Good Bye 2011

It has been fun and weird being home with the kids for two weeks.
I totally relaxed and let my daughter play video games, watch videos and sleep late both weeks. Dear Lord I hope she hasn't forgotten everything! We're are closing in on a hairstyle we both like and she can maintain.

My son has been sick these last two day. :o(
Though he hasn't been moving as quickly his zeal for video games has not been diminished in any way. I am enjoying these times because 2012 it going to be very busy and I'll need these memories to get me through to May.

Merry Christmas 2011

I have loved this time with my children. It has been great to relax and just be a mom.
My tween is showing more signs of turning into a teenager everyday. Downloading music to her mP3 player and playing video games are her main activities right now. She keeps begging for a phone....we know she's not ready for that yet. I finally relented and bought her some cosmetics, a few little things, mascara, eye shadow and lip gloss. Now if I could just get her out of her room.

My social butterfly son continues to love playing with the big boys. He was very happy to receive all his train gear and Lego toys. I of course spend hours putting it all together to only have his make "explosions" which dismantled them. Playing with the kids, gotta love it.
Let the adventures continue........................

Captain's Personal Log Stardate November 2011

It has been a busy month. My daughter is doing well for a tween and seems to finding her own nitch at school. She still enjoys playing volleyball and I do hope she adopt an appreciation for physical exercise before the hormone change.

My son finally lost his partially cracked front tooth. When he was 6 months he had falling into the window sill and knocked one of his front teeth out and chipped the other. After a week of discomfort it finally came out. We've given him the theme song: All I Want For Christmas is My 2 Front Teeth. It will be a couple of years before we know what his true smile it.

Hard to believe that this time next year my son will be in kindergarten and my daughter will be preparing to go to high school!

October 2011 Roundup

The roller coaster is really driving me in all directions.

My daughter thought she'd try out a new word and boy I think I almost lost it! I had to send her to her father because I just couldn't deal with it! When did she think it was okay to just say anything! And she was on her way to perfecting how to say it. Lord give me strength!

My son is starting to get into writing and reading. Its great to see how his imagination works. He is starting to do some football moves and made a goal at his last soccer game.

I think I'm ready for the next hill, dip and drop!

Adventure week October 16-21, 2011

The adventure continues...
My daughter wants to help out with the Children's Church, which we don't have a problem with but we are requiring that if she is going to work in the church she needs to make a commitment and be baptized.
We have finally come to an agreement about the hair. We've been wrapping it every night and that seems to appease us both. She gets the style she wants and I know she's not going to school looking crazy.

What can I say about our son. He seems to be getting better at sharing and wants to play more and is using his imagination in the most unique ways. Its great to see all the stories he's comes up with. I hope we can help him become a better soccer player.

Can't wait till I'm done with school so I can play games with the kids and show them really how to win!

And the Adventure Continues

My son continues to love Legos and playing video games and soccer.

My daughter has started playing volleyball and has been invited to her first sleepover.

They are growing up too fast!

October 2011 Update

My son continues to play soccer...some days his head is in the game...he's a great defender/blocker, other days we should have stayed in bed.

My daughter is starting volleyball...I think her eyes are about to be opened that its more than just hitting the ball over the net. I hope she enjoys it and has fun. I have to up her homework schedule on the weekends. She's making silly mistakes on her quizzed and exams and although I don't require she makes A's I do require that she puts some work into her school and do her best and not be lazy and just slack by.

Gotta start pulling the camcorder out more and getting more of the kids when they are up to their antics...I need money!

September 26, 2011

My daughter has been dealing with a situation that was totally not cool. Her friend was basically holding her "friendship" as leverage to get my daughter to buy her things. Her "friend" has to bring lunch from home and she convinced my daughter to buy her cookies or chips since my daughter gets free lunch. The ladies didn't realize that we can SEE what they buy at the school cafeteria. Gotta love technology! Anyway this morning my husband had real heart-to-heart talk with her about all the snacks she had been buying and she admitted to us what was going on. He let her know that a friend would not keep their friendship from you if you told them no. You should never feel like you would lose someone's friendship if you didn't do what they wanted you to do. We will keep working with her to be confident in herself and stand up for herself and not be used by others. I am glad my husband handled it because the Wrath of Mom would not have been so nice.

