Checking In

It is officially less than one from from my last final!! I have been a bit busy trying to keep up with all the tests, projects, kids, kids' projects and tests, husband, birthdays, Easter, and a little traveling. I have been thinking of blogging and even had a great Emma story, but I can't remember it. Argh, it is frustrating. I'm sure there will be another one soon though. They usually provide good material fairly often.

My Name is Kelly and I'm an Addict

It seems my favorite phrase for the last year and a half has been "I don't have time." I am constantly struggling to keep up with all I have put on my plate. I try to ignore non-essentials. I rarely go on facebook, I rarely go out with friends or dates with Charlie, I missed Christmas baking with my sisters. I have ignored everyone talking about Pinterest. Then my friend, Heather, sent me an invite. I registered and didn't even look at the site. Suddenly my email was bombarded with friends and acquaintances "following" my board. Eventually I gave in to curiosity and looked at the site. I am in love. Just about everyday I turn to Pinterest for ideas.

Then I was at school and a guy said that accountants are not creative. I questioned him and he told me that I was not creative. Being a five year old at heart, I had to challenge this. I turned to pinterest and here is what I have done this week.



































In your face, Shane!

Boy CrAzY!!

Emma: I chase and attack boys.
Me: That is not good; you shouldn't do that.
Emma: Why not? It's in my nature.
Me: (discussion about my good choices even if you like being bad or it feels natural...)
Emma: Okay, so how many boys can I attack?
Me: None.

Adorable Little Brat

I told Mia that one of her previous teachers had said that Mia was one of her all time favorite students. Mia asked why she would lie like that. I said she wasn't lying and no one could help but love Mia. She claimed that Justin didn't because sometimes he tells her that she is a brat. I smiled and said that sometimes she is a little brat. Mia looked up and said in a sing-songy voice "not helping."

Motivation

Emma has been taking piano lessons for almost a year now. We have struggled to find motivation for her to practice and really put in effort. For Christmas she got a new bigger, nicer keyboard. She wants a stand and seat to match it. I told her that if she practiced everyday for a month she could get them. She missed three days. Huge improvement, so I decided to renegotiate. She had to practice everyday for two weeks (she was allowed to miss one day) and she could get either the seat or stand. She just accomplished this so I asked which she wanted. She said the stand. I thought that was a good choice. She said " Yeah, because I am pretty good at standing."

Building

I was brushing Mia's hair in the bathroom yesterday and this was our conversation.

Me: Mia, you are really gorgeous. I mean it, and I'm not just saying that because I am your mom.
Mia: Yea, I was thinking that right now too.

A friend once told me that the world tears our kids down everyday, so it is our job to build them up. I guess that approach is better than thinking my little girl is a conceited little brat.

Highlights

I haven't been too good with the blogging lately. Last semester was a killer with 18 units, 3 kids, and a husband. During the break I have been trying to get the house back under control and finally finish the remodel we started during the summer. We are almost done and I hope to be done by the time I start school on Monday. Since I haven't been too consistent with my blogging I thought I would make an attempt today before the real chaos starts again for my LAST semester. That is right; I am almost done!

Emma has been going through some changes lately...uncontrollable rage, uncontrollable tears, sweetness, rage, rage... We have talked about what changes lie ahead and how she needs to attempt to reign in some of those emotions. For now I will take the sweetness as it comes (and try to put up with the rest.) Monday was a holiday and we took a family bike ride which included a picnic. As we were riding Emma said "in case I forget later I wanted to tell you that the best part of my day was right now, spending it with you." Ahhh. When we got to our destination Charlie asked if we were eating at the picnic table. I said that Mia told me it wasn't a real picnic unless we ate on a blanket on the grass. (I love her ideas.)

Today as I started the oven Justin perked up and asked if I was making cookies. I said no so he got up to see what I was doing. "Twice Baked Potatoes?!!!" I nodded and asked if he was more excited for twice baked potatoes or cookies. He said the potatoes. Emma wanted both. Then I go outside and find a plate of goodies on my porch from some friends. I love when you get everything you want. :)