Sippy Cup Battle

The battle has been won and the war is almost over. My son drinks out of a sippy cup now!!! His favorite sippy cups are his dinosaur ones.They are made by Playtex.

His favorite cups

He only wants a bottle when he wakes up in the middle of the night. I am trying to get him to sleep through the night in his crib, so I don't think I am going to take that late night bottle from him just yet. No, he does not sleep with a bottle in his mouth. It is just a comfort thing, like a pacifier would be if he still used them. He takes a few sips and falls back asleep. The other day, he saw me throw one of his bottles away. He was so heartbroken and cried for a while. After he was done crying, he walked around the house pouting, He is over it now and still takes his sippy cup all day! He is getting so big and smart. I am proud of him. Now if I could just get him to sleep in his crib! I have just a few days to conquer that before they pack our stuff. I am going to try to make him sleep in his pack and play after that. I hope it all goes well. Wish me luck! :)

I never..

I was never willing to love so much.

I never planned to watch one cartoon 30 times a day.

I never planned to scrub chocolate out of the carpet.

I was never willing to dance around the kitchen in my socks and sing silly songs.

 I was never willing to share my food or drink with any one.

I never planned on handling someone else's boogers.
I never laughed or smiled so much.

 I never had the power to heal a wound with a single kiss.

I never had a little smile wake me in the morning.

 I was never called mommy.

...until you.

Tricks of the Trade: Clean house with a Kiddo

Speed-Cleaning Tips

Inviting Living Area

• Pick up the Play Things- get them all in a pile and sort them into the appropriate baskets. That way you don't have to keep bending over and couching down as you tidy up
• Bust the Dust-To clean your TV and your tables, use a microfiber towel. You can get it from the auto section in the discount store.
• Scent the Stage-sprinkle baking soda on the carpet and upholstered furniture, let it sit for 10 minutes, then vacuum it up with the brush attachment.
• Sock Mop- Make cleaning the floors fun for the kiddos. Everyone puts on clean, old socks then spray the floor with kid-safe cleaner. Scurry around the floor with your sock feet. Whoever has the dirtiest socks at the end...gets to pick a game, lunch, or something else fun.
• Bin It Up-Give each kid a bin. Have them collect their stuff around the house and return it to their bedroom. Anything that doesn't get collected gets tossed into a box to eventually be donated or thrown out.

Clutter Free Kid's Room

• Compete for Neat-Turn picking up into a race. See who can can clean up their space more quickly----you or the kids.
• Assign by Kind- Gather all of one kind then move on to the next. It saves time because you won't have the additional step of sorting. You can also assign each child a type of toy..Cars, Stuffed animals, Legos, etc..
• Begin With the Bin- In your kids' room, have buckets or baskets for each type of toy--dolls,puzzles,games. When ever it is clean up time, it's easy to put everything back in its place. Plus, they love to throw the their toys in the "right" bucket. Also, the plastic colorful milk crates from Walmart work well.

Tidy Laundry Room

• Lose the Lint- Use a dryer sheet over the surfaces to de-lint instantly.
• Simply Sort-  Have at least two laundry baskets- One for whites and one for colors.. you can also have more..like for towels or jeans. Have your child help sort so that you can just toss the clothes in the wash.

Gleaming Bathroom

• Team with Steam- After you get out the shower, sponge everything down: walls, windows, even the floor. Everything cleans up easier when it is wet.
• Shine in No Time- As a finishing touch, hit the mirror and other chrome with a non-streak cleaner. It is a easy way to give things a polished, "I cleaned up" look.

Sparkling Kitchen

• Stop Smells-Put a piece of lemon or lime in the garbage disposal and run it. The citrus smell will cover up any food odor in the disposal and it will make the whole kitchen smell fresh.
• Mount a Counter Assault- Put all able bodied family members to work wiping down surfaces--tables,counters, and stove top. Then have them clear the room so you can sweep the floor.
• Microwave Messes- Heat a bowl of water in the microwave for a minute or two. The steam loosens any crusty buildup inside, so you can wipe it off easily.

*** Do daily maintenance. If  you clean for a few minutes in the morning, afternoon, and evening, you won't be overwhelmed. Next time your kids are in the bath, give the toilets and sinks a quick wipe-down. Or do a five-minute toy sweep before lights-out.***

This info is from a Parents Magazine article.

 



Little Boys Are Made Of

What are little boys made off..........

A wee bit of DIRT and a devilish GRIN..

Curious EYES and SPAGHETTI sauce chin..

A DOLLOP of mud behind his right ear,

And a handful of WORMS in his

POCKET I fear.

You see his KNEES

through the

HOLES in his jeans.

He likes ice cream

but won't eat his

BEANS.

He's made of

 MUDPIES and

BUBBLE gum kisses

And wonder at

Christmas and

birthday WISHES.

And a heap of

GIGGLES and

wiggles and LOVE;

These are the THINGS

LITTLE BOYS are made of.

By Patsy Gaut



Vote for my kiddo Please!

Hey yall this is the best my son has done on a contest before so can yall help him out and give him a vote! Thank you!! oh and share share share :)

http://photos.parents.com/my-messy-eater/04/2012/14

Calie: The Pirate Dog

I think every child should have a animal companion. Dogs are great. My animal companion was a dog named Calie that spent almost 10 years with me. She was a Shi-zu, My mother rescued Calie when I was 8 years old. A lady was selling Calie and another dog. They were both in pretty rough shape.When my mom took them to the vet, she found out that they had been beaten and had seriously been neglected. She stopped payment on the check and brought home the dogs. I remember coming home from school and seeing this dog in my yard. She had one eye but you didn't realize it because the hair hung in her face. She was gray, black, and white. She was a little bit bigger than most Shi-zus you see now a days. She was perfect.

