"@#$%" AT THE PLAY GROUND

Joshua, Andrew, and I went to the play ground a block from our house this evening. The play ground had a handful of kids, all boys. There was a softball game being played at the field next to the play ground, which is where all the parents of the kids who were playing on the play ground were. I make that point because there was language coming out of one of the kid's mouth that I did not appreciate, especially around Joshua and Andrew. I ignored the first time he said it...looked around for a parent, but I did not say anything. Of course, Joshua runs over to me and said, "That boy said @#$%." I told Joshua that I had heard him and we do not talk that way...side note: I started to tell Joshua that, "Unless you can give me a definition for the word you repeat after Mommy, Daddy, or anyone then you cannot say it."...The next time the kid said @#$%, I gave him this evil eye. The third and fourth time (back to back) he blurted out the explitive I said, "Excuse me boys! Can you please stop using that language? I have a three year old here!" They then began looking at me from a distance and whispering. However, I did not hear them say anything inappropriate again. Joshua of course wanted to run around with these kids. I asked Joshua to find other kids to play with. I would hate for Joshua to feel left out when I tell him he cannot play with certain kids, but I do not want him thinking their words or actions (after I confronted them) is acceptable.

What would you do? Do you go to the parent, who is not around to monitor their kids actions or words? Do you say something to the kid(s)? Do you just ignore it and talk to your own child about it? Do you do a combination?

"Why do oranges grow on orange trees?"

Joshua and I have game time most every day. We play board games or just read a book or two. Today we played Hi Ho! Cherry-O. The old version of the game you pick cherries off of cherry trees. The version we have you pick cherries off of cherry trees (red leaves), oranges off of orange trees (orange leaves), apples off of apple trees (green leaves), and blueberries off of blueberry trees (purple leaves).
Joshua decided he wanted to pick oranges. As we played the game he asked, "Mom, why do oranges grow on orange trees?" I said, "Oranges don't grow on orange trees. They grow on trees with green leaves. The leaves are green due to a process called photosynthesis (if I remember earth science at all)." He then proceeds to say, "Well, isn't that interesting!" I think I have a scientist in the making, or he is already learning how to stop a conversation...lol!

FIRST SWIM OF 2008

Jeff, Joshua, Andrew, and I met up with the Braaten's at Jeff's parents house in Colleyville today. It was the first swim of 2008 with the boys and the first swim in a pool for Andrew. It was a beautiful day and we had good food and great fun!
Andrew enjoyed the water. He was a little clingy at first, but after I nursed him he was much better. He splashed, kicked, and drank the water.
Joshua loves playing in the hot tub, "my little pool". However, after getting the floaties on and seeing Cade in the "Big" pool he loosened up. He played in the "boat", got thrown in to the air, and swam on his own...with the floaties. It was hard to get him out of the pool. Needless to say, on the way home he passed out cold.
We brought a shrimp dip, chips, cheesy potatoes, and hamburgers. The Braaten's brought sausage, watermelon, broccoli cauliflower salad, and chocolate key-lime cupcakes. Everything was so YUMMY! I am sure I will not need anything to eat for a couple of days...Joshua just walked in here after being passed out cold...it is 10:53 at night and he thinks he is going to watch T.V. I guess the swim did not tire him enough. Well, I am going to do the "Good Night" routine with Joshua now. Enjoy the pictures below.


