3 Boys, a Mama and a Princess...: February 2011

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Teigen surprises me...

So I bought Teigen a bunch of Pre-K and K workbooks because I really want him prepared and somewhat ahead for school. Here are some free printables that I also like to use.

I'm not only practicing his ability to answer the question and work with him to figure it out, but I'm trying to work on his LISTENING skills and being able to SIT STILL. I think those are equally important in order to go to school. I really don't want my kid to be "that kid". You know the one the teacher secretly can't stand because the child won't listen, pay attention, or sit still. So, that's why we are doing schoolwork m-f now. A little in the morning and a little in the afternoon. (That's all he can sit still through right now). We'll gradually add more.

Teigen surprises me though. Our first workbook- "Same or Different", he did all by himself pretty much. The scenario, "Draw a circle around each of the 2 things that are the same." There were 4 pictures/designs (2 the same). He understood and quickly drew a circle around the 2 that were the same. I didn't even know he could circle something. He also didn't need any help finding the 2 that were the same. I know I teach him things, but I know he learns things from.....yes....the TV! I know a lot of moms don't think kids should watch TV, but I let Teigen. I don't let him watch it all day! I do let him watch 2 programs in the morning, 1 while I make him lunch and then maybe 1 before bed. I also pick what he watches (although he does pick the ones I like). A program called "Umizoomi" and a new program called "Bubble Guppies" are his favorite.

I'm proud of Teigen and I know he can do anything he puts his mind and strong will towards! :)

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

A Touch of Humor

"A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance."

-Proverbs 15:13

We need to have a little HUMOR in our lives. We better take seriously that which should be taken seriously, but at the same time we can bring in a little humor now and again.

"If the time ever comes when we can't smile at ourselves, it will be a sad time."

In my upbringing, there was a lot of humor and A LOT of laughter. Especially when we got together with cousins and aunts (I think it was mostly a female thing).

Some may think it's too loud....but that's just the thing....we can't quite get the dial right. To you, it might be loud. To us, it's a normal noise level.

Either way, I always enjoy being with my family because there is always laughter.

And I mean LAUGHTER!

Word: Pulley laugh

Definition: A laugh loud enough to be heard 50 feet away.

Root: "Pulley", my mother's maiden name.

Word: Towers laugh

Definition: A semi-loud laugh, but intense enough that tears form.

Root: "Towers", my maiden name

Friday, February 18, 2011

The Race

Back when I thought I was going to serve a mission....my favorite "feel good" book was; "The Missionary's Little Book of Inspirational Stories". It's still a favorite though!
There are many quotes and stories that I am very fond of, but one in particular I find motivating for me in my every day life. (And sure a little teary-eyed everytime I read it)

The Race

"Quit! Give up! You're beaten!"

They shout at me and plead.

There's just too much against you now.

This time you can't succeed!

And as I start to hang my head

In front of failure's face

My downward fall is broken by

The memory of a race.

And hope refills my weakened will

As I recall that scene

For just the thought of that short race

Rejuvenates my being.

A children's race; young boys, young men

How I remember well.

Excitement, sure! But also fear.

It wasn't hard to tell.

They all lined up so full of hope

Each thought to win that race.

Or tie for first, or if not that

At least take second place.

And fathers watched from off the side,

Each cheering for his son.

And each boy hoped to show his dad

That he would be the one.

The whistle blew and off they went

Young hearts and hopes afire.

To win and be the hero there

Was each young boy's desire.

And one boy in particular

Whose dad was in the crowd

Was running near the lead and thought,

My dad will be so proud!

But as they speeded down the field

Across a shallow dip.

The little boy, who thought to win,

Lost his step and slipped.

Trying hard to catch himself

His hands flew out to brace,

And, mid laughter of the crowd,

He fell flat on his face.

So down he fell, and with him hope.

He couldn't win it now.

Embarrassed, sad, he only wished

To disappear somehow.

But as he fell, his dad stood up

And showed his anxious face

That to the boy so clearly said;

Get up and win the race!

He quickly rose, no damage done.

Behind a bit, that's all

And ran with all his mind and might

To make up for his fall.

So anxious to restore himself

To catch up and win,

His mind went faster than his legs;

He slipped and fell again.

