Love and Logic

Well, Tim and I just completed a 7 week parenting course called "Love and Logic." I found it through the community education classes and thought it might be a neat class to take together - I am always up for new parenting tips and ideas. Our last class was last night and while I am glad to have one less thing to do during the week, I am kind of sad to see it go. We really enjoyed the insights and new ideas that we learned. It has been really fun to watch Ethan use the parenting tricks on me after I have used them on him once. He is too smart for his own good. One of the tips is to use the "energy drain." It works for anything and everything from tantrums to fighting to not listening. It goes like this:

mom - "it really drains my energy when...... you don't listen to me at the store. I just can't do anything until my energy is replaced." (then you think of a few things they can do to replace your energy - anything from chores, to singing songs, to rubbing your feet, to being nice to their brother, etc.)

So, I did this once to Ethan when he didn't listen to me at the store. A week after that Ethan did the energy drain to me. We were about to go into a store and I asked him not to ask for treats and candy and to be a good listener. This is what he said next:

Ethan - "Mom, it really drains my energy when you get mad at me. I think you need to do 4 things to give me my energy back."

I tried so hard not to laugh. Was he really doing this?! I had only done it one other time and he was modeling my behavior already - man kids learn fast. I figured I should respect him like I would want him to respect me, so I told him that maybe we could help each other get our energy back. I wouldn't get mad at him and then he would be a good listener so we could both keep our energy. He agreed, but said he still needed to have me do 4 things to help him get his energy back right now.

Ethan - "I need 4 things: 1. Sing me a song 2. Say nice words to me 3. Give me a cheese cracker 4. Give me some milk"

So, I did his four things and then asked him what he could do for me to give me my energy back.

Ethan - "I will do 4 things for you Mommy. 1. Sing you a song 2. Keep my seat belt on 3. Be a good listener in the store 4. Give you magic kisses and hugs"

After we each helped each other out, we acted all excited and energetic to show all the energy had come back - it was fun to be silly together. Then we went into the store and the first thing Ethan did was pick up some candy and said:

Ethan - "Mom, look at this candy. I am not even gonna ask for it or eat it!!!"

I was so impressed with my little 3 year old!! Thank you "Love and Logic" for giving us some fun tools to help teach our kids. I highly recommend this class to everyone!!!!

Happy Mother's Day

Well, I just wanted to post how lucky I am to have to my adorable little boys and thoughtful husband. I felt like the greatest mother in the world on Sunday (even though I know I am far from that!) because of all of the sweet things my boys did for me. It all started on Saturday - so really, I had a Mother's day weekend! I got to sleep in on Sat. morning and then I woke up to stuffed french toast, bacon, and orange juice for breakfast - thanks to my chef husband. Then, I was off to arrange flowers for the YW camp fundraiser, while Tim and the boys mowed the lawn and cleaned the house (Mother's day dinner with the whole family was at our house the next day). Then I came home and went to an afternoon movie and dinner with my sister-in-law, Wendy. On Sunday morning I got to sleep in again (sleep is a very precious thing in our home because our boys get up at 6am- sometimes even earlier). When I came out of my room, Ethan greeted me right away and the first thing our sweet 3 year old said was "Happy Mother's Day Mommy!" I was then presented with gifts and cards. Tim had taken the boys shopping earlier in the week to get me presents. I got new scriptures, some great CD's, roses, a pair of super cute shoes, and a dustbuster(I requested the last item). At church, Ethan sang with all of the other primary kids a couple songs about mothers. Ethan knew every word to every song. I was so impressed, especially since the primary chorister told me after church that she only taught the songs to the kids the week before. When Ethan went up on the stand to sing the songs he did a great big "thumbs up" sign to me across the congregation - he is such a cutie! After church, my whole side of the family came over for dinner. Tim made the whole meal and then very discretely cleaned up the kitchen before I could even help!! Man, I think I am married to the best man in the whole world!!!

