Let it snow, let it snow

Lexington has gotten a good bit of snow.

More than a dusting.

Less than a foot.

But it was enough to have fun and enjoy the afternoon. While Mike shoveled the driveway, I was able to take pics of the boys having a BLAST!! Here are a few of my faves.

Not me Monday

Everyone knows that I have been on a quest to be healthier and lose a little weight (a lot really). I have my ups and downs just as every person does on this same journey.

But Sunday wasn't that day. Not for me!!

I didn't wake up early with the big boy just to watch cartoons and eat left over ham and pineapple pizza for breakfast. No not me!! And of course I didn't top it off with a bite of the brownies I had made. Are you kidding? I would never do that, not me!!

That's okay though, because I didn't eat the leftover pizza for lunch either or snack on the chips and dip I had given to the boys at lunch.

Sunday came and went and then the big snow came on Monday (big for Lexington). We took the kiddos to school and spent the day together. I didn't eat anything bad today either. I definitely didn't eat waffle house for brunch, or 1/2 a bag of popcorn at the movie theatre. Oh, and then when my husband suggested we go get a sweet snack at Calistoga, I emphatically said NO. Ha, not me.

Then we got the kiddos and played in the snow. We don't have snow boots for our little one. But did that stop us? Not a chance. But I didn't do anything crazy--like use ziploc bags to cover his feet and legs. Nope!! That would just be crazy.




Anyway...

all in all things are good. Hope all is well with everyone!! Love to you all.

daily ramblings

Not much going on here to discuss. We've had ups and downs this week. I've gone so far as buying something called Attentive Child at the Whole Foods store. I was really hoping it would help Ryan, but not so much. He's in trouble every where he goes and I am about done taking him ANYWHERE! At school I get called by the teacher. He gets in trouble at Church and Jason calls me (although this has gotten better). He even had trouble with respect at DAYCARE the other day when they were out because of snow.. Oh, and lets not forget me having to leave a gym class a few minutes early because he wasn't doing what he was told by one of the adults. Seriously? I know he knows better. I'm thinking a little trip to the pediatrician is in order.

Even Alex is beginning to have a little attitude. He even tried to take a swing at me the other night when I was putting him in time out. Really? You're two!!! Give it some time to build in the anger son. I've actually resorted to putting him in his room and closing the door so he can't get out. That really upsets him and puts things in perspective for him. After I open the door and ask him if he's going to be better he nods yes and gives a big hug.

I love my boys so much and am having such a time with them. If anyone has any really good advice or ideas let me know. I've prayed a lot for the boys, for strength, and for patience. Some days I just don't know how much is getting through. Thankfully Spring is almost here and we will be able to go play at the park again. I'm just counting down the days...

Better days

Well, things have turned around just a bit.

Ryan had a much better week at school. Granted, some days were better than others, but he has succeeded in gaining back a few of his toys. Thank Heavens!! I'm proud of the way he has been acting, even at home. He has been somewhat more respectful and caring. The other morning he crawled in bed with me a little before 6am. He is always wanting to snuggle in the mornings, which I truly love. But this morning, he turned to me and said, "mommy, I love you more than life itself" I have said that to him multiple times, but this time he returned the favor. My heart just beamed and eyes filled with tears. I felt so special!

Alex on the other hand has been a bit of a handful. He is still sweet and cute and absolutely adorable, but..... He's also decided he no longer needs a sippee cup. He wants to be a big boy and use regular cups like his big brother. So....he unscrews the lid. Yes, my 2 year old unscrews the lid to his sippee cup. Which of course generally ends in tears and "uh oh" when he's covered in juice or chocolate milk. He also is going through a hitting phase. Although I remind him we only give hugs and kisses, which he generally gives, he still hits when he doesn't get his way. Oh have mercy!!! (I love his kisses because he always wants to kiss on the lips). I remind myself, it's just a phase and won't last forever.

We've had a good bit of snow and the kids got to play, but unfortunately I had to sleep. I'm hoping the hubby will take a few pics that I can post. But if not, they've had a lot of phone regardless.

Have a great week.

The dreaded belt

Today was the day.

The day I have dreaded for such a long time.

