Friday, March 7, 2008
my little ones
Sylvia noticed she and I were both wearing red this morning and wanted to do a picture. Caeden decided to jump in while the camera was going off, so here are the 3 of us together! We get asked a lot if these 2 are twins, since they have been similar in size for a long, long time. I think Caed will pass Sylvie up one of these days. How blessed am I to be their mommy? VERY! Love them so, so much!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Sylvia's Birthday Day
We did a little celebrating today, on Sylvia's actual birthday, even though she will have her party this weekend. She helped me make her cake--strawberry cake with confetti icing. We had pizza for supper and cake and ice cream.
She loves the tradition of licking the candles!
She loves the tradition of licking the candles!
celebrating at school
Jeremy took the morning off and visited Sylvia at school. He read two stories to the class, got to see the kids enjoying Sylvia's popsicle birthday treats, and he took some great photos. I'm so glad I forced him to take the camera! Sylvia was really glad Daddy got to share her birthday with her at school!
These are Sylvie's classmates.
painting with water balloons
These are Sylvie's classmates.
She's FIVE!
Sylvia turned FIVE years old today! Here's our sweet little girl today at 7:41 a.m.--exactly the time she was born. This is also her "golden birthday," as she is five on the fifth!
Monday, March 3, 2008
Rough Mommy Days
Some days lately I've had a rough time being a mommy. Today was one.
Have I mentioned here before that I've decided my son is definitely a "stong-willed" child? Well, I have recently come to that conclusion. I used to wonder what that term really meant, but I am beginning to see it more clearly with each passing day! Caeden definitely fits the bill. He will do the exact opposite of what he is told. When he doesn't get his way, there is an uproar of some sort...nasty words towards the one (usually me) who won't let him have his way, or a tantrum, or literally running from me, screaming, hitting/punching/kicking, threats...things I never would imagine a little child would have in his/her soul (or even just their mouth!) without being taught them!
Let's have a little example...
Today, Caeden and I were grocery shopping at Wal-Mart. As soon as we entered the store, he said he didn't want to ride in the cart; he wanted to help push. I reminded him that if he disobeyed, he would have to ride. 15 seconds later he was taking off with the card, heading towards a display rack at full-speed. I had to force him into the cart and buckle him in while calmly explaining why as he screamed and kicked, saying, "I don't like you!!" over and over for the next 5 minutes.
After we had been in the store a while and I had not allowed several things Caeden had asked for, he asked for something else and I told him no. All of a sudden he was saying, "Mommy I don't want to live with you any more. You don't belong to me. Die. Die Mommy. Go away from me. Mommy, go die. Die Mommy. Die Mommy...." I know at least one store employee heard him, because I saw him looking at us. I stopped the cart at the end of an aisle and walked down the aisle as Caeden continued hurling horrible words at me. I went around the end of the aisle, where I could see him, but he couldn't see me, and walked back up the other side of it. He had stopped by the time I got to the cart. I'm sure it wasn't the right way to handle the situation (yes I could see [and hear!] him the whole time), but I had to step away for a second.
Caeden has recently started telling me several times a day that he doesn't like me. He says all kinds of awful things that I am always shocked to hear come out of his mouth. I know he is trying to think of the worst possible things he can say to show how upset he is, but wow, it can get to a mommy's heart!
There were lots of [my] tears and prayers in the car on the way home from the store today. I can see I have my work cut out for me with this boy. It is a constant workout and battle of the wills. Too bad for him, I am pretty stubborn too and will not let him win.
A friend recently loaned me Kendra Smiley's book Aaron's Way, which is about raising a strong-willed child. She also loaned me Dr. Dobson's book, Bringing Up Boys, which I haven't started yet. I did spend some time on the Focus on the Family site today, checking out some articles about the strong-willed child.
I need to pray more fervently for my children. And, with Caeden especially, I need to learn to discipline without emotion. That is hard for a girl who wears her heart on her sleeve and also breaks into tears a few times a day! God give me wisdom...!