Monday September 26, 2011

My son had a great soccer game, his team scored well and he did an awesome pass. I think once he learns some more teamwork and humility he might be on his way to a great player.

My daughter will start volleyball soon.....we'll see. She expressed an interest in joining a club. Tried not to deflate her bubble but Momma needs more info like who, what, when, where, and why. We'll see if she'll follow through. Seems to be doing well with school...first book report will be due soon.

It will be interesting to see what is going to happen this fall....

Friday September 23, 2011

Survived another day. The kids were very mellow today, had their own interests and basically left us alone today after school.

I will be glad when my husband gets his car back so we can stop the musical cars to get the kids to school and back.

Long live volleyball and soccer.

September 22, 2011

What a week. Just when I think I've got my parenting act together, my kids let me know just how truly dumb I am.

My daughter seems to be adjusting to middle school life and we're striving to get the "cut" hair to grow back. She will start volleyball soon and I hope this will be a great outlet for her.

My son is doing well, getting a little bossy but we are working on it. Still in love with Legos and I think soccer is doing him good. Playing with others takes time.

We've almost got our schedule together. We'll see things go as we move into October.

September 18, 2011

So I took a little time out and I'm dong better. I do hope my children don't drive me to drink!! Anyway they seemed to be getting adjusted to their schedules and I am hanging in there with all the changes.

They both survived Friday night and Saturday with their dad, alone! I knew they could manage without me...they just need to believe in themselves a little more.

My son seems to be on his way to being a goalie and my daughter is soon to try her hand at volleyball. Now if they can get their dad involved in something cardiovascularly enriching we'd be on our way to fitness.

September 13, 2011

Survived another day...seemed picture day went well and we're becoming more accepting of ourselves and going with the flow.

All I know is I was thankful that I didn't pass out or hyperventilate while curling her hair this morning...hoping I got it right!

I do know that if she touches her hair again...I mean cuts her hair again I will not be responsible for the "discipline" I will hand down!

September 13, 2011

Yea looks like I'm batting 1000. Today is picture day at school and it seems I got the hairstyle right and one young lady is very happy with hair.
Yes! Let's keep it coming!

September 11, 2011

My children never cease to amaze me!

Our son had a great week, played his first soccer game and did well when he listened and paid attention. He looked great in his uniform and the team is shaping up well. We endured a long day with pictures and a parade but it all worked out. He even got to play with his buddies for a while.

Our daughter seemed to have a good first week of school. She felt good having positive comment about her hair. Unfortunately I caught her messing with her hair, she had a semi-bald spot now from where she cut it herself. I have been trying to keep my composure but it has really knocked me for a loop. Praying her self acceptance comes soon!

I am praying for a great week for each of them.

September 7, 2011

Well things seem to be going well. A small malfunction with the bangs but otherwise the school year is starting off well. Thank You Lord!!

Andrew had his first practice game and boy sometimes he is so revving to go he doesn't listen. The team is getting there but they will need to practice more and remember to move the ball toward their goal and keep the other team away from theirs. I know it will come with time and practice.

Busy weekend with their first game and then pictures and a parade. One day at a time.

September 5, 2011

It hit me like a ton of bricks....

My daughter is like a parent. When school is in she takes over the place of fussing and disciplining when is should be her father. Of course my son believes he's just as "big" as she is so he doesn't listen to her and they get into huge fights resulting in my husband finally getting involved but its so escalated that my daughter comes off as the "bad guy" because she is still learning how to deal with those younger than she is. I will have to admonish my husband to be more ACTIVE in parenting our son, especially when he wants his way, allowing our daughter to start butting out and letting her daddy be the parent.

