Holidays

Well with holidays upon us there are many things as parent we have to deal with.  The TV commercials and ads all over Screaming at out kids to WANT their toys, Kids Screaming at us that they HAVE to HAVE this toy, and just families screaming..oh maybe that's just my family.

So how do you deal?
I try to explain to Braxton that he cannot have everything for Christmas or there won't be any toys left for his birthday (4 months).  I have to say he is pretty good and has only changed is mind about 6 dozen times about what he wants.  We do not go overboard with Christmas because as the only Grandchild and nephew on either side of the family everyone else goes crazy enough we don't have to.

One thing I have really enjoyed this year, even though it's mean, is being able to threaten to call Santa...I know not the best parenting style but it does work and he has been behaving much better.  The only thing I am afraid of is that I am going to start threatening with the Easter Bunny on Dec 26th.

I truly hope that he enjoys his Christmas and spending time with his family, but at 3 i am sure it is still more about the toys.

Behavior issues.

So the Theatrical 3's are in full swing and more prevalent that ever in this house.  One minute he is a perfect angel who will pick up his toys without being asked, the next he is eating a graham cracker and spitting it out all over my Living room. 

He has also started calling everyone a sack of diapers and telling them he is going to kick their butt.  Today he has a friend over and they have done nothing but argue since he got here, everything his friend touches B-man screams it is his. He is yelling and crying all the time over every little thing that doesn't go his way.  When he is good you would swear this kid doesn't have a bad bone in his body, but when he is tired or in a bad mood he is like the devil spawn, I keep waiting for his head to spin.

I keep telling myself it is a phase and it too will pass, I just hope I can keep my sanity that long.

Holidayshopping

As the holidays approach the toy ads on tv and in the papers begin to increase, as does the "want" for each and every toy.  I really enjoyed the first 3 Christmases as he was too young to really understand what commercials and advertisements were all about, but Not this year.  Anytime he sees an ad for a toy on TV it's "Momma, Can have that?"  or "Momma, do you think you could bye me that?"  I have to tell him very carefully that at Christmas he will probably get some toys but he can't have them all or he would have nothing left for is Birthday or next Christmas.  At least most of the things he is interested in are still pretty little, he has not entered the phase of electronics or video games.  Now I just have to start making a list (and checking it twice) of all things he likes.

I do luck out with having a lot a of Family that truly enjoys spoiling him, so I make a list then I give a few ideas to each member of the family I also make sure that he doesn't get all toys and clothes and that there are a few educational games or books included in the mess of toys.

I hope that everyone is gearing up as the Holidays are approaching faster than ever, and it's time to be prepared for the madness that goes along with it.

the good and the bad

The one thing I really hate about being a parent is dealing with the bad stuff that makes our kids sad.  Sunday night one of our cats went missing, and Braxton asks everyday where Tiger is, and I don't have an answer for him. Then yesterday we were supposed to have a play date with one of his friends and he and his mom never showed up so Braxton was upset.  I have learned that he is a big hearted child and he takes everything very personally so it makes very hard to carefully explain upsetting things.  I just have to try to stay positive in my explanations, I told him that sometimes kitties run off but that Tiger may come back.  As far as his friend I had to say that I wasn't sure where they were and maybe his friend fell asleep and his Mommy didn't want to wake him up from a nap.  There was no other explanation for either I just hope that as he grows up he realizes things aren't always his fault.

There is a bright side to every situation, and that is that there are always times you get to give them good news, like, he gets to go to Grandma and Grandpas all day Saturday, and on Sunday we get to go watch a parade.  I am sure that those are two things that should cheer him right up.  At least I hope they do.

I must be doing something right

I decided yesterday at the grocery store my parenting  skills aren't completely lacking.  I was getting ready to go to the store and asked Braxton if there was anything he wanted and his list was Chicken nuggets, strawberries, watermelon, apples, and Bananas.  He is such a good little eater!

Well of coarse taking a 3 yr old to the grocery store is a challenge but I had to take an overtired 3 yr old because my husband wasn't home yet, so he tried my patients.  However when he started to act up I told him I was going to put the strawberries back and he instantly stood at my side and became the perfect Angel.  He asked me while we were shopping if I would buy him yogurt and I said yes, so we went to pick some out and he grabbed two off the shelf and said, "Here Momma, I will get two..One for me and one for you."  What a little prince charming.

Now if only I could get him to behave that well all the time, I'd be in heaven.

Why?

Braxton has always been a relatively inquisitive child, I think his first word was "What?" while pointing at the cat. He has now reached the WHY phase, and it is constant. I would be willing to guess that he asks why at least 75 times a day.

