A little of this and that.

Let's jump right in shall we?!  First, Ben went to his class in Florida a week or so ago.  I must say, being a single parent is NOT for me.  We managed, but we were really really glad for Ben to get back.  

We needed to stay occupied while dad was gone, so we did some projects together.  Grace played with playdoh while Caleb and I did some cool science projects. 

Auntie Tailor (and Uncle Jim) gave Caleb and Grace REALLY neat presents for Christmas.  They gave Caleb a list of science experiments and all the supplies needed including safety goggles.  He was really into the glasses.  

 Wednesday night I took the kids with me to my parenting class (based on my favorite parenting book ever, "Entrusted with a Child's Heart" by Betsy Corning).  We stopped at Culvers on the way, and the kids did SO WELL.  I was so proud of them.  Here they were chatting. I love when they talk.  Usually it makes no sense, but it's still cute.

We've been dealing with some Slooooooooooooooowwwwwwww eating on the homefront.  Caleb-- eats very slow and is very, very, very distracted during meal time.  Grace, stuffs her mouth full of food and then chews for 10 hours.  She's my food storer.  It's awesome. Not.  And, Anna, throws her cup on the ground every.second.

I felt like I was about to lose my mind, so while Ben was gone I began "bootcamp".  And, I told them they were in it.  HAHAHA.

So bootcamp for us looks like this.
1. I give Caleb and Grace a time that they have to finish their food by. (a very reasonable time and it depends on the meal how long they have)
2. If they do not finished within the allotted time, their plates are removed and stored in the fridge.  So, if they choose to eat NOTHING, that's fine.  Just stupid of them, and they will be very hungry.
3. Grace cannot get out of her highchair until she's finished chewing. (this was my best move EVER)
4. They eat NOTHING.  Absolutely NOTHING until the next meal.
5. At the next meal, I pull the unfinished meal out of the fridge for them to finish.
6. They say "GROSS" and then they eat it cold.
7. If Anna throws her cup on the ground, she doesn't get it back. Boo ya.

GUESS WHAT?!!?! It's totally working! Grace is actually catching on quicker than Caleb.  She's eating much, much better, and chews faster than I thought she was even capable of.  Caleb does OK, but sometimes he just decides he doesn't care.  He's always sorry when the consequences set in though. He'll get it soon.  It's also saving my sanity.  My old way of life was like this ...

Me: Hurry up, chew your food
Me: Stop talking and eat
Me: Eat
Me: chew
Me: Chew your food
Me: you have to eat it
Me: hurry up
Me: Come on, let's go.
Me: Caleb, can you pick up anna's cup?
Me: Caleb pick up anna's cup again
Me: Caleb would you pick up anna's cup again?
Me: Hurry up
Me: chew your food.

Is that a nice way to live?! UM. No. Totally not.  So, problem solved.  Once they know the time, that's their warning, and I just can eat in peace.  It's freeing.  Very freeing. And, I'm not getting as upset at them because we have an easy solution.  AND, they still have to eat everything.  We do not do different meals for the kids-- we all eat the same thing, and everyone has to eat it.  I think I blogged about that a while back.  Sometimes people get upset about that idea-- but I seriously don't get it.   I read an article about the French once and how their children eat 4 times a day and that's it.  They don't have random snacking, AND, they don't do kid's meal things.  So, kid food and grown up food is the same.  That's my FAVORITE.   The idea that kids can only eat hotdogs, chicken nuggets and french fries is so gross and untrue.  

Anna has been doing this lately.... so we've started using the buckle... haha.  AHHH!

Since I'm pregnant, I've been taking my prenatal vitamins.  I always notice they make my nails SUPER strong and long.  I have an issue with biting my nails and/or ripping them off, so I decided to paint them to protect them from... me.  I decided to do a french tip.  Isn't it pretty?! 

The bad news is I quickly realized how impractical it was.  I think I chipped one in the first hour.  I don't think painted nails and 3 little kids go well together.  Oh well, it looked pretty for a little while. ha! 

Here's Caleb and his lifelong best bud.  Caleb has been obsessed with his Grandpa since he was born. It's SO CUTE.  They're buddies for sure.  

Who is going to the true woman conference this year?! It's in September, and I'm notifying you now so you have plenty of time to make arrangements ;).  It's in Indy and SO SO SO worth it.  Here's the link if you want to know more. https://www.reviveourhearts.com/true-woman/  I'm hoping I can go this year!

That's all for now.

-Melanie