I'm sure that you've heard the age old adage that you should eat dessert first because life is short. Seems indulgent, and while you've probably thought about it, I bet you rarely follow through.
But here's a thought: Serve your kids dessert first.
What! Whoa! That's crazy talk!
Think about it, though.
You fix a nice meal that your kids pick at while squirming, waiting for dessert. Then, after they're in a food coma, you pump them full of sugar just before bedtime.
So think about it.
Serve your kids a small scoop of ice cream before dinner. Maybe even while you're fixing dinner. It's the perfect opportunity to seem indulgent- but what you're really doing is indulging yourself. Because instead of a sugar induced pre-bed frenzy, your child eats dinner during the sugar rush and ends with the food coma.
Putting my kids to bed when they're already in a food coma? Whoa, that really is crazy talk!
The trick is portion control. Clearly, you still want them to eat a healthy meal. But there is room for both dessert and dinner in that little belly and the order doesn't really matter.
So switch it up. Life is short, after all. Your kids will think you're the best parent in the world.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Friday, April 19, 2013
April 18, 2013 ~ Why?
Billy, eat you dinner.
Why?
Mommy, can I go outside?
No, it's raining.
Why is it raining?
Mommy can I have a cupcake.
No.
Why?
We don't have any.
WHY???
Mommy, can we watch kitty cats?
No, we have to get ready for school.
Why?
Because it's a school day.
Why?
Because it's a school day.
But why?
Mommy, do parrots bite?
Yes.
Why?
Do alligators bite?
Yes.
Why?
Do dinosaurs bite?
Yes.
Why?
Mommy am I a baby?
No.
Why?
Because you grew up.
But why?
--- Conversations, all had in one twelve hour period. This is only the highlight reel.
Why?
Mommy, can I go outside?
No, it's raining.
Why is it raining?
Mommy can I have a cupcake.
No.
Why?
We don't have any.
WHY???
Mommy, can we watch kitty cats?
No, we have to get ready for school.
Why?
Because it's a school day.
Why?
Because it's a school day.
But why?
Mommy, do parrots bite?
Yes.
Why?
Do alligators bite?
Yes.
Why?
Do dinosaurs bite?
Yes.
Why?
Mommy am I a baby?
No.
Why?
Because you grew up.
But why?
--- Conversations, all had in one twelve hour period. This is only the highlight reel.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
April 17, 2013 ~ No Goodbye for Grandma
We were leaving Grandma's house and I asked Billy to give her a hug and say goodbye.
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I know say goodbye Grandma!"
We tried and tried to get him to say it.
"Tell Grandma 'goodbye', honey."
"See you next week, Grandma! I no say goodbye."
Yes, he really said, "see you next week."
Then on the ride home he continued to tell me that he was NOT going to say goodbye to Grandma and NOT give her a hug. Until we were about half way home...
"Mommy! I didn't give Grandma a hug! I need give Grandma a hug! Turn back!"
"Sorry, honey. We're driving now. You'll just have to give her a hug next week." ;)
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I know say goodbye Grandma!"
We tried and tried to get him to say it.
"Tell Grandma 'goodbye', honey."
"See you next week, Grandma! I no say goodbye."
Yes, he really said, "see you next week."
Then on the ride home he continued to tell me that he was NOT going to say goodbye to Grandma and NOT give her a hug. Until we were about half way home...
"Mommy! I didn't give Grandma a hug! I need give Grandma a hug! Turn back!"
"Sorry, honey. We're driving now. You'll just have to give her a hug next week." ;)
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
April 15, 2013 ~ In the Wake...
In the wake of today's tragedy (and let's not talk about that, since it's all anyone is talking about) it got me thinking.
They shut down the cell towers, blocking communication, closed the metro and I'm sure the streets- if not closed, were gridlock. I work downtown. Therefore, were something to happen in my town, God forbid, how would I get to Billy?
It's a new world we live in.
I need a plan. Daddy and I need a plan. And that plan needs to include how to get Billy from daycare and rendezvous some place safe.
Everyone should have a plan. If there's anything that tsunamis, earthquakes and bombings teach us is that we need to be prepared. I'm not talking doomsday prepper prepared.
