Monday, January 28, 2008
Brody Boxing
Everyone who has seen this has asked me if I have it on video. So, here it is.
Brody loves to play boxing on the Wii. He is quite the spectacle... and it would be really really funny if Kurt or I could actually beat him at it. Seriously. We even try. Hard.
So, we have resorted to using his method of boxing to see if we can win. Still doesn't work for us.
Oh well... Here is Kurt boxing in style of Brody.
Brody loves to play boxing on the Wii. He is quite the spectacle... and it would be really really funny if Kurt or I could actually beat him at it. Seriously. We even try. Hard.
So, we have resorted to using his method of boxing to see if we can win. Still doesn't work for us.
Oh well... Here is Kurt boxing in style of Brody.
Putting my kids to Work!
I am so tired of picking up after my kids. I realized when I saw Brody go the fridge, take out the milk, take out the Ovaltine, pour milk, add chocolate, then stir.... that he just might possibly be able to pick up his own messes. Call me crazy.
So... to make the task more inviting... I spent a little money at Target, spent some time printing pictures, and tasked my brain at organizing Brody's room and the playroom. This is what I came up with.
The bins are great... the pictures tell the kids exactly where stuff goes... and THEY ARE CLEANING UP!
Woooo Hooooo!
Kitchen Update
Yep... the crown moulding is up! And tonight, I am going to paint the walls. I will post a photo after that!
This kitchen project is REALLY coming together!
This kitchen project is REALLY coming together!
Why books about raising kids are obsolete
I read a gazillion books when we had Brody, our first child. I actually remember being up at 5am (after LONG hours of crying and having nursing problems) with Kurt on the floor, and 5 books, yes, literally 5 books open on the floor around him. I wish I had the sense to take a picture, but as you can guess, I was otherwise occupied.
Well, none of those books did us a darn bit of good. You want to know why? Because you can never predict or generalize down in just 200 pages what kids will do, or think of, or say...
for instance...
Brody was in the family room playing the Wii on the TV about 2 weeks ago. He has been potty trained for quite some time now, but has problems *stopping what he is doing* and going to the bathroom when he is having fun on the Wii. So, the penalty is... if he doesn't stop playing to go to the bathroom, he loses Wii privileges for the rest of that day. (I am sure someone who has read one of those books is *gasping* that I am punishing my kid for having an accident. go ahead. gasp away. I read that book too.)
Anywho... so, I go into the room where he is, and immediately SMELL it. If you are a parent, you know what I mean. If you are not a parent, you still know what I mean.
I ask him, "Brody, did you have an accident?"
"Yes, in my pants. I didn't stop what I was doing."
We go into the bathroom and I am repeating the lecture for about the &#($*$^ nth time, when Brody says, "There is more poopies hiding."
"What, you have more in your bottom? Do you need to sit on the potty?"
"No, the poopies are hiding."
"What do you mean hiding? Inside you?"
"No, they are out of me. The are hiding."
The realization hits me... and I ask....
b r o d y ..... where are the poopies hiding ?
He leads me into the family room and points behind the entertainment center.
Yes, my friends, my child, not wanting to get caught for pooping in his pants, took them *out* of his pants and *THREW* them behind the television.
Where in your books does it say ANYTHING about turds hurled behind the tv? I rest my case.
Well, none of those books did us a darn bit of good. You want to know why? Because you can never predict or generalize down in just 200 pages what kids will do, or think of, or say...
for instance...
Brody was in the family room playing the Wii on the TV about 2 weeks ago. He has been potty trained for quite some time now, but has problems *stopping what he is doing* and going to the bathroom when he is having fun on the Wii. So, the penalty is... if he doesn't stop playing to go to the bathroom, he loses Wii privileges for the rest of that day. (I am sure someone who has read one of those books is *gasping* that I am punishing my kid for having an accident. go ahead. gasp away. I read that book too.)
Anywho... so, I go into the room where he is, and immediately SMELL it. If you are a parent, you know what I mean. If you are not a parent, you still know what I mean.
