Ethan has been playing with the video camera lately and it's been really cute. He has a fish in his room that has lived for about 1 1/2 years! Sometimes he remembers it is there ;) Last week I cleaned out its tank and now he has been taking great care of it. It doesn't have a name but he loves to watch it swim so he grabbed the camera and the video camera to record it swimming.
Here are two videos of his fish:
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Painting Our Token Boxes
On Monday night for FHE we painted our token boxes and Bryan painted the frame he made for our "responsibilities and rewards" chart. It was fun because both of the kids love to paint and they did a great job! Ethan's ended up being metallic blue and forest green. Courtney's ended up being a hodgepodge of all kinds of colors really watered down. But it was fun and they turned out cute.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Rough Beginning
Bryan and I started a "responsibilities and consequences" program with the kids yesterday. We have been designing it for a while (if you know us at all, this isn't a surprise) and I even asked one of my friends who has done something similar for her ideas. We finally came up with something we feel good about. I made a chart in my scrapbooking program and had it blown up at Costco, made some color coded marble magnets, bought some tin, and Bryan made a frame and painted it. Sunday night at family council we explained how it would work and the kids were ecstatic. Here's the deal:
On the chart it has all their responsibilities (i.e. chores). If they do their morning chores without being nagged, they get 4 tokens to put in their box. If Ethan practices the piano he can earn up to 10 tokens, depending on how well he does it and if he practices without a fight. If homework is done (or if Courtney studies her letters) they get another 4 tokens. If they do their night time chores they get 4 tokens. If they do their family chores (trash, clean up, set table) they get another 4 token...etc. There are other ways they can earn tokens, such as reading for a 1/2 hour, making good choices, etc. That is up to the parents discretion.
But...if they want to watch TV, they have to give up 10 tokens for 1/2 hour. If they want to play on the computer it's 10 tokens for 1/2 hour. They can play with a friend for an hour for free, but after that it costs 10 tokens for 2 hours (this is currently being negotiated by Ethan who doesn't think it's fair). They can also save their tokens and earn privileges like going mini-golfing, playing lazer tag, eating out with parents, etc. Or, if they save for a long time and get 300 tokens, we given them $10.
But...if they fight, toot, pick nose, suck thumb (after a warning), tattle, tease, or make bad choices, they have tokens taken away.
So it's a privileges and consequences program. The kids love getting their tokens and Ethan has really gotten the hang of earning them. But the first day was a doozie!
Ethan woke up with tokens already because they did their evening chores Sunday night and got some. Then he did his morning chores but he fussed during piano practice and only got 5 tokens, which was way below what he expected. Then Courtney wanted to watch TV but she didn't have enough tokens. That wasn't a pleasant surprise for her. She finally did her morning chores and was able to get her 1/2 hour but threw a fit when I turned off the TV. But all in all they had a good day.
There are some growing pains and this system makes me really have to focus on serving the kids. I was doing that before, but for Courtney to earn extra tokens for reading...I have to do the reading with her. And for her to earn her homework tokens...I need to help her do her learning box. But it's been good. Ethan has been giving away his tokens to Courtney because she doesn't earn them as fast as he does. She loves this but I hope that she doesn't take advantage of his generosity.
Last night we painted our token boxes. Ethan and Courtney have their own wooden box to keep their tokens in. They painted them while I painted the box that is the "bank." It was a fun night and everyone did a great job painting!
This morning went a lot better than yesterday. Ethan didn't bat an eye at practicing and did an awesome job. Courtney didn't even ask to watch TV and she did her learning box for preschool without fuss. The morning chores were completed without nagging and the kitchen was even cleaned up after breakfast. So I think it will work. We are going to tweak some things but I'm pretty excited about it!
On the chart it has all their responsibilities (i.e. chores). If they do their morning chores without being nagged, they get 4 tokens to put in their box. If Ethan practices the piano he can earn up to 10 tokens, depending on how well he does it and if he practices without a fight. If homework is done (or if Courtney studies her letters) they get another 4 tokens. If they do their night time chores they get 4 tokens. If they do their family chores (trash, clean up, set table) they get another 4 token...etc. There are other ways they can earn tokens, such as reading for a 1/2 hour, making good choices, etc. That is up to the parents discretion.
