Wonderful, thoughtful Aunt Waveney (and family) sent us this puzzle this year for Christmas- Dallin and Eli kept asking when we could do it, so I relented and told them theycould do it, but it was all on them... they got a good start, but lost interest pretty quick. I, however, was hooked 😕 I love a good challenge! Not only were there a lot of pieces, but most of the pieces were pretty indistinguishable from about 50 others! The kids floated in from time to time to help and we finally got it done!
Eli getting some awards at scouts:
Dallin got to skip school and go skiing with his friend Parker one day!
And then go ice skating another day at Parkers home-made ice rink! Lucky boy!
This month I also got around to reading the book "Love and Logic"- I'd heard of it for years, but always just kinda though that since I'm pretty logical, and I love my kids, I probably already do all the stuff 😕. Boy was I wrong!! The book blew.my.mind. I love its principles and am so excited to stop yelling at my kids *as much* 😉. First things first, they ALL know what to do in the mornings to get themselves out the door! Why do I keep telling them with a nagging loud voice?? And why are we just barely on time every morning, with me driving them all the way to school when my tax dollars already pay to put gas in the bus's fuel tank? So I gave notice that, starting the next morning, my car was leaving at 7:38. I assured them that they absolutely knew the things they needed to do to get ready, so I wouldn't be
That first morning, I had exactly ONE kid in the car when I was time to leave- Dallin. 15 seconds after I left, Bryson called, begging me to come back and get him. I explained that, legitimately, I couldn't! I had a skype appointment on the computer at 8 am with our photographer, so if I turned around, they'd all miss the bus which would mean I'd miss my appointment.
When I got home from getting Dallin to the bus, I was met with four very somber-faced kids. I explained again my reasoning, assured them that it was all okay, that I wasn't mad and told them they needed to stay on their beds where they could quietly read (and not make messes), BUT, that I WAS going into town later in the morning, and I'd be happy to bring them to school *if they were ready* at that time.
They were all ready.
And the next morning, without raising my voice one time, I had all 5 kids in the car and ready at 7:38.
It's not perfect, but it is SO much better than it used to be!