I ask him, "Brody, did you have an accident?"
"Yes, in my pants. I didn't stop what I was doing."
We go into the bathroom and I am repeating the lecture for about the &#($*$^ nth time, when Brody says, "There is more poopies hiding."
"What, you have more in your bottom? Do you need to sit on the potty?"
"No, the poopies are hiding."
"What do you mean hiding? Inside you?"
"No, they are out of me. The are hiding."
The realization hits me... and I ask....
b r o d y ..... where are the poopies hiding ?
He leads me into the family room and points behind the entertainment center.
Yes, my friends, my child, not wanting to get caught for pooping in his pants, took them *out* of his pants and *THREW* them behind the television.
Where in your books does it say ANYTHING about turds hurled behind the tv? I rest my case.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Street Light Magic
This story is so special to me. Let me give you the background.
When I was little, my dad (daddy) used to count at stop lights to make them turn green. I truly thought he was magic and could make them change. I don't know how old I was when I figured it out, but it took me a while.
Well, I do the same things to my kids. We count 1 - 2 - 3 Green! And incredibly, the light turns! Well, the kids have started doing it on their own. Thing is, they don't really know yet the logistics of street lights, so they end up counting about 20 times before the light turns. When it does turn, they get all excited because *they made the light turn green*.
The other day, we were sitting at a light and they didn't count. When the light turned green, Brody said, "Oh, good. Someone in the other cars must have counted because the light turned green."
:) Cute, huh? Oh, the burden of a 4 year old to make the light turn EVERY TIME.
When I was little, my dad (daddy) used to count at stop lights to make them turn green. I truly thought he was magic and could make them change. I don't know how old I was when I figured it out, but it took me a while.
Well, I do the same things to my kids. We count 1 - 2 - 3 Green! And incredibly, the light turns! Well, the kids have started doing it on their own. Thing is, they don't really know yet the logistics of street lights, so they end up counting about 20 times before the light turns. When it does turn, they get all excited because *they made the light turn green*.
The other day, we were sitting at a light and they didn't count. When the light turned green, Brody said, "Oh, good. Someone in the other cars must have counted because the light turned green."
:) Cute, huh? Oh, the burden of a 4 year old to make the light turn EVERY TIME.
Gift Card Anyone?
Kurt and I have this strange quirk of receiving a gift card from someone, filing it away in the kitchen drawer, and forgetting about it. We just came across 10-12 cards, all of them with money on them. We are LIVING the HIGH LIFE!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Kitchen Update
For those of you following the saga of the kitchen remodeling project... we are in the process of putting up crown moulding at the tops of the cabinets... and I am sure there is nothing in the world that Kurt hates more right now.
;)
Maybe in about 4 months we will actually finish cutting these 8 pieces of trim at the right length and the right angle, have them meet up at the corners just right, nail them up, prime, paint, and have it all ready for you to see.
**Just kidding Kurt, sweetheart... I am sure it won't take any more than 3 months. ;)**
;)
Maybe in about 4 months we will actually finish cutting these 8 pieces of trim at the right length and the right angle, have them meet up at the corners just right, nail them up, prime, paint, and have it all ready for you to see.
**Just kidding Kurt, sweetheart... I am sure it won't take any more than 3 months. ;)**
Still Eating In
Can you believe it? It is January 21st and Kurt and I have not eaten out AT ALL so far this month! We started the month with the goal of only eating groceries we buy and taking leftovers to work. Well, it has worked! We have eaten so much healthier and have saved GOBS of money. I am going to go back and see what we spent last night on eating out just to see how much less we spent. I feel so much better about what we are feeding oursevles and our kids, less money stress, and more like I think a mommy *should* be.
:)
:)
Big Helper in our House!
After Seth's birthday, we had a plastic tablecloth that I was going to throw away. Instead, I made it into a map that Brody uses to set the table. The best part is that he LOVES to do it! He is so proud of himself and makes sure that everyone has their cups and plates in the right place during the whole meal.
