thanks for the advice

Wow who knew that a topic such as food would get me so many responses! First of all--thank you to all of you for your tips. Vic--this is a first to hear from you. Hooray! I don't even think I knew you ever read this. (PS: Your daughter always loved healthy food....)
Anyway, the only reasons beans come up is that it's one of the more edible vegetables in our house. No one likes: peas, broccoli, asparagus, spinach, carrots (cooked or raw), or any other one I can't think of. Ryan will eat beans, Olivia will eat corn, Kate will eat one bean, and Ryan won't eat corn. Too much drama in our house huh?
I agree with Erin on the control thing. I also think that Olivia is stressing about it. For the last four days she has asked me what we are having for supper by say, oh, 11am. Then she asks if we will have beans.
I have been giving her V8 fusion (I didn't see V8 Splash), and you guessed it, tummy issues. Maybe I will go with the "eat what you can" business. Jenay I love your idea too. I told Olivia we were doing that last night, but then Thad dumped her plate!

Before I forget, tomorrow I go back to work outside of the home. I won't have access to blogger during the day (this is a new thing). That's a good thing I guess, because I get paid to teach, not blog! Anyway, if you need to get in touch with me, it's best to email my work account. I am dreading being away all day, but I am also excited for the new year for my children and for me. Change is always difficult, but it's good too.

Olivia

This child is driving me crazy at dinner time! Seriously, what the heck is up with her? Each night she flips out when she sees what I have made. It doesn't matter if she loved it two weeks ago, now she hates it all. Most nights she refuses to eat. So far I have tried:
1. ignoring
2. sending her to her room
3. no dessert
4. putting it in the fridge until later
5. no food the rest of the night
The other problem is that she will eat a few bites and 'be done.' Do I let it go? Do I make her sit there all night? She hates vegetables, so unless it's corn, you can forget it.


Here is the kicker: I was a small eater (as a child). I hated veggies. I remember sitting there having to eat a stinking brussel sprout, spinach, or whatever gross vegetable my parents served. I gagged, whined, sobbed, and everything she is doing. I get how she feels. I know that she doesn't understand why it's important for her body to eat healthy foods. She's four for crying out loud. I want to scream!

My dad has repeatedly told me not to struggle with my kids over food. I don't want food to become a power struggle. That could cause a real problem down the road. I also don't want my four year old thinking that Chef Mommy is going to give her an extra big bedtime snack later on when she is hungry. Another issue is taking the kids for ice cream (like tonight b/c Ryan had two teeth pulled today) and knowingly bringing a screaming kid who can't have ice cream. It's not fun, and it ruins the fun for all involved.

I need some advice gals. Do I let it go? Do I stick with it? Do I tell her to "eat what she can" like my dad told me as I got older? I really don't think that I will get her to eat veggies whether or not there is a consequence or reward. HELP.

PS: She told me that it's not fun the way I treat her. Olivia also told me that I like Kate than her, because Kate will eat beans. I am 'the meanest mommy ever.' I am currently listening to sobs about the fact that she 8 or 20 bites so "what's the answer mommy? Can I play or not?" Oh and I just got asked what we are having tomorrow night. I told her maybe more green beans. She didn't see the humor in that.
Dear Lord.

Non-terrific Tuesday

You can see that Ryan was in 'a mood' when this was taken.
Always posing...always dramatic
A typical day where no nap was taken.

Brady being sweet as always.
It's been "one of those weeks" around here. If it's not Ryan pushing it with his attitude, it's Kate with her 'jumpupanddownflailing' crying fits (hearing one upstairs as we speak), it's Brady's continual blueberry or peach poop blowouts in public (Target or at football practice tonight), or Olivia's "I hate everything you make for supper" whine-fests.
I look at Brady each day and fully realize that I am on borrowed time with him. In a year (or so), he will be throwing tantrums, crying uncontrollably over something ridiculous, stop eating veggies and fruits, start hitting, biting, kicking, and worst of all, stop liking me!

I want you think back to when your first born child in your arms. Think how tiny he/she was, smelled, and looked at you.
Now, slap some football pads on him, fast forward almost ten years, and that's about how I was feeling when I took this photo. What happened to my 5 lb 14 oz baby???

So tell me (too)...

Melissa put this on her blog. I am answering it, and I would love it if YOU would do the same on yours!

When you were 18....

1) What was your dream job? being a mom
2) Car? Some sports car. I can't remember the name, but it might have been a 3000GT?
3) Vacation? I had just taken my first vacation with Thad and his mom to California. It was awesome.
4) Husband? was NOT thinking like that at 18
5) How many children were you going to have? didn't think about that either
6) What was your favorite food? drink? Taco Bell or Pizza. I think I drank a Dr. Pepper daily at MSUM. Didn't drink alcohol really--I know, I know.
7) Where did you work at? Tastee Freez
8) What did you do for fun? Gamma Phi Beta stuff
9) Favorite movie? No clue
10) Favorite color? Pink
11) Were you college bound or college broke? College bound & loved it.
12) Hair color? Reddish brown
13) Favorite store? Back then? I will guess Express.
14) Best memory? Being a GPB pledge, Owl parties, the summer of 1994 when Thad, Elli, and Melissa lived together, and just moving toward the next stage of life.
15) Current job? Teacher and mother

Need a laugh?

Yesterday morning after breakfast while Thad is walking upstairs in his "pajamas" (t shirt and underwear), Olivia said, "Daddy your penis is really big. It's huge."

Just so you don't think...

....that life is always peachy around here, today:

1. Brady screamed bloody murder during the night. He was inconsolable until Thad brought him outside for 30 seconds. The pacifier, singing, bottle, or any other darn thing didn't work. He did take a huge poop later today. Must have been alllll those blueberries he ate.
2. Kate lost friends and tv today. We have had way too much whining, arguing, and tantruming for her seven year old mouth.
3. Ryan came home from a sleepover. Within 20 minutes, he also lost friends and tv today for telling Kate to "shut your butthole."
4. Olivia has thrown about 5 tantrums since this afternoon. We have had the, "I hate tacos" tantrum, the "I don't want to go to the store" tantrum, the "I am not getting out of the car" tantrum, and "You are the meanest mommy ever" tantrum.
5. Thad and I have already gotten on each other's nerves as well tonight.

Now tell me that your day wasn't perfect either?!

bedroom progress

Remember back when I was trying to find the perfect color to paint my bedroom walls to match my gray bedding? After three months, Thad painted the room. I don't love the color, but it's better than the ugly mauve it had been. We picked a very pale lavender color.
Yesterday I put up a vinyl monogram above our bed. I think I like it. Really, I am just glad something is up on the wall to give the room some oomph. You can decide for yourselves what you think.
Frankly I would rather invest my money in a vacation any day!