I'm Just Teasing

26. Is it easy for you to trust others?

Most of my family members would say that I trust too easily! Just about anything Leah or Brian tell me, I'll believe. Recently, Brian started telling me about a community of cannibals, or something, and I though the was telling a story, so I was surprised there was a community of cannibals in the United States! Then I found out he was actually telling a joke.... 

I never really thought people could do such "bad" things until I started working at the movie theater. I quickly discovered that people would sneak alcohol, when it was not allowed. I learned that movie theater employees would steal money or candy from behind the stand. I learned people would lie about their manager to get them in trouble. I learned a lot of things...I became less naive. 

I still trust people - I trust that what they tell me is the truth and that they are good people.

In other news....

It is almost Christmas! We are done Christmas shopping and all the presents are wrapped and under the tree! This week has been amazing! Brian and I have been off and have spent all our time together. Monday we had Marc's birthday party. Tuesday Brian and I went to Sea World (without Lydia) on Tuesday and then took my parents out to dinner at Tiago's. Wednesday we were lazy in the morning and then went downtown with Leah and Adah. Today we went to HEB in the morning and then Kid to Kid and Wal-Mart in the afternoon. We took Leah and Jessie out to dinner at Olive Garden. Lydia is staying with my parents tonight, which means Brian and I can go to bed late and wake up when we want to! Tomorrow is cleaning and washing day and then Saturday we're hosting Christmas Eve at our house! And Sunday we head up to Austin! It's been a great break so far.

Here's Your Pan, Here's Your Frog

25. Things you do on a rainy day.

Rainy days used to be days that I would sleep in (if I didn't have to work), stay in my pajamas all day, wrap a warm blanket around me and watch movies. I'd probably take a few naps, eat lots of popcorn, and be lazy all day long.

Rainy days now consist of me constantly trying to think up something for my 18-month old to do. Lydia's pretty good in the morning...she used to just playing on her own, watching me clean, watching the Today Show and Live with Kelly with me, eating my breakfast. But, around 9:00 or 10:00, she starts getting bored. And I start feeling guilty for watching our 4th Yo Gabba Gabba show. So, I think up clever activities for her.

When I worked at the day care and it rained (the worst days ever), we had to constantly think up something for 10 12-24 month olds to do so that they wouldn't bite, hit, push or scream. We painted, colored, played in the water table, looked through the Treasure Bag, danced, made playdough, made goop, watched the rain through the big windows, read books, went on indoor wagon rides - anything to keep these little kids busy and happy.

I don't have all of the supplies needed for these activities in my house. At 18-months, Lydia is only interested in paint or crayons for about 5 minutes. She's only interested in home made playdough for about 5 minutes. She is only interested in puzzles and books and sorting toys for about 5 minutes. What Lydia really wants to do is run around outside. But, we can't - it's raining. Lydia doesn't like to curl up on the couch under a blanket and watch movies. She doesn't really like popcorn. And she definitely doesn't like sleeping in.

This past week, on Tuesday, we usually go to Story Time at the library. It was pretty foggy and dreary outside, but I wanted to go because I knew this would be our one chance to get out of the house and my one chance to wear Lydia out for a nap. Unfortunately, Lydia decided that she was more interested in the water fountains outside of the Story Time room than actually being in the Story Time room. I was the embarrassed parent who walked out of the room with a screaming, fussy child. It would be an understatement to say that I was frustrated with Lydia...this was our chance to get out of the house and have fun (and the Story Lady had brought the parachute!) and Lydia didn't want to participate. But, I had to remind myself that Lydia is only 18 months old and doesn't understand. When we got home, I cleaned the house and then cuddled with an upset baby while watching another episode of Yo Gabba Gabba.

Luckily, in Texas, it rarely rains all day. The sun usually manages to come out for at least a little bit. And, although it's "winter", it may even warm up enough to go for a walk outside.

You Broke My Smolder!

24. Something you would change about the world.


Maybe not the world...but I would love to change the current US economy right now. Especially how schools aren't hiring new teachers since the old ones can't retire. Also...I'd love it if teachers actually made the amount of money they deserve for teaching our future presidents, big business owners, etc. That would be really nice.
Of course, I'd love the "ideal" worlds where everyone got along and no one was poor or unemployed and everyone had enough to eat and all children received birthday and Christmas presents. But...there's been enough books written about "worlds" that tried to make everything "perfect". My best example is The Giver, or the Handmaiden. Both good examples that we can't make a "perfect" world.

In other news...I only have one more day of work before my 2 week vacation! So excited!

Go, Live Your Dream

23. Something you would like to change about yourself.

Hmm...there are probably several things I would like to change about myself. My first thoughts are to my appearance. I really wish I could get a super good haircut and maintain that haircut. I recently went to get a haircut and had hoped do leave the salon with manageable hair and cute, side-swept bangs. Instead, it's even more unmanageable and I have bangs that you can't see. I straightened my hair yesterday and it looked really nice and only took 10 minutes, so not too bad for the mornings. Just an extra thing added to my morning routine.

I would also like to change my weight/body. This is something I need to work on and can change. I've already started eating less and drinking less soda, but I need to add exercise to my routine and I haven't been able to maintain a daily workout. I know it will help and I want to loose weight and flatten my tummy...I just hate exercising! I want to make a New Year's resolution to start a strict workout, but I don't want to say I will dedicate myself (again) to something I won't continue.

I'd also like to be more outgoing and to be able to start up conversations and mingle at parties. I am not a good mingler and I am horrible about asking others questions - I can only talk about myself...I need to learn to be the listener and not the talker!

We took Lydia's Christmas photos on Sunday and they turned out super cute!

