Throwback Cartoons

My kids love cartoons as much as the next kid. We don't have cable or cartoon network or anything, but we find some jewels on Netflix. Such as the lovable and hug-able care bears.
Here's the thing about these cartoons; the ones from yester-year at first glance seem sort of dark and "violent" compared to their new and improved?! versions for today's kid.

I will say this is MY favorite series of Care Bears! Grumpy Bear is HILARIOUS!

At first I couldn't believe my parents let me watch such shows, but upon further thoughtful contemplation I realize that I have been re-programmed to see the cartoons from my childhood as "evil" and "bad." Who wouldn't compared to today's lesson filled, everyone wins, unicorn pooping sprinkles and marshmallows all over the place episodes. I like the "lessons" learned in the yester-year cartoons they deal in more real world scenarios---wait for it GASP!! NOT EVERYONE WINS! {and you will NOT believe this...the "loser" learns life goes on and it is okay---their world did not collapse.} WHOA! Today's kids are not taught such life lessons. Sad.

So now instead of viewing the Throwback cartoons as scary and evil, I see them as valuable ways to talk to my kids about life. In fairness I still like some of the new versions and their happy go-lucky attitudes, but overall that usually isn't how the real world works.

I even found daddy's old pound puppy "cooler" to watch with.

Today's spin on an old classic.

What are your favorite cartoons from your childhood?! I can still sing most of the songs!

Sleep is for Losers {Guest Post}

Sleep is for Losers
written by: Leighton Olivia Newton John.

Have your parents ever tried to put you to bed and you laid there wide awake and bored? And if you listen closely you can hear them making snacks and most likely having a party. Do you hear that? That's laughter! Why would there be laughter at this hour?! Mommy, told me it was bedtime. Then why on earth is she and daddy still up? It's interesting. As I lay here pondering how they could possible have any fun without my jubilant presence, I have devised a plan to infiltrate their party and take notes. I realize the risks and consequences I face compiling this research for my fellow bedtime little people, but if I can crack the bedtime code we all win.

Below is a list of excuses I have compiled that have allowed me "permission," or so I deemed, to vacate my bed and spy on the parents.

{Daddy I need water}
The subject brings me a glass of water. Decided to implement tactic two after he leaves.
{Daddy you didn't bring me kitchen water.}
He brings me back kitchen water.
{Daddy I need 2 ice cubes in it.}

While these tactics were effective for me to monitor the subject, it quickly turned against me. Don't worry it won't get me down tomorrow is another night...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here are a list of questions to ask to prolong the bedtime process. I run through these nightly.

1. What are we doing tomorrow?
2. What are you looking at?
3. What are you doing tomorrow?
4. Can we go to the pool tomorrow?
Will the water be cold? Will my friends be there? Why won't my friends be there? What are they doing tomorrow?
Can we go to the library? Why? I need new books. Can I get a DVD at the library? How about a bookmark? Am I going to get a new {free reading program book} book?
Can I wear...
5. I need some chapstick.
I need some itch medicine for my {non-existent} bug bite.
You didn't turn my music on. My music is too quiet....my music is too loud. Can I sleep with my music by my pillow? Why? {START CRYING}
6.Can you leave the hall light on? Leave my door open.
7. You forgot to turn on my night light.
8. Where is Toby {our dog}, I need him to sleep with me. {Push Toby off the bed to make it look like he escaped, go downstairs} Toby escaped. I need Tobias.
9. Daddy I heard something? I think it is an alligator in my room.
10. You didn't turn on my ceiling fan.
11. I need more water.
12. Daddy what are you having for a snack tonight?
13. How do zoo animals get water daddy?
14. But I need a hug and a kiss from mommy.
Now I need a hug and a kiss from daddy.
And last but certainly not least exclaim "BUT I CAN'T SLEEP!"

Along the way be sure to break down into uncontrollable sobs and fits of rage to make it clear that life is completely unfair and you are being treated poorly. This easily kills 20 minutes of the bed time process.

While I have gotten in trouble countless times for my research; I have found it all to be worth it. My parents are utterly confused as to what my true reasons and motivations are. Those reasons will not be disclosed at this time as my research shall continue. I will continue to update my fellow bedtime haters with new ploys and tactics as I implement more in the future. I will not be deterred, much to my parent's dismay.