He will not accept, "because I said so." or "that's just the way it is" as legitimate answers. He wants a rational answer and he wants it explained as in depth as possible. I have tried to skirt around the whole truth and make the answer quick and simple and he just keeps asking more questions until I end up just spending 10 minutes explaining the whole answer in detail.

I just keep reminding myself that this too shall pass, and that it is probably a good thing that he is so inquisitive, and enjoys learning new things.

Vocabulary

I am amazed every day by how much Braxton vocabulary improves.  Of coarse he is still 3 years old so it makes the what he says funny. 

For example last week we took my Mom to the Chiropractor and he told every one that walked into the waiting room that his Grandmas back hurt so we had to bring her to he chiropractor.  He did also tell one lady she had to be quiet in there.  Yesterday we went out to eat and he was overtired so he didn't want to eat.  I asked him to eat his watermelon (his favorite) and he took a bite, spit it out and yelled. "That tastes Biscusting (Disgusting)"

There are however some downfalls to an increased vocabulary and that is repeating what he shouldn't. So far he hasn't picked up anything to horrible.  He picked up the word Stupid and now thinks he needs to be used in every sentence he speaks.  The more I try to tell him No the more he uses words I wish he wouldn't.  So now I have resorted to ignoring those few words I don't like and we will see if that helps make the problem go away.  Wish me some luck on this one I may need it, this kid has a mind of his own.

Summer

Summer is such a busy time and this summer seems to be busier than most for us. I have really had to learn how to juggle house work, playtime, and all the other activities that we have planned.

I usually take the first half an hour I'm awake just to organize my day.  I feed Braxton Breakfast, and get us both changes into real clothes then my day starts.  I normally start with Laundry or dishes depending on what needs done worse.  Then I pick up in the Living room if I didn't get to it the night before. I then sit down and scope out all recipes.com and get some idea on what to make for supper.

 After I get it started or at least out of the freezer I continue with the cleaning.  I let Braxton play with his toys, watch TV or help me if he chooses.  By this point it is going on 10 or 11 am so I have to decide on what we are doing for lunch.  Lunch is usually a chicken sandwich, or tuna, sometimes some Chicken nuggets.  Since the garden has started we now have fresh beans and cucumbers to eat with whatever we decide to make.

After Lunch we head outside for the next couple of hours to play.  We sometimes go to the pool, park o just hang out in the yard.  Back into the house for an attempt at a nap, which usually fails, then back outside until I have to start cooking supper.

Let me just note this just a day we have nothing else to do, like work in the garden, run errands or can fruits.

Yes canning season is upon us and that makes me happy too....busy, but Happy.

Mommy Health Day

My sister in Law and her boyfriend are now two of my favorite people, they took Braxton to the beach today.  I am using this time to just do odds and end things around the house and relax.  I am enjoying it so much.  I have been able to do some catching up on TV shows and clean up around the yard and house.

I truly believe that every now and then we need a mental health day away from everything, I wasn't going to pass up this opportunity for anything.  Even though I haven't done much I am hoping that it re energizes me some.

I think I am going to make some tea and relax now.  Have a great Day!

Crazy Kids

Well, Braxton has been know to some pretty "creative" things before but lately he has been topping even himself.

Last weekend we were up at my parents hose for a visit and he decided he wanted a snack, so  asked for fruit trucks, aka fruit snacks, so my mom went and got him some.  So about 10 minutes later he walks back into the house and comes out with another package of them. I know that wouldn't sound like a big deal except they were UP in a cupboard that he couldn't reach.  Here is our conversation.

Me: B what do you have?
B: Fruit trucks Momma.
Me: Where did you get them?
B: the cupboard.
Me: How did you get in the cupboard?
B:  I used the stools Momma.
Me:  Which stools?
B: White and grey stools.

I decide to go in the house and see if I could figure out what he had done and he had taken two small foot stools and put the smaller one on top of the bigger one and gotten his fruit trucks.  I was just thankful he had put the big one on the bottom.

OK so fast forward to Yesterday.... 

Braxton goes running into the bathroom, like he always does when he has to pee, but he seems to take a long time.  I decide I had better go in to make sure he is not putting a whole roll of toilet paper in the toilet.  Nope not a chance! He is standing on top of my washer with his pants around his ankles. He had taken a wastebasket and turned it upside down and his stool and used them like stairs.  I didn't even know what to say, I just pulled his pants up and told him not to climb up there anymore. Oh and did check to make sure he hadn't peed off the top of the washer. :)

Grandparents

I know this can be a touchy subject for some due to family issues but I think it deserves it day in the sun.

My Parents are very active in Braxtons life, as they still are mine :).  I only live a few minutes from them, and my Mom actually built herself a home office in my upstairs (whole different story).  My husbands father is not in great health so he is unable to spend any one and one time with Braxton.

