Parenting: Shut the Door

*Day 216*

We were talking the other day. And I was remembering a story from my childhood. I thought it was funny, so I'm going to share it. Maybe it can bring you inspiration or help you in your parenting at some point. I know that I have used this approach (or modified version) on Logan. Enjoy!

I don't remember all the exact details, but you'll get the main point.


We were home one night. My mom was working so just dad was there. I don't remember what happened, but I'm pretty sure it was Aaron. He got mad about something and went into his room and slammed the door. Now, my parents had taught us to take care of their house and respect others peoples property and stuff like that. My dad wasn't happy about him slamming the door. My dad my not have been able to hear anything that was murmured under your breath, but he can at least feel the door slam. And, like I said, he wasn't happy about it. So my dad went into my brothers room. He told my brother that he didn't like the way he shut his door. Then, he told him he wanted him to practice shutting his door the right way. My dad stood there and made him shut his door nicely ten times. My brother had a pretty sheepish look on his face while he did it. But, my favorite part was the tenth time he shut his door. My dad said, "I didn't like that last one, do it again." I don't think I've ever slammed a door. I think if my son ever does it, he will be practicing shutting his door the right way.

Sunday Confessional: Crafts

*Day 221*

There is a room in our house that has been titled "the craft room". In reality it is more than that. Yes, my craft supplies are in there. But so are the holiday decorations, old baby clothes, toys, and furniture, the ironing board, emergency preparedness items, camping stuff and anything that doesn't fit anywhere else in the house. Well, in my efforts to clean and better organize my house, I was led to the craft room. As I stood there overwhelmed and wondering where to start, I realized something. (Here is the confession part.) I am just a craft supply collector. I want to be crafty. I like doing crafts. I have good intentions about finishing (or starting) projects. But, the truth is, I don't get around to it very often. So, I realized that for all my love of wanting to be crafty, at this point in my life it has got pushed so far down the list that I am just a craft supply collector. It's really a shame because if I actually used some of my supplies, my room might be less of a mess. *Sigh*

Sorry no picture. I thought about it, but I would be way too embarrassed for anyone to see that mess.

Long Weekend

*Day 215*

Oh long weekend, how I will miss you. I realized this weekend that this is the first Saturday that I have been in town since Memorial Day. No wonder my house is a mess and I can't muster the energy to do anything. And of course it means that I had big plans for a long holiday weekend at home. Actually, I tried not to make any plans. In case I just felt like relaxing and recovering from the past month.

Here are some of the highlights of our long weekend. I think it was a good mix of work and play. But that doesn't mean I'm ready for work again tomorrow.
* Went to the Library
* Went to the Temple
* Watched fireworks with family
* Went to breakfast with family
* Logan got a new bike


* Celebrated my mom's birthday
* Celebrated Jessica's birthday
* Water aerobics
* Bike ride
* Taught a lesson
* Got to the garden and weeded, weeded, weeded, weeded...... I can see my plants now! Also got to pick fresh peas. Delicious!
* Relaxed!
* Cleaned kitchen
* Made shorts for Logan. He is so happy to have them. He was soooo hot.

Happy Birthday America and Jessica!

*Day 214*

Happy 4th of July! I'd just like to take this opportunity to say that I am grateful to live in this country. I'm thankful for the freedom I enjoy. I'm thankful the men and women who fought for the liberties which we now enjoy. I'm grateful for all those who are still fighting.

My niece was born on the fourth of July. So, I want to say happy birthday to Jessica. She is three years old today. My favorite thing about Jessica is the ways that she is not like her mom. (Don't get me wrong, I love her mom. I have to, we're surprisingly similar.) I love that I can get Jessica to do anything if I promise to paint her toenails. I knew that her mom would never paint her nails. I'm sure Lynn has never owned nail polish. I also knew that she didn't want to Jessica to be girly. So, as a good aunt, for Jessica's first birthday I painted her nails. I knew it would be hard to get away with and that Lynn wouldn't want me to. So, I painted them red and blue. Lynn was so into dressing Jessica patriotic that I would be able to get away with it only if it was red and blue. While I painted Jessica's nails for the first time, she sat so still and just stared at me. Lynn stood back cringing, tyring not to say anything or smack me as her little girl enjoyed every minute of it. I just laughed. Hahaha, I got away with it! Now Jessica will ask me to bring my fingernail polish over so I can paint her nails. I always happily oblige. And Lynn has come to realization that it's cute for her to have her nails painted, as long as she plays tee-ball too.


Jessica with her Tinkerbell cake. Another hard thing for her mom to swallow. She like Princesses! (You can't see her fingernails, but they are painted, red and blue. This year at her mother's request.)

Happy Birthday Mom!

*Day 213*

It's my mom's birthday. I'm glad I have her. (I'm glad she had me!) I don't remember ever going through that phase when I didn't like my mom. (She might remember differently?) But, I think I've always appreciated my mom. Of course I've learned through the years to appreciate her for different reasons and my appreciation for her has grown. And hopefully I have learned to show my appreciation better than maybe I did when I was younger.


I am glad I have the mom that I have (not that other mothers are bad...). I am so grateful for the way she raised me and the things she taught me. She was always supportive of us. (How many of your moms' have run up the big hill in Sugarhouse park?) She is a great example. She is a hard worker and doesn't shy away from any task. She's willing to help others. She's sensible. She's a good teacher. She shares her love. She can do pretty much anything you need her too. And I still ask her to help me with plenty of things.

Thanks for everything mom! I wouldn't be who I am without you. Hope your birthday was great. I love you!


Logan picked out a compass for my mom. He giggled while she was opening it. (I'll try to keep him from picking out another for Christmas and your birthday next year. He thought it was so funny.) When we were in Montana last month, my mom got turned around. She kept asking which direction we were going. There were days when she just couldn't get it straight. Of, course, we teased her about it. We also joked about getting her a compass. Logan is a good listener when he wants to be. So, enjoy the compass! ( He also picked out some bracelets.)

Fireworks!

*Day 212*
Off to watch the fireworks!

POP!

*Day 211*

I make Logan ride his bike to work with me in the summer. It's really not as bad as it sounds. He actually got really pouty the other day when I told him we were driving. It's not a punishment for him. So, we rode our bikes over to Lynn's yesterday. Diego brought his bike too. Logan and Diego brought their bikes into the backyard to ride them. Later in the afternoon we were out by the bikes trying to get a toy out of the tree. All of the sudden we heard a big bang. I looked toward the sound and saw a puff of dust come from near Logan's bike. So we went to investigate. And...... Logan's bike tire popped. It was just sitting there all by itself and then his tire exploded. The tube and the tire had holes in them. I guess it got too hot for Logan's little bike. Maybe it's all right. I was noticing while he was riding that his knees come within an inch of his handlebars when he rides. Yesterday he was also pointing out that his seat was bending in half. I was planning on getting him a new bike. Now, I'd rather get him a new bike than fix his old one. I wonder if he planned this just to speed up the bike buying process. Hmmmmm?


Logan's Spiderman bike. Farewell friend. You have served us well.


This the hole in Logan's tire. It must have been really hot yesterday. Oh, yeah, it was.