This weekend, we arranged for the kids to spend the weekend with my parents. They haven't spent a weekend with Grandma in quite some time. They used to do it much more frequently.
Friday evening after work, we decided we'd take the kids out to dinner to spend some time with them before they left for the weekend. We invited grandpa and grandma to come with us too.
On our way to Bob Evans, their restaurant of choice for the evening, they asked if we were going to leave after they got to grandma's house.
I was hesitant because the last few times they had the opportunity to stay with grandma, they didn't want to. I slowly said yes, we were going to leave them there. The response, an excited YES! in stereo from the backseat!
Then Caden proceeded to tell me that that was great because grandma had Scooby-Doo and they could watch movies!
They had a great time at grandma's this weekend, and hubby and I had a wonderful weekend together doing our Christmas shopping and attending a baby shower. (More on the baby shower later...)
Sunday, November 14, 2010
2010 Ohio State Fair
Back in August we went to the state fair, and for several years I've been working with a couple friends of mine. They have heard of dairy show cattle.
Fair time is my favorite time of year. I think for me, it is better than Christmas. (Seeing as I'm not a huge Christmas fan and all!)
This year, we decided the boys were old enough to have some fun this year at state fair. The plan was for one to come down with me on Friday to stay the night in the barn and help with chores and getting ready for the show. Keith and the other would come down on Saturday for the day and swap kids. Keith doesn't share my love for all things show cattle, so he just comes along for the ride sometimes. And this gave me the opportunity to have both kids there, without having to have both kids there at the same time under my watch! Great plan right?
Caleb and I arrived Friday evening after work. John met us in the parking lot to to drive us in. We park in the way back with the trailers to avoid getting towed over night when we don't have a rooftop pass. So I parked next to the cattle trailer and their other truck, loaded up the truck and headed into the barn.
By the time we got into the barn, Marla had diner made for us in the barn. We hung around and Caleb played, until we realized our air bed for the night was still out in the truck. John headed out to get the bed for Caleb and I to sleep on. Things continued as usual, scooping poop and such until John's daughter, stops over. Their truck is gone. Marla needs to head out the parking lot immediately.
And there I sat. I felt so helpless! There was nothing I could do to help. The truck was stolen, they were filling out the police reports at the state highway patrol post. At least I kept the cows clean. I was the best cow pooper scooper that night. I don't like feeling like there's nothing I can do to help.
While I was waiting to hear from them, I took some time to put Caleb to sleep. If you think normal bed time is difficult, try putting a 4 year old to sleep in a busy cow barn with cows, people, noise, the continuous hum of barn fans, and my personal favorite, the lights that never turn off.
Around 11:30 or so they arrive back at the fairgrounds. But there was still a lot to be done. First was to go move the cattle trailer and my truck up closer to the fairgrounds, and closer to where there were more people and patrolling. There had also been several cars broken into that evening to have things stolen from inside. We moved my truck and the cattle trailer up to an open spot on the center isle, locked everything up and headed back in.
At first thought, it's just a car, it can be replaced, everyone is okay, but it really is an invasion of privacy it is. More than likely, you keep your registration and proof of insurance in your car, probably in you glove box. If your car is stolen, the criminal has access to that information, and any other information/items you may have in your car. It's scary stuff.
Luckily sometimes around 2 or 3 that morning they had gotten a phone call that their truck was recovered in Columbus. Everyone could breathe a little easier, and catch some shut eye for a brief few hours before we were up for chores and to prepare for the show that day!
As we worked our way through show prep, I felt continually worse. I either had a terrible allergic reaction to something in the barn this year, or I caught a cold at a terrible time. I suffered my way through the show amongst my nose literally dripping snot on the barn floor and looking like Rudolf since all we had in the barn were paper towels to wipe my nose on. No matter how bad I felt, I had a commitment to help them with the show and help I did! I wiped cow butts, I brushed them, I walked them to and from the show rings, and I did my best to keep track of who was to be where when.
Once the show was finally over, we ate lunch in the barn before they headed to recover their truck from impound. There was some damage done to it, but it was still drivable, with a screwdriver.
Once they returned, I took a quick nap, then we packed up our kiddos and headed home. I couldn't take anymore of the fun with the miserable cold symptoms. Caden is still reminding me, 3 months later, that I owe him a night of sleeping in the barn. We'll have to work on that for next year!
Fair time is my favorite time of year. I think for me, it is better than Christmas. (Seeing as I'm not a huge Christmas fan and all!)
