Hair, Ewww!

Today we woke up late for Gymboree, a half an hour before we were supposed to be out the door. The place is so far & with traffic being so unpredictable at times, every single second counts. Fortunately, my husband was with us this morning & we immediately snapped into tag team mode. In approximately 25 minutes we had all kids dressed, fed, ourselves ready, diaper bags packed (we roll with 3 these days),  bottles made, potty breaks completed, & everything was loaded up in the car & we were pulling out of the driveway. I was just amazed! I guess that's what comes with practicing it day in & day out, when crunch time comes all the hard work you have put in comes shining through.

Anyway, it approximately 8:30 in the morning or so & we were all still kind of in wake up mode when suddenly Aidann start yelling so high pitched that I felt like I had just been given the ultimate shot of caffeine! I whipped around sooo fast in my chair to see what could possibly be the matter. "Hair, hair! Get it off please, MOMMY!!!". She was desperately grabbing at her arm hair literally trying to rip it out lol. She is extremely fair skinned & has that really blonde body hair so I guess she never noticed it before until just now as the sun was hitting it, making it "glow". It took me a lil' while, but I soon got her to forget about the hair.

She absolutely has this thing against hair. When she finds 1 of her lil' sister's curly hairs swimming around in the bathtub, she tries to put it back into Asher's head-"Gross. Stop letting go of your hair, Ashy". We will definitely get past this stage, but until then.....

-M&M Momma

Yesterday

Waiting patiently at Gymboree

Watching Asher's class

Telling her
teacher what she
bought at the pretend
store

Playing store at Gymboree
Buying her food.

Loving it!

Hummer.
Does it get any more cute for lil' girls?

UPDATES!

Updated "2 Do in AZ"& "Fun 4 Lil' Ones"
-M&M Momma

More Than Just Cereal in the Breakfast Aisle

While shopping with the girls recently, we finally turned down the breakfast aisle where we came across this 4 or 5 year old boy throwing the biggest tantrum I have seen in awhile. This child had "decided" that he no longer wanted to sit in the cart, he didn't want to be carried around, & he also didn't feel like walking. His sister, who must have been 8 years old, was absolutely petrified with embarrassment! The mom tried coddling him, using her stern voice (followed by no real action of discipline), & then eventually resorted to begging him to work with her & please straighten up. The boy kicked & screamed, went dead weight, the whole 9.

My 1st instinct was to immediately turn my cart around, lil' girls & all, & head out of the aisle so that my kids wouldn't have to see it. But then when I really thought about it, I decided that it was something my older girls were going to see eventually, so why not let them see it now in a more controlled way where I could explain it to them. Not every family is always going to conduct themselves under the same rules that we do. They are going to have to learn that although other kids may choose to make certain choices, it doesn't mean they can talk or act that way. It doesn't mean its okay for our family.

Immediately, I could see the great concern in both of their eyes. I think they were anticipating some type of punishment coming to the kid (that never came). After 2 or 3 minutes of no success, the mom apologized in totally overwhelmed & fed up tone & literally dragged her kid to the next aisle.

"He's making bad choices, Mommy. He needs a spanking", said Aidann. Asher started pointing at where the boy had been standing saying, "No, no...". I then took the opportunity to explain the situation to Aidann & Asher. I think they understood as much as a 1 year old & 2 year old could. It's going to take a few times for them to completely grasp this concept, but it is very important on my behalf to continue making an effort to teach them none the less. Not all families are the same & that is okay, BUT it is also as equally important that they understand there are so things accpetable & not acceptable in our family.
-M&M Momma

Wow, I Was Tired....

Man, sometimes as mommies we just don't stop long enough to realize how tired we truly are. Last night all I remember is putting the babies to bed & then going downstairs to hang out with my husband. The next thing I knew I was waking up on the couch, lights & television off, in the middle of the night. I was soooo tired. Well, somehow managed to drag myself upstairs & then knocked out again on the bed. Lol... The next thing I woke up to was my lil' blondie calling, "Mommy, Asher do no no!". And this is what I found.....

Early in the morning Asher had decided to climb into her shoe box & try every shoe on her & her princess baby. Of course I made her be responsible for her mess & choices by correcting her & having her clean it all up (but inside I was laughing, it was kind of cute waking up my busy curly top getting wild with her imagination...Once again).
-M&M Momma

Aidann, Asher, Austin's Morning Schedule

Obviously I am extremely detailed, but I have their schedule written out this way so anyone could follow & understand without confusion. Here is the Girl's morning schedule/routine that I have posted. I will get the afternoon/bedtime 1 up next. As I said, its is very detailed-lol.
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Aidann, Asher, & Austin's Morning Schedule

No matter what time Aidann & Asher wake up, they remain in their bedroom until 8am. They may play with their toys, do puzzles, or read books until it is time to get out.

When Austin wakes up (usually earlier than the girls) she may stay in her crib & play until she is hungry then take her out of the bedroom to feed her a bottle. Once the morning bottle is completed, put her in the play area set up in parents room to play (checking for potentially harmful object first) or in the play pin in the education room (check here as well).

Once it is 8am, unless their diapers require immediate attention, all girls may go downstairs for a family breakfast. They eat at their IKEA table with place mats (Don't forget bibs). Austin eats baby food in her highchair. Usually a fruit & some baby cereal.

