Oh so obvious...

Ok, one of the doctors just said this, and it makes so much sense!

Store poison control number in your cell phone!

Maybe I am the only one, but every time the pedi asks me if I have emergency numbers posted, I say yes, and I am totally lying. So, now, since my cell phone might as well be an extra appendage, I am going to store all those handy numbers.

I also have not updated my ICE numbers, you may want to do that, too, if you need to!
(In Case of Emergency...ICE, authorities are able to look up ICE on your phone and immediately call you emergency contact).

Home remedies

Share some of your home remedies with us!

The Doctors

I like the show the Doctors, and if I am lucky and my kids are napping at that time, I get to watch it. They just talked about some home remedies that I thought were worth sharing.

Bee sting: NEVER USE TWEEZERS (I did not know that.) Use a credit card to scrape the area to get out the stinger. Wrap bacon (raw) on it to take out poison.

Pink eye/ eye infection: breast milk (well, if you are lactating!)

Planter's Wart: Old nail polish; cover entire area, wait a few days, and take off polish by picking at it and wart comes off, too! Little boy said it tickled when his mom did it!

Fever: Soak rag in egg whites, wrap foot, put sock on, go to bed, fever in reduced very quickly

Diaper rash: breast milk/ liquid antacid

Just thought I would share!

12 is too many!

Today I went though all our toys we own. This is actually not the first time I have done this this year. I hate to admit that probably 6 months ago I gave a ton of toys to some friends and also to our church nursery. And still Avery had 12 baby dolls, thanks to grandmas, which is a whole other issue. In my opinion 12 is too many. She picked half to keep and we are giving away the other half. Any of you know of a good place I can take Avery to donate her baby dolls? I was actually hoping for a place that she can actually physically give the dolls to either less fortunate or ill little girls. 

If I can't find a place, do any of your little girls need a baby doll??

preschool and parties?

I hate to be a scrooge but this has been bugging me and I don't know if this is how it is suppose to be or not. I kind of feel like I am the only parent who finds it to be ridiculous and honestly am ANNOYED.

Here's the thing. I signed up to be a room mom for Avery's preschool class to discover that we were going to be party planners. For some reason I guess I thought we'd be helping in other ways. So, we planned a fall party the week of Halloween...took cute picture on the play ground, moved to the class room and had four stations with a snack, game, and two crafts. The other room mom's did most of the work, not because I wasn't willing but because well...they just did. Since then we had two teachers birthdays and cupcakes for Thanksgiving. (thank goodness the other room moms agreed to not do another party or what they were calling a "feast") Now they are planning a Christmas Party in which they are asking for everyone to give $5 for a gift to the teachers and a wrapped book for a exchange. Oh, and last week I just sent $8 to school for a Christmas keepsake they are making in class.

To the point. I am paying a hefty sum of money to have Avery attend 8 hours of preschool a week. I think all the extra fluff (or parties) are totally unnecessary. Do I keep my mouth shut and go along (be a sheep) with the rest of the class? I also can't decide if I am just being sour and a little annoyed at the other room moms for taking over all the responsibilities. I finally told them, in a nice way, they could be the two room moms and I'd help only if they wanted or needed me to(haven't heard from them since). Are all preschools like this with parties and stuff?

Fun

I wanted to share this about me. This is my daughter. As you can see she is loving and wants to have fun. But, she can also make a mess. Please disregard the messy house in the background. I was trying to straighten up that day but the kids kept doing funny stuff so i just forgot about cleaning and pulled out the camera! Enjoy!

Bekah is always wanting to do everything that her brother does. She got her chance this evening. Her brother let her wear his baseball uniform. She was so cute!




But after this cute moment, we had disaster!



They loaded the bath tub and decided the toys needed a bath. I got to them just in time. Bekah was in the tub and turned the water on. Not everything was soaked, just a few things. Her pillow was also in there, she had taken it out when she realized that she did a big no-no! I think she even had the hand soap! I just had to get the camera!

The Woman GOD expects me to be.