And that my friends is how it is done!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I wish, as her mother, I could say that she is embellishing these tactics, that it really isn't that bad. It is. Matter of fact this is FAR from the comprehensive list daddy goes through on a nightly basis. Lucky for her mommy is gone most evenings and is unable to put her to bed. Mommy is far less kind than daddy. So yes, this happens every.single.night in our home.

Until next time.

Sparkle Shine {The 4th Recap}

I am going to make this short and sweet and let the photos do the talking...
The 4th is a big holiday for us as my sister's birthdays are always celebrated on the 4th. But my how things have changed since Melissa moved away and grandkids are in the picture.

Try to do a photo op...yeah, not so great. {These are all unedited dt time}

Grill master Chad.

One of the birthday girls. Now the next few are a succession of photo bombs by Chad and my dad. The finally one is HILARIOUS. And brought tears to everyone's eyes. My hubby the funny man.

Family picture complete with a Meg photo bomb. She thinks she is so funny! And MW being un-cooperative for family photos per usual.

Up next the parachute chase. Now, back in the day {do you remember this moment Melissa?! Tears are running down my cheeks as I re-call it!} this was a big game for us. We were in teams. My BIL means serious business when he plays, so serious that he knocked his own wife down to the ground in effort to catch said parachute. Hilarious!

Now days it has moved onto the kids. My sister's family and uber competitive BIL haven't made the trip in years and if he didn't mind knocking down his wife---would he watch out for the kids?! ;) HA!

Sparklers. Lo was a bit nervous but over the next few days she got the hang of it and would dance around.

Sass. Pure Sass.

Ought oh, where's Micah? "I right here papa!!"

Expecto Patronum! {If you don't get it---the you aren't cool. ;) }

Sass pt deux

"I 'cared!"

MW did really well with the sparklers and would do it by himself, until....he touched it and burned his hand. Awesome.

Sitting with shaving cream. This works every time. If you burn yourself--fire, steam, pan, water etc. grab a can of the CHEAP barbsol shaving gel and squirt it on. Wait 15ish minutes and it pulls the burn right out. Your hand barely stings once you rinse it off. Be sure to cool the burn first with cold water and it will sting while the cream is on, but after you rinse it off it feels almost as good as new and in an hour or two the pain is gone. We have burned ourselves on everything around here and this has never failed us! MW was completely fine after we rinsed it off.

I am really trying to work on my photography and learn cool tricks. I was trying to get that sparkler word pic. Meg was spelling her name and we almost got it!! Next year....

It was a fun 4th as usual the kids did awesome, staying up clear until 1015p! Until next year...

Consequences.

So yesterday I posted on "First Time I say it..." and I realized I didn't say what happens when they don't; so here are my thoughts on our consequences and punishments: Now each family has to decide what is right for them, based on their kids and personalities; but again this is what works for us.

Time outs. If they don't obey the first time they are immediately taken to time out. {2mins for MW, 4 mins for Lo--it's based on age}
After time out they are to get up and apologize to whomever they hurt/disobeyed and they they are to recite an appropriately matching Bible verse to plant those seeds in their hearts.

Obedience-”Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” Eph. 6:1

Lying-“Keep your lips from speaking lies.” Ps.34:13

Lying “An honest person has respect for the Lord.” Pro. 14:2

Fear- ‘When I am afraid I will trust in You.” Ps.56:3

Kindness-”Be kind to one another, tender hearted and forgiving each other just as Christ forgave you.” Eph. 4:32

Friendship—”A Friend Loves at ALL times...” Proverbs 17:17

Kindness-“So let us do all we can to live in peace. And let us work hard to build each other up.” Rom. 14:19

Anger-”Fools give full vent to their rage but the wise bring calm in the end.  Pro. 29:11

Patience—“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Eph 4:2

Good Attitude--Brothers and sisters, continue to think about what is good and worthy of praise. Think about what is true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. Phil 4:8 

Strength--“I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.” Phil 4:13

Also we are big believers in natural consequence. If they fight over a toy or disobeying me while playing the iPad or watching a show, then it is taken away immediately and then most likely going to time out on top of that. {Time out really allows them and YOU the moment to cool off and calm down, before proceeding with any other consequence--if necessary at all, you don't want to go overboard. They are just kids and learning.}

As a side bar Leighton is highly emotional and we have to be careful in our discipline and allow her the time to calm down sometimes. She can get so out of control in crying hysterics that she doesn't hear anything we are saying and begins to panic and literally hyperventilate.  At this point we ask her to do breathing techniques and speak as soft as we can to her. Sometimes we have to leave her in her room to calm down and sometimes we have to hold and rock her...just depends on the moment, the problem and situation at hand. But you are smart parents you know when you kids need you and when they are playing you.

