Something to do

I found out that you need to raise boys differently than girls. It took me eight years to figure that one out.

The boys (or I should say the twins, because they are not the only boys in the family anymore, but it's always what I've called them and I can't break the habit. They would prefer to be called Jocob, if I'm going to refer to both of them. Yeah, yeah, stunts their sense of individuality, blah blah blah, I've got a whole speech for that topic but we wont get into that right now.)  ;)

They are in third grade now. They get their work done quickly (when everyone has the right attitude and the day is going as planned) and they have much free time still. This, and the fact that they are getting a bit too old for most toys that, in the past, would keep them occupied for hours, is the perfect recipe for a couple of bored and miserable kids. I can't just tell them to go play and have them run off and find something to do. They end up moping or causing trouble. They need something to do.
I am planning on adding a few more assignments to their day, but not too much. I don't want to punish them for completing their work quickly by piling on more. I don't want to overwhelm them.
More importantly, they are in need something physical. I am making myself aware of tasks that I normally would do myself, things that they are capable of. And giving them activities, simple as they may be, like, "Go out and play ball."
"But, that's boring."
"I don't care. Do it anyway."
They grumbled about it, dragged their feet, but finally went out to play. A few minutes later, I checked on them and they were throwing the ball back and forth, laughing and loving every minute of it. They played for a long time, and when they were finished, they were happy for the rest of the afternoon. A little fresh air and exercise does a spirit good.

Raking leaves is a big job at our house. There has not been one year since we've lived here that it has ever been completed. But as big of a task it is, I set my boys to it. Their job is to move two wheelbarrow loads each a day. It wont get all done, and I don't care. The important thing is not weather the leaves get raked up or not, it's about giving them a rewarding task.

"Good night. Don't step on your brother."

This is where we find him every night. He begins in his bed. But he doesn't stay there long. Every night, I go up and there he is, sometimes naked, sometimes with a new outfit on, sometimes with a book on his lap, sometimes toys set up in interesting ways around him. The girls go up first, and he is usually still awake. He protests to them closing their door, which they have to or he will be in there goofing around. I think that's why he wants to be in the hallway; to be close to the girls room. Several times I find him sleeping with his hand up against their door. It's kind of sad.

"Don't skwish my monkey." He tells Courtney about his pillow pet which he has placed on their threshold.

I put him back into his bed several times a night. I'm not sure how long he stays there because the next time I wake up, there he is, back on the floor. I guess I should just leave him there.

I wish I lived here

It really is this beautiful. Courtney's interest has spurred me on, and we have spent more time with our horse this summer/fall than I have in many years.

Smile nice for me!

15

I don't have many photos of her. She will allow me to if I ask, but certainly not willingly. But, because it's her birthday, and I've never had a fifteen year old before, she humored me with a mini photo shoot.

How did I ever get blessed with such beautiful children?

We got it

I thought we could avoid it. Everyone around us has had something; bronchitis, colds, stomach bug, hand foot & mouth, I've heard all these things mentioned here and there and I was feeling a bit proud of ourselves, being so healthy and immune.

Courtney spent a few days couch bound, then one night I came downstairs and saw that Grace had joined her in misery.
 I spent a bit of "sicky" time with her. We turn on the TV and watch stupid shows, snuggle and talk. For the girls, we watch Say Yes to the Dress or Hoarders or something that normally doesn't make it to our family TV hour. You know, something real enriching and educational. But for Grace there was not a thing on for a four year old girl. So we ended up watching Spongebob (but it's a secret so don't tell anyone.) And for as sick as she was, that girl can talk. We discussed Christmas and puppies and why Spongebob is a really stupid show. All kinds of important things.

"But don't grab my neck. that berry hurts. You have to be careful with me."
"But mommy, sick people stay out of bed." That's right. Sick people get to do a lot of things that they don't do when they're well. Like sleep on the couch. Or the floor. Where ever is comfortable.