I have been reading the posts about what we are "expected" to be. First off, I want to point out that I am not an LDS member. I say this only because I just want you all to realize that as a woman, mother, wife, etc., I am no different. I have been working on a Bible study with several other women in my church that focuses on the Proverbs 31 woman. Before I began this study I thought that in order for me to be "right" I had to do everything she did all of the time. This is so NOT true! Yes, she purchased a field, she made her clothes (and very beautiful I might add), she was involved in charities, she was never idle, blah, blah, blah! But one thing that stands out to me is that she feared the Lord. Not a fear that means "AHHH I am so scared!" but reverence. No where in this passage does it say that she did all of these things daily! The most important thing in her life was her relationship with her Lord, her Heavenly Father.
As women, whether we work outside the home or work inside the home (that includes raising children, cleaning house, keeping our sanity), we need to remember that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made!" Each of us have different "seasons" in our life. My season right now is trying to juggle working, keeping my home happy, and guiding my strong-willed 3 year old daughter into the woman that God intends her to be. Your seasons are different than mine. But we were all made by a God that makes only glorious creations! OK...my point? This is what God has placed in our path for right now. In a year or two it may change, but for now, we get to watch our children go through potty training, runny noses, food in the hair, and poo on the walls. All the while being thankful that they are creative, curious, loving, and energetic. We are so blessed as mothers!

Follow-up to Mary's Post

Again, this is the reason that I started this blog. It is for ALL mothers, to help us make it through another day. The problem is, LDS mothers are so hard on themselves as we try to live up to ridiculous expectations. I was "blog-stalking" last night trying to get a glimpse into some other mom's days that are not LDS. I was shocked at what I found. We are all so much more alike than we like to admit. We are WAY too hard on ourselves. Here is an excerpt from a blog, I hope she doesn't mind me borrowing it.

Its 8:30pm and all the kids are in bed. Ahhhhh...
What a day! Here's a running total of what my day consisted of.
WARNING - Some parts may, well, OK, gross you out. I apologize in advance.
Now, where to start?