For instance the other day we asked Lo NOT to jump off the piano bench for fear she would get hurt. She did so anyway, and DID get hurt. Scrapped a chunk of skin off her back. OUCH! We felt bad for her and showed appropriate sympathy and care for her wound, but she still went to time out for it and we discussed how that injury could have been avoided if she had only listened. Now she goes around saying "I really wish I would have listened and not jumped off the bench, so my back wouldn't hurt."
"I know baby girl, let that be a lesson to listen next time and trust us!"
"I know, I will." Natural consequence.

We really let the situation be our guide on the punishment. There have been times one child had to sit on a park bench while the other played for a little while due to not minding.

These all seem so harsh when typing them out and I hated doing it, but you know what, we have fewer of these consequences now because they learned from them. And bottom line they KNOW momma and daddy MEAN BUSINESS. If we say it WE MEAN IT!

I am big on that. I make sure that the "threats" I give my kids can be backed up. I don't threaten to take all their toys and throw them in the trash if I am not really going to do that...so if I say I MEAN IT.

This also builds on our word ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS means something. IF you say you will do something, then you will honor it and DO IT! Positive or negative. I said I would take them to the park then I better do it!

And finally, like I said my kids are good kids and I make sure they know it. We reward and praise positive behavior all.the.time.  As simple as "thank you for obeying me..." or "that was so nice to share that...with..." and so forth. I don't want my kids to think they world revolves around them or that I need to stroke their egos, but I do want them to recognize I see the good and the bad. No one likes it when they feel like they are being picked on or all mom notices is everything I do wrong. I want them to hopefully recognize that we noticed both! :)

And that is how we do it here. :) We aren't perfect and we screw this up plenty, but I find having a plan in place first makes it easier to implement then on the fly.
Maybe you found this helpful, maybe you didn't, but like I said I want my kids to know where I am coming from one day as they sit and therapy thinking about their childhood. ;) Just kidding...sort of.

First Time I Say It...

This post is really for me and my kids.

My blog is a story of our lives that I enjoying sharing with everyone, but it is also a journal for my kids to be able to one day look back on and remember what they were like as babies, and toddlers, as well as the thoughts mommy had all about life. Because I am a real person, not just Leighton and Micah's mom.

This is just what I have found to work for us.

I have never really struggled with the "terrible twos." Sure we have had our moments, that sometimes lasted a week or so, but overall they both are really good kids. I find myself wondering if it has to do with our parenting style, their genetics, or a combination of both.

Most likely the latter.

{when Leighton was 2...}

Chad and I truly believe in expectations. You will always get from your kids what you expect from them. If I expect that are incapable of managing their emotions at the tender age of 2 then they won't. Sort of like potty training; my expectation of my kids was that they WERE capable of mastering this skill at the age of 18 months and they did. I can go on and on about how my kids know what I expect of them and if they behave differently then there will be a consequence. 

In today's generation I feel that essence of expectation is gone. Everyone is entitled to just "do what they want." Unacceptable. :) When I was growing up it was the same way.

When we first moved to "Mayberry" we got real cable for a brief time, since it was free-ish. During that time I got into the 19 and Counting show on TLC with the Duggar family. Now if there is one other person in this world entitled to write a parenting book aside from God himself {aka the BIBLE}, it is Michelle Duggar. 19 kids. And not just any kids, very well-behaved, respectful kids, who love the Lord. 

During one of the episodes she said to one of her kids, "First time I say it..." "You obey it." Replied the child. Holy cow this blew me away. What a novel idea. Why hadn't I thought of this?! My kids are good and fairly well-behaved, but I still found myself saying over and over again to stop! How often do your kids know your limit whether it is 3x or 12x; they know how many times you are going to ask before consequence sets in. It's a gift they possess. And why shouldn't be the FIRST TIME?!