This year, we decided the boys were old enough to have some fun this year at state fair. The plan was for one to come down with me on Friday to stay the night in the barn and help with chores and getting ready for the show. Keith and the other would come down on Saturday for the day and swap kids. Keith doesn't share my love for all things show cattle, so he just comes along for the ride sometimes. And this gave me the opportunity to have both kids there, without having to have both kids there at the same time under my watch! Great plan right?
Caleb and I arrived Friday evening after work. John met us in the parking lot to to drive us in. We park in the way back with the trailers to avoid getting towed over night when we don't have a rooftop pass. So I parked next to the cattle trailer and their other truck, loaded up the truck and headed into the barn.
By the time we got into the barn, Marla had diner made for us in the barn. We hung around and Caleb played, until we realized our air bed for the night was still out in the truck. John headed out to get the bed for Caleb and I to sleep on. Things continued as usual, scooping poop and such until John's daughter, stops over. Their truck is gone. Marla needs to head out the parking lot immediately.
And there I sat. I felt so helpless! There was nothing I could do to help. The truck was stolen, they were filling out the police reports at the state highway patrol post. At least I kept the cows clean. I was the best cow pooper scooper that night. I don't like feeling like there's nothing I can do to help.
While I was waiting to hear from them, I took some time to put Caleb to sleep. If you think normal bed time is difficult, try putting a 4 year old to sleep in a busy cow barn with cows, people, noise, the continuous hum of barn fans, and my personal favorite, the lights that never turn off.
Around 11:30 or so they arrive back at the fairgrounds. But there was still a lot to be done. First was to go move the cattle trailer and my truck up closer to the fairgrounds, and closer to where there were more people and patrolling. There had also been several cars broken into that evening to have things stolen from inside. We moved my truck and the cattle trailer up to an open spot on the center isle, locked everything up and headed back in.
At first thought, it's just a car, it can be replaced, everyone is okay, but it really is an invasion of privacy it is. More than likely, you keep your registration and proof of insurance in your car, probably in you glove box. If your car is stolen, the criminal has access to that information, and any other information/items you may have in your car. It's scary stuff.
Luckily sometimes around 2 or 3 that morning they had gotten a phone call that their truck was recovered in Columbus. Everyone could breathe a little easier, and catch some shut eye for a brief few hours before we were up for chores and to prepare for the show that day!
As we worked our way through show prep, I felt continually worse. I either had a terrible allergic reaction to something in the barn this year, or I caught a cold at a terrible time. I suffered my way through the show amongst my nose literally dripping snot on the barn floor and looking like Rudolf since all we had in the barn were paper towels to wipe my nose on. No matter how bad I felt, I had a commitment to help them with the show and help I did! I wiped cow butts, I brushed them, I walked them to and from the show rings, and I did my best to keep track of who was to be where when.
Once the show was finally over, we ate lunch in the barn before they headed to recover their truck from impound. There was some damage done to it, but it was still drivable, with a screwdriver.
Once they returned, I took a quick nap, then we packed up our kiddos and headed home. I couldn't take anymore of the fun with the miserable cold symptoms. Caden is still reminding me, 3 months later, that I owe him a night of sleeping in the barn. We'll have to work on that for next year!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Parenting Class: Week 6
Last Tuesday we attended another session of our classes. This week we learned about rules and chores.
We're a little bit ahead in this week as a few months ago we established household rules. It is important to establish rules for which the household follows.
Our kids are great at helping out around the house when asked, but they didn't have a specific chore that they were responsible for. This was a recommendation made this week We're starting in our house with making your bed. This will be the kids chore for them to be responsible for. Then we'll add setting the table.
The final thing we touched on this week was routines. Establishing morning and bedtime routines, and any other times of the day as needed. This can be done with lists, preferably in pictures since our children aren't old enough to read yet! So the same things happen every morning and evening in the same order.
We'll see what next week brings in week 7!
We're a little bit ahead in this week as a few months ago we established household rules. It is important to establish rules for which the household follows.
Our kids are great at helping out around the house when asked, but they didn't have a specific chore that they were responsible for. This was a recommendation made this week We're starting in our house with making your bed. This will be the kids chore for them to be responsible for. Then we'll add setting the table.
The final thing we touched on this week was routines. Establishing morning and bedtime routines, and any other times of the day as needed. This can be done with lists, preferably in pictures since our children aren't old enough to read yet! So the same things happen every morning and evening in the same order.
We'll see what next week brings in week 7!
Monday, November 08, 2010
Hershey, PA
I know it's been awhile, but you might remember a few pieces from awhile ago about our summer vacation.
Well, it's about time I put together another installment!