Slept in 20 extra minutes. Felt guilty for about 2 seconds.
Saw the husband off, and after realizing it was my fifth day cooped up in the house (with three bored kids) felt really jealous HE was going to work.
Wondered if his boss might recognize me in Sam's work attire.
First words out of kids mouths were "Moooooommm, we're hungry!"
Had to change the baby right away since our beloved (blasted) cloth diapers we've used since birth do NOT keep him dry overnight and he wakes up SOAKED each morning (still love em' but this sorely annoys me).
Walked in the kitchen, surveyed the dishes stacked up from all the extra cooking I've been doing this week (kids can only eat "soft" things like eggs, beans, soup, all things which require using every pot and pan in the house, of course) and having serious imaginations of whether or not Mary Poppins is real and how I can get her to magically appear at any moment.
(POOF! Dishes Gone!)
Decided to make pancakes - and use up another pan for me to clean later...gggrrrrrr....
Kids able to somehow choke down - (they were begging! Just how long CAN you go without any real GOOD food?)
Watched Justice annihilate his share and when he was through announce it by pummeling the remainder at our heads.
Changed Justice again.
Still had a nasty diaper rash so I let him run naked to air dry it.
BAD BAD BAD decision.
Run a bath for kids.
Come around the corner to find Justice playing with something I do not recognize. That is brown. And his pudgy little fingers are squishing. Yuck.
It's emergency bath time for Justice.
Next we have the "Moooooommmm, we're boooooored!!!!".
I have the next 12 hours to find entertaining, stimulating things for my blessed little ducklings to do with their time.
That they've already exhausted days ago.
Help.
We do a project that consists of them writing down what they are thankful for this year to be read at Thanksgiving.
Thank God my name is on it.
Oh yeah.
Clean up Justice's naked accident.
Try not to gag.
And yes- in that order.
That's what kind of day it's been.
I break up fights. Many fights. Yes, they still fight even after a surgery.
I know, I was hoping.
Bath time for girls.
Nap time for Justice.
Work out time for me.
If you can call it that.
Get interrupted halfway through by some halfway dry girls who decide to crash my exercise party.
But I tried and did get to sweat, I guess...a little...
Lunch time. More soup.
We're out of eggs. Thank God.
Put on the movie "Cars".
Girls and I seriously rock out to the song "Life Is A Highway".
I do laundry and somehow begin the process of three days worth of dishes.
You know it's bad when you have to use the word "process!"
Oh, it's 4:00pm and I'm still unshowered and in my pajamas.
REALLY hoping no one to decides to just "drop by".
Play one round of "Sorry", 6 or 7 rounds of "Guess Who", and play Hangman and Tic Tac Toe til' my eyes are blurry.
Feel guilty that Justice is spending more time than usual in the swing these days.
Bad mother. Very bad mother.
Give him another round of crackers -while he giggles at Bear In The Big Blue House - Potty Training Edition.
Hoping it sinks in.
Finish "process" of dishes.
Put Justice down for second nap.
Take my first shower for the day.
Wondering what the point is since it's already almost over.
Realize I use this excuse too often.
Reluctantly take the shower.
Thinking about what to make for dinner that is soft.
Decide on spaghetti - (will later make eggs for girls when hubby "surprises me" with more).
Still in my towel when somebody does surprise to "drop by" bearing gifts and cards for the girls.
Uh-oh.
Thank God its my neighbor, who's a mom and a woman, and sadly, this is not the first time she has seen me answer the door like this.
Face - very, very red.
Before husband comes home, I slow dance with my son to one of my favorite songs off one of my Christmas CD's.
I watch him intensely as he runs throughout the house with a huge smile sprawled across his face so proud of himself. Just learned to climb the coffee table and the couch. Naked. (I know - I'm brave).
He's growing up so fast.
Misty eyed mom.
I peer into the living room where my girls are playing quietly together singing to an old VBS CD about Jesus looking so sweet and small.
Misty eyed again.
I do a final straightening up of the house, light some candles, primp before "the man" gets home.
Hoping he thinks we all looked like this the whole day.
I make dinner and have it ready by the time he walks in the door.
We eat dinner, watch a movie all snuggled up on the couch together, eat too much Halloween candy, put kids to bed.
Now getting ready for "our" time together for the evening.
And I realize:
There is nothing else I would have rather done today in the entire world.

**she finishes with sweet pics of her beautiful children.

Holiday Traditions-Katie

It's been quite awhile since I've been on here. HI to all those I've not met yet. I liked reading everyone's traditions. Sorry if my post is so long. We have a lot of wonderful traditions, but these are a few of my favorites.

Each year the kids get an ornament and we also do a family one.

We put up our Christmas tree the weekend of Thanksgiving, though this year Bryce and I decorated the tree the monday prior to Thanksgiving, something I swore I'd never do.

Every year I hang up our Christmas lights outside and Bryce is the one that helps me.

Each year we as a family donate to various organizations who give to the needy. Usually money that we would "spend" on each other (Bryan and I) is put towards giving to others. We also get the kids involved. This is something I grew up doing and it's something that Bryce loves doing every year. We did this last week and Bryce was so excited to do this. Some organizations take gently used and new items and we also go through all the toys that haven't been played with and are in brand new condition and donate them. It's fun getting the kids involved, because even at 4 yrs old Bryce understands the meaning of giving and he enjoys it. Something we started last year was only giving the kids three gifts. Friends of ours do this w/ their kids and we liked the idea. They told their older kids that Jesus only gets three gifts, why should they get more than Jesus got. I liked the idea of doing three gifts, as the Savior received three gifts. Plus kids don't need that much stuff anyways. Mine at least don't. Limiting the gifts to three allows us to get some gifts they'll put to good use and actually play with. Plus they get spoiled by their Grandparents and Aunts and Uncles. It puts more joy in the season as we're not out trying to all these little gifts for them and making sure they get everything they want.

