Learning experience

It is hard to humble yourself when being taught a lesson by/through your kids. I had one of those experiences this week.

I came home from work one day this week and Braden looked like he had been upset about something. I later found out from Yvonne that she had been talking with him about the way he was playing the PS3 with his friend that afternoon. He had been rather forceful and loud in trying to tell him what to do and where to go and how to play. As she tried to council him on being nice to his friends if he wants to keep them, he broke down and declared, "But its not my fault, its Dad's. That's how he teaches me." And then they heard the garage door open and he shutdown the conversation before I came in the house.

Ow. Big knife in the heart. Ow, again.
So I had to suck it up and talk to him the next morning and ask what Dad could do to be better. He recommended being calmer and using a nicer tone.

So, we've both been working on that this week and you know, it has really made a difference for us. Sigh..., that whole "out of the mouth of babes" thing just kills me sometimes.

Kids say...

"Jinger bells, jinger bells, jinger all the way..., Old McDonald had a farm, and BINGO was his name-o!"

-A medley by Brynley.
Yesterday, while I was getting ready for the day, Brynley was hanging out with me and she started singing as only a three year old can. This was my serenade of the morning. It was too funny!

Kids say...

"Lookin' good!"

That's what people say when you put on your sunglasses.

-The world according to Brynley.

Daylight Savings Time

I was going to include something about "the good, the bad and the ugly", but then I realized I had nothing good to say about DST. The only way I would possibly enjoy DST is if we were on it all year long. I think I could work with that.

Like most folks, I suspect, the transition to DST is a horrible time for me. Despite my best efforts to get to bed on time (per the clock, not my body) I still take at least two weeks (often more) to get close to acclimatizing.

This year added a new facet to this. It is called an almost four year old child. I have never seen someone get so cranky! I cannot wait until she is used to the change. It gives a whole new meaning to "bang your head", as I find myself trying to avoid putting holes in our recently painted walls by doing exactly that. (Which, of course, I'm doing to avoid physical violence against my dear sweet princess girl who can be so blasted cute.)

If I can find my graphical instructions for this particular stress relief technique, I'll post them later.
Update: Here's a copy. Stress Relief Kit.

But for now, I think I feel another headache coming on...

Groundhog Day

We were driving down the road this weekend and our conversation led to Monday being Groundhog Day. I haven't really given it much thought for years, (other than the occasional chuckle over the movie) but this was all new to Braden and his usually curious self asked us what in the world is Groundhog Day.

That was a fun little discussion into human idiosyncrasies and what it means and why we "believe" in it.

So, in honor of the furry groundhog, I present this post.

And BTW, he did see his shadow this morning. Six more weeks of Winter are on their way. (Not that we weren't expecting them around here anyway...)

http://www.groundhog.org/

Go Phil!