My daughter is very emotional and doesn't always speak up for herself. On Sunday (I wasn't there) she heard the children's pastor preparing kids for a trip to Magic Mountain if they learned their Bible verses. Well no one asked her or included her in anything and she felt slighted. My husband noticed but wasn't able to get an explanation out of her. When I did finally arrive home and was apprised of the situation I went in to talk to her and she had calmed down from the original slight remembering that the youth pastor was going to take a group and that she would probably be able to be a part of that. I did one better though, I let her know how the Naz Night works and that I would have no problem taking her at the end of the year for an entire day and not just a few hours where we wouldn't be able to ride on everything. She seemed even happier about that.

Tomorrow is the first day of school and we've got painted nails and newly cut bangs and (prayerfully) the outfits are all settled. I tried to remind her that no matter what others say or think, the only opinion that matters is her own. I will be whispering prayers throughout the day.

Sept 1, 2011

Its so weird not seeing the kids as much as I'd like. My daughter will be back in school next week and my son has gotten back into the groove of going to preschool. Soccer practice is going well and we seem to be drama free at the moment.

Day Twenty-Four and Thirty-One

Well I survived, not sure how but I did. We seem to be at a happy place with the clothes that have been picked and the hairstyle. She had been, for the most part, trying to keep her hair nice and listens to instructions most of the time. We're trying to keep her involved in church and I hope that we'll be able to involve in karate or some other sport. I am hopeful that this will be a great school year for her.

We were very proud of her test scores and we encouraged her to just do her best and work hard.

The youngest is enjoying soccer and seemed to be sleeping better. He definitely needs a consistent schedule if we are going to make our new activity list work. I am not going to have much free time so I hope to have great quality time since I can't have the quantity.
Here's to the adventures that await us in September.

Day Twenty-Two and Twenty Three

#21 The dreaded shopping day. The previous days had been going so well. Of course we had the usual shake up with little brother but things seemed to be calm and mild. It started with underwear...I refused to let her get bikinis so we compromised on hipsters. I guess briefs are too old school. Then it was backpack time. I had already made it clear I would not be spending an arm and a leg for a backpack, especially since she had one that was still in good working condition. Once that was settled we went to work on finding jeans and pants. Of course none of my suggestions worked. So I backed off and let her do some trial and error in the dressing room. Once I got her to recognize her size and try on clothes accordingly things went a little better. I think I'm going to start paying my sister to come and do this every summer because I don't think my blood pressure can handle it!

My 4 year old is trying to tell me all about Heroica and how it all works and how he "needs" this and that for his Legoworld.

#22 We went to the beach, without my husband. Met up with some people from church [daughter is 11 and son is 6] for a playdate. Went well, the girls boogie boarding and the boys playing in the sand. There was another 6 year old boy there as well and he liked the water and my son took to following after everything he did. Soon he was in the water, splashing and jumping the waves. It was all good until the lifeguards ordered everyone out of the water due to a confirmed 12-14 ft shark sighting. We left and spent some time in the pool. Made little man take a quick nap before soccer practice. He did very well and is getting better and better. Too hot to cook so we did pizza and enjoyed some horsing around and pillow fighting.

I knew it was too good to last...at least that was what I thought initially...asked my daughter what our agenda was for tomorrow. [She still needs tennis shoes, pants and a few tops] I asked her if she had enough pants/jeans...she didn't give me a "real" answer so I went in her room and started looking. Well come to learn she has more the 12+ tops so she should be okay but for some reason feels like she needs more. I explained that if she has perfectly good clothes in her closet there is no need for me to buy more. She continued to be moody and fuss at her brother wanting to kick him out and I told her no and let him stay. I recommended she chill out and I adjusted her list for shopping.

Later she comes in my room, while I was doing my homework, to ask me about veins in her eyes. She has been upset because she is worried that the veins will reach her eyes. I explained her eyes are red and that from all salt and chlorine we were exposed to today her eyes are just tired and need to rest. She seemed to relax and we'll see how things progress. I am so glad I didn't yell and scream but I must make sure to watch and recognize when the problem is not the problem and be ready to help and provide comfort.

Day Fifteen through Twenty-One

Things have actually been okay. No major drama or tantrums from either group.