Every year we do PJs, which is something we've already done since I was little. We all get our new PJ's on Christmas Eve.

The year that Bryleigh was born we started doing a family gift centered around the Savior. We add something Christ like to our home each Christmas. One year it was a collage of Simon Dewey's pictures framed and matted, which now hangs above our mantle. Last year it was a wonderful book and CD with songs about the Savior and this year we added some pieces that go with the Willow Tree nativity pieces we have. It's fun adding Christ like gifts that we can leave have out around our home all year long.

Expectations

I know not everyone who reads or contributes to Happy Mommy belongs to the LDS church, so I am sorry if this is way off base for you, but maybe it's not? Do any of you feel a little or well a lot of expectations from life. I brought up the LDS church because for a some time I have felt bogged down and almost insanely anxious and nervous attending church and other functions. I have come to the realization that I feel this way because I feel pressure to say, do, act, and BE a certain way as a LDS member. I may be going into paranoia here but I almost feel like I am being watched and scrutinized. Watched to BE this certain way. The expectation is definitely there. An expectation to be a great faithful mother/homemaker, wife, daughter of God...

I have made some new friends with my neighbors and one particular neighbor that is becoming a very good friend. They are not LDS. Over the last week or two I have been out with them on a girls night and also on a date night for her birthday. I have noticed a huge difference when I am around them and around my church friends. No expectation. Ok, not all my church friends make me go into a anxiety attack (I am exaggerating) but when it becomes a bigger group I guard up a little. I feel an instant pressure from the expectation to BE someone. I don't even know this someone I am suppose to BE. Whoever SHE is I am not HER. If I am not HER than I am not sure what will happen.

Maybe I am just a little crazy?

Holiday Traditions/ Laurie

My family always puts our Christmas tree up the weekend after Thanksgiving. Each year we make a new ornament to put on the tree using Pete's woodworking tools and paint. I let the children hang the ornaments and take part in the holiday decorating. We also each get a "special" ornament each year to hang on the tree. I still have my special ornaments from childhood, and we want our children to have a collection of ornaments they can take with them when they grow up and leave our house. Hopefully they will serve as reminders of some particular year, like in 2000 we had a special millenium ornament. Some are picture ornaments and there are also many that they made in preschool that we still get out each year and hang on the tree. It always brings a feeling of nostalgia to us as we drink our warm apple cider and watch the pretty lights on our tree decorated with love and care.

Family Christmas...Maren

Well my family doesn't have too many traditions but we do have a couple.

We ALWAYS set up the tree the day after Thanksgiving. I think Holidays should be done in order!!

We normally take Braydon to see Santa after Thanksgiving also but this year we had to do it a little earlier since Ryan and I started new jobs and don't know when we will both have the same day off that we can go! Braydon was actually very excited to see Santa this year! It was a lot of fun!

We also open one present Christmas Eve. Since Braydon was born we have done PJs, but I am looking for another idea for Christmas Eve. Braydon outgrowns the PJs so fast. If you have any ideas please comment!

After we have opened our presents we head over to Ryan's parents house to do Christmas with them. We then spend the day there with all the family.

We pick names in Ryan's family instead of buying a present for each person. It makes it so much easier and a lot more fun to get something big for them instead of something small. We also do this in my family but this year we are not due to hurricane Ike and the financial burden it had on all of us here in TX.

We also go out on Christmas Eve and look at Christmas lights. This is something that was passed on through my family. We always went out and you know the blinking red lights for the airplanes..well my parents would tell me it was Rudolph so we had to go home!!

I would like to start some more traditions but I need some ideas. I am looking forward to reading all the traditions that other people have!!!

Christmas Traditions - Micha

For my children's first Christmas's I bought the traditional 1st Christmas ornament. It has sort of stuck. Every year I buy a new ornament for them. I try to find one that reflects what they are into at that moment. I plan on buying one for each of them each Christmas and then give them as a wedding gift when my children marry. This way they have memories and a full Christmas tree for their first Christmas!