He wished that he had quit before

with only one disgrace

I'm hopeless as a runner, now.

I shouldn't try to race.

But in the laughing crowd he searched

And found his father's face,

That steady look that said again,

Get up and win the race.

So up he jumped to try again

Ten yards behind the last

If I'm to gain those yards, he thought,

I've got to move real fast.

Exerting everything he had,

He regained eight of ten

But trying hard to catch the lead

He slipped and fell again.

Defeated! He lay there silently

A tear dropped from his eye

There's no sense running anymore.

Three strikes; I'm out. Why try?

The will to rise had disappeared.

All hope had flown away.

So far behind; so error prone-

A loser all the way.

I've lost, so what's the use, he thought.

I'll live with my disgrace.

But then he thought about his dad,

whom soon he'd have to face.

Get up, an echo sounded low,

Get up and take your place.

You were not meant for failure here,

Get up and win the race.

With borrowed will, get up, it said.

You haven't lost at all.

For winning is no more than this:

To rise each time you fall.

So up he rose to run once more

And, with a new commit,

He resolved that win or lose

At least he wouldn't quit.

So far behind the others now

The most he'd ever been,

Still he gave it all he had;

He ran as though to win.

Three times he'd fallen, stumbling,

Three times he rose again.

Too far behind to hope to win,

He still ran to the end.

They cheered the winning runner

As he crossed the line first place,

Head high, and proud, and happy-

No falling; no disgrace.

But when the fallen youngster

Crossed the line last place,

The crowd gave him the greater cheer

For finishing the race.

And even though he came in last

With head bowed low, unproud,

You would have thought he won the race,

To listen to the crowd.

And to his dad he sadly said,

I didn't do so well.

To me, you won, his father said.

You rose each time you fell.

And now when things seem dark and hard

And difficult to face,

The memory of that little boy

Helps me in my race.

For all of life is like that race,

With ups and downs and all,

And all you have to do to win

Is rise each time you fall.

"Quit! Give up! You're beaten!"

They still shout in my face.

But another voice within me says

Get up and win the race!

-Delbert L. Groberg

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

I love my "things"...

During this time of lovey dovey-ness. I like to think of what I LOVE. First thought that comes to mind are my "things". Not the things hanging in my closet, not the things I drive, not the things that I could live without, but these crazy things......

THING 1

THING 2

THING 3

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Sometimes.....

Sometimes I feel like I need Anger Management. Is that bad that I'm not embarrassed to say that out loud? It's not like I go around yelling at everyone or am aggressive, but I yell at Teigen sometimes (almost everyday) and I HATE it! When he does something that just hits my nerves, I try to close my eyes, breath, and try not to yell or even get mad....but guess what, I get mad still. You may think to yourself......What could an (almost 3 year old) do to make me yell? And you know what, saying that out loud does sound ridiculous right now. Maybe it's because by being around him 24/7, we're able to hit each others nerves easier. He doesn't listen to me and when I try to talk to him and explain calmly what he needs to change, he won't stop talking and just LISTEN to me. Then guess what happens? My voice escalates and escalates and ESCALATES. Get the picture? Sometimes I'll decide to just ignore him when he throws his temper tantrums as he FALLS to the ground and acts limp. (Which P.S. is a pet-peeve of Justin and I). So, I hate ignoring him. I don't think it works or is effective. (You may think differently on the matter, but for me I hate ignoring him. Maybe because I hate BEING ignored).

Anyway, the point of this post is to vent a little. (Since Justin is working and I can't to him). Although when I do vent to him he tells me, "Try something different". Well , I'm running out of ideas, because my next idea is for me to go to Anger management. ;) Am I the only mom that yells or feels this way?

I'll take any advise or suggestions here....

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Final Post of Christmas.....Enjoying presents

Our favorite holiday is Christmas in our family! We love the true meaning of Christmas but we also like to do the Santa thing. I still believe in Santa-okay! So, we make it a big deal. I love the spark, excitement and light in their eyes when they see what Santa has brought.

(Santa leaves his gifts out and exposed-readily available to play with)

It is priceless and brings so much joy to me.

Enjoying their new ride....thank you SuSu and Gramps!

Posing with their new matchy matchy monster truck jammies from moma and dada...