I immediately implemented it and at the tender ages of 1 and 3 they both did it. As life would have it my inconsistency won out and over time it faded. We still said it, but the meaning was lackluster at this point. 

My mother in law got us this book on Raising kids to Love the Lord. In it they talked about this same principle  but they shed new light on it that tripped my trigger to remain consistent. They spoke that by teaching your children this principle now that when GOD asks them to do something, they will the FIRST time HE asks. WOW! This is so important to me. I want my kids to love the Lord and to obey him THE FIRST TIME.

I know Chad and I struggle with always trusting in what God asks of us and how many blessings did we miss out on because of that lack of obedience. How many blessings do our kids miss out on because the didn't obey us the first time and now they are in trouble. They didn't see the big picture that I may reward them with a trip to the park after our errands if they were "good**." Most likely the same happens to me with God. 

This "First time I say it..." principle has revolutionized our parenting. They both know where that line is and there are wait for it...LESS tantrums/meltdowns because of it. For instance Micah is a very strong willed child, he kept throwing flubber/playdough on the ground. I asked him to stop and said "first time..." He repeats "obey it." Then he proceeded to throw it on the floor again. I bent down,  picked it up and said all gone. I told you not to throw it again and you disobeyed. There were no tears. No meltdowns. Just a defeated "okay." 

Now the first few days were a tad rough where they had to re-learn the line, but after that it is fine. I am a yeller. I don't yell, near as much anymore at them, because I am not constantly telling them to stop something 15x in a row before they stop. Our home is more peaceful. I pray we continue this. 

I am not going to lie it is hard at times to be consistent  You want to keep giving chances because you love them, but overall it is for their own good to be firm. 

I had someone ask me if this means they don't get to do anything or ask for things. NO! This is not a dictatorship, far from it. Chad and I are fairly permissive parents within reason. The kids do what they want for the most part, this is for when I am ready to leave the gym and they are running all over refusing to put their shoes on, or when we need to leave the park (after I give ample warning that play time is ending), or when it is time to go to bed or when they are about to run into the street and become roadkill; those are the kinds of things I am referring to here. 

Bottom line all our discipline stems from love and the overall big picture and this is just another way we hope we are raising our children to be well-behaved and respectful citizens of the world.

**I use the term good loosely because I am fully cognizant of the fact that they are 2 and 4 and going grocery shopping with mommy is NOT their idea of a good time. I think some people forget that as I get looks from strangers as my kids run up and down the aisles while I am shopping. I call it a win if there was no meltdowns, hitting, screaming, tears, and of course they obeyed when asked...the first time. ;)


PT Two on Consequences HERE

Potty Training Diaries {Wrap-up}

It's official and has been for awhile now--Micah is potty trained! Well daytime at least. He has naps down fairly well, but I don't trust him enough to not put a pull-up on him and night is pretty good too, but I don't get right up with him in the morning and well...let's face it he can't hold it forever...so not his fault...mine.

As a side bar I would like to note that DAYTIME training and NIGHTTIME training ARE two different things. Leighton is 4 and still not nighttime trained. She still wears a pull-up at night and it is wet 3-4x/week. There is a chemical in the brain that needs to be releasing to help slow down their system. This can take up to the age of 9! Also, she is a HEAVY heavy sleeper. This is an issue that isn't discussed often enough, yet one night at dinner 4 out of 8 moms had kids over the age of 4 still night-time wetting. 50%! That is crazy. The mom who brought it up felt ashamed for her daughter until she heard us say "US TOO!" So if your kid has daytime down, but still wetting at night...please take heart it is normal and there isn't too much you can do about it.

Back to the post....

I often laugh when I get on pinterest and see all these "How to potty train your kid" pins and how "fun" you can make it...um, maybe I am missing something, but it.is.NOT.fun. It won't ever be fun, just do it. Stop making excuses and waiting for all the signs, just do it. Micah didn't asked to be potty trained at 18 months I made the choice for him, considering I am his mother and know what is best for him. :) It was a headache and at times I found myself wondering why bother right now...but then I would gently remind myself that in 1 year from now {or most likely LESS} he would be golden. And I was right.

Look how much he has changed!!! Oh.my.word!