Have I mentioned here before that I've decided my son is definitely a "stong-willed" child? Well, I have recently come to that conclusion. I used to wonder what that term really meant, but I am beginning to see it more clearly with each passing day! Caeden definitely fits the bill. He will do the exact opposite of what he is told. When he doesn't get his way, there is an uproar of some sort...nasty words towards the one (usually me) who won't let him have his way, or a tantrum, or literally running from me, screaming, hitting/punching/kicking, threats...things I never would imagine a little child would have in his/her soul (or even just their mouth!) without being taught them!
Let's have a little example...
Today, Caeden and I were grocery shopping at Wal-Mart. As soon as we entered the store, he said he didn't want to ride in the cart; he wanted to help push. I reminded him that if he disobeyed, he would have to ride. 15 seconds later he was taking off with the card, heading towards a display rack at full-speed. I had to force him into the cart and buckle him in while calmly explaining why as he screamed and kicked, saying, "I don't like you!!" over and over for the next 5 minutes.
After we had been in the store a while and I had not allowed several things Caeden had asked for, he asked for something else and I told him no. All of a sudden he was saying, "Mommy I don't want to live with you any more. You don't belong to me. Die. Die Mommy. Go away from me. Mommy, go die. Die Mommy. Die Mommy...." I know at least one store employee heard him, because I saw him looking at us. I stopped the cart at the end of an aisle and walked down the aisle as Caeden continued hurling horrible words at me. I went around the end of the aisle, where I could see him, but he couldn't see me, and walked back up the other side of it. He had stopped by the time I got to the cart. I'm sure it wasn't the right way to handle the situation (yes I could see [and hear!] him the whole time), but I had to step away for a second.
Caeden has recently started telling me several times a day that he doesn't like me. He says all kinds of awful things that I am always shocked to hear come out of his mouth. I know he is trying to think of the worst possible things he can say to show how upset he is, but wow, it can get to a mommy's heart!
There were lots of [my] tears and prayers in the car on the way home from the store today. I can see I have my work cut out for me with this boy. It is a constant workout and battle of the wills. Too bad for him, I am pretty stubborn too and will not let him win.
A friend recently loaned me Kendra Smiley's book Aaron's Way, which is about raising a strong-willed child. She also loaned me Dr. Dobson's book, Bringing Up Boys, which I haven't started yet. I did spend some time on the Focus on the Family site today, checking out some articles about the strong-willed child.
I need to pray more fervently for my children. And, with Caeden especially, I need to learn to discipline without emotion. That is hard for a girl who wears her heart on her sleeve and also breaks into tears a few times a day! God give me wisdom...!
The Ten Commandments--Caeden style
Just seconds ago, Jeremy has this encounter with Caeden:
"Reading" from the back cover he ripped off an old Little Golden Book, Caeden says,
"I got the 10 commandments.
Do not kill.
Do not bite.
Do not punch.
It's not a joke."
"Reading" from the back cover he ripped off an old Little Golden Book, Caeden says,
"I got the 10 commandments.
Do not kill.
Do not bite.
Do not punch.
It's not a joke."
Saturday, March 1, 2008
IHSA Solo/Ensemble Contest
Today I was able to spend most of the day as a Vocal judge for IHSA Solo/Ensemble Contest. It was the second time I've had the opportunity, and I really enjoy it. It is a bit awkward that I don't have many (if any?) other ties to the school music programs around here and don't know any of the other judges/directors/participants. But, I can deal with that, as I am confident that I know what I'm doing judging high school vocalists.
Sadly, I didn't hear anyone who blew me away this year, and most of the girls I heard were not so hot--and I don't mean looks-wise. I did give several I's, many II's (especially to ensembles), and even a few III's. And, so many were singing out of the new folksong books--or at least they're new to me, just noticed them in the music shop a few weeks ago. Much too easy for most high school students, I thought. Blah.
I wish contest could be a little more like a masterclass, and I could actually give the students some verbal input and a little coaching right there on the spot. How nice would that be?! I tried to at least speak to them or to the room before they sang, to show I wasn't scary, but everyone is so tense at contest anyhow. There were 25 central Illinois schools participating, and over 1,000 students.
So, it was cool to be involved. I missed it last year, but hope to have the opportunity again.
