My baby is going to school

We've been trying to be a little more creative in our parenting with Tori as she's journeying into a new phase of her life. She's about to start Kindergarten here in a week and a half and I'm just amazed at how ready she is, and how ready I'm not. I thought I'd include this picture of Tori's writing on a post it note for me after a long day of her bad choices and hard consequences. Talk about a little girl who is thinking a lot. The note says, "How can I help to be a better kid?" Can you believe that? Yesterday after I grounded her for throwing Daddy's shoe at our cat five times, she wrote in her journal, "I wish my Mom was a better Mom." Can you believe that? Initial thought was, "Well, that was rude." And then I realized, Wow, she is communicating really well, telling me how she feels. So we had the opportunity to talk about good parents and bad parents and how if I were a bad mom, I wouldn't do anything, and give her no consequences. I gave her the opportunity to choose between consequences, 1.) Get grounded for the "whole day" (about 6 hours in her room with books) or 2.) Give the cat away. Her response: "Can I come out for dinner?" Poor girl. Some might think it was a harsh punishment, but she had been warned before, and she knew better, and she did it with a horrible look on her face (I was spying on her, so I saw), and I was worried for the life of our cat! Anyway, so she is definitely growing up, I'm well pleased. My baby is growing up!

The Question Has Now Been Answered

I've learned after 7 years of marriage that if you let your husband know what you want but let them make the final choice, it goes much better than if you make the choice for them. He decided not to go... maybe it was the bribe I gave him, but he decided on his own not to go. We did go to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and it was WONDERFUL, I enjoyed the company more than the food, but the food was excellent. We just had a blast hanging out and trying to come up with stories we haven't told each other yet after 7 years :) It was refreshing, and wonderful. Forget the reunion! We've got what we need all right here with eachother :)I thought this was a cute pic of Brad.

Abbie's Birthday

I haven't posted any pictures from Abbie's birthday. I've been so bad at blogging, I apologize. I'm working 6-8 hours each day at home so needless to say when I'm not working I prefer not to be on the computer. Anyway, so we had a great time for Abbie's birthday. She got some cute Snow White stuff from her Grandma and some really fun things from her Nona and Grandpa. I bought her some new gellies and a dress and Dora Sunglasses. I'm realizing quickly that now is the time to skimp on presents, these kids don't care what they get, I think for Christmas we're going with fruitsnacks wrapped up in boxes, they'll think its the greatest thing in the world. We're going to turn off the TV starting in November and only watch movies so the kids don't get brainwashed this year by all the ads for Christmas toys. Anyway, enjoy the pictures, she's been working on her sad/grumpy faces, I thought these would be great to blog :)

Half Success

Well, I would say I'm at 50% success. Not because she only goes 50% of the time in the toilet, but because she goes about 85% of the time in the toilet, 15% of the time on the girl's closet floor on their clothes (joyous, I know). But I'd say 50% of the time because she's still going in the dish with kitty litter. I got so frustrated at one point I tried to sell her. But did you know Craigslist here doesn't allow you to sell animals on it? So lame. Anyway, today is one of those days I wish I didn't have her, she peed on the girls clothes this morning because Abbie took the dish out of the toilet, so she had no where to go and she decided Abbie's jean skirt was a great alternative. You know it wouldn't be so bad if her pee didn't stink SO BAD and take 3 washes in the washer to get out. ANYWAY, some day she will go, I just decided to give her some time, and give myself some sanity. Hopefully we'll all make it out alive.