He was pee-pee trained in a matter of days, and had the complete hang of it a matter of months. Now #2s well that was a whole other mess...literally. He started off well, and then I don't know what happened, well I sort of do, but totally not going to blog share that...if you really want to know I will tell you privately, but I know it most likely is NOT a situation that most face...ANYWAY, he never really pooped his pants on me, he would just simply wait until nap, bed or nursery times to do so. He was always in a pull-up, so little mess to deal with.

I tried everything--bribing him, forcing him to sit on the potty, ignoring it, making up funny stories about it, and flat out discipline-- you name it I probably tried it. Nothing was effective; so I went back with ignoring it and realized that he is not even 2 yet and is potty trained except for some 1x/day bowel movement...get over it. This phase will come. 

Enter the flu in February. He is now just over 2. The flu brings with it the loose variety. His stomach was wrenching and painful...I could almost feel his pain. I looked at him and said "baby, if you go sit on the potty and let it out you will feel so much better! Wanna try?!"

"YES"

He did and he went and from that point on, give or take a few accidents since then, he has been spot on. We now can check that box off the PT list and shout HOORAY! My favorite phrase right now is "MOMMY! I went POOP!" You know you are mom when... HA!

Here he is using the iPad to "relax." Whatever it takes, and it works nearly every time.

You know to each their own on potty training, but I just love the fact that I have 2 kids and only did 3 years of diapering. 3 years! There are few things in this mommy world I feel truly capable and smart in and this is one of them, I am like the potty whisperer.

I love the freedom no diapers gives...like no more diaper bags!

Although we do carry around a bag for our travel potty seat. With a boy it is hard to balance him and help him aim, so for me when I was told about this I bought one immediately. {it folds up nice and small-ish}

Now the only advice I need is how to get rid of that boy pee smell and keep it in the potty. Everyone says I should have potty trained him backwards...well, thanks for that tip too late...HA!

Here he is sans potty seat...my worst nightmare. I just finally figured out how to attached the pee pee guard and now this! Sigh..."I no need potty seat, I big boy."

A Pink Spider and a PSA

 I interrupt my previously scheduled Halloween wrap up post to bring you this:

The Pink Spider.
Did you really think there was a pink spider?!
She is a hoot. "MOM! Take my picture I am the PINK spider!"
And praise Jesus for beautiful weather in November!!

Now for my PSA {Public Service Announcement for those of you not in the know ;) }

See my son?! The climber. Does this look safe to you people?!

The answer is NO! If you ever see a child doing this unsupervised, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEAAAASEEE! Either assist them, or take them down. Really would you hesitate if you saw a child say, oh I don't know, 4 ft in the air with the dexterity of a bounding puppy?! I would hope the answer is No!

Because my friends, I don't know how you do it, but taking two kids to the park is a nightmare for me. MW requires all my attention due to antics such as these, but then my darling daughter also needs help on the swing, or to dangle off the monkey bars. I thought I re-directed MW to the slide while I helped Lo on the monkey bars. When I finished I turned around and MW was NO WHERE to be found. I couldn't see or hear him. I frantically ran to the other side of the play gym to find this. {See above pic--only he was 4 rungs higher!!} Heart sank. ONLY to hear a gentleman {aka grandpa} standing 3 ft away say nonchalantly 
"I wonder where you went, I figured that little fella may need some help. He isn't quiet 2 yet is he?!"

Me helping my climby bear finish his climb, while trying to bring my heart rate down through deep breathes, find myself completely dumbfounded. Why WHY would you just stand there and watch my son do that and not holler at me, take him down, or just help him? Seriously?!

I guess I am the kind of mom/person that protects ALL kids, whether they are mine or not. I would never hesitate to step in.

And that concludes today's PSA.

Thank You!

Editor's note: So someone pointed out perhaps they didn't step in for fear of being sued etc etc...I have no idea who this person is and really it doesn't matter, because that is exactly what is wrong with this world. We worry far too much about ourselves and being all PC and not enough about our fellow man. I would definitely risked lawsuit (even though you are protected under good Samaritan laws) or nasty words, looks, etc, if that meant I protected the welfare of a child. It is common sense. And if  you could sleep at night knowing that you could have saved someone and didn't then power to you, but I know I couldn't. 

As you can tell this really bothered me. I learned a big lesson yesterday about keeping a closer eye on MW. I also recognize if something would have happened to him it would have been MY fault not "grandpa's." I am just simply pointing out "grandpa" maybe could have helped a momma out. 

The End.