Here are the most recent Quadeisms (posted for my memory and later enjoyment):
"Pokey pokey" (instead of the more traditional 'hokey pokey')
"Play-doh Head" (mix of playdoh and mr. potato head)
"hamguhger" (i just love when he calls it this)
"He'll probably like it" (as i perk my ears up...did he just say 'probably'?)
"more horses song" (requesting U2's "Vertigo" which begins "uno, dos, tres, catorce"...the last spanish word sounding somewhat like "horses")
"i'll go in a box?" (too long to explain, but i don't want to forget).
"Mommy, here is William Henry Harrison. Him no wear a coat, him got sick and hurt" (thank you chik-fil-a...there is a whole post in itself on this one).
Friday, February 29, 2008
Laughter
sometimes it's the simpliest things that make us laugh...
Quade was closing the door and it was making the wreath hanger "ding" against the window...hilarious, right? =)
Quade was closing the door and it was making the wreath hanger "ding" against the window...hilarious, right? =)
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Bruce's apron
9 years ago at our wedding a friend gave me two aprons, one for Bruce and one for me. She brought them to my bridesmaid luncheon and had all the women sign them and write little notes.
i have worn my apron several times. recently i discovered a use for bruce's apron...
His name is Bruce, afterall. =)
yum!
i have worn my apron several times. recently i discovered a use for bruce's apron...
His name is Bruce, afterall. =)
yum! A four month old pumpkin?
When Quade picked out this pumpkin back in October I never would have guessed that it would have lasted this long!It wasn't until last week that i even recognized the amazing event of a pumpkin staying in great condition for 4 months!
I guess the pumpkin has been by our back door this whole time...i just walked past it every day without taking notice...until we had a super windy day and the lid of the sand box blew off and i needed something to hold it down...perfect, a pumpkin.
Then the other day i noticed an animal enjoyed a little nibble.
Perhaps it's time to throw it out?
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day!
Quade and Price wanted to let you know their "hearts are on fire for you!"We love ya'll!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
autographs by request only
bruce and i are both officially famous.
on monday night i was on the 10 pm news for a story about mommy mixer (http://www.mommymixer.com). I tivo'd if you're interesting in seeing my cute face on t.v. =)
AND
my sister-in-law, christina, just sent us a link to a story she saw on dallasnews.com about tree planting in vickery. check out the hot volunteer with the green visor.
http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/10506
if you'd like autographs from either bruce or myself please leave a comment.
my people will call your people. hee hee.
on monday night i was on the 10 pm news for a story about mommy mixer (http://www.mommymixer.com). I tivo'd if you're interesting in seeing my cute face on t.v. =)
AND
my sister-in-law, christina, just sent us a link to a story she saw on dallasnews.com about tree planting in vickery. check out the hot volunteer with the green visor.
http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/10506
if you'd like autographs from either bruce or myself please leave a comment.
my people will call your people. hee hee.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Tax dollars at work
BEFORE
When we moved into our house there were 3 huge trees out in front. 2 in the easement and 1 on our yard. About 2 years ago the city came and took down one of the trees.
This past fall i started researching tree companies to come out and trim our trees and tell us what to do to keep them healthy. One company told us to cut them all down. AND they said that the one in the easement in front of our house would cost $3,000 to cut down!! WHAT?
So i researched a little further, found a company (preservation tree) that came and did some things to help our dying trees out(aeration, fertilization, etc). I was also curious about perhaps having the city take down the big tree instead of paying $3,000.
Well, right after christmas i got an email from our neighborhood association that they had 25 trees that they were going to plant in the easements and would be given out on a first come first serve basis. I immediately emailed the guy and asked if we could have 2 trees.
He said we could have them but we needed to remove the stump and the dead tree in order to have enough space to plant them.
All the stars aligned this week, i paid someone to grind the stump, the city took down the tree on Friday and we got our new trees on Saturday. Here are some pics.
It makes sense why it would cost so much to remove the large tree...they had a huge crane, open bed truck, shredded, bobcat, and a team of 4 guys!
Oh, the other interesting story is that they found bird eggs in the tree. But they just left them in some wood chips by our bushes. I found them yesterday and took them to a wildlife bird rehab place today. Turns out they were screeching owl eggs.
Throughout this whole experience i learned: 1) our tax dollars do provide some great services 2) we have some amazing neighbors 3) His eye is on the sparrow(or screecher owl)...so why do i worry if He will take care of me?
AFTER
Friday, February 8, 2008
Mommy glam
i know that lipstick always makes a woman look more glamorous but i always forget to put lipstick on OR i feel like it's pointless b/c it always comes off soon after i've put it on.
I've tried some of those "forever" lipsticks but i feel like they make your lips look flaky and gross by the end of the day.
UNTIL...my mom introduced me to the best all-day lipstick. It's Loreal's Infallible Never Fail Lipcolor.
I've discovered that it's definitely mommy friendly.
1) It's all contained in one case
2) the case is a mirror, so you can see what you're doing
3) you are supposed to apply the color first and wait 2 minutes, before applying the gloss, which is the exact length of time I set on the timer for TIME OUTS. =)
4) it stays on all day (so much so that i have to wash it off at night)
5) it doesn't get cakey and gross.
I've now purchased two colors: one for day and one for night.
try it out!
Monday, February 4, 2008
Building Self-Esteem
I saw these 10 tips on a website and thought they were great. I wanted to remember them and share them with ya'll.
Give unconditional love. A child's self-esteem flourishes with the kind of no-strings- attached devotion that says, "I love you, no matter who you are or what you do." Your child benefits the most when you accept her for who she is regardless of her strengths, difficulties, temperament, or abilities. So lavish her with love. Give her plenty of cuddles and kisses. And don't forget to tell her how much you love her. When you do have to correct your child, make it clear that it's her behavior — not her — that's unacceptable. Instead of saying, "You're a naughty girl! Why can't you be good?" say, "Pushing Olivia isn't nice. It can hurt. Please don't push."
Pay attention. Carve out time to give your child your undivided attention. That does wonders for your child's self-worth because it sends the message that you think she's important and valuable. It doesn't have to take a lot of time; it just means taking a moment to stop flicking through the mail if she's trying to talk with you or turning off the TV long enough to answer a question. Make eye contact, so it's clear that you're really listening to what she's saying. When you're strapped for time, let your child know it without ignoring her needs. Say, "Tell me all about the picture you drew, and then when you're finished, I'll need to make our dinner."
Teach limits. Establish a few reasonable rules. For instance, if you tell your child she has to eat her snack in the kitchen, don't let her wander around the family room with her crackers and fruit the next day. Knowing that certain family rules are set in stone will help her feel more secure. It may take constant repetition on your part, but she'll start to live by your expectations soon enough. Just be clear and consistent and show her that you trust her and expect her to do the right thing.
Offer choices. A good rule of thumb: Let your child choose between two possibilities, since at this age too many options can be overwhelming. For instance, ask her whether she wants to wear her polka-dot dress or the striped one, or if she wants to paint or draw, or whether she wants oatmeal or cold cereal for breakfast. She'll gain confidence with each opportunity to make a decision. Letting her know that you have faith in her judgment increases your child's sense of self-worth.
Support healthy risks. Encourage your child to explore something new, such as trying a different food, finding a best pal, or going down the slide. Though there's always the possibility of failure, without risk there's little opportunity for success. So let your child experiment safely, and resist the urge to intervene. For instance, try not to "rescue" her if she's showing mild frustration at figuring out a new toy. Even jumping in to say, "I'll do it" can foster dependence and diminish your child's confidence. You'll build her self-esteem by balancing your need to protect her with her need to tackle new tasks.
