GOOD TIMES WITH THE GIRLS AND LITTLE BOYS!

Since December I had been working on a trip to Breckenridge, CO. I love CO in the summer! You can do so many fun activities...hiking, biking, water rafting, horse back riding, being out in the fresh air all day, relaxing on the patio while reading a book just to name a few. So, I was excited that the trip was planned to go to CO in June with two friends and their children, Meredith Braaten and Emily Rissmiller.


The girls and I made a plan of to do's before we left...most everything went as planned. We flew out on a Monday. Altough there was a close call of missing the flight by one of the girls, we made it to Denver. All the boys had fun on the flight and I think they had to replace the shade to our window seat since Joshua would not stop lifting it up and down...he also tried to direct Cade to shut his window often. Tuesday we went hiking at Turqoise Lake. Although the lake was very low (I have hiked the lake before later in the summer when all snow has melted and filled the lake, much more beautiful), the mountains were beautiful and the hike was nice. We ended the hike 30 minutes in due to a bridge that was out, but a blessing in disguise since the boys that were walking (Joshua and Cade) were ready to get back. They enjoyed leading us through the hike. However, throwing rocks into the lake was much more fun. Wednesday we rode the Georgetown Loop Railroad and picnicked at the local park. Again, a big machine thrilled the boys. If they were given the chance to toot the whistle we would have been there all day. We hiked into town on Thursday with intentions to shop and go to Peak 8 for some put-put and a big slide down the mountain. Our plan changed when Cole was pushed off the slide at the Welcome Center playground. Cole fell about 3 foot and hit his head. After medical attention Cole turned out to be fine and all mom's rode the bus and hiked back up to the house to have a few drinks. All the boys still seemed to enjoy themselves and were completely pooped by the end of the day. Friday was spent relaxing and preparing for our flight back home where very excited Daddy's waited at the airport. I think the trip was great fun and I would love to do it again...Dad's would be great to have there as well!


Now, you have to remember that children can change your life...having young children and no sitter limited the activities on this trip (time was an issue too). However, I found a new joy...seeing my children love the fresh CO air and enjoy some of the activities that I do.

Thank you Dave and Lynda (Jeff's parents) for the use of your home in CO. Good times and memories were made...

SPLISH SPLASH

I decided to buy season tickets to Hawaiian Falls this year for two reasons. One, Meredith talked me into it so that we could meet her and Cade. Two, for moments like you will see in the pictures below.
The boys and I went to Hawaiian Falls on Wednesday. We got there when the park opened...then left an hour later due to the alarm at my house going off...went back to the park once we checked the house out, false alarm (thankfully the Garland location is only 15 minutes away). We stayed a total of 3 hours.
Joshua could not wait to get in the water. However, I threatened him with leaving the park (yea season passes) if he did not do three things. First, he had to keep his hat on at all times. Second, he had to have sunscreen on at all times. Finally, he had to listen to me, I was not going to tell him more than once. He took the threat seariously. I tell you, when your child listens to you life is so much better!
We started out at Keiki Kove. It is an area of the park for ages 12 and under. It has slides and water coming at you from every direction. The water was VERY COLD...Andrew did not like the water at first. It took him a few minutes sitting the water to get comfortable. The COLD water will be awesome as the summer gets hotter. Then we went to Waikiki Beach. This is a large wave pool. It starts out shallow and gets deeper the further in you go, like a beach. The waves are pretty strong. Joshua did not like the waves once the water got to his waist. Andrew held on tight to me, but laughed with Joshua and I every time the wave hit us. After the wave pool we went to Kona Kooler. This is the lazy river. We wanted to know how many people could fit on one innertube...we know three of us can fit and still float nicely through the river with a few spins here and there. Maybe we will see if four can fit when Jeff goes, or when we catch the Braaten's there. We ended the day back at Keiki Kove. Joshua loved the little slide and seemed to find friends each time.



Joshua did not want to waste time taking a picture...Andrew liked it by this time.

The water was pretty high for Joshua...splish, splash in his face every time.

Cheesing at the bottom of the slide.

Note to self: Be sure to ask Jeff to put sunscreen on my back where I cannot reach next time. If anyone wants to go give me a call...

PERFECTION!!!?

We all know that I am not the perfect house keeper. I do not mop daily and if I need to be somewhere in the morning or I am just having a bad day my bed does not get made. However, since we have started Joshua's 'Daily Chart' he and I have made his bed all but one day (we were rushing to get out of here since we were late for a lunch).
The last two days he has decided he wants to make his bed all on his own. I cannot argue with that. In fact, that was the point of the 'Daily Chart'. One day I wanted him to get to the point where he does each thing by himself. I encourage and teach him how and why we do these things. However, I am having some issues personally with him making his bed on his own...it is not 'perfect'! I do watch him and encourage him to make his bed and let him do it on his own, without correcting anything. It is very hard. My skin crawls knowing that his sheets are not straight under his blanket. It takes everything I have to not go behind him and do it myself...I might as well tell him,"you are not good enough" if I do.
I have decided to blog about it so that we could get some words of encouragement that it is okay to be wrinkled...it is okay to give him kudos (sp?) for doing it on his own and doing the best job he can do right now...wrinkled bed now (made) does not result in unkept house as he gets older.



Joshua in the process of making his bed...his sheet is very wrinkled and I am beginning to shake...

Ahhh! I am relaxed now it is straight...I do not normally and will not go behind him and correct him...this was for picture purposes.

Joshua finished making his bed...all wrinkled and sideways...I have just got to walk out of the room and give him a high 5 for doing it on his own!

Ahhh! Nice and neat...after looking at the pictures I had to go back in his room and straighten the pillow on the right that is a bit wrinkled.

I am not OCD, really! If I cannot do it perfectly I usually do not do it is the only problem.

"@#$%" 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.