I did find one person there that I at least felt like I knew... As I was finishing up a judging sheet, I looked up to see a duet getting ready for their piece and noticed their accompanist looked very familiar to me. I did a doubletake, and said, "I know who you are!" It was Jill Savage! She is someone I look up to very much, have heard speak several times at the Hearts-at-Home National Conference, and have met now a couple times. Her book, Professionalizing Motherhood, made a huge impact on my life shortly after we moved here to Illinois, and I just feel a connection with her whenever I see her. She is a neat, inspiring lady! So, since the duet was the last I had before lunch, Jill came up and chatted with me for a few minutes. She was back with another duet later in the afternoon, which happened to be my best-of-show for the day. Anyway...it was just really cool to see here, especially there! One of the things we talked about was how excited we are about the upcoming National Conference in 2 weeks! I haven't gone since I was pregnant with Caeden in '04, so I'm thrilled to be going this year!
Edited to add:
Oh yeah, and also while eating lunch with the judges, I figured out through discussions that one of them is in this great acapella group called Chapter 6, of which one of the other members is Luke Menard, currently in the top survivors on American Idol. Kinda nifty.
Sadly, I didn't hear anyone who blew me away this year, and most of the girls I heard were not so hot--and I don't mean looks-wise. I did give several I's, many II's (especially to ensembles), and even a few III's. And, so many were singing out of the new folksong books--or at least they're new to me, just noticed them in the music shop a few weeks ago. Much too easy for most high school students, I thought. Blah.
I wish contest could be a little more like a masterclass, and I could actually give the students some verbal input and a little coaching right there on the spot. How nice would that be?! I tried to at least speak to them or to the room before they sang, to show I wasn't scary, but everyone is so tense at contest anyhow. There were 25 central Illinois schools participating, and over 1,000 students.
So, it was cool to be involved. I missed it last year, but hope to have the opportunity again.
I did find one person there that I at least felt like I knew... As I was finishing up a judging sheet, I looked up to see a duet getting ready for their piece and noticed their accompanist looked very familiar to me. I did a doubletake, and said, "I know who you are!" It was Jill Savage! She is someone I look up to very much, have heard speak several times at the Hearts-at-Home National Conference, and have met now a couple times. Her book, Professionalizing Motherhood, made a huge impact on my life shortly after we moved here to Illinois, and I just feel a connection with her whenever I see her. She is a neat, inspiring lady! So, since the duet was the last I had before lunch, Jill came up and chatted with me for a few minutes. She was back with another duet later in the afternoon, which happened to be my best-of-show for the day. Anyway...it was just really cool to see here, especially there! One of the things we talked about was how excited we are about the upcoming National Conference in 2 weeks! I haven't gone since I was pregnant with Caeden in '04, so I'm thrilled to be going this year!
Edited to add:
Oh yeah, and also while eating lunch with the judges, I figured out through discussions that one of them is in this great acapella group called Chapter 6, of which one of the other members is Luke Menard, currently in the top survivors on American Idol. Kinda nifty.
Daddy the Barber!
When I got home today, Jeremy sent me up to Caeden's room while he was supposed to be napping (but wasn't), and I couldn't figure out why he wanted me to go up there so badly...until I opened the door! Daddy gave Caeden a major haircut today while Mommy was gone!! I think he did a great job!
Jeremy said he used scissors, because Caeden didn't like the sound of the clippers. I was even more impressed!
Good job Daddy! You look great, Caeden!
Jeremy said he used scissors, because Caeden didn't like the sound of the clippers. I was even more impressed!
Good job Daddy! You look great, Caeden!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Leap-A-Thon
Sylvia leaped in the Leap-a-Thon today. She leaped 208 times, and was very pleased and excited about that. When I told her that meant Daddy was going to have to write a check for $104, her eyes got really big! So cute.
It looks like the school has probably raised and received enough money through donations now to make it to the end of the school year. A big relief.
Tuesday night will be an important board meeting, as far as determining what will happen next with the preschool. We have some major things to discuss and it will be difficult. Please join us in praying that things will work out for the best for the school, the teachers, the community, and the students, and everyone involved.
It looks like the school has probably raised and received enough money through donations now to make it to the end of the school year. A big relief.
Tuesday night will be an important board meeting, as far as determining what will happen next with the preschool. We have some major things to discuss and it will be difficult. Please join us in praying that things will work out for the best for the school, the teachers, the community, and the students, and everyone involved.