A huge pile of ETC’s library books were due back, so I had no choice but to replace their library haul.
I’m most excited about reading Chicken Soup With Rice by Maurice Sendak. We do a calendar each day, so they’re finally understanding the concept of months. We have our own copy of Chicken Soup, but it’s been passed down from my mom, and it’s olllld. I’m afraid of it falling apart! I’ll eventually replace it, but until then, the library to the rescue!
Two books I’m also excited about are two I’m revisiting – The Quiet Book and The Loud Book, both by Deborah Underwood. We borrowed them a while ago, but I think ETC were still a bit too young. The illustrations are really fun, so I hope they enjoy reading them this time around
Gideon is adding to our growing pile of Gossie books (how am I just now finding these books?), and The Gruffalo DVD is for a growing obsession with Julia Donaldson’s new classic.
I only picked up one book extra book for myself – Legend by Marie Lu – because my current pile is big enough, and I grabbed a spontaneous audiobook for Rob – Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor. I’m not sure if he’ll like it, but anything is worth trying, right?
The rest of the picture books are new to ETC, though some of the authors are old favorites – Eric Carle, Mem Fox, Mo Willems and, of course, Dr. Seuss.
What favorites from your childhood have you shared with your kids or are looking forward to sharing when they’re at the right age? Chicken Soup With Rice is great, but nothing compares to my anticipation for Harry Potter. Until then …
Want more book love? You can find more of my book recommendations, reviews and piles of reading material on We Still Read, a collaborative blog I write for with three awesome moms who, like me, are never too busy to keep reading. We cover all genres, from presidential biographies or health to romance to crime novels. Of course, we hit all age levels, with the occasional review of what our kids are reading and loving. We’re always looking for recommendations and raves. Come read with us!
For a first draft and first attempts at a reward chart, it isn’t half bad. I even broke out the trusty ruler I’ve had since grade school.
I’ve struggled a lot lately with how to calmly parent/lead my trio through our day. It seems like they’re ganging up on me (which is entirely likely) because I don’t finish redirecting/disciplining/comforting one child for more than two minutes before the next is in frantic need of my attention. Around and around we go, where we stop, nobody knows.
I’m tired of yelling. I’m tired of issuing endless time outs. I’m tired of being tired of parenting.
The only thing that keeps me from declaring myself unfit is the fact that each of my babies reflect that they had a good day on the vast majority of days.
Clearly, my perception is different from theirs because there is one of me leading the three of them. Or maybe it’s because they recover from stress more quickly than I do.
Whatever it is, I want things to change. We recently started a sticker chart to promote a good relationship between one unnamed child and the toilet, and the other two have been begging for their own sticker charts. I quickly made up a simple chart rewarding stickers for No Time Out days, but the first time out hit the books before my Sharpie ink dried on the paper.
I gave up on that idea.
Then a friend suggested a positive reward chart, something to encourage all the good in them and push their focus toward happiness rather than rotten 3-year-old behavior.
I’m kidding. Sort of.
I quickly thought up some things we regularly praise largely for – being a “big helper,” cleaning up when asked, listening well to directions, random acts of kindness toward their siblings – and some things they need to work on. Rather than just making a big, verbal to-do over these positives, we’ll add a sticker with each praise as we go through the day. Once they fill a row, they’ll get … something. I haven’t decided yet, whether it’s a special date with me and/or Daddy, an inexpensive toy, a special dessert – you get the picture.
The time out sticker will be rewarded at the end of each day if they’ve gone all day without a trip to the corner. I know one who will regularly score stickers, and I’m hoping those stickers are motivation for two others who frequent the hot spot more than I’d like.
What charts/rewards/bribes/whatnot have worked with your tiny minions?
One-on-one time is hard lately. No matter what fun we offer Toby, Eleanor and Callista, they want the same fun as each other. Hurt feelings, tears & tantrums aren’t worth it, so I soak up opportune minutes with one while others are occupied or, like today, still napping.
Callista and I sat together and strung wooden beads on shoe laces, just enjoying each other’s company in the rare quiet.
Callista is a sweet, gentle little lady. She has great focus and a vivid imagination. She is strong-willed and impossible to sway. Ninja Baby knew what she was doing when she proved wrong the doctor who said she had expired. She is my ongoing, unwavering proof of unbelievable miracles.
It started with erratic moods then followed with poor appetites. Round three of Being Sick During Winter 2013/2014 is well under way now. The temperatures are up, the snot is flowing, and coping mechanisms are being tossed about.
One of my biggest challenges is keeping ETC fed. Hungry tummies make grumpy kids, and kids who are already grumpy because they feel like crud only get grumpier when they’re not fed. Unfortunately, I have coughs working against me, and the typical toddler’s Ants In My Pants syndrome works for the coughs. They get wild, they have a coughing fit, and the next thing you know, I’m cleaning up a puddle of sick and comforting a sad, empty-stomach kid.
They sit still no better than anything else than with magic our television, so you bet I use and abuse our Netflix subscription when ETC are feeling under the weather.
Their favorite shows are available on an endless loop, and they double up with relatable lessons about seeing the doctor, should it come to that. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is a regualr staple in our house, and the songs are easy to recall at the drop of a hat. Our pediatrician has definitely walked in on us singing Daniel’s “Something New” song and overview of Daniel getting a shot.
Whatever helps, right?
A new addition to Netflix that has captivated my trio is the Moving Art series. They’re fascinated with the time-lapse blooming flowers and the underwater views of fish and other wild life. It’s a calm, quiet series that changes scenes quickly. We talk about the colors and species, and it gives me a break from Kid TV Overload.
When ETC are off to dreamland, it’s time for Rob and I to unwind. I’m normally an action/adventure/drama kind of girl, but when you’ve been battling germs and moods all day, nothing heals faster than laughter.
Netflix has some of our favorite comedies – both the overwatched and memorized and the haven’t-seen-in-forevers. All seasons of NBC’s The Office. SuperTroopers. The Great Outdoors. Spaceballs. Tommy Boy. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
Netflix is a sick house’s friend. If only they would add Gilmore Girls. HINT. HINT.
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It’s certainly cold enough for snow here in Charlotte, but as it usually is when we get this cold, it’s sunny and clear with nothing but blue skies and cold, cold, cold plus wind.
I miss living in a snowy climate. I grew up in the snowbelt of Northeast Ohio, and sledding, snowmobiling, ice skating & skiing are some of my favorite childhood memories. I’m the oddball who moved south with a melancholy feeling of loss when I left my promise of winter fun each year. We’re only two hours from quite a few nice ski resorts in the North Carolina mountains, and Ohio is still full of family and friends who would love visitors. There are snowy opportunities, but it won’t be a regular part of life. Part of me is sad that ETC won’t be immersed in winter life, that it’ll only be a rare & temporary experience for them.
Then I think about how long it takes me to get them into a single layer of clothes some mornings (there are many I give up and declare pajama days), and I want to kiss our mild winters here in Charlotte, NC. I’m talking a big, sloppy, right-on-the-lips kiss.
How many snow memories does one need, anyhow?
