Weekend Recap…Also Known as Too Many Pics at the AG Store

Woohoo!! Carsyn's birthday weekend finally arrived and we headed to Nashville to check out their new American Girl Store.

First, we celebrated at school with ice cream and sprinkles and I got to read a book favorite to Carsyn's class.  We chose Camila the Cupcake Fairy because Camilla turns five just like Carsyn.

We were in the car that week discussing what book we would read and she said "Mom, can you do me a favor?  When you come to class can you not wear your workout clothes?  And maybe wear cute shoes and makeup?"  Guess we are entering the phase where mommy's appearance matters too.

Poor kid.  I obliged that day, but am proud to say I rocked the "mom uniform" yoga pants this morning. 

Rosie and I picked the kids up from school Thursday and headed straight to Nashville.

We had dinner at The Factory, our favorite place and took our pics on the big rocking chair.

(We missed you May family!)

We got into our PJs and got some sleep before the big day.

We went to the store first thing and had such a wonderful experience.

Rosie hooked Carsyn up with some Grace goodies.

And I sat with Hank a little while he blatantly ignored everything in the store and played manly games on the iPad.

We had lunch at the cafe.

And had a quick wardrobe change before leaving.

Exhausting!

Saturday afternoon we met some friends for froyo.

Couldn't leave home without our sisters.

Finally, on Sunday we headed to EKY for Kyria's glammed up spa party birthday.  

Love these littles so much.

And this gorgeous momma too.

And to think, we still have Carsyn's birthday party this weekend!

cats cats cats

If you live in the state of Kentucky right now there's probably one thing your wondering.. Will the cats bring home the NCAA championship.

If you don't you probably either A) don't know what I'm talking about or B) wish all of us members of the #BBN (that's big blue nation for those that don't know) would shut up talking about it.

My mom is probably the cats number 2 fan.

My father in law is probably number 1.

I'd say I'm somewhere in between.

So its a no brainer if I'm offered up the chance to go watch the SEC tourney I'm going to say yes.

The hubby and I ventured down to Nashville and watched the Cats bring home the SEC tournament championship.

We caught up with old and new friends.

Dined on some fine cuisine.

Killed time walking the streets and watching the boring games.

And even got dressed up for a few nights out and karaoke.

The kids were in good hands at Camp Rosie and at Granny and Papaw's house and before we left we went to Build A Bear for the babes to get some Willie Cauley Stein bears.

Let's Go Cats!!!

D for Discipline

We just got back into town after a quick little shopping trip to Cincinnati. I'm really blessed with great traveling kiddos as they really didn't mind the 3+ hour trip at all.  They both watch Mickey or whatever on their ipads and usually I pack a snack for Carsyn.  We stopped for lunch each day to let the kids stretch and roam.  I'm a firm believer that no child is perfect, (even though we all know every child is perfect in their mother's eyes ;).  While some kids are great travellers others loathe the car seat.  While some kids are great sleepers others are horrible. My nephew could sleep through Armageddon and my daughter wakes with a slamming door. I think my kids don't mind the car seat because they've always traveled 45 minutes to work with me so they got used to it from the get go. 

Carsyn has always been a great little shopper too.  She was content to sit in her stroller and seldom get out until she was almost 2!  Since then she's really not liked to stroll much at all.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not chucking the donkey anytime soon, its just she prefers to walk 60% of the time.  I guess that's "normal".   I don't want anyone to read this and think sarcastically "oh, poor Jen, Carsyn's interfering with her shopping!" Umm....if that's not the epitome of shallow I don't know what is.  She's actually really good at not touching things and just walks around squealing "oh, look at the pretty dresses!"  But, sometimes walking at a snail's pace is a little frustrating and I'm all "get in your stroller already!!"

Before we went in the mall Carsyn requested her picture be taken in front of the pretty flowers. I'm thinking its going to be a great day..And I guess it was. So, we're shopping and Hank is content in the stroller and Carsyn is roaming around the Lilly store when she sees the beach ball display in the front window.  I'm paying for my items and she keeps bringing me beach balls from the front.  The ladies behind the counter are nice but I'm asking her to put them back and don't touch and its not working.  The ladies in the store are now starting to tell me some are tied together and that could be dangerous so I'm thinking I"m going to have to break her heart.  I march to the front and she's amidst 10 balls having the time of her life.  After coaxing, begging, and bribing I have to drag her out by her little arm and she does the floor flop. Please tell me you know what the floor flop is?  I sit in the floor with her and tell her the balls are decorations and we don't touch and mommy needs her to be a good girl and ride in her stroller sometimes and mommy takes her on trips so she can have fun and mommy needs to look at things sometimes and then she'll give Carsyn time to look at things she likes....etc. until she gets it.  She sniffles and wipes her tears when I show her a new dress.  She asks take a picture for daddy and I say how about in front of the beach balls and all is well with the world again.

I talked with Rosie a lot about discipline on this trip and we both agreed.  Sometimes your kid is going to have to cry.  You can't worry about what other people are thinking.  You have to be the adult.  Is it fair to strap a 2 year old in a stroller and expect them to sit there contently for 4 hours? No.  Is it fair to insist they ride in their stroller for an hour and then be rewarded with a small gift from or trip to the Disney store for doing so? I think so.

I've smacked Carsyn's tail a few times and just felt horrible for it.  And it was in response to her hitting me-totally justified.  It actually worked and she hasn't offered to hit again.  When I ask her not to do something sometimes her immediate response is no and she reaches her little hand to hit and I say "we don't hit people in this house..remember mommy said she'd never whip your tail as long as you don't hit."  And she remembers.  Does that mean whipping her was necessary?  Not sure. 

Time out does not work at all.  Girl is tormented by being left alone.  Let's chalk it up to my fear of abandonment.  As of right now my discipline system is completely reward based.

These came recently and I'm so excited to see if they work.  We're going to start with little things like pick up toys and get out of the tub when mommy asks.   For rewards I'm thinking movie nights and ice cream dates.

So, what works for you?  Dish.

Chicago

We took our annual Chicago shopping trip the weekend before Christmas...(not doing that again) and had a great time as always.  We did bring the flu back with us so perhaps next year we'll reschedule for November??

We had a nice little pajama party our first night there.  Clearly the kids weren't a bit excited to see each other.

 Maddox is such a sweetheart- I caught him whispering to Hank they were going to be best buddies when he grew up.

We loaded up the troops and went to Navy Pier the next morning and the kids ran wild.  Hank was ready to go, but just couldn't hang with the big kids once we got there :)

That evening we took Carsyn to pick out a pair of earrings for her Christmas present.  She was so excited and insisted on carrying her bag...love her little heart.

We shopped a little more the next morning and then headed to Macys and The Walnut Room for lunch.

Carsyn was so infatuated with the big Christmas tree and I have to say this was my favorite one yet.

Carsyn and Maddox also mailed their letters to Santa.

We also made time for Carsyn to get her first mani.  She did so well and surprised me with her patience.

Maddox and Mel decided to ditch the girls awhile and do a little sight seeing.

We spent our last evening at the American Girl Place.

 Little Hank was such a trooper...He pretty much napped in his crib most of the day.  I know I should be grateful, but I'm so excited for next year when he will enjoy it more.

And...why does seem when one kid is wide awake the other is killed..(Or...Wait?? Please tell me its not just me.)

We finally got Hank awake for a family picture and little miss is out like a light!

 

 

Good night Chicago!!