Here's what my plan is going to consist of:
1.) getting in touch with Daddy and with daycare
2.) picking a rendezvous spot and meeting there, even if it takes hours for us all to arrive
3.) gather supplies in the event that we need to flee farther
4.) contact nearby relatives to check on their status
IF phone lines are down we need to know some of these details ahead of time.
Be prepared. Make a plan. I'm going to.
They shut down the cell towers, blocking communication, closed the metro and I'm sure the streets- if not closed, were gridlock. I work downtown. Therefore, were something to happen in my town, God forbid, how would I get to Billy?
It's a new world we live in.
I need a plan. Daddy and I need a plan. And that plan needs to include how to get Billy from daycare and rendezvous some place safe.
Everyone should have a plan. If there's anything that tsunamis, earthquakes and bombings teach us is that we need to be prepared. I'm not talking doomsday prepper prepared.
Here's what my plan is going to consist of:
1.) getting in touch with Daddy and with daycare
2.) picking a rendezvous spot and meeting there, even if it takes hours for us all to arrive
3.) gather supplies in the event that we need to flee farther
4.) contact nearby relatives to check on their status
IF phone lines are down we need to know some of these details ahead of time.
Be prepared. Make a plan. I'm going to.
April 14, 2013 ~ Pink Toes
We've had more successful attempts at poop on the potty, and many unsuccessful attempts too. But this weekend Billy won himself a new garden shovel and the right to have pink toes. I'm resolved to buy some nail polish in a "boy" color so that he doesn't look quite so girly. Here are our matching toes, a la Billy's request. Buddy posed for us too.
National Cherry Blossom Festival, Continued...
It's impossible to write out a blog post on my phone, and it even doesn't post pictures correctly. My apologies for being behind again, but we've been absolutely swamped at work and I'm not able to keep up with things like eating and sleeping, much less a blog. Something's got to give.
Anyways, here is what happened at the festival:
This weekend we went to the National Cherry Blossom Festival in DC and to the Japanese Festival.
First, we went to the Japanese festival, which was in the streets between the Capitol and the White House. Literally, standing in the middle of the street looking one way I could see the dome of the Capitol and looking the other, the White House. Then looking around me- geishas, samurais and random anime characters. I didn't take any photos because it was as crowded as a mosh pit at a concert- no exaggeration. Hell to navigate with a stroller.
From there we wandered down the Mall past the Washington Monument.
After that we walked down to the Tidal Basin to look at the blossoms. It's very late for them to be blooming, but they were only just past their peak. We've had very cold weather.
We walked down to look at the Jefferson Memorial. I didn't take this pic of Billy looking up at Mr. Jefferson- my friend did, but it's an awesome pic. "Mommy, he's really tall..."
Billy's favorite part was seeing Mr. Jefferson in his "house". He also liked riding on the green train that wasn't green. (The metro on the green line).
He had a great time, but when I asked him what he liked best, he said the tigers. I think he liked the circus last weekend better than hanging out in DC with friends. That's ok. The tigers were really cool.
Anyways, here is what happened at the festival:
This weekend we went to the National Cherry Blossom Festival in DC and to the Japanese Festival.
First, we went to the Japanese festival, which was in the streets between the Capitol and the White House. Literally, standing in the middle of the street looking one way I could see the dome of the Capitol and looking the other, the White House. Then looking around me- geishas, samurais and random anime characters. I didn't take any photos because it was as crowded as a mosh pit at a concert- no exaggeration. Hell to navigate with a stroller.
From there we wandered down the Mall past the Washington Monument.
After that we walked down to the Tidal Basin to look at the blossoms. It's very late for them to be blooming, but they were only just past their peak. We've had very cold weather.
We walked down to look at the Jefferson Memorial. I didn't take this pic of Billy looking up at Mr. Jefferson- my friend did, but it's an awesome pic. "Mommy, he's really tall..."
Billy's favorite part was seeing Mr. Jefferson in his "house". He also liked riding on the green train that wasn't green. (The metro on the green line).
He had a great time, but when I asked him what he liked best, he said the tigers. I think he liked the circus last weekend better than hanging out in DC with friends. That's ok. The tigers were really cool.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
April 13, 2013 ~ Cherry Blossom Festival
Today we went to the cherry blossom festival. It was actually my first time. Here are some photos of the very well behaved Billy at the festival. More details to come.
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