Feel free to tell us your holiday traditions. Either as a post, or a comment to another one, and I will make it a post. It is fun hearing what everyone else does!!

Holiday traditions...Mary

We go and buy a family ornament every year, slowly our tree is fulling up. We have done this since Jess and I were engaged.

Last year was the first real year we bought everyone PJs and I want to continue doing that.

I'd like to start a tradition more centered around Jesus but have not been successful in doing so yet. With both families from each side taking our christmas eve and day we don't get that much christmas time alone.

I like yours, Amy I may need to do that.

Holiday traditions...Amy

Well, you already know our extended family traditions. When Coult and I were first married, we didn't have very many tree ornaments or much money to buy any, so we bought those really yummy candy canes (cherry, strawberry, etc) and used them to decorate our tree. Over the years we have collected enough ornaments that we know longer need the candy canes, but Natalie and Lily still insist that we buy them every year and put them on the tree. We also enjoy baking cookies together and then secretly leaving them on the door-step of some of our friends. It's so much fun trying to get away without being seen! A couple of years ago we started a new tradition. We were trying to help our family to remember the true meaning of Christmas. Mom had given us a little manger and some straw that she got from somewhere and an activity that went with it. Basically, you put out the manger and a bag of straw and as each person in the family does a good deed for someone else in the family, they add a piece of straw to the manger to make it soft for baby Jesus. I was surprised at how much even Lily got into this. Everyone in the family was constantly looking for nice things they could do for others so that we could get the manger as soft as we could before Christmas. It really helped us remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Holiday traditions...Holli

We have several traditions. We put our Christmas decor up the day after Thanksgiving (as soon as I recoup from Black Friday shopping). Shortly thereafter, we also make the trek out to visit Santa Claus.

On Christmas Eve, we open one present, which is always new pajamas. And, I make some sort of breakfast casserole the night before. We pop it in the oven as soon as everyone starts to wake up Christmas morning, and then by the time we're done opening presnets... voila! Breakfast is already ready.

We have several other mini-traditions... we always make cookies together (usually the FHE before Christmas), we go shopping together, and we always do some sort of service together (secret Santa sort of thing).

Mystery solved!

Have you ever wondered why your children go to your side of the bed at night or in the morning when they need something? Why do they pass right by their dad (even if his side of the bed is closer to the door)and go straight to mom? If you set up an obstacle course on the way to mom and left dad's way clear, they would still go to mom. LOL Well, apparently it's because "Dad is more tired than you, Mom." At least, that's what Lily told me the other morning. LOL Yep, I flat out asked her why she always comes to me and that was her answer. Out of the mouths of babes, huh? Coult really got a laugh out of that, let me tell you. Anyway, I didn't want you all to continue waiting for an answer to this age-old mystery. So I thought I better share it with the rest of you. Mystery solved.

Holiday traditions...

Our little family is still fairly new, but we started one tradition last year. The Monday after Thanksgiving, all fall decor comes down, and tree and all Christmas decor goes up. I thought of waiting until after Tye's birthday (8th), but Michael loves Christmas and would probably keep decorations up all year. After working retail for so many Christmases, I am just now starting to like the season again, another reason for the early decorating (hopes that it will put me in the spirit).

What are some of your family traditions for the holidays? Also, feel free to post holiday pics of your kids if you would like!

Momma's babies...

So, somehow, I have created 2 serious "mama's babies." They love their dad, too, but it is almost out of control how much they need to sit with me, hold me, be with me. (Does that sound bad??) It is not that I don't want to ever hold my kids, but during the day, when one wants to sit with me, so does the other, and it turns into a horrible mess, with me frustrated and making them both get off of me. When I take them other places, they cling on me like someone is going to steal them away from me. We have a loft upstairs with countless toys, and a tv, yet, they still have to be where I am. Toys trickle down the stairs, blankets, pillows, and whatever else, and before I know it, the downstairs is a HUGE MESS! How can I get some time to myself?? Why do they not want to play with any toys? I am telling you, I think I am not bringing anymore toys in this house. (Ok, maybe not really, but wouldn't that be nice??)

