A little refinement

A few of you have asked for details about Nora's behavior chart.

I once nannied for a sweet girl who was so very polite and a very good girl. That wasn't by luck- the previous nanny had made a board game to help her become a lady. I loved the idea and stored it away in my brain for later. Now it's later, and my little heathen needs some direction.

Supplies:
Poster board
Markers
Ruler
Scissors
(And stickers if you want)
That's it!

The basic idea is to make a board game and some activity cards to go with it. I wanted the game to take about two months, so most of the activity cards only have a value of one or two spaces. If she completes the activity or behavior on the card she puts stickers on the spaces (but you can also just cross of each space with a marker). If she lands on a star she gets a treat (a piece of dove chocolate) if she lands on a heart she gets 10-15 minutes of one-on-one playtime with mom or dad. She loves playtime with us and she loves chocolate- but you could substitute prizes or other things that make your child happy for the hearts and stars. When she gets to the end she will get a larger prize (she wants a set of girly Legos) and a certificate deeming her a refined lady.

The hardest part is coming up with the activities cards. I want them to sound encouraging - not pointed (stop burping at the table you uncultured swine!... is a little harsh)

That's it. If you have any questions, ask in the comments and I'll answer them!

The day I painted the bathroom (and hit my head)

I hit my head today. Kinda hard.

I feel a bit stupid about it.

You see, I put the ladder in the bathtub to paint the high parts of the wall. The ladder didn't fit very well, so it was wobbly and not locked into place. Then I climbed right up and sat on the very top. The part that warns that it is not a step, yeah, that part is where I parked it. I had a full tray of paint and I was reaching for the wall and pushing hard with the roller to make sure I got as much paint out of each stroke as possible.

Then it happened. I rolled too hard, lost my balance and the ladder went one direction and I went the other. It was the strangest sensation. Like I was being swallowed. It happened so fast and so slow all at the same time. I had the time to have thoughts go through my head like: "Well, this wasn't a good idea", "I hope I don't land on the ladder", "Grab something!", "Help!", and "This is going to be bad."
Then I hit my head on the marble window ledge and then again on the edge of the tub. Also, this is when I lost consciousness. Somewhere in there I also sliced the heel of my right foot on the ladder and pulled the towel rod out of the wall--landing on the bent rod. Great. Also, I think I'm going to take all the kids toys out of my bathtub. I landed on a tugboat, some Little People, and a bottle of shampoo. Of course I don't remember that happening, I just noticed when Brian pulled all those things out from under me.

Brian had just got home from a trip to Chicago a mere half hour before the fall. According to Brian he heard a yell, a crash, a bang, a few more crashes and then silence. He ran to the bathroom, saw paint everywhere, the ladder was out of the tub and standing upright next to the sink, and he found me in the bottom of the tub unconscious. He said it took about 15 seconds for me to come to and respond.
I woke up to see Brian's concerned face. My head hurt a lot. I felt ok otherwise- thanks to the adrenaline.  I had the shakes... and I felt stupid.

Brian called 911 and had the kids call Nana to come be with them (thank goodness for Nana). Ethan was in hysterics--he thought I was going to die (I didn't know this until he told me later, poor guy thought I was literally going to the hospital to die). So he called Nana and all he did was cry uncontrollably. Then Nora said to Ethan, "Give me the phone Ethan so I can tell Nana what's going on." She then calmly relayed to Nana what happened and asked her to come to our house. Brian was able to get on the phone and put Nana's mind at ease. Sheesh, the drama!

Our neighbor, Katie, came right over and took the kids. Then the paramedics arrived. At this point I realized I had cut my foot really bad, but it didn't seem to be bleeding so I wasn't too concerned.
I did NOT want to go the the hospital. But all I could think about where the stories of people who hit their head, didn't go to the hospital and then died the same day. I sucked up my pride and went with the paramedics on the stretcher--neck brace and all. When they helped me stand, the blood started gushing out of my heel--guess it was worse than I thought.

I was so embarrassed. I hadn't opened my eyes much because of the pain in my head, and tears were flowing unrestrained (pain, stupidity and embarrassment causes lots of tears)... I have the best neighbors and I was sure that they were all out watching the whole ordeal as I got wheeled out on the stretcher. I asked the paramedic, "How many people are watching? I'm so embarrassed." He said, "Just keep your eyes closed and it never happened." :-)

Ambulance ride, emergency room, CAT scan, x-rays.

Diagnosis: concussion and a severe laceration that needed stitches. Eight stitches.
They stitched me up and sent me home with a few prescriptions to kill pain, avoid vomiting, and protect against infection.

I'm suppose to rest for a few days and not hit my head on anything.
I'm just mad the bathroom is only half painted.
My advice: Hire painters. It is much cheaper than a trip to the E.R.

Why don't you act your age!

Sometimes you look around and say, "WHAT!" When did these kids grow up? Why aren't they babies- they were babies yesterday, I swear!

They want to do everything by themselves, for themselves, and make all their own decisions. They don't want you to brush their teeth or do their hair.

They don't necessarily listen to your advice or your requests for that matter.

They know how to use your phone better than you do. They laugh at jokes you can't believe they understand. And you can't spell words over their heads when you don't want them to know what you are talking about....

But, they are still your babies. You want to hug and squeeze them, give them kisses, tell them you love a hundred times a day, and pinch their cute tooshies. And at night you still sneak in while they are asleep and remember, and smile.

Or, at least, I do.