But...if they want to watch TV, they have to give up 10 tokens for 1/2 hour. If they want to play on the computer it's 10 tokens for 1/2 hour. They can play with a friend for an hour for free, but after that it costs 10 tokens for 2 hours (this is currently being negotiated by Ethan who doesn't think it's fair). They can also save their tokens and earn privileges like going mini-golfing, playing lazer tag, eating out with parents, etc. Or, if they save for a long time and get 300 tokens, we given them $10.
But...if they fight, toot, pick nose, suck thumb (after a warning), tattle, tease, or make bad choices, they have tokens taken away.
So it's a privileges and consequences program. The kids love getting their tokens and Ethan has really gotten the hang of earning them. But the first day was a doozie!
Ethan woke up with tokens already because they did their evening chores Sunday night and got some. Then he did his morning chores but he fussed during piano practice and only got 5 tokens, which was way below what he expected. Then Courtney wanted to watch TV but she didn't have enough tokens. That wasn't a pleasant surprise for her. She finally did her morning chores and was able to get her 1/2 hour but threw a fit when I turned off the TV. But all in all they had a good day.
There are some growing pains and this system makes me really have to focus on serving the kids. I was doing that before, but for Courtney to earn extra tokens for reading...I have to do the reading with her. And for her to earn her homework tokens...I need to help her do her learning box. But it's been good. Ethan has been giving away his tokens to Courtney because she doesn't earn them as fast as he does. She loves this but I hope that she doesn't take advantage of his generosity.
Last night we painted our token boxes. Ethan and Courtney have their own wooden box to keep their tokens in. They painted them while I painted the box that is the "bank." It was a fun night and everyone did a great job painting!
This morning went a lot better than yesterday. Ethan didn't bat an eye at practicing and did an awesome job. Courtney didn't even ask to watch TV and she did her learning box for preschool without fuss. The morning chores were completed without nagging and the kitchen was even cleaned up after breakfast. So I think it will work. We are going to tweak some things but I'm pretty excited about it!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
A Good Day
Thanks to everyone who sent me cards and messages on my birthday. Facebook makes you feel loved ;)
I am now half my Dad's age!!! I don't know which of us feels older at that statement. ;)
I had a great day. Monday night the kids started decorating my bedroom door with signs telling me "happy birthday mom...tomorrow" and things like that. It was really cute and I appreciated it. And my parents took us out to dinner Monday night to celebrate. I chose Olive Garden and thought I was safe from the singing waiters there. Halfway through out meal the table next to us had a birthday girl and they sang to her. Courtney figured out that you get a free dessert if it's your birthday and promptly told our waiter that it was my birthday. So they sang to me and all 6 of us shared some black tie cheesecake (the BEST!).
Breakfast in bed is our birthday tradition but you have to get up pretty early to make it truly breakfast in bed for either Bryan or me. So we got up at our regular time, did our morning routine, and after I got ready I put my pjs back on and climbed into bed while Bryan and the kids made crepes for me. They sang as they brought them in and Ethan even helped roll them up. They were delicious!
After Ethan went to school Courtney and I ran errands and got back in time for lunch. She napped (a great birthday present to me) while I did things around the house.
Bryan made me dinner (roast, potatoes and corn with rolls) and a cake (german chocolate). After dinner we had my parents over and my Aunt Kathy and Uncle Don for cake. It was great and I had a good day!
I got a solar oven from Bryan's parents and, wouldn't you know, it's supposed to be cloudy all week! But I can't wait to try it out.
I am now half my Dad's age!!! I don't know which of us feels older at that statement. ;)
I had a great day. Monday night the kids started decorating my bedroom door with signs telling me "happy birthday mom...tomorrow" and things like that. It was really cute and I appreciated it. And my parents took us out to dinner Monday night to celebrate. I chose Olive Garden and thought I was safe from the singing waiters there. Halfway through out meal the table next to us had a birthday girl and they sang to her. Courtney figured out that you get a free dessert if it's your birthday and promptly told our waiter that it was my birthday. So they sang to me and all 6 of us shared some black tie cheesecake (the BEST!).