I Love that my parents spend time with him, let him spend the night and take him places (or us if the hubby is working) what I do not love is how they try to correct his behavior or talk over me when I am talking to him. I also do not love how my dad insists on treating him (when he is upset) almost as poorly as he treated my sister and I.  Do not get me wrong I love my parents but my dad has no patients, and reverts to name calling and threats of "getting your ass kicked" and my Mom insists on screaming instead of ignoring when he is having a fit.

I have a very hard time getting it through to them that this is a different time than when we were little and he is a very active little boy, not a shy little girl like my sister and I.  I know Braxton has issues with controlling his emotions and he often gets very upset when he isn't happy.  He also gets very upset when things don't go exactly as he wants them to and he tends to yell and scream. I usually just ignore it or I take something away, like outside time, or TV time, my Mom and dad on the other hand prefer to Yell at him and tell him he can't act like such a little baby (or Girl if it's my dad).  I have to remind them that he is 3 and as long as they yell back he is getting their attention. And I remind my dad that I know a lot of girls that could "kick his ass". 

I really wish I knew exactly what to do. I can't keep him from them because they live to close and My Mom works in my house plus that would be punishing him too as he LOVES his grandma and Grandpa.  I just keep telling myself if I can get his attitude under control I can theirs too.

Super Nanny or my sanity

Lately my son has been having some attitude issues and I am not sure how much more I can take.  He has learned to push every button I have and dance on my last nerve continuously. 

It is like living with Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde, one second he is helping me load he dishwasher and the next he is standing in front of me with his arms crossed telling me to pick up his toys because he's not going to do it.

I am now dealing with trying to keep him in time out for 3 minutes, last night I said, "you can get up when I say you can get up"  He turns his head and looks at me and says "Just say it then!"  WOW!!  I try not to scream at hm but I find myself doing more and more all the time.  I am not a big believer in spankings even though I was spanked, and came out no worse for the wear but I really am trying to do things more positively.

I just wish there was an answer for what will work, timeouts seem to make him scream more and more, and then my husband gets cranky.  My husband believes that spankings even though he threatens more than anything, which I am not sure helps anything.  I just need to try to keep the peace and keep everyone calm and maybe it will all start to fall into place.  Or maybe in 15 more years the kid will move out and I can relax then.

Summer Fun

 I love summer but along with comes a lot of questions.  Is it too hot?, does he have enough sunscreen on?  Is it the right sunscreen?  Why won't he keep his sunglasses on?  I could go on forever.

  I read up on all the sunscreens and decided I am now more confused than I was when I started.  It just depends on what the article was focusing on, environmental impact, sun protection, "possible" long term effects...I started to get a headache. I finally just picked the Target brand one that sprays on, and left it at that. 

Then I start reading about how the kids should stay inside during peak sun hours, and if they ave to go out in peak hours, keep them in light weight long sleeves.  UGH I don't want to be out sweating in long sleeves why should he.   The next article was about how kids spend too much time inside... the one following that talks about keeping your kids for dehydrating when they sweat too much.  It is all so mind boggling to me.

Maybe I'll just move to Alaska and keep him outside from 10 pm to midnight during the winter months.

Potty training sucess?

Holy Cow I think I Did it!  I finally have him potty trained....Well trained not to pee or poop in his pants.  The word potty may not be the correct term here.  He seems to have decided that he can pee anywhere e wants to if he is outside.  This means strangers yards, the middle of he road, off e slide at the park or while standing on the edge of a trampoline.  I guess now it's a matter of teaching him appropriate times and places to pee outside.  The good news is he poops finally!! and e does keep that on the potty.  However he seems to like his little potty chair better for poop, and our toilet better for pee.  I guess I will be keeping his little one in the bathroom for a while longer. 

I am happy and sad about this at the same time, he is finally able to do things independently, but at the same time I am watching my baby grow up so fast.  I guess I knew it would happen someday.

Hard woking little man

I have now decided that my son couldn't be anymore BOY if he tried. 

Yesterday my parents had my cousin come in with his backhoe and skid steer to dig some dirt away from their house, and Braxton got to help.  My cousin ad two kids and nieces and nephews and is so used to the kids he just decided that Braxton could ride with him.  He moved one bucket of dirt with the skid steer and then stopped and opened the door and said, "Braxton what are you doing, we have dirt to move."  I don't think I have ever seen that kid move as fast as he did to get in the skid steer.  He rode with him for almost an hour then when we got back from lunch he rode in the backhoe. He even got to help drive.  The look on his little face was priceless.  It is amazing what will put a smile on their face!!  I am so lucky to have a great big crazy family, that is willing to make the day of a three year old boy.