My daughter is starting to take more initiative when it comes to her hair, still needs help and work but at least she is making an effort. Her skin is doing well and I believe she'll keep up the regimen now that she sees the effects. She made me angry again when we talked about backpacks. Borders is closing and there was one on sale for $10!!! I should have just bought it and said use this or use nothing. WE are way to easy on our kids and let them get away with too much. Well its ending now, she'll either take it or get the Wal-mart style and that will be the end of it. I am not looking forward to clothes shopping tomorrow. I hope to be able to get her into Karate soon. I hope she is blessed with a great gal pal and someone who will just be her friend without the drama.

My son is being a typical 4 year old, getting into everything and bothering everybody. He too is being spoiled with his major Lego hangup. Unfortunately my husband bought him more Legos and he can't sleep right just for fantasizing abougt getting more figures to complete his world. Soccer practice went well and he is starting to listen...sometimes. Maybe next year we will try T-ball. I am glad he is a social kid and that he seems to make friends readily. It amazing how different a kid he is when he is at school, church or around others. How do I get him to act "nice" like that at home!!! Though I am glad he isn't a trouble maker while away from us. I still haven't had the heart to tell him I don't have peanuts!

Day Twelve through Fourteen

Day #12
Things are quiet, which is good. We started doing some serious dusting and organizing, its going to take me a good 3 days to complete the kitchen. This is keeping the kids busy and out of my hair.

Speaking of hair, my daughter is seeming to settle in with her hairstyle. Now we will tackle back to school shopping in the next week.
Went out to eat and realized that our daughter is now in the adult bracket...my husband was not expecting that. One of these days he'll need to start coming to terms that she's growing up.

Day #13
My son went to his soccer practice. Did pretty good, but must learn how to listen and follow direction. He did play well with others and there wasn't too much drama, though it will be interesting to see how he learns to play with girls.

After practice we ran across the county to a birthday party. The kids enjoyed the pool and breaking the pinata. It was nice to get home and relax. Though I was back at cleaning and straightening to my house will be ready for the new school season.

Day #14
Nice quiet day. We went out to eat after church, we're learning now that our daughter is 12, she costs a bit more now. Decided to take the day off from cleaning and do some writing. The teenage storm is quiet for the moment.

Day Six through Eleven

Day #6
Took the kids to Belmont Park and the beach. It was a great day and very relaxing. My daughter tried her hand at boogie boarding and learned its a big workout. She wasn't quite up to riding the rides. I didn't want to, our son is too young and my husband can't ride. We spent six great hours together.

Day #7
My sister came in last night and would spend the day. Her main purpose for the trip was to visit the international cottage in Balboa Park which are only open on Sundays. After a great Sunday service, we picked up some fast food and headed down. The kids did pretty good but after a while they started they usual complaining. I let it be know that that attitude was what kept them from having certain blessings because I don't reward bad behavior.

It was great to visit with my sister and see how she is doing.
The kids are on a television fast, so it will be interesting to see how well they will find other things to occupy their time.

Day #8
My sister returned home and my son returned to preschool. My daughter began to clear out her room of old clothes and things she no longer wanted. I had a $10 gift certificate to use....can you guess what I bought??? One pair of sleep pants for myself and four bras for my daughter. If my son would have had his way he would have gotten more shirts. I understand Sinbad's statement more than ever, "human atm."

The kids had some withdrawal wanted to watch tv or watch me play a game. I decided I'll wait till they are in bed before I attempt to play from no on. My son was so automatic in wanting to turn the tv on when he got home from preschool. It really doesn't take a long time to make a bad habit.

She started fretting over her face. Her skin was showing it got some sun on Saturday, she had some major peeling going on, and she was starting to get frantic.
I explained it will pass but that wasn't enough.

Day #9
My son was invited to be part of a panel that was investigating how children reconcile when a person says pieces, parts and whole. Capt. Blue was my son's reference point. For example he was shown a whole shoe and a shoe but in two pieces. He was asked was it a good job or bad job when Capt Blue said he had 3 shoes and why. My son's answers were very inventive, sometimes saying Capt Blue broke his shoe, so he did a bad job. Other times he made up such an elaborate story all I could do was shake my head. Its amazing how our kids think but it also let me know that I must be patient when communicating with my children because they may not understand at first and might need to rephrase so they get it.

Helped my her prepare spaghetti for the first time. We used the leftover ground beef from taco night so teaching her how to brown ground beef will come later. Everything turned out well and I will be putting her to use in the kitchen more often.

I pulled out various board games and the kids kept very busy and had fun. For sure I'll make sure Sun, Tues and Thurs will be non television days and we'll play board games. We did finally hear from my son's soccer coach, now to go spend more money.

Day #10
We put off our major shopping trip, hubby's request, and that was just fine with me. After a discussion about cost, we agreed to let her get an mp3 player. She was been looking at ipods and we spent a good portion of time looking at websites so she could get an idea about what she wanted. So we headed to WalMart and did some shopping: Me for household items, Her ipod. She saw an RCA mp3 player for $20 less and decided on that. Wow spending her own money made her be frugal about the purchase... and of course I told her she could get other things with the money she saved. I had her start using the skin repair cream immediately to help with the freckles and peeling.

Now come the tears....well we needed to work on her hair. For 3 days I didn't say anything about her hair...wanted to see if she'd take some initiative. Well she did, she washed her hair with leave in condition. I had my work cut of for me. She showed me a hairstyle and we went at it. Unfortunately her dandruff is starting to concern me...how could it creep up so quickly! Anyway I got her bangs back and there wasn't a tangle to be found...but she way crying. What!? Did I miss something here??? I didn't say anything I just gave her a box of tissues and continued working on her hair. I bumped some curl in the bottom and explained that we would need to "teach" her hair to behave the way we wanted it to behave.

While picking up my son and pizza.. my stress level had significantly elevated, I stopped by Big Lots and purchased a journal. I wrote a few comments in them and told her she could write me back and put in on my pillow. I told her I loved her and it will all work out. My husband got caught up in work so I took her to her youth group and we processed to put rollers in the hair for the first time. We'll see what happens.

Day #11
Okay what happened was.... just kidding.
I still had not achieved the look she wanted but she did look nice. While in the bookstore, spending that $20, we looked at a few hair magazines and she told me what she wanted...spirals and bangs. Lord, I need a guide on how to do curly Qs!! We had a good day returning a few things my son didn't need and window shopping. Of course she found another style she wants me to try....Lord help!

I put her in charge of making dinner, meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans. I made the cornbread. Things went well again. It was great to eat dinner as a family.

While she was in her room I noticed the journal on my pillow. She apologized for being emotional yesterday, didn't understand why. I wrote her back and told her to be patient with herself because it is going to be alright. I slipped in back on her pillow while she was brushing her teeth. I made sure to reinforce how much better skin was looking and the importance of sun block.

And the adventures continues...

Day Five

Teenagers....there really is not understanding them if they don't even understand themselves. She had really gotten into wanting to look like everyone else. We've been having some hair issues...she things is should be lighter [there is not way I'm letting her dye her hair at this age!]. I ask (nicely), "Hey how to you want your hair to look?", "What style would you like?". The responses I get are "I don't know."

Well duh! How in the world am I to help you achieve a look when you don't even know what it is???!!! And the you get upset and moody and put you bad attitude on the rest of us. You would think with all the time she spent on the internet she would have found some styles that she was interested in and would say, "Hey mom, something like this would be nice."

But nooooo! I am subjected to evasiveness like I have never seen. I thought my patients were bad when it came to trying to hide information. Again, I could be over reacting. Maybe she really doesn't know. I am not going to let her completely off the hook, since if she really wanted something than she should make the effort to find out about it, figure it out and not just sit back and let the wind blow things her way.

I do hope she'll keep up the skin cleaning regimen. Its help me stay motivated to remove all my makeup every night. Now if I can get her to feel that way about daily showering and keeping her toes and finger nails in shape!! I try not to think about what is going to happen once she starts her period.