He has grown up so much. His chore chart has exploded with all of the things he does each day around the house, and he loves to check the things off. If he hasn't done something and I am awarding the checks, he wants to run and do them real quick so he can get all of his things checked off. It makes life MUCH EASIER for us!
Anywho, here he is setting the table.
Oh, and if anyone is wondering, in an effort to be healthier and practice portion control, Kurt and I have also started using kids plates! :)
He has grown up so much. His chore chart has exploded with all of the things he does each day around the house, and he loves to check the things off. If he hasn't done something and I am awarding the checks, he wants to run and do them real quick so he can get all of his things checked off. It makes life MUCH EASIER for us!
Anywho, here he is setting the table.
Oh, and if anyone is wondering, in an effort to be healthier and practice portion control, Kurt and I have also started using kids plates! :)
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Seth and the Big Screen
Today was a big day! It was Seth's first trip to the movie theater! Yaaaaayyyy!
When Brody turned 2, we went to see Cars in the theater. Today, we took Seth to see the new Veggie Tales movie, The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything. He lasted through the whole thing. He didn't stay in the seat the whole time or actually watch the whole movie, but he had fun. He kept saying, "I like that part."
I was prepared with popcorn, fruit treats, Teddy Grahams (which are actually shaped like the SuperFriends) and juice boxes, so that made it a lot easier to make it through the whole movie. :) As a parent you learn, kids can make it through anything as long as you keep feeding them!
When Brody turned 2, we went to see Cars in the theater. Today, we took Seth to see the new Veggie Tales movie, The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything. He lasted through the whole thing. He didn't stay in the seat the whole time or actually watch the whole movie, but he had fun. He kept saying, "I like that part."
I was prepared with popcorn, fruit treats, Teddy Grahams (which are actually shaped like the SuperFriends) and juice boxes, so that made it a lot easier to make it through the whole movie. :) As a parent you learn, kids can make it through anything as long as you keep feeding them!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Aging = Short Term Memory .... what was I typing?
Yeah. I can remember every song that was on the radio from age 10 to age 25. Now, just ask me to tell you all the ingredients in a recipe that I make weekly. CANT DO IT!!!
Aaaaarrrrrghhh!
Aaaaarrrrrghhh!
Built-in playmates
During the past 6 months, Brody and Seth have actually started playing together. They laugh all day and I love to walk in on them and see things like this...
Last night, before bath and bedtime, Kurt and I played hide and go seek with the boys. It is so much fun to play with them. Seth always hides in the last place that we found someone, so he is easy, and Brody just giggles the whole time, as well as slams doors. Too funny.
Last night, before bath and bedtime, Kurt and I played hide and go seek with the boys. It is so much fun to play with them. Seth always hides in the last place that we found someone, so he is easy, and Brody just giggles the whole time, as well as slams doors. Too funny.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
The Eating In Effort
Ten days down in our effort to eat in for the entire month of January!
In an effort to recuperate from Christmas, Seth's birthday, and Brody's birthday, we decided to eat in the entire month of January. And, I don't just mean dinner... I mean NO eating out. No lunch, no ice cream, no tropical smoothie, no coffee, no dinner, no breakfast, no grabbing a soda from the drive through, NOTHING.
It has been AWESOME! I made a calendar of every night in January (adding in a *leftovers night" each week) and put a meal for each night. I made shopping lists for each week. I can't believe how much of what we spent was going to food on our credit card bill! We are eating MUCH healthier, using the groceries that we have instead of throwing them away because they went bad, and it has been liberating for me to know what we will be having for dinner each night! I just put the meat that needs to thaw in the fridge the night before.
I wonder how long we can do this. I bet we could do it past January!
In an effort to recuperate from Christmas, Seth's birthday, and Brody's birthday, we decided to eat in the entire month of January. And, I don't just mean dinner... I mean NO eating out. No lunch, no ice cream, no tropical smoothie, no coffee, no dinner, no breakfast, no grabbing a soda from the drive through, NOTHING.
