Ryan's Chore Chart

Just a quick idea for all of my friends with kids who don't yet read. A few months ago, I took pictures of things that I wanted Ryan to do in the morning and printed out a simple "Chore Chart" for him to refer to before going downstairs for breakfast. And even though I ask him every day to turn off his nightlight, because it's not been on the chart, he always forgets. So I added a couple of things to the chart last night and printed out a new one for him. Someone saw it in his room recently and mentioned that it was cool, so I decided to share with all of you, just in case your kids could benefit from this idea. I put his picture on the Chore Chart, plus each of the following:

Christmas Ryan-isms

As usual, Ryan provided many entertaining one-liners today. I wish I would have written them all down, but here are a few that I can remember. It was a really big day for him and I'm shocked we made it through without a single tantrum. We came close, but were able to talk him down off the ceiling prior to a full eruption.

- Last night at my mom's house, we all went around and said a quick prayer before dinner (all 20 something of us!) and most of us thanked God for family, health, stuff like that. But when it came to Ryan's turn, this was his prayer, "Dear Jesus, I just love you and I pray that you would help me not to pee pee in my diaper [at night]. In Jesus' name. Amen."

- We opened presents fairly sporadically throughout the morning today. Part of this was by design, but it was also partly because Ryan would become so excited about a new toy (or that everyone he loves most was in the same house) that he would need to stop and play for a bit. I've noticed over the years that he tends to get overwhelmed when there are lots of people or too much activity going on. After playing with a remote control helicopter for almost an hour, the battery went dead and we suggested he start opening the gifts from Mike's parents. He was completely disinterested. I ended up asking him to sit on my lap and that seemed to ground him for a little while and calm him down enough to open the rest of his presents. Initially, I had to explain that we look for his name on the tag, then he had to actually see what it was before tossing it aside. (there were some puzzles, Dr. Suess books and other non-battery operated gifts that may not seem interesting at first, but that I know he'll come to love!)

- With all of the great new toys the kids have, I'm going to officially start instituting time for them to play alone. I haven't done this since I had Kaylin and they don't play by themselves for very long anymore. But man, with all of the new-ness today, I hardly saw them! I read my new scrapbooking book in the family room for 45 minutes straight tonight while they played in the play room, together and separately. So every day, they'll get a new toy or two and we'll work up to a good amount of daily time that they play together without Mommy while I make dinner or do chores around the house. I had Ryan content for almost an hour alone when we first moved into the house. He got some much-needed down time and was able to play independently like a big boy. Then I ruined it by potty training him and following him around the house to make sure he wasn't having an accident!

Fairwell for now, old toys

For the last 3 years, I have vowed that the best way to keep things uncluttered and the kids interested in their toys is to rotate toys and books periodically. And after 3 years of putting it off, I finally did it today! You see, I know what's coming on Tuesday. I gave out the wishlists and have heard some mutters about purchases and I know that our families have gone overboard in the buying department. My kids don't need new stuff. We're really blessed in that department, but in reality, I need to help them appreciate the stuff they DO have. And that is why I have temporarily taken it away.

Tonight I gathered up most of the big toys, specifically the noisy ones, and boxed them up to put in Ryan's closet. What's great is that in a few months when all of the Christmas gifts start seeming like old news, I can rotate in their old favorites. This is a genious concept and one that I've heard about many times...why have I not done this before now???

Oh, and an update: I broke down and bought the parrot. When it's the ONLY thing on a kid's Christmas list, what's a mom to do? Ryan's going to flip when he sees it. I'll have the video camera charged and standing by, ready to roll. I can hardly wait for Christmas morning!

Lessons I've Learned

Lessons I've learned since being a mom...
- Only take advice from parents who have kids that turned out the way you hope yours will be
- I can drive, talk on the phone and hand Cheerios to hungry little people in the backseat all at the same time
- Sippy cups leak
- Glitter and sand are very, very messy
- I can handle a lot of kids shows, but the Wiggles and the Doodlebops drive me nuts
- The oldest child isn't always at fault
- The child who was caught isn't usually the one who started it
- If it's entertaining them, sometimes the mess is worth it
- Raisins, corn and kidney beans come out whole
- It won't hurt anyone if they play in the rain
- Kids have amazing memories
- Building confidence is critical
- Everyone in the family benefits from routines
- Sometimes correction is better received from others
- Kids are capable of more than we give them credit for
- They listen to more than we think
- Everything doesn't need to be done quickly
- Kids need space, too
- Letting kids "help" isn't always help for you, it's to help them learn, feel included and build confidence
- It's good to have daily, weekly and monthly traditions
- Sometimes it's easier for them to learn the lesson the hard way

Lessons I've learned in general...
- The days are long, but the years are short
- Sometimes it's better to keep your thoughts to yourself
- I can't stand the phrase, "You just wait..."
- I love feeling organized and productive
- Laundry left in the washer overnight in Phoenix smells sour by morning
- Don't judge others; you don't know their situation
- We all look back at pictures of ourselves wishing we "still looked that thin." And we'll look back in a few years at pictures of us today wishing the same thing
- Burned, overcooked cookies have the same calories as gooey, soft cookies fresh from the oven...eating the hard, crunchy cookies just isn't worth it
- Be intentional about making memories
- Slow down and enjoy the moments
- Things don't need to be perfect
- It's better to count to 5 before reacting
- If someone randomly pops into your head, take a moment to pray for them and give them a call when you get a chance
- Be purposeful
- Be a person of integrity
- Edify your family in front of others
- Pray daily, alone and as a family
- You'll be much less stressed if you just hand it all over to God...he's in control anyway!

Winter crafts

I'm trying to get creative with Ryan and do some fun, Christmas-y, winter-y crafts this month. Here are a few ideas to whet your parental pallet:

Of course, there's the chain links to count down the days until Christmas. I didn't have enough red and green construction paper, so I had him color typing paper with a red marker and other paper with green and cut it into strips. (A little ghetto, but it did the job and we're throwing the strips away each day anyway, right?)













Yesterday, Ryan asked if we could make a snowman for Daddy. It was raining like mad (I was in heaven) and it seemed he thought it might snow. Poor, snow-deprived kid! I got creative and made up a craft with mini-marshmallows, a toothpick and some chocolate sprinkles. We made our whole family; Me, Ryan, Kaylin and Daddy. Ryan was very specific about who was who.










Someone suggested this one to me a few months back, but I don't think I really get it. It's a reindeer...handprints for the antlers and a footprint for the face. Ryan's foot is so big that it looks more like a moose, but I'm not sure if I'm supposed to draw something on there to make it look more reindeer-like or what. Suggestions?