Am I just being selfish? See, I think this is why I want to work outside the home..for me time, but then what happens when I come home after being gone all day?????????

picky, independent, spoiled

First off, I am sorry for all the posts I have been making. All of you must think I am irritated and yelling at my kids all day. Which I do have those days and they feel often sometimes but we do have a lot of fun times too. At least that is what I keep telling myself.

This morning Avery and I had one of those mornings...again. I feel really upset about it for a couple of reasons. One, I feel bad that for some reason I just can not handle her independence when it comes to getting dressed. Two, I do feel a little irritated and justified in feeling so. Third, kids have a way of putting you in your place, innocently and then telling everyone about it.

For quite some time now Avery has been really picky when it comes to her clothing. I have come to the resort of she can dress herself because I just can't handle trying to help her and always fighting about it. I often get asked "Did Avery dress herself today?" That should give you some ideas as to what she puts on. And frankly I do not care much because I feel relieved that I didn't have to help, argue, or deal with a fit. So, I let her wear a white dress with yellow flowers that looks to fancy for the park, a pink jacket, red socks, and pink sneakers. It's all good.

I have also come to the resort that I can not shop for her either. That is just how picky she is. A couple of weeks ago I went shopping without her and bought her a sweater dress. I thought it was good because it was a dress. But nope she will not wear it. (all of a sudden she does not like the color grey-where did that come from?) Nor will she wear any of the jeans that are brand new with tags on and everything hanging in her closet. I can't return them because I bought them at the end of last season when they were clearanced. What a waste. She is going to have a reality check once we can no longer afford new clothes for her. (I know I am a little irritated with the situation, I just can't help but think she is so spoiled and we are looking into a recession that our family is feeling, frustrating.)

Back to getting dressed...it's all good...

Until we are on a time crunch. This morning I actually let her pick out Ady's clothes too. It made her happy. I did something right this morning. I have asked Avery to get dress for 15 minutes. She wants me to help. Pick two underwear's out, she picks one out of the two. Whoa, that worked, what a relief. I pick two outfits. (Jess' suggestion) Present them to her, pick one of the two. Nope, not good enough. Here comes the fit, laying on the floor, you know the drill... "I want a pink dress." There isn't one, well one that is too fancy for school, I do have to draw the line sometimes. I just get up and say "fine, dress yourself." (not all that calmly I must sadly admit) Avery continues throwing her fit and cries more. I go downstairs to do the other things to get us all ready to take her to school...make her lunch, feed Ady breakfast, ect... I am down stairs thinking... Why don't I just take her out of preschool? This is not worth it. Then I come to realize next year she'll be in Kindergarden...that will not be an option. What will next year be like at 6am!?!

Back upstairs I go. Avery is waiting for me. "Mom, you hurt my feelings." There is the innocent putting me into my place. "I am sorry." I give her hugs. We talk about it, much calmer now. I say "I feel frustrated and upset that you won't get dressed. Why?" reply "Because I don't like anyone else picking out my clothes." well, why did she ask for help? I wonder. "That is fine, I said you could go pick out your own outfit." Avery gets dressed, she does initially go for the fancy pink dress, but then picks a blue one with white polka dots. Then we go brush her hair and teeth. I put a blue flower in her hair. "I don't like blue." Breath. Close eyes take deep breaths. Avery is wearing a blue dress, what is she talking about? I say "That's fine."and she ends up forgetting about the flower by the time we finish brushing her teeth. 

I drop her off at school and she tells her teacher and friend, the only ones present at the time. "My mommy was being mean to me." Again with the putting me in my place. I couldn't help but cry when I got the the car. Even now I am tearing up. What is the big deal? Why is getting dress such a big problem? Why can I absolutely not handle it? Gosh, What is wrong with me? It's not a big deal. I should be able to handle this. Why does Avery have to be so picky and independent? Why does it drive me nuts, out of my mind, pull out your hair crazy. I never thought I was bent on being in control but WOW is this something I've got to let go of. I wonder does Avery act so picky and independent because that's her personality or because of my reactions? Maybe a little of both, I know without a doubt she does have the independence trait. 