Breakfast in bed is our birthday tradition but you have to get up pretty early to make it truly breakfast in bed for either Bryan or me. So we got up at our regular time, did our morning routine, and after I got ready I put my pjs back on and climbed into bed while Bryan and the kids made crepes for me. They sang as they brought them in and Ethan even helped roll them up. They were delicious!
After Ethan went to school Courtney and I ran errands and got back in time for lunch. She napped (a great birthday present to me) while I did things around the house.
Bryan made me dinner (roast, potatoes and corn with rolls) and a cake (german chocolate). After dinner we had my parents over and my Aunt Kathy and Uncle Don for cake. It was great and I had a good day!
I got a solar oven from Bryan's parents and, wouldn't you know, it's supposed to be cloudy all week! But I can't wait to try it out.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Courtney's Procedure
Ethan hates it when we call it "Courtney's surgery" so we have to use the word "procedure" instead. Courtney had to have tubes put in her ears today. But let me back up.
When Ethan had tubes in his ears he went to the "Old Hospital" in St. George. Beforehand they had an evening where kids could take a tour and find out what they would be doing. I thought it was great, so when Courtney was schedules for tubes I called the Center where she would be having it done at and scheduled a tour. The woman was really nice and showed Courtney around to make her feel better. A nurse was there that had been Bryan's nurse when he broke his nose and said she would also be Courtney's nurse the next day. Courtney got a hat, mask, shoe protectors and a doll that she was able to decorate her own way so she would feel more comfortable the next day. I thought it went great because all night she was "Doctor Courtney" dressed up in her stuff. She got a blessing from Bryan last night and was ready to go. (Ethan had a hard time though because he HATES it when his sister hurts and his imagination was going wild.)
Doctor Courtney:
This morning we woke up and Courtney got up at about 6:15 or so and came out all dressed up and ready for her procedure. We had to make her wait until 6:45 when Grandma and Grandpa Oman came to take care of Ethan. Then we were off.
When we first got to the Center she was fine and they took her right back. She let them weigh and measure her (39 pounds and 41 inches) and then we went back to the room she showed her. She had been excited the night before about the tiger pjs they would give her to wear (she even growled at Bryan when she told him about them) but when it came time to wear them she changed her mind. We finally got her into them and she cuddled on my lap. She was a bit upset and wouldn't get on the bed. Finally we consented to give her come relaxing medicine. After about 10 minute she was really tired and sleepy. Then they were able to take her temperature, vitals and get her ready to go. When she left she didn't even fuss, probably because she was almost asleep already.
Happy Courtney after the medicine!
Ten minutes later the doctor came out to tell us that it had gone well. We waited another 10-15 minutes and they told us she was awake and we could go back. When Ethan woke up the first time he had tubes in he was screaming and crying so that's what I expected. But Courtney was sitting quietly on the bed watching "Dinosaur Train" - her favorite PBS show! I helped her eat a slushy and then about 20 minutes later she was ready to go.
She was a bit loopy on the ride home but once we got home and she was situated on the couch watching TV it only took her about 30 minutes before she was back to normal and asking when she could play with friends. ;)
What a trooper!! I hope this clears up the hearing problems. She is now down for her nap but she is doing great!
When Ethan had tubes in his ears he went to the "Old Hospital" in St. George. Beforehand they had an evening where kids could take a tour and find out what they would be doing. I thought it was great, so when Courtney was schedules for tubes I called the Center where she would be having it done at and scheduled a tour. The woman was really nice and showed Courtney around to make her feel better. A nurse was there that had been Bryan's nurse when he broke his nose and said she would also be Courtney's nurse the next day. Courtney got a hat, mask, shoe protectors and a doll that she was able to decorate her own way so she would feel more comfortable the next day. I thought it went great because all night she was "Doctor Courtney" dressed up in her stuff. She got a blessing from Bryan last night and was ready to go. (Ethan had a hard time though because he HATES it when his sister hurts and his imagination was going wild.)