Let mistakes happen. The flip side, of course, of having choices and taking risks is that sometimes your child is bound to make mistakes. These are valuable lessons for your child's confidence. So go ahead and let her wear the snowsuit she insists on wearing even if it's balmy outside (just stash more appropriate clothing in your backpack). When she starts complaining that she's too hot, stifle your urge to say, "I told you so." Just whip out her favorite shorts and T-shirt and say something like, "How about wearing this since it's so warm?" That way her self-esteem won't sag and she'll understand that it's okay to make mistakes sometimes. When you goof up yourself, admit it, says Daniel Meier, assistant professor of elementary education at San Francisco State University. Acknowledging and recovering from your mistakes sends a powerful message to your child — it makes it easier for your child to accept her own shortcomings.
Make success a snap. Buy clothes that are a cinch to put on and pull off, get a stool so she can wash her own hands and brush her teeth at the sink, and find a place for her toys and books that is within her reach. By giving your 2-year-old the resources to take care of her own needs, you'll help foster independence and pride in her ability to do things for herself.
Celebrate the positive. It's sometimes too easy to tally up all the things a child does wrong, but everyone responds well to encouragement, so make an effort to acknowledge the good things your child does every day within her earshot. For instance, tell her dad, "Nina picked up all her toys today." She'll bask in the glow of your praise and her dad's heartening response. And be specific. Instead of saying "Good job," say, "Thank you for waiting so patiently in line." This will enhance her sense of accomplishment and self-worth and let her know exactly what she did right.
Listen well. If your child needs to talk, stop and listen to what she has to say. She needs to know that her thoughts, feelings, desires, and opinions matter. Help her get comfortable with her emotions by labeling them. Say, "I know you're sad because we have to say bye-bye to the carousel." By accepting her emotions without judgment, you validate her feelings and show that you value what she has to say. If you share your own feelings ("I'm excited about going to the zoo"), she'll gain confidence in expressing her own.
Provide encouragement. Every child needs the kind of support from her loved ones that signals, "I believe in you. I see you trying. Keep going!" Encouragement means acknowledging progress — not just rewarding achievement. It means thanking your child for putting her books away, even if she missed some under her bed. It means smiling in support as she struggles to use her fork, in spite of the trail of food under her chair. And it means giving a hug for an attempt at singing the "ABC" song, even though she skipped a few letters.There's a difference between praise and encouragement. One rewards the task while the other rewards the person ("You did it!" rather than "I'm proud of you!"). Praise can make a child feel that she's only "good" if she does something perfectly. Encouragement, on the other hand, acknowledges the effort. "Tell me about your drawing. I see that you like purple" is more helpful than saying, "That's the most beautiful picture I've ever seen." Too much praise can sap self-esteem because it can create pressure to perform and set up a continual need for approval from others. So dole out the praise judiciously and offer encouragement liberally; it will help your child grow up to feel good about herself.
Give unconditional love. A child's self-esteem flourishes with the kind of no-strings- attached devotion that says, "I love you, no matter who you are or what you do." Your child benefits the most when you accept her for who she is regardless of her strengths, difficulties, temperament, or abilities. So lavish her with love. Give her plenty of cuddles and kisses. And don't forget to tell her how much you love her. When you do have to correct your child, make it clear that it's her behavior — not her — that's unacceptable. Instead of saying, "You're a naughty girl! Why can't you be good?" say, "Pushing Olivia isn't nice. It can hurt. Please don't push."
Pay attention. Carve out time to give your child your undivided attention. That does wonders for your child's self-worth because it sends the message that you think she's important and valuable. It doesn't have to take a lot of time; it just means taking a moment to stop flicking through the mail if she's trying to talk with you or turning off the TV long enough to answer a question. Make eye contact, so it's clear that you're really listening to what she's saying. When you're strapped for time, let your child know it without ignoring her needs. Say, "Tell me all about the picture you drew, and then when you're finished, I'll need to make our dinner."
