3

I would like my girls to sometimes have to earn the fun things that we do. Lately, I've been struggling because 2 out of the 3, or 1 out of the 3 will be cooperative but then the other 1 or 2 is not.

I want to tell the one(s) that are acting like wild animals that they will not be rewarded for their behavior.  For example: if I tell the girls that we can go to the DQ today if everyone helps picking up, and only one or two actually help out (without complaining constantly) then only the one(s) who helped should be able to go.

BUT, that would mean either Bill or I has to stay back

or

if it's just me and the girls I bring them all and only reward some?!?

I can't imagine doing that.

However, if I say no to the DQ all together then those who were "good" get screwed.

How do you do it with 3?

"Disability"

Being back in school, and learning about deaf culture, has been super fun. I have learned a LOT about deaf people already (and am slowly mastering ASL).
I have seen through the last couple of months a common theme that I heard a lot when I was doing my undergraduate schooling in psychology which is this:
If your child is born a certain way, please please please just leave them be.

I remember back at Moorhead State hearing about babies being born with both genders. Most of the time, the parents just pick the gender they think is best and then raise the child that way.
9 times out of 10, once these children grow up they are not only extremely disappointed in their gender but also sad that they're body has been essentially mutilated.

In the deaf culture, the big issues are:
cochlear implants
mainstream school vs. residential school
oral vs. ASL education

I honestly cannot say how I would feel if I had a deaf child. As a hearing person I would probably feel distraught that my child would never hear the things we take for granted every day. On the other hand, knowing what I know now about the deaf world I would hopefully not try to "fix" my child.

Trying to teach a deaf child to hear and talk is a futile effort. These children have a language and a culture of their own and expecting them to be just like the other kids is really not even possible.

Time after time I have heard stories from deaf adults who were tortured as a child - not allowed to use sign language, being forced to learn speech, being thrown in to a regular school without other deaf students or an interpreter.

As parents, we see our children as a reflection of ourselves and want them to be "perfect." However, what may seem like a disability to us, is just normal to them and the bottom line is that we should just leave them alone until they are old enough to make decisions about their own life.

Great Day

My great day is due to:
the fact I had the day off.
I got to visit CeCe's classroom.
Laila and I went to the park.
while at the park the church
bells rang Fur Elise
(the whole song)
Me and my girls all got
to have lunch at school together.
We raked leaves in the warm sun.
Bill took all the girls to
gymnastics by himself.

Rewind: 1st Day of School

Doesn't Laila look super pumped for school?

All 3 kids have school now. Crazy!

Laila: 3 year old preschool

Delaney: Kindergarten

Cecelia: 2nd grade.

I kind of miss having them home with me all day - but Delaney and Laila are still home for most of the day. Cecelia is gone all day I get so excited for her bus to get here everyday.

They all seem to like their teachers and have friends in their class.

So far, so good.

New York City!

Me and my dark red hair will be hopping on a plane tomorrow to meet up with my Mom in NEW YORK CITY!
I pulled out anything in my closet that could be considered somewhat cool (2 shirts in all, I think) so that I don't scream "Hi, I am a 35 year old mom from the midwest who wears a hat, jeans and a t-shirt everyday"
Not to worry, I plan to take lots of pictures and you can judge for yourself.
Boy oh boy I can't wait!

Do It With Love

Lately I've been feeling like the little engine that could. Being the HBIC is not easy. At all. I have so much to think about, organize and plan it's rediculous.
I won't do a laundry list (that reminds me, I need to do laundry) because we all know what it takes to raise a family, but let's just say it's a lot. A lot, a lot.
My husband is a good supporter, but is pretty much clueless as to how much effort it takes to keep things running smoothly around here. And even though he helps out quite a bit, it's all me who's pulling this train. Sometimes it feels like I don't even have wheels and I'm slowly pulling this thing with my feet - Flintstone style.
Wouldn't it be nice if someone else were to take care of something for once? I can't imagine coming home to the hubs saying "I think the girls should take piano lessons so I went ahead and found a piano" or "I noticed the front closet is a total disaster so I went ahead and cleared it out and organized it"....you know, something along those lines.
I mean, I guess I like being the boss for the most part but it would be nice to get a break once and a while. Like, a break break.
Bill said I will get a break when I go to New York with my Mom in a couple of weeks, but I told him that's not entirely true. It's not like I just pack a suitcase and leave. I don't even know how I'm going to get to the airport! I have to make sure clothes are clean, food is bought and meals are planned. I have to make sure they get to all the social obligations while I'm gone and make sure gifts are bought and wrapped.
I will be free once I'm gone, but them coming home is a whole other task. Gotta make up for the days I was gone.

Yikes.

It is really super duper easy to get crabby with all the stuff, but I have a new thing I've been working on which is this: Do it with love.
Seriously.
I was making the beds the other morning and was getting all sweaty and frustrated and I starting thinking about Moms who probably do the same thing but actually enjoy it. I was picturing them tucking in the sheets ever so gently and smoothing out the bedspread with a smile on their face knowing that they were doing it for their child, who they love so much. I thought, I love my children, so why not hop on board.
So far, I have forgottem my mantra on a couple different occassions, but once I remind myself that I am picking up toys, wiping a butt, brushing teeth, preparing a meal, organizing a school folder, un-inside-outing clothes for wash, buckling a carseat, defusing a meltdown, putting Barbie's shirt on, making a doctor appointment, sharpening a crayon, wiping crayon off my wall, mopping up milk.....it's all for someone I love.
Doing it with love does make a difference.

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.....

What A Summer

I seriously cannot believe summer vacation is already over!

Here are some of the things we did this year. Click here.