Happy Memories

During the last session of General Conference we took the kids on a drive up the canyon--just as Mom and Dad did for us. Remember the good old days?

Well, on the way up Allison complained becasuse she didn't want to go on a drive. After a while we stopped and took pictures on a bridge. It was a bit cold and windy, but we had fun. Then we piled back in the truck. After a struggle we finally got Isaac strapped into his carseat where he screamed for awhile.

As we pulled into the driveway I said, "Who had fun?"

All three children raised their hands and yelled, "I did! I did! I did!"

Dave raised his eyebrow at me and said, "Well just because they don't have happy experiences doesn't mean they don't have happy memories."

Reality Check

Okay. We just ate dinner. The daughter and the first son had the same highlight and lowpoint. They both enjoyed their walk together and they were both repulsed by dinner. The second boy, the little angel, loved the Asian Lettuce Wraps. In fact, they were, "delithous." He punctuated his compliment with several helpings.

To be fair, the first boy didn't bawl or whine and the second boy didn't climb on the table. I say, "Two out of three ain't bad."

The daughter got busy assembling quesadillas for herself and the first boy. She was very cute--she loved "making dinner." And, she cleaned it up afterwards.

Dinner

The Man and I have decided to set some familial goals beginning with dinner time--we want to create happy memories. Our theory is that by doing some fun things some of the undesirable behaviors will melt away in to desirable ones--the daughter will stop complaining about food she doesn't like, the first son will stop whining, and the second son will stop climbing on the table. And we'll all politely sit up to the table, discuss our day, and eat our food.

To start out with we all share the day's highlights and lowpoints. The daughter's highlight was playing with some friends at school, and her lowpoint was when the second son, "jumped on my head."

I had the marked distinction of being the first son's highlight and lowpoint. Wow! the the influence of a mother. His highlight was when I let him watch TV and his lowpoint was when I made him turn it off.

The second son also had a highlight and lowpoint: ice cream. He didn't quite understand the concept, but he does understand food, particularly ice cream.

We also let the children choose one (balanced) meal for the week.

So far, so good--I think it's working, mostly.

Saturday Morning Breakfast

Saturday morning we can always count on the Man to make a delicious breakfast. His repertoire includes: wholewheat waffles, wholewheat pancakes, poached eggs, and my personal favorite--omelets with grilled onions and peppers, fresh tomatoes and extra sharp cheddar cheese. Yummy. Remember, our house Saturday morning. Be there.

Daddy Time

Every night Daddy gives the kids a ride to bed, helps them say their prayers, and tucks them in. They love it. He miraculously transforms himself into a train, an airplane, a rocket ship or a boat. Imagine the sound effects.

Sometimes they stay in bed. Sometimes they don't.

You many think this begs the question,"Where's Mommy?" It doesn't.

Home Show

Mom and sisters complain that I pick their brains for decorating ideas and advice--then, as soon as the project is finished I forget all about it and they never get to see the end result or know if I even liked it. Thanks for your inspiration, hard work, listening ears, and of course, genius.

Mothering is Like Ice-skating

The other day a certain husband--to protect his marriage I won't say whose--said that his wife had it "so easy". The old watch TV and eat bonbons idea. A few days later while chatting with this "certain husband" he told me about all the mischief his young charge found while in his care.

Mothering, I've decided, is much like being a professional figure-skater. We make it look so easy. Only other mothers know the countless hours that go into perfecting our routine. Screaming children? No problem. Hungry? I got it covered. Fighting? Teasing? Pshaw that's cake.