The last day of our trip we had a long drive planned back to Ohio from New Jersey, so we decided to break it up a bit with a stop in Hershey, PA!
Upon our arrival at Chocolate word, we took the tour around to see how chocolate is made.
We saw how it started with the cows and ended with chocolate.
We also thought it'd be a good idea to take the kids on the trolley tour around the town of Hershey to learn some of it's history.
They had mixed feelings about waiting for the trolley.
But if offered a wonderful few of the amusement park.
We also saw buildings in the history of Hershey.
In the short 2.5 hours we spent at Hershey, my kids were given 6 candy bars.
Just what we needed for the 5-6 hour car ride home!
Sunday, November 07, 2010
Annual Employee Craft Show
The company I work for has started an annual employee craft show. It consists of employees and employee family members showcasing their work for the employees. It's a neat opportunity held just before the holiday season one afternoon and early evening at the end of the work day.
I attended this year with some of the other ladies from our department. I found some wonderful things!
I have a Halloween pin, I usually wear on my coat, and the same for Christmas. The boys love it, so I thought I'd add to me collection for the holidays and complete it with the adorable hand made turkey!
This picture is pretty poor, but it's a navy blue flower made out of a zipper! Such a cute and clever idea!
Thursday, November 04, 2010
Just Thursday
Outside my window...is the front yard.
The time is...7:29 p.m.
Today I feel...tired.
I am thinking...about how I've been neglecting my blog lately.
At the moment, I am thankful...tomorrow is Friday.
I am going...watch some tv and hopefully get to bed early.
I am wearing...red shorts, gray sweatpants, brown slippers, and the gray turtleneck I wore to work. I've only half changed my clothes since work!
I wish...people would remember Thanksgiving and hold off on the Christmas stuff.
I am reading...blogs.
I am working on...finding my workout motivation. Still.
I am hoping...it doesn't snow this weekend.
I am hearing...my husband's very loud movie from downstairs and traffic outside.
I bet you didn't know...my husband started a new job on Monday!
One of my favorite...workouts is running.
Weekend Plans..
[Thursday] relaxing
[Friday] Work & a fundraiser basketball game
[Saturday] 10K & the boys might have a visit with their mother at our house this weekend
[Sunday] Church & relaxing, maybe some baking.
Be sure to visit Abby and link-up!
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
Parenting Class: Week 5
Due to my crazy travel schedule for work, I missed Parenting Class: Week 3 & 4. Although I was enjoying learning more about parts of my territory and traveling to Minnesota and Colorado, it's good to be back home and getting back into a routine!
This week we wrapped up some of the items covered the past two weeks, mainly praise. Children needs lots of good praise in words that they can understand, the prior week's homework was to practice this.
This week incentives were introduced. Incentives are different than bribes in that they come after the desired behavior is completed. Incentives need to be introduced and shared, then practiced. When they're practiced, especially the first time they need to be achievable, so the child can feel the success. They need opportunities to reach the incentives. Our instruction also said that they should be for a specific desired behavior.
In our house, we've been doing the incentive thing for a few months now, but we'll continue as that is our homework for the week!
Our boys sat down with me and they came up with a long list of house rules. I turned the long list into a short list that hangs on our dinning room wall. Next to the rule page is a sheet of paper for each of the kids where they keep track of how many stickers they've earned! The stickers can never be taken away, which was stressed in our learning about incentives tonight. When they fill their sheet; we're going to Chuck E. Cheese. They are terribly excited about this; I, on the other hand, dread it. Next time, we're going to work toward something we can all enjoy!
This week we wrapped up some of the items covered the past two weeks, mainly praise. Children needs lots of good praise in words that they can understand, the prior week's homework was to practice this.
This week incentives were introduced. Incentives are different than bribes in that they come after the desired behavior is completed. Incentives need to be introduced and shared, then practiced. When they're practiced, especially the first time they need to be achievable, so the child can feel the success. They need opportunities to reach the incentives. Our instruction also said that they should be for a specific desired behavior.
In our house, we've been doing the incentive thing for a few months now, but we'll continue as that is our homework for the week!
Our boys sat down with me and they came up with a long list of house rules. I turned the long list into a short list that hangs on our dinning room wall. Next to the rule page is a sheet of paper for each of the kids where they keep track of how many stickers they've earned! The stickers can never be taken away, which was stressed in our learning about incentives tonight. When they fill their sheet; we're going to Chuck E. Cheese. They are terribly excited about this; I, on the other hand, dread it. Next time, we're going to work toward something we can all enjoy!
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