Taking Care of the Morning Blues

My oldest daughter has this thing about planning...she loves to do it.

She wants to plan every minute of every day, and she feels a little off kilter if she doesn't know what's going on.  This can be a challenge for me because while I like to plan some things, I am a little more relaxed and kind of prefer to take things as they come.

One of the areas that our difference had become quite difficult was during the morning routine.  I would wake Addy for school, ask her what she wanted for breakfast, ask her what she wanted to wear, ask her if she wanted to pack or buy lunch, and ask her what snacks she wanted.  Lots of decisions for a 7-year-old to make at 6:30am.

Most of these mornings resulted in lots of tears.

And Addy had a hard time too.

I was beginning to lose patience with all of it and wondering if boarding school was an option.  My husband assured me it was not. 

Then I spoke to a friend about our issue, and she encouraged me to have Addy make her decisions ahead of time so that we wouldn't have to think about things in the morning.  Genius!

So we started by letting Addy check out the calendar on Sunday evenings.  She could look ahead and see what was on the agenda for the week, and plan accordingly.  She chose which meal she would buy at school that week, (we allow her to buy once a week..she packs the other 4 days).  And each night before she went to bed, she started picking out her clothes, shoes, hair accessories etc.  She also got to choose her breakfast for the next day, as well as snacks.

Well let me just say that it has made a WORLD of difference!  Addy feels much better in the mornings because she doesn't have so many decisions to make, and she is happy with the choices because she got to make them herself.

And can I just say that mornings are MUCH BETTER for momma as well?!  No crying, no whining, and no tantrums...I am behaving like a good momma should.

So if you and your kids are experiencing the morning blues too, try letting the kids plan ahead a little and it may help to make mornings happy again!

*** This post will be linked at http://wearethatfamily.com/ for the 'Works For Me Wednesday' (WFMW) Posts.

A Family Full of Book Worms

I love to read.  A lot.

And I'm not super picky about what I read. 

Mysteries, Love Stories, Classics, US Magazine...I'll read anything.

And my love for reading has not gone unnoticed in my house.  My girls often comment on it, and when Christmas or any other gift giving occasion rolls around, I am sure to get a book mark or some other thing that reminds me that they are paying attention to my hobby.

And guess what?

They love reading too!

I didn't "push" it on them either.  I didn't talk about the importance, (although I think it's VERY important), and I didn't require nightly story time, (even though we pretty much do it every day anyway).  The only things I did do were, (1) have books available to them, and (2) let them see me reading on my own. 

I think most kids are kind of born with the love of stories.  They like listening to imaginary tales, and escaping into a world that is different than ours.  They enjoy hearing about animals that talk, and vegetables that sing, and princes and princesses who live happily ever after.  It feeds their creativity and drives their curiosity.  And it makes them happy.

We have spent many hours at our local library, (it is AWESOME, and they have a HUGE children's area!), and also at book stores.  Some times it's a quick trip, but what I really like to do is give them plenty of time to just roam the aisles and discover books they haven't heard of before.  A lot of times we sit down right there and read the stories because they just can't wait to get it home. 

Some of our favorites have included "Goodnight Moon", (which will always hold fond memories for me), "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom", "Pinkalicious", Arthur stories, Barbie books, Disney classic stories, and "No More Monkey's Jumping on the Bed".

I really hope that my girls continue with their love of books as they get older, and that it becomes a passion for them.  It has been such a wonderful part of my life, and I hope that is true for them as well.

What are some of your children's favorite books? 

What do you do to foster a love of reading for your kids?

Please share with the rest of us! :)

Memory Monday...No Big Deal

You know those moments when your kids do something they shouldn't and you go crazy?

Like, off the wall crazy?

Like, 'they might be taking me to jail later' crazy?

Yeah, we have had a few of those moments here, (not my proudest).  In the moment, I think what they have done is just horrible.  The crayon will never come off the wall!  The paint will get all over the place!  I paid good money for that dress that you just got permanent marker all over!

But the truth is, it's just crayon, and paint, and marker....no big deal.  They were just two curious little girls, being two curious little girls.  And I love that curiosity, even when it makes more work for me.

And besides, were it not for their curious spirits, I wouldn't have these pictures to look at now :)

"Look mom, I found the purple paint!  It doesn't taste so good, though..." 

"Of course we should color on the walls!  And since mommy and daddy are trying to sell the house, this will be the PERFECT decoration! "

  "I think permanent black marker is beautiful body art.  AND dress embellishment!"

Goose and Monkey

Addy (3) and Faith (1) 

My Dearest Goose and Monkey,
                               I have loved you from the moment God placed you perfectly in my body.  You have challenged me, loved me, and changed me, and for that, I am forever grateful. 

