Friday the 13th Came Early

Maybe I need to worry about Thursday the 12th rather than Friday the 13th? Yesterday, the boys had woken up and were playing on our bed before we went to the kitchen to get breakfast. At one point, they both were laying down (so cute, H's toes at W's head), so I decided to snap a picture and stood up on the bed. The next thing I know I am hit in the head - by the ceiling fan! It's okay to laugh; I am a goof ball. It hurt, though, still does. Being the hypochondriac that I am, I really want to go to the doctor. I am sore from my neck to my ear. My husband assures me that, "You got hit in the head by a ceiling fan, you're going to be sore." I still got my picture of the boys, and it is cute (although it would probably be cuter if it hadn't cost me a very sore head and neck).

Next bad thing, I got the wrong change at the drive through. I was so busy checking that they gave us the correct food, I didn't look at the bills. Then, I had to park the car, unload the boys, and go inside to ask for my $10.00. Fortunately, they were nice about it.

Finally, I get us all home to eat lunch. While changing H's clothes, W whacks me across the head with a toy broom handle (luckily not in the same spot the ceiling fan clobbered). I call C, almost in tears, and he laughs and not just a chuckle or for a second. He laughs for like a minute, and although I do see the comic aspect of my misfortunes, I really was looking for some sympathy. I must say in C's defense that this was not my first run in with a ceiling fan, although this one is much more painful (go ahead, laugh again). So, considering my 12th, I am not planning to go anywhere or do much of anything today!

Take a Breath, Count to Ten

Based on Christy's comment, I am going to try to utilize some of the methods in Kevin Lehman's Have a New Kid by Friday. C really thought H's behavior improved when I was trying to stick with the advice in there. Click here to see my post about the book. (Apparently I meant to post a part two, but that didn't happen). Basically, he says respond don't react, stay cool, and don't make mountains out of molehills. Anyway, I've also decided that my expectations are a bit high for a four year-old. No, he shouldn't be slamming doors, but maybe he doesn't understand why I just threw the toy he was asking for out the bathroom door (that would be to get it away from his little brother who is about to go in the bath). So, I come clean about what made him angry (I hope C doesn't read this one). Still, C and I had a conversation and decided that we completely expect him to act like a rational adult. I think that may be setting the bar pretty high. Also, I find that certain things bring out the contradictory boy in him (being tired, eating). He really wants to make all the decisions himself and call the shots, you know? I guess one thing I struggle with is when to let it roll off my back and when to respond. Sometimes, when he's being contradictory, I'll give him a grin, and he starts to grin back. He can definitely be a bit of a cheeky monkey. Thanks to everyone who commented I responded in the comments on the previous post.

In other news, the weather this weekend was be-yoo-ti-full! We went to the park Saturday morning (if you haven't been on monkey bars in a while, take it easy, I thought I might pull my arm out of its socket). So, we spent lots of time outside, digging in the dirt, practicing some tee-ball, and blowing bubbles! Aahhh, Spring I feel your breath in the breeze.

How Do You Handle Anger?

H knocked a hole in the wall. He slammed the bathroom door open, and the doorstop didn't do its duty. So, the doorknob went through the wall. I am feeling a bit lost. I don't know what to do with that kind of behavior. Should I spank him? Not in the heat of the moment, I am too angry myself. Do I take away privileges like a show he likes to watch? Taking away toys is pointless, unless I take a lot of them or maybe even all of them. I do have a temper, but I promise I don't slam doors. Later in the day, when I was bemoaning the fact that I don't do enough to help him learn, I said, "H, I haven't helped you learn anything today." He replied, "Well, I did learn never to knock a hole in the wall ever again." I had to turn my head to keep him from seeing my grin, but really, it's not funny that he gets that angry. He is not what I'd call a "bad kid," but he does have a temper and always wants the last word. This doesn't bode well for the adolescent years. Is it just his age (4)? Is it a phase? Does he need military school?

Sometimes I feel so alone and helpless in parenting. I am the one who is with him all day, and I just worry that I am not doing everything right. So, how do you handle your child's anger.

View From Here

I wasn't feeling so well yesterday, so I was resting on the couch. W woke up from his nap and while walking around found his bowl and cup from earlier in the day. He placed them on me.

I think he was trying to tell me something, "It's time for my afternoon snack!"
I was suffering from a terrible headache. It may be caused by the antibiotic I'm taking, but regardless, I get headaches say once or twice a month that really knock me on my rear. Back before they decided that Celebrex (an arthritis medication) was bad for you, I took some for a foot ailment. I realized that it completely got rid of my headaches when I got them. I think that means I have tension headaches (a piece of ice straight to the forehead works wonders for them, too, which I hear also means tension headaches). Mine usually start in my neck and work their way up. I really need to mention this to a doctor, because, Tylenol doesn't help, and yesterday's was bad enough that I thought about calling in reinforcements to watch the boys. Enough whining, I'm going to give myself another headache.

Fabric Honey Bun Giveaway

Look at those Spring colors! So fun! V and Co. is having a giveaway for these! She has some great tutorials on her site, too. Go take a look.

Make That Winter White

Well after all my Spring talk, we've got a winter wonderland here! The view out our back door was so beautiful last night, I went back to H's room (I had just kissed him goodnight) and carried him to the door to look out. Then, I was all inspired and started reading some Robert Frost poetry before going to sleep. There is just something about snow that really brings out the dreamer and kid in me. We got almost four inches (which is a good bit around these parts). Oh well, you know what they say about March, in like a lion, out like a lamb. So far, we've got the first part right.

So we played, shoveled, brushed off shrubs and finally, came in for some snow cream. I think this snow was too wet to make good snow cream, but that didn't stop me and W from eating it up. H is a bit pickier (as you may already know if you've been here before).

This final picture does speak a thousand words. Just imagine: this mommy letting W get that far ahead of her walking outside, uphill, in the snow. Sweet children, they make every day sparkle like snow in sunshine:)

Spring Green

In honor of a (hopefully fast) approaching Spring and St. Patrick's Day, I am putting a bit o' green on my blog. It seems that everyone is really ready for Spring this year. I keep reading on other blogs about those who are tired of cold weather. I for one am ready to be able to spend some time outdoors with the boys (although, considering our families' allergy issues, we may be driven back indoors pretty quickly once the weather warms). Still, it will be nice to not have to bundle up and be able to wear Croc knock-offs (no sock struggles :) and go to the museum, library, grocery, etc. without trying to keep everyone warm and worry about germs. (I know germs are still out there, particularly in Spring, but it does seem to get better as it warms up!)

I spent some time typing in all my Pampers Gifts to Grow On points this morning and should be receiving three $10.00 Macy's gift cards soon. I also have a promo-code to use for a free 11 by 14 photo collage through shutterfly! We are thinking of using pictures of the boys to make a "brotherly love" collage or the like. We'll see what we can pull together.

I've decided to give up something for Lent this year. I don't always do this, but I have in the past given up soft drinks and chocolate. This year, it's French fries. I don't eat tons of French fries anyway, but I do enjoy them when I do partake. I am wavering on Chik-fil-A fries, though. I don't really like them, but I usually eat a few if H's gets a kid's meal (to keep him from eating too many). So, I may allow myself to eat a few of his rather than throwing them out. I know this sounds like cheating, but I am not a big waffle fry fan at all, I promise. Now, Arby's curly fries, those are right up there with pound cake for me. I love those things...better not think about them too much! Is anyone else giving something up for Lent?