It has been AWESOME! I made a calendar of every night in January (adding in a *leftovers night" each week) and put a meal for each night. I made shopping lists for each week. I can't believe how much of what we spent was going to food on our credit card bill! We are eating MUCH healthier, using the groceries that we have instead of throwing them away because they went bad, and it has been liberating for me to know what we will be having for dinner each night! I just put the meat that needs to thaw in the fridge the night before.
I wonder how long we can do this. I bet we could do it past January!
Best Husband Ever
I am reminded very often just how wonderful my husband is. You wanna know how great he is? He gets up in the morning, gets the kids up, gets them breakfast, and gets them dressed... but the kicker...
he puts the kids clothes in the dryer while they are eating breakfast so they are toasty warm when they put them on...
Everybody now...
*Awwwwwwwwww*
:)
he puts the kids clothes in the dryer while they are eating breakfast so they are toasty warm when they put them on...
Everybody now...
*Awwwwwwwwww*
:)
Monday, January 07, 2008
TWO!
Well, my baby turned two last week. Two. As in, not one. Not a baby. Two.
Seth LOVES the show Blues Clues, so we had our family (along with our friends who are just like family) over for a party. He was adorable and enjoyed every minute! He is so proud to be two.
I wrapped a chair from our living room in red fleece and made it into the *Thinking Chair*. The kids got a real kick out of that.
I also made a shirt for Seth to wear that looks just like the shirt that the host of Blue's Clues wears. :) Here he is with his new Blue doll and drawing in his *Handy Dandy Notebook*.
The kids played in a big *Blues House* that I made out of cardboard.
The cake was Blue, too.
He got lots of wonderful presents, including this Harley Davidson ride on toy *He is really into motorcycles*.
Thank you to everyone for making his party so wonderful!
Seth LOVES the show Blues Clues, so we had our family (along with our friends who are just like family) over for a party. He was adorable and enjoyed every minute! He is so proud to be two.
I wrapped a chair from our living room in red fleece and made it into the *Thinking Chair*. The kids got a real kick out of that.
I also made a shirt for Seth to wear that looks just like the shirt that the host of Blue's Clues wears. :) Here he is with his new Blue doll and drawing in his *Handy Dandy Notebook*.
The kids played in a big *Blues House* that I made out of cardboard.
The cake was Blue, too.
He got lots of wonderful presents, including this Harley Davidson ride on toy *He is really into motorcycles*.
Thank you to everyone for making his party so wonderful!
Sunday, January 06, 2008
NOW I get it
I really didn't get this ad when I was younger. I *get it* now. Brody goes back to school tomorrow after 3 weeks off...
Friday, January 04, 2008
Beware Shipping Bay E from Santas workshop
Just a word of advice...
Brody wanted a *motekuntrol* robot from Santa this year. Santa brought it for him, but I found out it shipped out of the North Pole from their Shipping Bay E, or E Bay. There were some problems with the item. We had to send it back to Santa in the mail the next day and ask him to fix it and send it to another kid. Santa mailed a present back to Brody that very day! Brody got a couple new games for the Wii and is extremely happy!
So, a word of advice... make sure that Santa doesn't send *THE GIFT* that your child wants from his Bay E. It may not be exactly what you want.
Got it?
Brody wanted a *motekuntrol* robot from Santa this year. Santa brought it for him, but I found out it shipped out of the North Pole from their Shipping Bay E, or E Bay. There were some problems with the item. We had to send it back to Santa in the mail the next day and ask him to fix it and send it to another kid. Santa mailed a present back to Brody that very day! Brody got a couple new games for the Wii and is extremely happy!
So, a word of advice... make sure that Santa doesn't send *THE GIFT* that your child wants from his Bay E. It may not be exactly what you want.
Got it?
