A Picture Says 1,000 Words...Or Does It?

Yesterday was a rough one in the Worster household.

Sarah gets 15 minutes of computer time in the morning before school. Danny is very interested in the computer, and in anything his sister is doing. (That's his job as a 2 year old, right?) The computer was "acting up" as I like to say yesterday morning, causing Sarah to become frustrated, which for her, translates to angry. She lashed out at Dan, hitting him and calling him stupid. Punishment: computer gone for the day.

When it was time to leave for school, Sarah would not leave the office. Punishment: TV gone for the day. Result: more yelling and hitting Danny.

I have struggled with different ideas, but I finally decided that Sarah and I needed to have a real talk. One that doesn't occur in the heat of battle. One in which (hopefully) she would willingly participate. So, yesterday evening, Sarah and I, a pot of tea, 4 homemade chocolate chip cookies, paper and a pencil, went to the lower level room to have a conversation. She was excited about the food, and felt like a big girl. She said "I didn't know that we needed to have paper." She didn't seem concerned about anything else...just the paper.

We brainstormed some ideas of things to do when one feel frustrated or angry. We discussed that it is okay, and NORMAL to feel angry sometimes, but it's never okay to be mean. She seemed to understand. She told me what the punishment should be when she is mean. Today, we will make a list of these things to post in her room. I hope it works!!

Oh...and the picture, which I will post later, is of the craft we did yesterday evening. Amidst all the chaos, we did a craft that took 15 minutes. If you just look at the picture, you'd never guess all this other "stuff" was going on!

Sew S-E-W

Okay, so I am taking a basic sewing class. (Yes, I know, this is funny already) My neighbor and I both sewed in 4-H when we were younger...much younger...but how hard can it really be, right?

We had our first class last night. I was basically informed by the teacher that I can't do anything right. Can't cut out the pattern properly, can't pin properly, can't line up the pattern properly. She was ON me! I was closer to tears last night than I have been since Physics in college. She apparently thinks I'm a complete idiot as well, since she felt she needed to clarify that we will sew "S-E-W" next week.

I wonder if that people that I took care of in the hospital had that same impression of me, or is it just confined to sewing? Wait...don't answer that one.

Wiggly Crying

Today Danny and I were driving back from the library, and I put in his "find" which was Wiggles Live: Hot Potatoes. I was okay during the Entracte, but when "Toot Toot Chugga Chugga Big Red Car" started, I began to cry. Not a little bit. A lot.

I so vividly remember the two Wiggles concerts Sarah and I attended. She was so cute. The first, when she was 3, was cool because she was just dumbfounded. The lights, the sounds, everything was just so much for her to absorb. (Yes, I cried then too) The second show, when she was 4, she just danced and sang the whole time. She was into looking for Jeff, and we got within 5 feet of Murray. All of these memories came flooding back when I heard the song. I hate to admit it, but I love the Wiggles!!!

You see, I really have lost my mind. I have gone from worrying about completing my reports on time and taking care of people with heart failure.......to crying while listening to the Wiggles in the car.

Winter Fun!

When I found out that the rec center pool is closed on Monday and Wednesday evenings, I was in a total panic. I had promised swimming, but had no way to deliver on my promise. It occurred to me that I had written down some "concoctions" and placed them in my recipe book.

We ended up doing bathtub finger paints, and they had a complete blast! Mind you, I haven't tried to clean it up yet, but we'll see how it goes. The recipe included dish soap, cornstarch, and food coloring. Given my wonderful organizational methods....I couldn't find ANY food coloring, so we used Kool Aid. I highly recommend this activity for a quick and easy way to kill some time in the house.

Reprieve

Yesterday it was a balmy 50 degrees, and we were able to get outside with the kids. Despite the mucky mud in the backyard, we all had a great time being outside. It's incredible how much one's mood can change just by walking outside. The kids were crazy and full of mud, which is their preferred state, I think. We were able to cook out, clean up, and get the Christmas lights in. All in all, not a bad day!

Cold, Cold, Cold!

I am SO not used to the cold. Today it's about 20 degrees outside, but I feel like it's -20. I'm sure the wind chill would make it a bit colder, but not that much. I am officially hibernating! (Except for this weekend, when it's supposed to be 50)

Today, the kids and I cleaned our basement, which is always fun. No, really! They play on the exercise equipment while I vacuum spiders and organize. Sometimes I get a bit sidetracked going through my old high school photos, but I always get a little bit done. We cleared a huge area, which will make it much easier for us to exercise with the kids downstairs. Let's see if Steve notices...

Happy 2008!

We rung in the new year in style last night. We went to a small party, had a blast, and got Steak 'n Shake on the way home. I had to ask my husband this morning to remind me next year not to drink and then gorge myself on cheese fries and milkshakes. It seemed like a good idea at the time!

Today, we had our traditional dinner of sauerkraut and pork, and introduced Sarah to yet another German superstition. She ate some sauerkraut for good measure "even though I don't like it."

I haven't come up with any resolutions. I can't recall a year that I actually followed through with one, so what's the point. I guess losing the 5 pounds I gained since Thanksgiving is a good one. That way, once the weight is gone, I don't need to worry about the resolution!