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.

A stroll down memory lane and weekend fun

Our weekend started a little early so I could take the kids to Lexington and watch my old high school boys basketball team play in the state tournament. Where do I begin?

First, basketball is king in KY- like the biggest deal ever.  I actually think after graduating high school I attended one game...maybe two. Not sure. But, while in high school? Those games were the social highlight of your life.   It just seems you go away to college and those things are forgotten.  I don't know how things work everywhere, but around here you play in a regional tournament and the winner of the region gets a chance to play for the state title in Lexington at Rupp Arena. That's where our beloved University of Kentucky wildcats play and that's pretty cool, right?

While I was watching the kids play I chatted with my BIL and sister about how things had changed.  When he and my sister attended our high school it had about 1000 students. Last I heard the enrollment was less than 500. When I was there it was around 750 (I think). Crazy. I wonder if there are any teachers still there that I had.. I wonder if there's still a smoke shack out back for the "cool" smoking kids...I wonder if kids still makeout under the stairwells... I wonder if you still have to dissect a frog for biology class... I wonder if they still serve pizza for lunch on Fridays...

And in case you were wondering what I was like in high school, here's my senior portrait I found on display at mom and dads (hey Rosie- you now have 3 outrageously cute grandchildren. There's no need for high school pics of me and big sis to grace or walls and built ins..except for that one with Mel and her big hair..cause we all know 80s hair was awesome...)  Now y'all see why I wear my hair long- do I not look old in this picture?

I was a completely normal (I think) teenager.  Except for the fact I passed out on occasion. I still tell people I nearly failed biology because I refused to get anywhere near the frog corpse, let along poke and prod at its little organs.  I made great grades, played mediocre tennis, and had lots of friends..Not a jock, or a nerd, or miss popularity though.

Anyway, Rosie was able to go with me Thursday night and we had a lot of fun.

Our school mascot was a patriot so I dressed myself and the kids in the closest thing I could find red, white, and blue.

(Side note- get to your nearest JCrew and buy yourself the Tilda top-here's a closeup-you'll be glad you did)

Here we are at the game...the Patriots won this one, but lost the next night.

Of course the big kids wanted ice cream.

I have to say all of the kids were so great at the game.  I think my kids are going to be little social butterflies.  Its really hard to take a baby to an event like this though..My arms were jello after an hour of bouncing.

We engaged in a little retail therapy while in town and I picked up our mother's day dresses.  Told you I was obsessed with the chin chin print!

And.....I picked up the Lilly bonus at the Estee Lauder counter at Macy's.

The weather Saturday and Sunday was so warm and sunny.  I hit the trails both days while the kids napped and my hips are still paying for it!  I have a few of these little hills to thank for that.

Gosh, I LOVE running outside though.  Put me on a treadmill and I feel like I'm dying after 4 miles, but outside I still have steam left.  Carsyn definitely loves outside like her mommy and daddy.We had some playground time Sunday night.  We can't wait until Summer!

Hooray for weekends

I know my weekends seem pretty boring, but I know one day I'll look back and wish for low key weekends!

Starting from top left and working clockwise- Carsyn loves dressing Hank up and I fear his nightmare is just beginning.  But, God love her, she doesn't understand why everyone doesn't want to be a princess.  We were checking out at Hobby Lobby this weekend and out of nowhere she looked at the checkout lady and said "My mommy is a princess."  Awkward.

Have y'all hopped on the Matilda Jane bandwagon yet? My big sis introduced me to their stuff before Carsyn was even born and I never pulled the trigger.  Once Carsyn got big enough to wear their clothes I realized I liked their women's stuff too.  I mean, I may feel ridiculous in big ruffle pants, but they're SO comfy..and I feel a little more dressed up wearing them than my usual black yogas.  Please let them make more colors!

ESPN gameday was in Lexington Saturday and I tore the remote away from Carsyn Saturday morning to tune in.  I'm so proud to be a UK alum and gosh I love my cats.  This season has been a bit of a struggle, but we can't be National Champions every year.

Our washing machine broke last Wednesday and we did without until they could deliver us a new one this weekend.  Do you know the torture of going 3 days without a washing machine with 2 kids? I took a picture to show Carsyn and Hank why they can't go to college someday.  I'm betting those puppies cost more than my dad's first car.  And I got a "cheap" model.  Ridiculous.

I promised Carsyn a mommy/daughter date Saturday and the first thing she said Saturday morning is "Daddy! We're going to Hobby Lobby and to get yogurt parfaits.  Get my dress on!"

Girl was sooooo happy to be out and about.  She went in the yogurt place saying "Oh, its gonna be delicious" and left squealing "That was so fun."  She was so good in her stroller when I shopped- (I used the donkey in the mono mode for the first time in awhile and loved it.  That little side basket is awesome and I swear I grow more in love with that stroller every day. If anyone reading this is currently stroller shopping get the Donkey!!) I vow to have more days like this, I just feel so guilty leaving my little man at home.  He hung out with daddy and had a ball though.

Carsyn asks for books every night when I put her in her crib and I always oblige.  She's such a night owl and I watch her flip the pages on her monitor every night.  She's obsessed with ever what mommy does these days and I guess I've been perusing the Lilly book too often because she always wants it.  She says "Ok, where's mommy's Lilly book?" every night when I tuck her in and Saturday night this is what I found when I went to turn her nightlight off.

Monday mornings always hit me like a ton of bricks, but not Carsyn.  She woke up this morning and picked out her own outfit.  I guess we're hoping Spring comes really soon! I swear this girl likes a new outfit better than her momma.  After she gets dressed she wants to go to the door to take a picture for Rosie.  This stage is so much better than the hate cameras phase!

In case you were wondering what else our little shopping adventure entailed it was mostly for me to pick out new running shoes.  I'm hoping I love these Nike Frees..I'll keep you posted.

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!!

Nashville!

Back in the fall Laura told me about Blissdom, a sort of blogging conference in Nashville (that's how I'm referring to it anyway). We planned regardless of attending Blissdom that I'd come to town to hang out. Despite 2 rounds of a stomach virus from you know where and morning sickness that will not go away I loaded up Carsyn and headed that way. We went straight to Laura's house and let Carsyn and Grayson hang out together.




They were so cute! Carsyn kept chasing Grayson around trying to kiss him and he wanted none of it.

Later that night we checked into the Opryland Hotel and met up with my sister and her family.

 

 

I think the boat ride through the hotel was the kids favorite activity!

 

 

 

 

Sunday I met up with some blogger friends for brunch at the Copper Kettle. Good food and good company was just what this girl needed! I love these ladies....and y'all know I've had a bit of a girl crush on AP since we our first pregnancy go round!






(from left- Claire, Lauren, Annie, AP, Laura,Elizabeth,me, Amber, & Abigail)



I am SO GLAD I went on this trip! Thanks to my sister and her family for helping me out! We shopped, hung out at the magnificent Opryland hotel, let the kids run wild, and I met up with some bloggy friends I know will be in my life for the long haul.
So, so much fun! The only downfall was Grayson decided to take an olympic jump off the sofa.

a little (blurry) recap:



When can we do it again??