Andrew sitting on edge of pool..."water is cold"

Joshua relaxing in his "boat" and Andrew loving the water

Joshua and Cade in the "boat" and Andrew being his cute self

Joshua flying in the air

Joshua swimming (floating) without an adult

DAILY CHART

We introduced a "Daily Chart" to the Kennedy world this past week. Each morning Joshua gets up, we go through his "Good Morning" routine and "Chores". Each night we go through his "Good Night" routine and "Chores" a second time...some chores cannot be done until later, or he may need to continue to do them as the day goes on. We also address his attitude. He starts out the day with three smiley faces. If he gets three "frowny" faces he loses the privilege of playing with his toys the remainder of the day.
If he completes his "Good Morning" routine and "Good Night" routine he is allowed to watch a cartoon show for each. If he completes his "Chores" he can watch a movie. The "Extra Chores" are worth even more. We are still fine tuning the rewards.
The idea is to help him understand what each morning, day, and evening looks like. We hope this will allow him to take responsibility for his actions, his belongings, and himself. Our plan is for the "Daily Chart" to become something he just does. By the time school gets here then he should have all this down...I will let you know what really happens by then.
So far he is enjoying his chart, even though he has lost privileges to his toys a couple of times (he knows all kinds of ways to play with a clothes hanger and laundry basket now). We are enjoying the chart as well. It has minimized the night time arguments, cut down on tantrums, and helps me to not forget to brush his teeth.

Thanks to DFW Area Moms for the idea.

IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY

We went to my family reunion this past Saturday. The reunion started about 3 years ago for my Great Grandmother's children and their families, my Dad's side. It is in East Texas at my Great Grandmother's house. When she is no longer with us the reunion will be moved to Oklahoma.
There are a number of us. My Great Grandmother has three daughters, who each had four to five children, who each had a number of children, who each had a number of children...so forth and so on. Joshua and Andrew are fifth generation. The oldest fifth generation is almost 18, he was not there, and the youngest is almost 4 months old (see picture of Jack and Annie, twins).
My Great Grandmother has a small house, so we all hang out outside. We also rent a port-a-potty so that the two bathrooms do not get overloaded with everyone...ask Jeff what it is like to take a 3 year old to a port-a-potty when he has to go #2. Thank God for the awesome weather!
We play horse shoes, volleyball, baseball, football, frisbee, and the youngest of the kids just run around and play with various toys brought. This year we added bingo and a raffle of various gifts (Lost Game, Desperate Housewives Game, stuff for kids, etc...).
We all bring food. This year we had hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, chips, etc...plenty of food. We end up bringing too much.
There were about 86 people there this year. The first year we had about 35-40, so we are growing. Side note...there are about 103 blood members of the family, counting Great Grandma (89 years old), not counting step-children, and not counting spouses (5 generations).
My Grandmother and Great Grandmother did not make it to the reunion. My Great Grandmother is in the hospital and she needs someone with her at all times. Please keep her in your prayers and the decisions that will have to be made for her care.
I look forward to catching up with everyone each year. I hope you all get a chance to spend time with your immediate and distant relatives. I will cherish these memories...there is nothing like family!

"Rough Ribers"

We had some good times with the Braaten's this past Friday at the Rough Riders game. Our seats were pretty far out, but we had a small area the boys could stand and not be in anyone's way and we were by the opposing teams bullpen. Joshua got up the nerve after the game was over to ask one of the players in the bullpen for a ball. With his head down he got a ball and said, "Sank You!". He was absolutely thrilled about it and even wanted to sleep with his ball that night.
The boys did a good job cheering our team on. Cade would clap, tell us all to clap, and then yell, "Go Rough Ribers!" It was great! All the cheering we did was not helpful though. Our team lost to the San Antonio Missions on Friday, but it was a pretty good game either way. The food and fireworks were great and we would go back. However, Joshua did say, "I like the nice lights of the fireworks, but I do not like the loud noises." (see photo of Joshua turning his head away). There was a home run hit during the game too. When a home run is hit they set off fireworks. OH BOY! The boys jumped out of their seats with huge crocodile tears in their eyes and screaming. I was trying to worn Joshua, but that did not matter. Andrew on the other hand loved all the fireworks. At least we will have one who will enjoy Fourth of July.
If anyone is interested in going give us a call and I am sure we would do our best to go with you.

MY RED HEAD...