Teach limits. Establish a few reasonable rules. For instance, if you tell your child she has to eat her snack in the kitchen, don't let her wander around the family room with her crackers and fruit the next day. Knowing that certain family rules are set in stone will help her feel more secure. It may take constant repetition on your part, but she'll start to live by your expectations soon enough. Just be clear and consistent and show her that you trust her and expect her to do the right thing.
Offer choices. A good rule of thumb: Let your child choose between two possibilities, since at this age too many options can be overwhelming. For instance, ask her whether she wants to wear her polka-dot dress or the striped one, or if she wants to paint or draw, or whether she wants oatmeal or cold cereal for breakfast. She'll gain confidence with each opportunity to make a decision. Letting her know that you have faith in her judgment increases your child's sense of self-worth.
Support healthy risks. Encourage your child to explore something new, such as trying a different food, finding a best pal, or going down the slide. Though there's always the possibility of failure, without risk there's little opportunity for success. So let your child experiment safely, and resist the urge to intervene. For instance, try not to "rescue" her if she's showing mild frustration at figuring out a new toy. Even jumping in to say, "I'll do it" can foster dependence and diminish your child's confidence. You'll build her self-esteem by balancing your need to protect her with her need to tackle new tasks.
Let mistakes happen. The flip side, of course, of having choices and taking risks is that sometimes your child is bound to make mistakes. These are valuable lessons for your child's confidence. So go ahead and let her wear the snowsuit she insists on wearing even if it's balmy outside (just stash more appropriate clothing in your backpack). When she starts complaining that she's too hot, stifle your urge to say, "I told you so." Just whip out her favorite shorts and T-shirt and say something like, "How about wearing this since it's so warm?" That way her self-esteem won't sag and she'll understand that it's okay to make mistakes sometimes. When you goof up yourself, admit it, says Daniel Meier, assistant professor of elementary education at San Francisco State University. Acknowledging and recovering from your mistakes sends a powerful message to your child — it makes it easier for your child to accept her own shortcomings.
Make success a snap. Buy clothes that are a cinch to put on and pull off, get a stool so she can wash her own hands and brush her teeth at the sink, and find a place for her toys and books that is within her reach. By giving your 2-year-old the resources to take care of her own needs, you'll help foster independence and pride in her ability to do things for herself.
Celebrate the positive. It's sometimes too easy to tally up all the things a child does wrong, but everyone responds well to encouragement, so make an effort to acknowledge the good things your child does every day within her earshot. For instance, tell her dad, "Nina picked up all her toys today." She'll bask in the glow of your praise and her dad's heartening response. And be specific. Instead of saying "Good job," say, "Thank you for waiting so patiently in line." This will enhance her sense of accomplishment and self-worth and let her know exactly what she did right.
Listen well. If your child needs to talk, stop and listen to what she has to say. She needs to know that her thoughts, feelings, desires, and opinions matter. Help her get comfortable with her emotions by labeling them. Say, "I know you're sad because we have to say bye-bye to the carousel." By accepting her emotions without judgment, you validate her feelings and show that you value what she has to say. If you share your own feelings ("I'm excited about going to the zoo"), she'll gain confidence in expressing her own.
Provide encouragement. Every child needs the kind of support from her loved ones that signals, "I believe in you. I see you trying. Keep going!" Encouragement means acknowledging progress — not just rewarding achievement. It means thanking your child for putting her books away, even if she missed some under her bed. It means smiling in support as she struggles to use her fork, in spite of the trail of food under her chair. And it means giving a hug for an attempt at singing the "ABC" song, even though she skipped a few letters.There's a difference between praise and encouragement. One rewards the task while the other rewards the person ("You did it!" rather than "I'm proud of you!"). Praise can make a child feel that she's only "good" if she does something perfectly. Encouragement, on the other hand, acknowledges the effort. "Tell me about your drawing. I see that you like purple" is more helpful than saying, "That's the most beautiful picture I've ever seen." Too much praise can sap self-esteem because it can create pressure to perform and set up a continual need for approval from others. So dole out the praise judiciously and offer encouragement liberally; it will help your child grow up to feel good about herself.
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