After meal is completed, Aidann & Asher need to put their dishes in the black container & help wipe down their place mats & sweep up the floor. You may also take this time to wash up Austin at the sink and then put her in her bouncer, saucer, or on a mat with toys for tummy time will you finish supervising the older girls.

Once clean up is completed, Asher & Aidann go to downstairs bathroom (hands "glued" together) & wash their hands, face, & brush their teeth.

Next, Aidann & Asher sit on couches & watch a prerecorded episode of "Sesame Street" in living room while Austin watches "Baby Can Read" in another room off of the lap top. Sit her in her Bumbo chair or car seat. During this time take full advantage & set out their outfits for the day, get their towels ready for bath time, start a load of laundry, do any dishes, & then have 1-on-1 time with Austin when her video ends.

Once all shows are over, all 3 girls will take a bath together upstairs.

After bath time, they go to their bedroom where they will get dressed & then do their hair.

Once they are all ready, place Asher & Aidann in separate playrooms for independent play, 1st checking rooms for any potential choking hazards (check floors, briefly look over toys, make sure window cords are properly secured) & then closing the gate behind you. Austin can be read a book & then put down in a "center" (a mat or blanket with toys on it, swing, saucer, bouncer, doorway bouncer, tunnel, etc.).

After 15-20 minutes playing of Aidann and Asher playing alone, spend some 1-on-1 time with each of them (playing, doing a puzzle, reading a book, etc). Once this is completed, have them clean up their messes and then they may play together.

At about 10:15, take some time to play with all 3 girls together in a playroom until snack time/story time at the IKEA table or outside (10:35am). Include Austin in this time & feed her something appropriate for her age & allow her to listen to the story as well.

Once snack/story is completed, have girls clean up their messes, wash up in downstairs bathroom (hands "glued" if they are very messy), brush their teeth, put diapers on whoever is necessary, & then head upstairs for nap time (11am).

Older girls act like animals as they climb up the stairs. Once we reach the top, we crawl to the linen closet outside their room where we find whatever it is that animal eats (I always keep a small fishie treat or something in there to give them-1 each). For example, if we are pretending to be dogs, then the treat we find is a bone & so forth.

Aidann sleeps in play pin in the education room. She may have a toy or 2 that is not a potential choking hazard, a puzzle, or some books. Asher sleeps in her bed & is allowed to have the same in her bed. Again, I emphasize to make sure their are NO choking hazards around. Close the fence to the girl's room tightly & verify it is closed. Turn on their music. Also close the gate that leads to the stairs for extra security. If Austin had a little or no snack, take this opportunity to feed her a bottle before putting her down for a nap in parents room in her pink Boppy baby seat. Buckle her in if she is not swaddled.

During this time all the girls are supposed to go to sleep, but if they (Aidann & Asher) are not tired & choose to stay awake then they must stay in their beds reading, playing, or just relaxing until the 2 hours are completed. If Austin wakes up early, she can be placed in the play area set up in parents room to play until nap time is finished for all.

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Schedules are very important, vital even, to incorporate into our children's lives. Some may claim that by having these "strict routines" in place it will create a home where kids won't feel free/comfortable to laugh or have fun, but I would argue the very opposite to be true. When your children know what is expected of them & have a consistent routine set in place, you will actually create more happy secure & confident children that can have fun & enjoy life! You 1st establish a routine & stick to it strictly for awhile. After children learn it & find security in it, then when you alter it here & there every now & then you won't completely rock their world. Come on parents, we can do this!

-M&M Momma

 

 

Popsicles in the pool, we made them

 

 

Movie Night!

I know I said I would try to post the girl's schedules tonight, but it is going to have to wait until tomorrow. We got home late and now it is pizza, "hot" chocolate with marshmallows & movie night. The only thing my girls ever watch is Elmo, but tonight is extra special because I am going to let them watch "Cars"! For those of you who know Asher, she absolutely loves driving cars around! From the Vroooom sound to the way the wheels spin so fast as she shoots them across the tile, they had her at "Hello!".  So, no real in-depth posts tonight all. Have a safe & fun weekend & as for tomorrow remember He is in control & He always has your back!!!
-M&M Momma



Yum

Pizza still on face

Routines With Purpose!

Routines are so important, dare I even say vital, when raising lil' ones. It just makes it easier on all parties involved. BUT we need to make sure we don't just fall into routines, but instead create routines with purpose & intention.

Kids desire consistency & when they have a schedule set in place that is followed daily that they can depend on, its creates a confidence & security in them that can't be matched. Its very easy to just go day to day in survival mode & just do the bear minimum it takes to get through in 1 piece, but when you really take the time to create a routine that is both productive & flows smoothly it will really create a happy home for all.It is obvious that your kids may have "off days" that might require you to rearrange the schedule around a little bit because maybe they need extra one on one time or you have an event you need to attend, but if you are consistent to following your routine most of the time, then these temporary change won't completely rock their world. As a mom, or dad, you also know your kids really well & when you see something not working or just a need to change things around as your kiddos mature-Then do it!
I'll post my girls' routines tomorrow if you need any ideas. Well, take care & remember ROUTINES WITH PURPOSE. :) We can do it!!!
-M&M Momma