I need to get a grip, that is also without a doubt.

"I don't love you."

Another little problem we are having these days are these four words coming out of Avery's mouth. "I don't love you." They are about 99.9% of the time directed at me. Pretty much anytime she gets into trouble or does not like something that is what she tells me. I remember a friend telling me about her daughter doing this exact thing, Avery was an infant at the time. Gosh, I remember thinking her daughter was so cute and funny. She told me "just wait till it's you." Man, was she RIGHT! It may seem funny and cute but it really sucks hearing it everyday and many times a day. I usually just reply "I am sorry you feel that way, I love you a lot." You would think that would change her attitude but nope usually she just tells me "Well, I don't love you." or better yet she will then add she only loves her Dad. (Daddy's girl) Jess and I have both talked to her together and individually about how saying things of this sort makes people feel sad and hurt. No luck thus far. Early this week I really was at the end of my rope with it. Trying to cook, having an 'ink incident' in full force, after asked Avery numerous times to please put the stamps and ink away, and those four words coming out of her mouth threw me right off my ledge. I was so mad..."Stop telling me that every time you don't like something I do and go sit in time out right now!" **SIGH** I wish I could cut those words right out of her vocabulary...

"Liar, Liar, pants on fire!"

Our little Avery who is four has started to tell lies. We have had numerous small instances over the last month or so. Today I realized it is becoming a problem...I left her and Ady for a few minutes and when I came back Ady had marker colored all over her face and arms. I asked what happened and who colored all over Ady. Avery immediately said Ady did it to herself, but guess who was holding the open marker in her hands...Avery. Which you could say Avery took the marker away from Ady but with all the marks on Ady's face they just could not have been self inflicted by a 17 month old with no hand gripping coordination. I asked Avery again who colored with marker all over Ady? This time the answer was one of her friends, I asked a third time, telling Avery to be honest. Once again the answer changed and she actually named a friend...who unfortunately for Avery was not present at the time(we were home alone). I placed Avery in time out. I talked with Avery about not coloring on Ady then expressed that we never tell lies or make up stories. I really doubt the message got though, since  for one it caught me off guard I don't think I did my best in this instance and two I had to direct Avery's attention to me talking to her a few times...I think it may be time for a FHE on lies and honesty. Any good stories or ideas to help me teach Avery about being honest.

Pre-teens, email, Facebook....

So, I was wondering about everyone's thought on a 12 year old having an email address. I know that I tend to be over-protective of Natalie because it's hard for me to believe that she's almost 12. I'm the secretary for our ward Young Women and I've been compiling their email addresses so that the Pres. can send them weekly calendar reminders. I was shocked to find that all the Beehives (including 12 year olds) have email addresses. I always thought that would be too young of an age. I also found out that there are several 11-12 yr olds in our ward that have Facebook. And these girls are from good families who seem to be up on safety, etc. Am I being a fuddy-duddy if I don't feel comfortable with Natalie having an email address, etc at this age? She is still so innocent and I'm trying to protect that as long as I can. I know she is going to be exposed to things that I don't approve up, but the later that happens, the better. We have talked with her about internet safety and all that, but it still makes me nervous. I mean, I have the strongest filter on my hotmail account, but I still get some porno emails in my junk mail file. This whole "growing up" thing really scares me. Natalie is at that awkward age where she's not quite sure if she wants to be a child or a pre-teen. It's very confusing for her and for us. I know there are a couple of moms here that have older children or who have raised their families already. Do you have any advice for me?

Blender help

I need a new blender and am not good about 'doing homework' on these sort of things. I really covet the Vitamix blender but it's WAY outside my budget. Any good reviews, ideas, or reports to help me find out what blender to buy.