Today my friend Danni and her daughter Emma came over to play with me, Joshua, and Andrew. We were originally going to go to the Fort Worth Zoo, but the rain kept us inside.
Danni and I were roommates in college, in each others wedding, and our spouses played soccer together for a short time in college. So, we have known each other for a long time. It is our dream to have our kiddos marry one another one day...we know we could get along as in-laws and we would have some red curly headed grandkids. However, I think she has another close friend that probably would want the same thing too.
Emma will be two on May 30th. If you were to see her mom you would wonder whose child she really is. Neither Danni or Steve have red hair and both are short tiny people. Emma exceeds the percentile for height and weight. Those recessive genes were strong with this one.


Joshua hugging Emma...


Emma was interested in what Joshua was drawing?

They were waiting for it to stop raining...

This is one of the first of many play dates we hope to have...Danni just quit her job and is now a SAHM. I am so very excited, but it does stink we do live at least 30 minutes away from one another. Here is to more play dates!

WHAT A GIFT...

Andrew began crawling on Mother's Day! Now Joshua and I are in big trouble. I did not see his first crawl...part of my Mother's Day gift was me sleeping in as long as I wanted. However, I did see him crawl when he woke from his morning nap. Watch out world...The Kennedy boys are on the move!
Since I am computer illiterate click the link and you will see the video.

http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_view_player?p=5d283e29fbab1ea11d7733

For anyone that can help me become more computer savy and have the video showing on my blog give me a buzz.

HERE'S TO SURPRISES...

My Mom will turn 50 in January 2009. She mentioned to me that she wanted a surprise party for her birthday and to let Randy, my step-dad, know. She also added, "It cannot be 50 days before, 50 days after, the day of, or day before my birthday...I will know to expect it then." So, my sister and I got together and decided that we could do it Mother's Day weekend before her birthday. We would be getting together with her sometime that weekend anyway.
The planning began October 2007. We were good to go until about two weeks before. More people RSVP'd than we were expecting. I scrambled to gather enough tables and chairs...Thanks to all my Sacred Marriage classmates that helped me out in that area. Then getting my yard ready, since the party was to be held in my back yard, was more work than planned. It took all two weeks just to get the back yard ready. On top of that, Mom began questioning what she was really coming to my home to celebrate. Ugh! My sister and I were really frustrated. We thought we had her fooled. However, the day she showed up to the house you could tell she knew something was going on...one of my neices told her about the whole thing the day before the big event. Oh well! Mom was very pleased with the party, the guests surprised her, and she loved all the other little surprises (a memory book, DVD of pictures through the years, and a hotel in Dallas).
I cannot say we would do this again, but I did love seeing her so happy.



Mom now and at 18 months in front of her cake.

"I want to pick it out..."

Joshua and I went shopping for Mimi's birthday, back in April. We picked out a nice shirt and then it was on to the card and wrapping paper. I would not have picked out the robot paper for Mimi's birthday, but why argue with a 3 year old. It made the gift all that more special.
The card Joshua picked out, from him and Andrew, was a Wiggles card. I had him put back the "You are 3 today" card. The Wiggles card is sentimental because Mimi and Grampie take Joshua to see the Wiggles when they are in town. Side note, they are coming back in August this year.
Joshua also told Mimi that she needed a soccer cake for her birthday. So, Mimi ordered her a soccer cake for her birthday. Joshua LOVED it.
Happy Birthday Mimi!


Gift in Robot paper.

Mimi's soccer birthday cake.

Joshua was very excited...he could not even look at the camera.

"JUST USE TAPE!"

The past two weeks the kids and I have been out working in the yard. I bought Joshua some gardening gloves, Diego style. I also bought me new gardening gloves. During week two my new gloves got a hole in them. Bummer! I chunked those and started using Jeff's gloves. Those got a hole in them the same day I put them on. Joshua said, "Don't worry Mom! You can just use tape to fix daddy's glove." That settles the debate. Using tape to fix everything is innate.
Hope you all are enjoying your day!