Calie in her early years.

 I instantly fell in love with her and she loved me back. My mom raised dogs so we always had animals around but no one was as special as Calie. Calie was a little unsociable around other dogs and it got worse when she got older. But there was one dog that Calie had a soft spot for. A black standard cocker spaniel named Mi High. She was pretty cool. She would eat anything us kids would eat and she loved tennis balls and the lake. She spent many years with us also. Calie and her were great friends. My 7th grade year Mi High was diagnosed with breast cancer. There was nothing the vets could do. My mom realized it was too bad when Mi High couldn't chase her tennis balls anymore. So in 8th grade, Mi High had to be taken to the vet to be put to sleep. I think it was one of the hardest things my mother ever had to do. After Mi High was put to sleep, Calie was depressed for a while. Calie never again liked another dog like that. Calie was truly my best friend. I turned to her many times. When my parents had problems, Calie was there for me. When my childhood friend passed away in 6th grade, Calie was there. On the worst of days, I knew Calie would be there to listen to me. For almost 10 years, Calie was by my side. She slept in my bed with me and would even take my naps with me.

Calie after losing hair.

She would watch you with her one eye and she did this funny thing where she rubbed her belly on the ground to scratch it.


One eye

She had a few litters of puppies and they were always so cute and healthy. She was a great momma dog, one of the best. My mom kept a few of her daughters. All great dogs like their momma. They are now getting kind of old.When Calie was about 8 years old, she started losing hair. It was already almost all grey by then. We never figured out why she lost her hair but it didn't really seem to bother her except that itch. She was always itching. We found some shampoos to kind of ease the itch for her. Along with the itch and hair lose, she had this strange smell. So she had to be bathed often. Some people were repulsed by her when they saw her because of the hair lose. We even had people go as far as to tell us that she needed to be put out of her misery. I did not like these people. Calie was never miserable. Even though Calie looked strange she was still so beautiful to me. If you couldn't accept and love Calie then you couldn't be in my life. Calie came before any boy or friend.  My friends even loved her. One friend called her zombie dog and pirate dog. When I left for college I know it was hard on my family including Calie. I hated that I couldn't take her with me. In January 2010, I was back from college for the holidays. I was working to cover tuition for the next semester. I met my husband at this time. I remember talking on and on about Calie to him. I said I can't wait for you to meet her. Just a few days after I met my husband, Calie left my life. She passed away on January 13th 2010. My husband never got to meet her. I remember waking up to get my little brother and sister up for school. Calie stayed on the bed to sleep. After they were awake and getting ready, I went to lay back down. Right after I lied down I heard a yelp come from Calie. I thought I hurt her leg or something. I wish it was as simple as that. Calie was having a stroke. I picked her up and ran to my parents' room. When I saw their faces I knew there was nothing they could do for her. I sat there holding Calie for what felt like forever. I couldn't stop crying and my mom said to not let her know I was scared. Just try to comfort her. About two hours later, Calie stopped breathing in my arms. I was heartbroken. I had just lost my oldest and best friend. Calie was a family member and a piece of our lives. Everyone lost her that day. My parents and I took it especially hard. Calie was about 13 years old when she died. She lived a good life with us and never went without. She was spoiled rotten.Calie meant the world to me.

It has been 2 years now and to this day I still miss her so much. She can not be replaced. She was one of of a kind. I hope one day my son can love a dog the way I loved Calie. I think ever child should have a great animal companion. A animal companion can never let them down and will be there to listen. This is to Calie and all other great animals out there. We love you! Thank you for the many great years!

25 Manners Every Child Needs By Age 9

1. When asking for something, say "Please."
2. When receiving something say "thank you."
3. Do not interrupt grown-ups who are speaking with each other unless there is am emergency. They will notice you and respond when they are finished talking.
4. If you do need to get some one's attention right away, the phrase "excuse me" is the most polite way for you to enter the conversation.
5. When you have any doubt about doing something, ask permission first. It can save you from many hours of grief.
6. The world is not interested in what you dislike. Keep negative opinions to yourself, or between you and your friends, and out of earshot of adults.
7. Do not comment on other people's physical characteristics, of course, it's to compliment them, which is always welcome.
8. When people ask you how you are, tell them and then ask them how they are.
9. When you have spent time at your friend's house remember to thank his or her parents for having you over and for the good time you had.
10. Knock on closed doors-and wait to see if there's a response-before entering.
11. When you make a phone call, introduce yourself first and then ask if you can speak with the person you are calling.
12. Be appreciative and say "thank you" for any gift you receive. In the age of e-mail, a handwritten thank-you note can have a powerful effect.
13. Never use foul language in front of adults. Grown-ups already know all those words, and they find them boring and unpleasant.
14. Don't call people mean names.
15. Do not make fun of anyone for any reason. Teasing shows others you are weak, and ganging up on someone else is cruel.
16. Even if a play or an assembly is boring, sit through it quietly and pretend that you are interested. The performers and presenters are doing their best.
17. If you bump into somebody, immediately say "excuse me."
18. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and don't pick your nose in public.
19. As you walk through a door, look to see if you can hold it open for someone else.
20. If you come across a parent, a teacher, or a neighbor working on something, ask if you can help. If they say "yes," do so-you may learn something new.
21. When an adult asks you for a favor, do it without grumbling and with a smile.
22. When someone helps you, say "thank you." That person will likely want to help you again. This is especially true with teachers.
23. Use eating utensils properly. If you are unsure how to do so, ask your parents to teach you or watch what adults do.
24. Keep a napkin on your lap; us it to wipe your mouth when necessary,
25. Don't reach for things at the table; ask to have them passed.