I also wanted to add a note about my own amazing mother! She is such an incredible woman and I am so blessed to have her as my mom and dear friend. I love being with her and going on adventures together. She has taught me so much about being loving, fun, kind, ambitious, silly, working hard, and serving. Thank you mom for being the wonderful mom and friend that you are to me!!

Girl's Camp Fundraiser

So, as many of you know, I am in young women's and I really enjoy it. It is ALOT of work, but I really love it. Well, I was in charge of the camp fundraiser we chose to do, which was sell and arrange flowers for mother's day. This was a big project, but this year was so much easier since I had already done it last year for the first time. I was so proud of all of the girls. They created beautiful rose and spring flower arrangements and learned to make lovely corsages. I actually ordered all of the flowers from Costco this year, which was even cheaper than the wholesalers prices last year. It was a great fundraiser and I am really glad it is behind me!! Now we get to go to girls camp and enjoy!

Nothin' Beats a Good Oreo

I just had to post this adorable moment that I captured. The other day, Eli was just devouring an Oreo and loving it so much. I got a great picture of it and wanted to share. Don't we adults wish we could eat an Oreo cookie like this sometimes. I mean, really, Eli just looks like he is truly enjoying his food way more than a person who daintily and politely eats their cookie!! Thank you, Eli for reminding me about the joy of eating an Oreo cookie and getting it all over your face!!!

Fun in the Garden

Last week for family night we planted our garden. The kids were sooooo excited to do this. Ethan asked me about it all day on Monday. I had to keep telling him that we needed to wait for Daddy to get home from work so we could all do it together. I love kids' enthusiasm about hard work - I wish we could all be that excited about work when we get older! When Tim got home that night, Ethan was ready to work. We had our shovels and rakes and gloves all ready to go. Ethan and Eli both helped dig up the dirt and Ethan was a great helper in planting the seeds. We planted some of Ethan's favorite foods: watermelon, cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes and corn. He loves his fruits and vegetables. We all had a great time being together and being outside and working on a project. I just love my sweet little family so much. I feel so incredibly blessed to be able to work, play, laugh, and just live everyday with my 2 sweet kids and amazing husband. (Wow - I got a little mushy - but I was just feelin' it, so I had to write it.) I love my BOYS!!!

Hall Family Fun

Well, we had a great weekend full of family from the Hall side. Grandma and Granpa Hall came into town from Iowa for cousin Nathan's baptism on May 2, 2009. The kids love playing with their cousins and spending time with Gma and Gpa Hall.

Nathan with his parents just before getting baptized.

Grandma and Grandpa Hall with 12 of their grandkids - what a cute group!!

The cousins doing a sticker craft - yeah for fun messes!!!

The adults playing a quick game. We love to play games,

but it doesn't happen that often with all the kids running around.

A sweet picture of Tim with his mom.

Ethan and Eli with Grandma and Grandpa Hall

Ethan's Singing Debut

Ethan participated in his first public singing solo on May 1, 2009. There was a talent show for all of the primary kids in the ward and Ethan said he wanted to sing a song and do a somersault. (He forgot to do the somersault - oh well) He decided to sing a song called "Skinn-a-mirink-a-dink-a-doo" that he learned in preschool. He loves this song and sings it all the time. We even practiced the week before by having a family talent show for family home evening. Ethan sang his song, Eli played the piano(pounded on the keys), I touched my nose with my tongue (I know you are all jealous) and Tim did the wave with his crazy long toes. We are a family that is just oozing with talent. Well, the night of the talent show came and Ethan was very excited. Grandma and Grandpa even came to support him. He got up on stage and got a little bit of stage fright, so I began to sing with him and he joined right in. In fact after he finished the song and everyone was clapping, he said "I have another song." I guess he enjoyed the spotlight and the sound of applause. So, he sang his favorite primary song "I Lived In Heaven." He even sang the second verse - well kind of the second verse - I think it is the 2nd and 3rd verses combined, but still pretty impressive. I was so proud of him and his sweet little voice!! Great job, Ethan. We love you!!!