The day when it finally became apparent that disciple was not longer time out or taking things away. The day when we released, duh duh duh.......the BELT.

Since Tuesday Ryan had been having trouble at school. Mostly not wanting to complete his work, so he missed 5-10 minutes of recess finishing his work before playing with his friends. We have had multiple talks about this, and every day get the same answer, "I'm just tired. I can't sit still" And every day, we put him to bed between 8 and 8:15. He awakens on his own, watches a cartoon or two, eats some breakfast, and off to school he goes. Then came Friday. I was in ACLS finishing up day 2 when I checked my phone. There was a missed call and voice mail from a number I did not recognize. When I listened to the message, I was outraged. Ryan had smarted off to the student teacher and was being very rude. I immediately called Mike to go to the school since I couldn't. He smoothed things over with Ryan and the teacher-he apologized and appeared (key word APPEARED) better. Well--that didn't last long. After Mike and I had lunch and decided to go grocery shopping, my phone rang AGAIN. This time his teacher informed me of yet another incident requiring him to be removed from Chinese instruction (yes they teach Chinese in kindergarten where he is). I was livid!!! I don't think I've ever been so upset with him before. Needless to say, I stopped what I was doing, and Mike and I headed to school. When we walked in, his teacher's assistant said, "oh it's a double whammy" And she was so right. I pulled him out of his class and took him home. Granted it was an hour early, and that causes a tardy, but I didn't care. On the sign out sheet reason I put "discipline". He sat in silence the whole way home. Any time he attempted to breathe a word I informed him it was in his best interest to keep his mouth closed. Upon arriving home he went to his room where we had a "Come to Jesus meeting" about his actions. He was crying and upset, but not as bad as when Mike pulled out the belt.

Yes THE BELT.

I got it when I was a child and so can he. A few swipes on that backside made a world of difference today. I hated to do it, and my heart was breaking the whole time, but it had to be done. Time outs don't work. Taking something away doesn't work. So in addition to the licks with the belt, he also lost ALL of his toys. He had to help Mike and myself move them to our bedroom--every last one of them. He has to earn them back one by one. If he has a good day, he earns one back, of my choosing. If he acts up and gets a straight or frowny face one of those returned becomes mine again. I don't really like all of these toys in my room, so I hope he gets it this time.

I try to be a good mother and raise him correctly, but he's making it difficult. I know God will give me strength to do this. Thank heavens, because today I wanted to wring his neck. I'm praying the next few days will be a little easier. Only time will tell. Lots of prayers headed to God for things to go better.

So that's part of, a day in the life.....

not me Monday

So, I've never done this before, but I'm going to give it a try.

Alex really loves to read, mostly his Bible, which is highly adorable. He begged to take it to bed the other night. I didn't let him, no not me. If I had let him I wouldn't have woken up to this:



Because of this I didn't have to spend 30 minutes on Sunday morning re-taping multiple pages of his Bible back together. No not me. I was just able to close it up and take it on to Church. NOT!!

big boy's day

So today being a holiday from school, I opted to keep Ryan home--to have a little mother, son time. It's not very often we get to do this anymore since Alex came along. We took the little man to daycare and then headed out for a day.


It started at Monkey Joes inflatable play yard. It was absolutely crazy at this place today, but was a lot of fun.



There were kids everywhere, but Ryan had a blast!!

After two hours of jumping and playing, we headed out for lunch. Being the picky eater he is, we ended up at Waffle House. It doesn't hurt my feelings one bit because I love the place. After filling up on scrambled eggs and waffles, we headed off to the movies. Granted I didn't pay full price-we did the dollar theatre, but it was fun nonetheless. We saw a little animated film called Planet 51. A little cheesy, but had quite a few funny parts as well. I don't think Ryan got them all, but that's okay. He thought the movie was "adorable".

We've now arrived home for a small rest before dad and the little man come home. After that it's all over. So much for the alone time with my big boy. We've had a much needed great day. These are memories that will last a lifetime. I can hardly wait for the day when Alex is old enough to do the same. But for now, I will enjoy my boys, just as they are. Savoring every moment I can and taking it all in.

Have a great week!