the girls don't kiss me anymore

The girls now just jump out of the car and run up to school in the mornings, even my 6 y.o. I don't think I was prepared for no kisses in elementary school. Sigh.

(Don't be alarmed. I still sometimes snatch them back for a kiss before they take off. The point is - they're OK without one. Sigh.)

like totally

I was talking with Robi-bird about Chandler's friend coming over today and her response -

Today !?!?! That's impossibly cool!

Yeah, like totally.

this tool

While I was down at IHOP, I knew I couldn't return to the girls empty-handed so I visited the Forerunner Bookstore. I ended up buying "Hinds' Feet on High Places" arranged for children by Dian Layton. Together we've read just the first chapter which was broken into two parts but it's really good. It's inspired good conversation with the girls.

We haven't really done any bible study type books for quite a while so I'm happy for this tool in this season!

more teeth falling out

Another lost tooth! This time, Jaci-Mace. Both of her top front 'big' teeth had already come in but one baby tooth was holding on, being pushed in between them. Not good. We had a dentist appointment scheduled for Tuesday but it got postponed. And in the mean time, Daddy got determined and yanked it out Thursday night. Woo-Hoo!

We had a deal with the loss of this tooth.... I had spent a little more on a 'clearance' jacket than I had said I would - with a condition, she couldn't have it until the tooth came out. For a while she was diligent to wiggle, wiggle, wiggle but then she got lax. So when she called me Thursday night to tell me that the tooth was out. The next words were, "Now I can wear my jacket tomorrow!" Good job, big sis!

decisions

Yesterday morning I went and visited a preschool, Good Shepherd Lutheran. We've never done the preschool thing before but are seriously considering it for little Robi-bird for next year. Her life is quite different than the other girls' was at this age, being the only child at home all day.

I really like the gal who runs the preschool. She's a fun gramma-type, well actually she IS a grandma. She's been teaching preschool for over 20 years. And a good friend from church told me that all her 4 grown children had this lady as their preschool teacher and that she was awesome. This friend is a woman I highly respect as a Godly mamma, who has amazing children - all serving God today.

Our other option for sending Robi somewhere would be the Montessori preschool and I don't think that is the way we want to go. The 3rd option is that she doesn't go anywhere but I 'vow' to dedicate more one-on-one time with her. Unfortunately, my vows don't usually get fulfilled.

So, much prayer is going up for wisdom in this decision. Until then, there's only 4 weeks of school left before summer break and we are sooooo excited around!

first tooth lost!

My middle princess lost her first tooth yesterday at church. It's been sooooo loose. She was in Children's Church and pushed it with her tongue and was surprised when it came out! Congrats, Chandler-Bean!

stepping through life

It's been our tradition for close to 2 years now, that I give the little gals pedicures when Daddy has a board meeting. So once a month, I wash my princesses feet. Tonight as I scrubbed their little toesies, I prayed that God be Lord over all the steps of their life-journey.

We traditionally watch a movie while I pamper their little feet. Tonight it was Charlotte's Web - the new version. Pretty good movie, though I'm a sucker for the animated oldie.

Now, it's bedtime and I may be headed there shortly too. Yawn. Is this what 29 is about?

semi-healthier

So, we pretty much have a rule at holidays, like Easter and Christmas, that the 'no candy before lunch' rule goes out the window. I don't tell them this but the kids aren't really expected to eat much 'real food' - though I do hope they eat a few bites of something that isn't sugar-loaded. So has the weekend been - much chocolate, jelly beans and the like - little veggies.

But the weekend is now over, back to real life - school, semi-healthier food and bedtimes.

broken glass

Robin broke my mirror this morning. It was just a little hand one from Wal-Mart. I didn't yell at her (amazingly). But I wasn't sure how to handle this. We had just talked for probably over 2 minutes about being careful with it because it was glass. We discussed which part was glass, which part was plastic. Then....she dropped it.....and ran off bawling. When she finally appeared several minutes later, still crying, I chose grace. I forgave her without all the 'but next time' or 'see, mommy told you...'. I held her while she cried a while longer - she's the cry-er - and then it was over. I'm still not sure I did the right thing but it's over.

in the long run

I have had chores for the girls since they were pretty little. The list has varied throughout the years and even seasons of really no chores except getting themselves ready for the day. I've used different methods of lists - charts, index cards, etc. I've given allowance for doing chores, given allowance for only money management purposes and just handed out money for no reason at all.

I really laid off chores when they went to school this fall - instead of homeschooling, I mean. Just this week I've updated our chore system. And re-installed allowance, for money management only. Though they could earn extra money for doing extra jobs.

Robin (3 y.o) - helps unload the dishwasher daily
set napkins & silverware at suppertime
helps feed & water cat one day a week
helps clean out litter box one day a week
puts away her own clothes a couple times a week

Chandler (6 y.o) & Jaci (8 y.o)
load dishwasher (together) daily
make bed daily
feed & water cat twice a week
clean litter box twice a week
put away own clothes twice a week
clean out toilet every other week (rotate with sister)
clean bathroom sink & mirror every other week (rotate)
Chandler - set plates or bowls at suppertime
Jaci - get drinks for supper

The pet chores are new since we just got the cat. The bathroom chores are new to them too. Also the bigger girls used to unload the dishwasher while I did all the loading.

This summer, I'm going to start teaching them to prepare meals. I think I was cooking quite a bit at Jaci's age. Just tonight, I was whipping up Hamburger Helper (vote me mom of the year - ha) and thought, 'Ya know, Jaci could be doing this.'

My mom was/is excellent at teaching us all (10 kids) how to take care of household tasks. For me, it seems to be just as easy to do them myself - but not so good for my ladies in the long run. Now, if I can just remember to get the cash to give them their allowances. I NEVER have cash.

not 'off the rack'

Now to post one of the things that spurred this blog....

The other day I met a long-time friend for supper. Actually my entire family accompanied me and there was several others there too - including my children and 3 other little ones.

As my youngest daughter walked up to the 'crowd', my friend commented on her outfit. "Did she dress herself today?" she asked. I responded that yeah, I guess she did. My daughter was wearing a funky green skort with a big flower on it, a t-shirt that didn't exactly match but didn't clash and....(the kicker) cowboy boots. She really didn't look bad, just not that 'off the rack' look.

So today, said daughter came down after dressing herself...
black knit pants that say 'Angel' (in PINK) across the rear - only she had them on backwards
RED 'Husker' t-shirt
PINK shawl

She's definitely her own look!

joshua 3:24

I'm starting another blog to journal only things related to parenting and my girls' lives. I fail at recording all the funny, cute and sweet stuff I wish I would've remembered. Maybe this will help. All my thoughts, philosophies and struggles as a mamma - someday someone may learn what NOT to do and hopefully a few what TO DO's from these entries.