Christmas Catch-up
Okay... Christmas was wonderful in our house. Brody officially *got it* this year. Seth, not so much, but he still had fun being excited because Brody was excited.
After Christmas Eve service at our church, we put out cookies and milk.... NO WAIT... scratch that. Brody couldn't IMAGINE leaving milk for Santa, I mean *COME ON*, so at our home, he was warmed up with Hot Chocolate, and not just ANY Hot Chocolate, but hot chocolate with almost an entire bottle of red sprinkles in it. Mmmmmmm. I am sure he REALLY enjoyed it. Nothing like a little grit on top of your cocoa.
Seth was really into the cookies and had a hard time understanding that they weren't for him.
This is the look we got when we told him that he couldn't eat them. :)
We put out a tin of reindeer food in the driveway (which Kurt backed over with the car the next day #tee hee# )
and then Kurt tried to read "The Night Before Christmas" to the boys, but they weren't having any of that. So, they went to bed.
After Santa came and put all the loot out, I snapped a couple of shots to capture the madness of presents that were under our tree (and around and beside and scattered throughout the room).
Christmas morning came... and kept coming... and kept coming... so we figured we should go wake up the boys (I know... I'm getting angry thoughts from a lot of you parents out there with kids that get up at 5 and jump on your bed until you get up). We all went downstairs and had a WONDERFUL time opening up our presents!
After Christmas Eve service at our church, we put out cookies and milk.... NO WAIT... scratch that. Brody couldn't IMAGINE leaving milk for Santa, I mean *COME ON*, so at our home, he was warmed up with Hot Chocolate, and not just ANY Hot Chocolate, but hot chocolate with almost an entire bottle of red sprinkles in it. Mmmmmmm. I am sure he REALLY enjoyed it. Nothing like a little grit on top of your cocoa.
Seth was really into the cookies and had a hard time understanding that they weren't for him.
This is the look we got when we told him that he couldn't eat them. :)
We put out a tin of reindeer food in the driveway (which Kurt backed over with the car the next day #tee hee# )
and then Kurt tried to read "The Night Before Christmas" to the boys, but they weren't having any of that. So, they went to bed.
After Santa came and put all the loot out, I snapped a couple of shots to capture the madness of presents that were under our tree (and around and beside and scattered throughout the room).
Christmas morning came... and kept coming... and kept coming... so we figured we should go wake up the boys (I know... I'm getting angry thoughts from a lot of you parents out there with kids that get up at 5 and jump on your bed until you get up). We all went downstairs and had a WONDERFUL time opening up our presents!
What do you mean Christmas is over?
In all other parts of the country, you are right, Christmas is over. Not in the Akers household.
Yes, I have taken down one of the Christmas trees (just one, though).
The stockings are put away.
The tins full of cookies and stuff are *almost* gone.
But Christmas lives on in our home because...
MY KIDS WONT STOP WATCHING THE POLAR EXPRESS.
at least two times a day
listening to the cd in the car
Don't get me wrong. I like the Polar Express. I have it memorized. It is a nice CHRISTMAS movie.
Anybody else still riding the Polar Express this season?
Yes, I have taken down one of the Christmas trees (just one, though).
The stockings are put away.
The tins full of cookies and stuff are *almost* gone.
But Christmas lives on in our home because...
MY KIDS WONT STOP WATCHING THE POLAR EXPRESS.
at least two times a day
listening to the cd in the car
Don't get me wrong. I like the Polar Express. I have it memorized. It is a nice CHRISTMAS movie.
Anybody else still riding the Polar Express this season?
Happy Birthday Seth!
I know, I know. I need to post stuff from Christmas and New Years, but I wanted to take a quick moment to mention that today is Seth's 2nd birthday! I will have to get a picture of him showing how old he is. Too cute. Kurt's parents will be coming into town today for our Christmas celebration tonight and then Seth's family party tomorrow. Then, tomorrow evening, we will celebrate my brother-in-law's birthday. Crazy Crazy busy!
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