I'll be honest with you and tell you that some days, I wonder if I will make it.  Parenting is so much harder than I ever imagined.  But it also comes with greater rewards than I ever thought possible.  Your smiles, and giggles, and silly faces make me feel joy I didn't know existed.  And you definitely know how to melt your momma's heart with the sweet way you say, "I love you momma".  I cannot imagine a life without you, and yet it literally takes my breath away when I think on the fact that God saw me as worthy to be your mommy.

Every day I pray that I am able to live up to that calling.  You deserve the best, and I hope you know that I am trying to be that for you.  Some days, I am sure that I fail at that, but I will never quit trying. 

So when I celebrate Mother's Day today, really, I am celebrating you.  Because I love you.  Because without you, I wouldn't be a mommy.  And because being your mommy has been the greatest joy of my life.

All My Love Forever,
Momma

Goose and Monkey

Purge!

It never fails that when it's time to switch from one seasons clothes to the next, I realize that I have a TON of stuff to get ride of.  Bins are literally overflowing in my garage with dresses, swimsuits, PJ's, jeans, shoes, and jackets/coats that are ALL TOO SMALL for my girls.  I don't know why I hang on to this stuff. 

Maybe it's because I can't seem to let go of all the memories that I have of my girls in those clothes. 

Maybe it's because if I get rid of them, then I have to admit that they are growing older. 

Or maybe it's just because I'm lazy and don't want to spend the 4 days it will take me to go through and organize all of it. 

But no matter what the reason, the truth is, I know it needs to be done.

But all the money we spent on all those clothes!

And all the money we will have to spend to replace them!

How will my wallet ever forgive me?

Those are the questions we all ask, but there is one good idea...re-sell your old stuff!

Now I know that mom/consignment sales have been around for a while now, and many of you already sell your stuff at them.  But for those of you who have not gotten in on this yet, then you need to check into it.  It is a great way to empty out the closets and clothes bins, and make a little extra money for the new stuff your kids need.  Plus, at most sales, sellers get to shop before the public so that you get first pick of the things others are selling in the size you need.

These are also a great place to buy gently used toys, books, and movies.  I have been to many of them in the past, (and even sold before!), and I can assure you that you can easily LOAD UP on lots of good stuff!  In short, it's like a GIANT, quality-controled garage sale of just kids stuff!  Perfect for a Garge Sale Diva like me!

So, you think you might be interested in checking one out?  What about selling at one?  Lucky for you, I have the inside scoop on a NEW sale that will be starting this Fall.  My friend, Blake, is organizing a sale for Tots, Teens N' in Between!  She is looking for moms to sell their kid's gently used clothing, toys, books, games, equipment, ect....

This huge, semi-annual mom's sale will be held Saturday, August 13th at Parkview Church of the Nazarene located at 4701 Far Hills Ave. in Kettering.

If you are interested in selling, please contact Blake Garrett by emailing her at totsnteenssale@aol.com

There will also be an informational meeting held Sunday, May 29th at 3pm. (Details will be given when you contact Blake.)

In addition to mom's, they are looking for vendors who have small businesses (generally geared towards women, moms and children) to set up booths in the entry way. For more information on vendors booths, you can also contact Blake.

And if you DO decide to sell, there is a good chance I will see you there, because this momma can NEVER resist a good sale!

Papa John's Winner

A Big Congratulations goes out to Gail Hawley for winning the $20 Papa John's gift card!  Hope you enjoy your Family Pizza Movie Night!

Gail, please email me at thefamilyfunmom@yahoo.com with your address, and I will get that gift card in the mail to you.  After all, I'm sure you're gonna want to use that card ASAP!

Also Peeps, don't forget to check out the updated Upcoming Events page (you can always find it to the right!).  There are a lot of fun things going on around the Dayton area, so you don't want to miss out.  And remember that if you know of an event going on that is not listed, please email it to me!  We want to list as many options available to families as possible!

AND, the Disney Deals page has been updated, (also to the right!), and there is a new deal available offering a FREE Disney Dining Plan with your trip!  You can save Mucho Dinero!!

Congrats again to Gail, and if you didn't win this time, no worries!  There will be another Giveaway coming soon, so stay tuned :)

Don't Forget...

to enter the Papa John's Giveaway for a FREE $20 Gift Card!  You KNOW you don't want to miss out on your chance for some yummy pizza goodness!  Soft dough, zesty sauce, gooey cheese, a mound of toppings of your choice...makes you want to order some right now, doesn't it? 

Today is the last day, and the winner will be announced tomorrow.  There are a few ways to enter, but make sure to click here to leave your comment.  They must be on the original post to be a part of the drawing. 

And remember that you can enter more than once!  The more you enter, the better your chances to win!  Good Luck!