Terrible two's vs Theatrical threes

Theatrical Threes is the best way to describe the attitude my darling child has had lately.  Every little bit of anger, agitation or annoyance is shown through a theatrical display only to be rivalled by Broadway itself.

Braxton can be the sweetest thing ever, a horrible Monster, and right back to sweet again in about 2 minuets.
He will make me so upset and when I walk away from him or put him in time out he comes up to me and gives me a kiss and says he Loves me. 

But from 2 to 3 the daily meltdowns and fits have changed considerably. It has gone from crying if he doesn't get his way to standing in the middle of the grocery store SCREAMING "I want my Tootsie Roll", when he drops one tiny little piece on the floor and I won't let him eat it.  Then there is getting him dressed, instead of just trying to run away while I'm dressing him it's a fit that he wants to stay in his dirty clothes that are all full of dirt and sand.  Not to mention that bribery is starting to lose its edge (this is sad)  I used to be able to ask him to do something and if he said no I could bribe him with turning off the TV or letting him have a special treat.  Now if I he says No I tell him no story before bed, he will say I didn't want a story.  If I offer him a Wiggles video he will say he doesn't like the Wiggles.

I really hated the Terrible Two's and he had a bad case of them, but it is looking like these Theatrical Threes are really going to take a toll on my sanity.

watch what you say

Braxton has finally reached the age where you have to be very careful about what for you say. For one he will repeat what you say, and two he will ask why you said it and what it means.  So far we haven't had too much of a problem with embarassing word (even though my potty mouth comes out now and then), but we have had him repeat, in propper context, phrases we use.

About a week ago we took a family shopping trip, and on the way Brett stopped to get us drinks.  When he came out of the gas station he had drinks for him and I and not Braxton, thinking he had juice.  Well Braxton looks at him and says "Daddy I thought you were getting me a Bug Juice?"  So the Hubby goes back into the station for a bug juice.  When he hands it to Braxton, Braxton looks at him and say "Well that's better."  At this point I am trying very hard not to bust out laughing, becasue that is not the way we want him talk to people.  So Brett looks at him and says "Do I at least get a thank you?"  Braxton politely says "thank you" and Brett responds with "That's better".  At this point I have tears coming out of my eyes while doing all I can not to laugh out loud.  Then my Husbad looks at me and says, "you know he gets that attitude from you."
I just smiled and said, "what did you say after he thanked you",  He thought for a second, put his down and just kept driving. 

I LOVE IT!!

Spring

Spring is in the air, and I have been living outside.  Even though I have lived in Wisconsin my whole life, I still hate winter.  I love snow on the ground at Christmas, hot chocolate with marshmellows, and a quick sleighride or snowman. But I HATE cold.  I want to be out in my garden and playing in the dirt planting flowers.
 So now that the snow has been melting Braxton and I have been enjoying mud puddle jumping and digging the sandbox toys out of the garage. I only wish it would stay this nice until November again.

One thing that I have noticed about spring is it puts my son in a much better mood and he even sleeps through the night. My ultimate goal this summer is to teach him as much as can about the outdoors over the summer.  I want him to understand why I plant a garden, and how to help take care of it.  I also plan to use some of our outside time to work on word recognition and possibly learning to read a little.  I will see how it all goes and when I figure out how I'm going to incorporate it all into playtime I will post some of my ideas.

I hope everyone is enjoying the start of Spring.

Potty training 102

Well It finally happened, We got the little man to do his #2 duty on the potty.  It was an exhausting day, a lot of running to the bathroom, a lot of fighting and crying (i'm ok now) and the funniest face I've ever seen but he got the job done.  He was so proud of himself he was jumping around the house yellin," I love to poop on my potty"  he also got rewarded with a Tootsi Pop and we took him out yesterday for Braxton day.  We played at a Mall and did build a bear (dog).  Then of coarse last night he has an accident in his sleep but Oh well.  I just hope he can keep up the good work, He did Pee train in about a week with very minimal accidents so I hope Pooping is just as quick.

Potty Training 101

Before anyone gets too excited, this is not a real class but one I think should be offered for all Moms free of charge.  It should also come with a complementary carpet shampooer and a 3 month supply of stain remover. My Son is very smart and there are days that I wonder if left all of common sense on his Thomas Pillow when he woke up.  I have had days where I will ask him repeatedly if he needs to use the potty and he will look me straight in the face and say No while he Pees on my feet.  I have learned in the last two weeks to just keep the washing machine open and throw the clothes in as I walk by and by the time we go to bed I can start that load of Laundry.   I know that it probably isn't any easier for them than it is for us, but I can't imagine it's any harder either.  I do have to say he is improving though.