishes if it requires sorting you didn't want to own it anyway. Ironing? Oh you're killing me, that's a funny one. Safe cleaners? Water, Vinegar, and Elbow Grease in that order take care of most things and all three are safe enough for the kids to drink. They will get to all secured spots they aren't supposed to get to. This is physics 101.

4. Discipline.

Treat them like criminals that you love dearly. With six, your eyes can't be on every single one at all times, so lock the front door or the two year old will be in the front yard naked in about five minutes no matter the season. In the parking lot everyone must have a hand on the car or grocery cart at ALL TIMES - no exception. If they are very young I recommend tying them to you. I would suggest this under the term babywearing, see? criminals I tell ya. In places where they can roam free the rule is this: They have to see mom from wherever they are. Don't say "stay where I can see you" that is absolutely meaningless to them because as far as they are concerned you can hover in midair. If they must see you it makes it a little more sense to them.

5. Wax paper sheets.

Finally some real advice. Buy, at a warehouse store of your choice, food service wax paper sheets in the box. (hangs head I know they are disposable) but they are less bulky than paper plates and are biodegradable They are perfect for snacks, sandwiches, crafts, bottom of the microwave, lining veggie drawers, and cutting down on the general stickiness of your house. When you are doing dishes for eight people you'd be amazed at the ways you can rock the wax paper sheet.

6. Embrace it all.

Smile and say "I love you" a bunch. When you have a big family, there is always someone to talk to, someone to cuddle with, someone to come home to, and something sticky in your life.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Pawker Bames turns three.

Dear PJ,

I just want to capture in words what you are like at this point in your little life. You are passionate. What ever you feel you feel it deeply. You tell everyone that you love "I love you" and when you tell them that you say it at least three times, ending with "I love you sooooooo much"

When you are mad you are quick with "You are poopie." If that doesn't have the desired effect seconds later its "I hate you." Five minutes after your rage you are back to "I love you. I'm sorry its my fault. Mom, its all my fault" And you go back about your day.

Your vocabulary is out of this world. I can't think of anything you can't say. If rushed its hard to understand you, but you always manage to get your point across.

You make sure that you say goodbye to everyone. And its always a full goodbye. Hug. Kiss. AND three goodbyes, even if I'm only running a very quick errand. I have to sit in the van and make sure that you won't manage the lock, evade your dad and run out into the front yard anyway.

You don't like clothes. Therefore you are frequently naked. This tortures your older siblings. OH MY GAWD MOM he doesn't have any pants on. You all the while don't get what the big deal is.

You are a good eater.

You are still breastfeeding. What's up with that?

We say goodbye to the big kids on the bus, welcome it home every afternoon and spot buses on every trip out of the house. You may fight with them but you want your brother and sisters around you.

You give equal attention to "girl" stuff and "boy" stuff. You are versed in the vernacular of my little ponies and racing cars.

You have some OCD tendencies. When you want it done your way in a particular order nothing will re-direct you.

You are full of life, love, spirit, and spunk. And we love it all.

LOVE YOU SO MUCH PJ.

-mom