Doctor Courtney:
This morning we woke up and Courtney got up at about 6:15 or so and came out all dressed up and ready for her procedure. We had to make her wait until 6:45 when Grandma and Grandpa Oman came to take care of Ethan. Then we were off.
When we first got to the Center she was fine and they took her right back. She let them weigh and measure her (39 pounds and 41 inches) and then we went back to the room she showed her. She had been excited the night before about the tiger pjs they would give her to wear (she even growled at Bryan when she told him about them) but when it came time to wear them she changed her mind. We finally got her into them and she cuddled on my lap. She was a bit upset and wouldn't get on the bed. Finally we consented to give her come relaxing medicine. After about 10 minute she was really tired and sleepy. Then they were able to take her temperature, vitals and get her ready to go. When she left she didn't even fuss, probably because she was almost asleep already.
Happy Courtney after the medicine!
Ten minutes later the doctor came out to tell us that it had gone well. We waited another 10-15 minutes and they told us she was awake and we could go back. When Ethan woke up the first time he had tubes in he was screaming and crying so that's what I expected. But Courtney was sitting quietly on the bed watching "Dinosaur Train" - her favorite PBS show! I helped her eat a slushy and then about 20 minutes later she was ready to go.
She was a bit loopy on the ride home but once we got home and she was situated on the couch watching TV it only took her about 30 minutes before she was back to normal and asking when she could play with friends. ;)
What a trooper!! I hope this clears up the hearing problems. She is now down for her nap but she is doing great!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Guitar Playing
Ethan got a guitar for Christmas from Aunt Leigh Ann and he was so excited. Tonight after FHE Bryan got out his guitar and started playing and so Ethan went to get his. It was so fun having the two of them playing. Bryan showed Ethan how to play a few chords and Ethan loved it.
Biking/Hiking in Paradise Canyon
On Saturday we wanted to get out of the house and do something fun. Ethan wanted to go bike riding and Courtney wanted to go hiking. So we combined the two to make everyone happy! Bryan and Ethan biked to Paradise Canyon, about 3 miles from our house. Courtney was going to go along on the tag-along but has been a bit gun shy since our infamous wipe out. So she decided to wait about 20 minutes with me and then drive.
When we got to Paradise Canyon the boys were already there. Ethan did a great job and Bryan was so impressed. We found a trail that we wanted to hike on and went for a short hike. We didn't have much daylight left so we just hiked a little way and it wasn't enough for the kids so we need to go back another day when we have more time.
Just as we were getting ready to turn around Ethan decided to explore a bit off the trail. It went down a small hill that was pretty steep. When we went to investigate Ethan was next to a small stream that had a rope swing across it. He turned, eyes excited, and asked if he could swing across. We told him he could (this shocked him because he though we would say no) and he went for it. There were two boards to hang onto and the lower one was quite low. Ethan didn't get wet but it was close. Courtney wanted to swing too but she was too small. It took quite a lot of coaxing to get Ethan back on the trail but we promised that we would go back there again so he could swing some more.
Then the boys rode their bikes home while Courtney and I went ahead and made some homemade pizza for dinner. It was a fun time!
When we got to Paradise Canyon the boys were already there. Ethan did a great job and Bryan was so impressed. We found a trail that we wanted to hike on and went for a short hike. We didn't have much daylight left so we just hiked a little way and it wasn't enough for the kids so we need to go back another day when we have more time.
Just as we were getting ready to turn around Ethan decided to explore a bit off the trail. It went down a small hill that was pretty steep. When we went to investigate Ethan was next to a small stream that had a rope swing across it. He turned, eyes excited, and asked if he could swing across. We told him he could (this shocked him because he though we would say no) and he went for it. There were two boards to hang onto and the lower one was quite low. Ethan didn't get wet but it was close. Courtney wanted to swing too but she was too small. It took quite a lot of coaxing to get Ethan back on the trail but we promised that we would go back there again so he could swing some more.
Then the boys rode their bikes home while Courtney and I went ahead and made some homemade pizza for dinner. It was a fun time!
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