The Alarm Clock & the 4 Year Old

So one of our daughter's Christmas presents was the "Teach Me Time" Clock.

Kids can press a button, it will talk and give what time it is. She loves this - at age 4, she's constantly asking what time it is.  I like that it shows both the analog and digital display.

It also has some other important features: programmable nightlight, an "OK to Wake!" timer (clock glows green at time designated by parents), and an alarm clock.

We all have been big fans of the "OK to Wake!" green glow timer - it helps her know to stay in bed until a reasonable time (we set it to 7:15 a.m. for weekends) or read quietly in her room until then. The novelty of it and the fact that it's not mom/dad arbitrarily putting limits on her seems to have worked so far.

So, over the long holiday week, it's been a big hit.

The night before Back to Reality, (last night), I asked her if she wanted to try the alarm clock part like a Big Girl, or have Mommy come wake her like usual.

She said yes to the alarm, so we did a practice so she could hear what it sounded like and see how to turn it off.  All eagerness!

However, yesterday morning, my husband reported on what actually took place: Daughter, lying in bed, glowering at the clock and pulling the covers up over her head.  Normal routine of coaxing and begging to get ready followed.

Today, day two: She immediately turns the alarm off and vacates her room to the family room couch.  Where she continues snuggling and snoozing for another 20 minutes unbeknownst to us.  She further delays getting ready until she has to leave & take her breakfast with her to school.

Alarm FAIL.

Men and Packing for Trips!!!

I'm not sure there's anything more infuriating as a wife/woman, yet I can't say after almost 15 years knowing my husband and 8 married I should be surprised:

I've been making lists and packing things for almost a week and a half now, trying to account for everything that myself, 2 kids, and the 2 dogs need (AND the husband needs too, really - he has a list too) for an extended trip with multiple special events to dress and account for, presents to make & give, etc.

The man? He's still waiting until the morning we leave to pack his stuff and completely is content to let me handle the rest.

The sad truth is while I "want" help I also want it done "right", so the safest thing for him is probably to just not be in the vicinity of the TV or Xbox while I scurry back and forth like a squirrel, sweating bullets to get this done!

Seeing him sitting down is like waving a red flag in front of the bull, folks!!!

We Love Dancing - This Week!

 So... I know everyone was wondering after last time... how did she do at dance class this last week?

It was a little bit of a rocky start leading up to just getting there.

"Time to get ready, it's almost time for dance class!" I said, after talking it up all week.

"OK!" she chirped.

Despite her seemingly agreeable response, the fairly typical battle about getting ready ensues. No, she doesn't want to use the potty first. No, she doesn't want to get her clothes on. Fifteen minutes later, OK, she is pottied and clothes are on, now she needs to lay on top of the dog instead of putting shoes on. Why can't she wants wear her dress-up crown? No! She will only sit in her brother's car seat. OK, OK...

Tiny (Non)Dancer

I just don't get it.  Kids are ever-confusing!

My daughter is 3 1/2.  Her preschool did a school "play" earlier this year, and since dancing on the stage there, it's something she's spoken of enthusiastically for the past several months.

So 2 weeks ago was my daughter's first dance class - we had visited a couple schools, picked one out together, and decided to let her pursue more excuses for "dancing on stage" that she's requested.

Big excitement abound. Beforehand, we went and picked out the dance clothes, she was soooo excited: leotards with skirts, tights, ballet shoes, tap shoes... yay!

5 Things I Learned: New Mom Revelations

Guilt and Feelings of Inadequacy: I had boat-loads of it as a new mom. Take comfort ladies, if you can. These were some of my hard-learned realizations and lessons:

1) Your experience will be unique - and you're justified in however "easy" or "hard" you feel being a mom is.

I had a "hard" first baby - preterm, couldn't latch on, trouble staying awake to eat at all, reflux, very colicky, etc. - and I desperately felt it must have been me "doing things wrong". "Everyone else" seemed to have no trouble at all!

Baby Gear Overload: After Two Babies, the Stuff I Didn't Use

Oh new parents!
We are bombarded with so many "get this, you need that" messages when we find out we're expecting.  If you're fortunate enough to be able to get a bit more than the bare essentials, then you are prime target for Baby Gear Overload Syndrome.
Below are the items that I wish I had my money back, or despite a gift from a well-meaning family member, just never found itself used or enjoyed.  Save yourself some disappointment.

Our Family's 5 Favorite Toys: Infant to 3 years

I have made it a point to not buy our kids tons of toys throughout the year; so far, we make Christmas season and birthdays (both winter) our main targets, and something small during the summer.  I always buy a mixture of things they're able to use right now, and in the months ahead, and this does mean that some Christmas gifts will not get used right away.  However we have a small home, and I want to see each purchase go the distance: they teach something, have durability, will work for boys/girls alike, and most importantly, are fun!
Here are our biggest hits so far: