Walking is ok, but free rides are better.

Need an idea for occupying a couple of grumpy kids for a very long time?  Apparently, it does NOT get better than this…

(more…)

My son has branded himself.  It’s a project he’s been working on for several days.  First there was just a scratch.  The next day, it had become a “V,” and by the third day it had morphed into an “N.” 

Apparently, he’s going for the Harry Potter look.

Today I left Koren in the living room by himself for probably 60 seconds while I put some laundry away in the bedroom.  When I returned, this is where I found him:

(more…)

I just took this personality test and it was surprisingly accurate.  Apparently I’m an Observer/Thinker:

Observers/Thinkers have a need for knowledge and are introverted, curious, analytical, and insightful.

How to Get Along with Me
  * Be independent, not clingy.
  * Speak in a straightforward and brief manner.
  * I need time alone to process my feelings and thoughts.
  * Remember that If I seem aloof, distant, or arrogant, it may be that I am feeling uncomfortable.
  * Make me feel welcome, but not too intensely, or I might doubt your sincerity.
  * If I become irritated when I have to repeat things, it may be because it was such an effort to get my thoughts out in the first place.
  * don’t come on like a bulldozer.
  * Help me to avoid my pet peeves: big parties, other people’s loud music, overdone emotions, and intrusions on my privacy.

What I Like About Being an Observer/Thinker
  * standing back and viewing life objectively
  * coming to a thorough understanding; perceiving causes and effects
  * my sense of integrity: doing what I think is right and not being influenced by social pressure
  * not being caught up in material possessions and status
  * being calm in a crisis

What’s Hard About Being an Observer/Thinker
  * being slow to put my knowledge and insights out in the world
  * feeling bad when I act defensive or like a know-it-all
  * being pressured to be with people when I don’t want to be
  * watching others with better social skills, but less intelligence or technical skill, do better professionally

Observers/Thinkers as Children Often
  * spend a lot of time alone reading, making collections, and so on
  * have a few special friends rather than many
  * are very bright and curious and do well in school
  * have independent minds and often question their parents and teachers
  * watch events from a detached point of view, gathering information
  * assume a poker face in order not to look afraid
  * are sensitive; avoid interpersonal conflict
  * feel intruded upon and controlled and/or ignored and neglected

Observers/Thinkers as Parents
  * are often kind, perceptive, and devoted
  * are sometimes authoritarian and demanding
  * may expect more intellectual achievement than is developmentally appropriate
  * may be intolerant of their children expressing strong emotions

Sorry, kids!  That last part is pretty true…

(more…)

From time to time I like to do product reviews of things we use in our household that I’ve been particularly pleased or displeased with.  I haven’t done one in a while, at least not on this website, but I will probably get to a few over the next several days (fingers crossed).

(more…)

Kaelin:

“Koren, see my cell phone?  You can watch movies on this screen right here.  And make phone calls.  It can do EVERYTHING!  It even sells furniture.  And this button right here?  That makes Cheerios come out for Vitamin Kitty.”

Are you listening, Blackberry?  IT SELLS FURNITURE AND DISPENSES SNACKS.  Even the iPhone doesn’t have an Ap for that.

And this phone doesn’t even need to be charged.  It runs on imagination.  BEAT THAT.

I have nothing of substance to say today, so you get more pictures of my kids.

Kaelin is itching for summer and has been begging us to go swimming, even though it’s only in the low 80’s and the water is too cold yet.

The other day I gave in and took the kids to the splash park.  They had fun, though Kaelin hardly even got her hair wet once she realized how chilly the water was.  She spent most of the time telling me she wanted to sit in the sun for a minute.

I had a long talk with Kaelin this morning on the way to school.  We discussed being a “big” girl (an idea she’s only eager about when it suits her).  We talked about how she was the only one that could control her emotions, and that she COULD control her emotions.

We talked about how sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to, but that doesn’t mean we get to throw a fit about them.  We talked about laundry and dishes and all the chores that Mama doesn’t want to do but has to anyway.  And what would happen if Mama broke down into tears and whined and fussed every time she didn’t want to do something (an idea she seemed to think was rather entertaining).

We talked about how the other kids in class don’t cry, so maybe if they’re not afraid then there’s nothing to be afraid of.  We tried to pick out exactly what it was that makes her so fitful at drop-off time, after she’s had such a good year.  She never could pinpoint what it was.

We talked about steps she could take when she felt herself getting emotional, and what she could do to stay in control and steer clear of a crying fit.

We talked about how much she likes her teachers and how they must feel when she cries at them for the first half hour of every class.  We talked about her friends.  We talked about how much fun she had every day at school and how her favorite parts were ROMP and Chapel. 

And then I bribed her with ice cream.

In the end, I don’t know if it was the pep talk, or the ice cream or the fact that Mrs. April swept her into activities before she had the chance to think about becoming a drama queen, but whatever the reason…

There were no tears today.

Koren’s “cheesy grin.” He makes this expression when he’s being a ham.

“Look out Dad, I’m up to no good!”

Kitty came over for a snuggle. And probably got more than he bargained for.

“We are not amused.”

Could it be that I’m actually getting a newsletter out on the day my son turns a new month?  Surely not…something must be wrong.

Dear Koren,

It appears I’ve already run through the list of nicknames we have for you and have reached the end.  It took me 11 months, and with all those names, it’s a wonder that you actually know your real name.

You’ve reached a couple of major milestones this month, not the least of which is walking.  After months of “teasing” us, you are finally taking independent steps on your own.  You don’t have the process perfected yet, so crawling remains your primary mode of transportation, but you often intersperse your crawls with steps.  A surefire method of getting you to walk your best is to be without a camera to capture it with.  Nonetheless, I have managed to put a few glimpses on record of the progress you’ve made over the last few days…