I did keep my word and took her over to a clothing store not far from the house. She decided NOT to bring the catalog [I felt it was a mistake] and see what was available. She didn't admit it but she had gotten very emotional...maybe thinking we weren't going to make it to the store. We dropped of an Avon order before heading and my customer got a little talkative. Something that should have been done in 2 mins. took 18. Well we still were going to go, though I knew we'd have to rush because another client was stopping by in less than an hour. It all worked and I didn't say anything to her but I don't even have a category for that one. Or maybe I do, "Oh ye of little faith." Maybe that one will do.

Anyway earlier I had used a tape measure to check her chest measurements...the girl is going to need new underwear for back to school. Another goal is to get her to start thinking more healthy but not be obsessed with weight. My all these fine lines!

Okay back to the shopping. Well she looked but couldn't really make up her mind. She did try on a t-shirt and a halter top but didn't quite achieve the "catalog" log. They had a great sale [$2 shirts on a clearance rack]...now me I would have cleaned up, but $40 worth so I could get the $20 coupon and come back and buy jeans or something. Not my child. Note her catalog order would equal around $72 consisting of 4 shirts and a pair of shorts. She selected two $2 shirts and that was it. We could have been half way down with BTS shopping but now she only picks 2 tops. I swear she is her father when it comes to be cheap. I am all for saving but this was an excellent opportunity and it wouldn't be wasteful. Of course my feeling will not be hurt if she takes the $3.88 tops for WalMart.

All I can say is I'll be happy when I am working and back in shape!

My son survived his first week back to preschool. No trouble putting him to bed tonight. I think as long as we keep including him and talking to him like a big boy he may just calm down and be more respectful of others. I know we must be patient and consistent.

Well the house is quiet, time for me to quiet down too.

Day Four

Today was a good day. We had to stick around the house because our satellite had wigged out. Thankfully, we got a great technician and he saved us some money and go all the remotes working nicely with all the televisions. I love professionals!

Made a light dinner, heard no complaints and we finally got candles so we could sing happy birthday to my daughter.

I reviewed her catalog choices and recommended that we do some window shopping and then we could make our purchases once we saw the prices. She is starting to see that the cost of things isn't as cheap as she sometimes believes.

She had completely cleared out her room and my hope it that she will maintain being organized and tidy.

My son is enjoying being back in school and its great that he is able to use of some of his energy and be a little calmer at home. We've got to work on his "quiet" self play more.

Its been a long day, time to turn in early.

Day Three

My daughter's 12th birthday. All in all it was a good day. She was excited to open her cards and gifts. I kept a straight face when she joined us at the breakfast table dressed in her pajamas and tiara.

She couldn't quite decide what she wanted to do for the day. Soak City and Belmont Park kept coming up. The state of my physical appearance really don't lend me to wanting to be out and about but I know I can't close myself off. Gotta get motivated again. No one told me being a parent was so tiring.

Anyway I showed her out to shop through a catalog and write down requests she has. She wanted to know it there was a store locally we could by the same items...sometimes but other times you have to shop online.

As I watched her today she seems unable to make concrete decisions. Sometimes...
I wonder if that was fault of me and her father. I rarely am indecisive. I know what I want, when I want it and how I want it. Have I made the decisions for so long that now that we've through the ball in her court she can't seem to think it through and then do it? Or is she so uncomfortable with this new room to grow that she is overwhelmed.

When she was smaller I used to "secretly" joke about how 'blonde' my child was. No serious offense to real blondes but there were days when I all I could do was shake my head.

Putting the stereotypes and generalizations aside, I had to look at the three fingers pointing back at me as I pointed one at her. Had my strong woman stance caused my daughter to become this pretty wall flower that allowed others to make and shape all her choices? Or maybe I was jumping the gun. Maybe this is what the teenage years are for. A time to recognize and acknowledge your own mind and heart and begin to assert some independence while learning.

Patience...there's that word again! May my learning patience for my daughter rub off on her to learn patience with her brother.

