Zoo

Bubbles

Seriously... I need to invent something like this!

First Pet

*Update... we killed all three in three days... but at $ .28 we can buy lots more!

Trampoline

Marshall loves to jump on trampolines.  He was in high heaven!

Random Things...

Marshall folds his arms as soon as we sit down at the dinner table.

And right after he drinks his milk he kneels down to pray then asks for 1 more book.

He has been eating everything lately, which is so strange!

It's like something clicked in the last week, maybe a growth spurt?

Marshall is super opinionated and likes things his way.

When he gets his mind stuck on something it's so hard to distract him and change the subject.

He reads himself books and plays pretend with fake food and pots and pans.

Whenever he needs help or anything is wrong he says STUCK.

Marshall is such a good boy 90% of the time.

He's smart and fun and we love him to pieces!

Hot Hot Hot!

Parenting - Tempers

There are many different theories of parenting.

I am the oldest of 8 kids and I watched how my mom chose to handle things for many years.

For the most part I do things just like my mom did, it's what I know and I saw it work for my family.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I usually don't bring up parenting styles.

But I captured this funny video of a temper tantrum and it's too great not to share!

When Marshall throws a fit I generally try to talk to him about what is wrong or why he can't do something.

Then I try to distract him with something else or change the subject.
Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. If he insists on throwing a fit I just let him.
I go about my business and ignore him until he gets over it.

He used to throw really long tantrums, and I wasn't sure it was working... but it's getting better.
I know some people don't agree with letting kids cry.
But everyone can do what is best for them and their family.

As you can see he's totally fine, he's just a drama king!

He found a book and started to read to himself.  This went on for quite a while.  So cute!

Living Room Update

We have been in our house for almost 7 years and it was time for an update!

We spend almost all our time in this big room since it's the living room, kitchen & dining room.

I wanted something a little brighter that wasn't overly crazy so I could enjoy it for many years.

Here's the final product.  I'm quite happy with it!

  We painted the ceiling, doors, trim, and baseboards white (previous the cream color)

We also painted the entertainment center and bookcase dark brown (previously light pine)

I got a new rug, window coverings, and fabric to make a quit and re-cover my pillows.
Should I make cushions for the barstools?  We hardly sit there, but it would add some color...

To save money, I kept all my old accessories, although I did buy a can of teal spray paint. 

I re-arranged some pictures and other things to make it seem a little fresher.
It will always be a little work in progress I guess.

That giant picture of the temple was a present to myself when I got a Christmas bonus a few years ago.

It's by Sandra Rast and I absolutely love it.

I'd like a console table to put in the entry way.  Maybe for my birthday or Christmas.

The accent walls were painted a few years ago with the help from my parents.

The TV was a gift for Christmas from my mother-in-law.

I want leather furniture.. but ours is totally fine and I can't rationalize getting new stuff.

I just received our new family picture for the wall.  My mom snapped it at Thanksgiving Point Gardens.

We weren't really dressed for pictures or coordinating or anything... 

But I liked it so much I thought it should go on the wall for a bit.

It's fun to have bright new colors.  It's fresh and clean and it makes me happy!

Sometimes I wish I had a big fancy house, but I'm happy with my little home.

It's a good thing...

Sunglasses