I am actually optimistic. She was happy with the am/pm skin moisturizers I purchased for her. I'll start explaining the importance of taking care of her skin, body and belongings even more now so she'll make good long term habits that will last her a life time.

May I remember to know make her into WHO I want her to be but be supportive of the person she is developing into and that she is called to be.

Day Two

Well today was a good day. Kids were up at a reasonable hour and I was able to enjoy my cereal in peace. My daughter behaved herself and was actually a model of what I how I knew she could be.

Hmmmm, must be that pesky birthday coming up tomorrow.

My children are picky eaters, pure and simple. Didn't want to eat any leftovers and it was too hot to cook anything in the kitchen. I guess if they get hungry they'll eat what is set before them.

Today our discussion surrounded around a show I was watching [Harry's Law: episode #4 regarding suing fast food chains for making people fat] and was what was being said true.

I broke it down to her: Businesses want to make money so they advertise in such a way to entice us to use our money on their products. Fast food is general is not good for us. It is made in such a way to make us want it and it does unhealthy things to our bodies.

Further went on to say that I am an overweight black woman that is at risk of some bad things [hypertension, diabetes, heart attack, stroke, death].
Since she had been somewhat appearance motivated, I felt I needed to tell her you have to be health oriented so that the beauty show inward outward...or at least something like that.

While we were in WalMart she had seen a product for some facial cleaner and she got all excited. I told her that was the response they wanted, in hopes that she would put it in her basket while she shopped. She didn't need the product but because she saw the item on tv the thought had been placed and she remembered.

She hasn't tried her hair removal in a few days...not that she had a lot of hair on her legs but she doesn't want to listen to me. Well at least she did workout today.

Now to get her to stop watching shows on her laptop. She came to me later in the day so say her eye was twitching and when was it going to start. I told her it was time to stop watching the shows and do something else. She does have a new book she can start reading but I'll see if she can self start that project without my interference.

Now if I can just get my son to start listening without me having to threaten in within an inch of his life.

Time for some escapism...Darkfever here I come....

Day One August First

Though I have two days until her 12th birthday I can already see the changes. We did survive the our first year of middle school, with the family surviving my first year of nursing school. But my quiet, social awkward baby was streaming lining her way to moody and attitude-ness.

To her credit she gets her solitude from me and her father. We like to spend time with people and socialize but we also like our alone time. She turned that time into drawing and creating the most unique creatures we had ever seen. Unfortunately I am the eldest of four and when I am social I love it and thrive. I sometimes get things immediately, its almost as if everything comes to me naturally. My husband the baby of the family was happy to blend in with the background and not be noticed.

We were excited like most soon to be parents. Pregnancy went well, no trouble delivering and we didn't go overboard with spoiling with our precious little girl. We tried not to get too excited when she became Ms. Picky eater. We held on to our cool when she let her fear of balloons almost paralyze her at school.

We knew enough to know that all kids are unique and that you can't let yourself stress out over every little thing.

Well just because I am a mom doesn't mean I cease to be human. Where was it written we had to satisfy every whim of our child. My parents didn't and neither did my husband's parents. We weren't going to either. She was just going to have to get over it when we said no.

At school things seemed to go well. We tried tap, ballet and going to summer camp. Either way she is a very blessed little girl.

After trying for another baby and a loss, our son arrived a month before her 8th birthday. We had harmony. Making sure to take time out with her so she didn't feel left out with the new baby in the house.

The peace would cease once our son decided he was as old as his sister and wanted to do everything that she did. Their adventures would usually work out but she soon began to act like she didn't want him around.

So I stepped back and began to look at my patient levels. Being in school and working were stressing me to a new level so I started to revisit my parenting skills. We strove to be fair and not let our emotions dictate discipline.

So now we stand on the brink of a new adventure where she starts to want more independence and we work to shape and mold her into the woman she is supposed to be.

I knew this day was coming. I don't like the attitudes but I know that if I can maintain being a patient teacher, I can help her express herself in an appropriate manner and still feel respected by me and her father.

Let the challenge begin........