And we saw Santa last Friday at Bass Pro.

Practice Abacus

So I just had to post about the cutest project I finished today. A little background: One of my students is having difficulty practicing. At first, she wouldn't sit down at the piano at all. So, I came up with my practicing incentives. Each student has a jar and each student has a practice sheet. Every day they sit down to practice (no time limit and without being forced to), their parent signs off on the sheet. When they come to lessons each week, they get to put a fuzzy pom pom in their jar. They also get pom poms for doing their theory work, playing a song amazing, and having a good practice. When their jar is filled, they get to select a prize from the treasure basket.

Well, this got my student to practice, but she would just sit down, play each song once, and they get up - less than 5 minutes. Her mom was getting pretty discouraged. And, at this level, a lot of practicing is required in order to remember and understand the notes. So, I researched ways to get students to practice and came upon this project: http://theteachingstudio.blogspot.com/2011/09/practice-abacus.html.

I really liked the idea of this Practice Abacus. It makes playing a song over and over a lot more fun when you get to move a little bead over each time you play. And it reminds you to play a song a certain number of times. So, I decided that my student needed this Practice Abacus and we'll see how well she starts practicing.

I tried to get all the necessary items for this project, but wasn't very successful, so I had to make some adjustments. I had the cereal box already, and I got the frame from the dollar store. But, I couldn't find any brads at the dollar store or at Target. And, the only beads with letters on them that I could find (other than in a huge bracelet creating kit and not overly expensive for just a few - at Michael's) were these tiny little letters that had tiny little holes. So, I couldn't use the ribbon to thread through the letters. Instead I found some stretchy string that is meant for those small beads (and they were pretty inexpensive). I really like the original Practice Abacus, but I couldn't find everything that she did, so here's how I did mine.

What You Need:

scissors

tape

beads with letters on them

thin, stretchy string

picture frame

construction paper

cereal box

stickers

marker

thumb tack

Step 1:

Cut the construction paper down to size to fit in the picture frame. Cut out one side of a cereal box, making it the same size as the construction paper. I taped the construction paper to the cereal box, but you could always glue or even staple.

Step 2:

Decide what words you want on your abacus. I chose 2 three letter words (wow and fun), 2 four letter words  (play and Maya), and 2 five letter words (music and piano). That way, I can tell her to practice a certain song up to 5 times in one sitting. You could always do 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc letter words as well.

Step 3:

Thread the beads through the string. Decide where you want your words to be. I used a thumb tack to poke a small hole through the construction paper and the cereal box for the string to fit through. I made the string maybe an inch and a half long...leave it long enough to move the words, letter by letter. I put the string into one hole, and then put the other side into the other hole. I then tied the string together on the back and then taped it down.

Step 4: 

Decorate your abacus after you have all the strings on the paper. I put star stickers and note stickers on my abacus. At the top I wrote Practice Abacus and at the bottom I wrote Practice Makes Perfect! Decorating the abacus makes it even more fun.

Here is the finished product:

You Were My New Dream

22. How have you changed in the past two years?

Let's see, two years ago it was 2009. This time two years ago, Brian and I were living with Leah and Jessie across the street and I was just barely pregnant with Lydia (just starting to show a bit). I was working full-time at a day care and Brian was working at the bank. Right now, I'd probably be dreading working on Christmas Eve, but happy that I never had to spend the whole day at work, since a lot of kiddos were going on vacation (although there were the few who were still there from open to close, even during the holidays!). Most of my thoughts were centered on the baby I was carrying (and hoping it was a girl...haha), wishing I didn't have to work full time, and wondering if we'd get enough babies to start up our own childcare center.

Now, I'm working part-time at a preschool, have a house of our own, and spend most of my time with my precious baby, Lydia. I'm excited about two whole weeks off for Christmas vacation! Most of my thoughts are centered on Lydia (her behavior, pacifiers, sleeping, etc), the house, and finances. When I think back to two years ago and I was working full time and had to work over the holidays, I am so thankful that this year I don't have to work as much or during the holidays!

Anyway...today was a frustrating day with Lydia. Despite waking up several times last night, she was up by 6:15 this morning. We went to HEB early this morning, since I wanted to catch Josh Groban on Live with Kelly at 9:00. We made it home by 9:15! I cleaned while watching TV and then Leah dropped Adah off around 10:40. Adah went to sleep around 11:30 and Lydia went down for a nap at 12:00. Leah picked Adah up and chatted for a bit. 

The morning was easy, but once Lydia woke up at 2:15 and was fussy, the frustration began. After a snack, I thought she'd like to go for a walk with her baby and stroller. It was a battle get her out the door, since she didn't seem to understand what I was trying to ask her to do. Finally, we were headed down the street and all was going well. Then, at the cul-de-sac, she wanted to walk in the street and when I didn't let her, she threw a fit! I ended up picking her up and carrying her and the stroller back home, with Lydia screaming the whole way. I was so frustrated and embarrassed, I put her in a time out for screaming and so I could calm down. We snuggled for a bit and she was better. We ended up going on a walk with Lydia in the stroller.

I made a yummy lasagna for dinner and had it in the oven during my piano lesson. Lydia was pretty good during the lesson. But, once we sat down for dinner, that's when the real screaming began. She happily ate all her applesauce, but when I asked her to eat her lasagna, she decided to throw a tantrum. She wouldn't even taste it! And, I know she'd like it - she's had it before and likes the Chef Bourardee lasagna. We had her sit there while we were still eating and she screamed the whole time. She got so mad, she started throwing her lasagna! She finally ate once we started singing songs. Why all the tantrums?! She loves pasta, she just decided she wasn't going to eat it! Very frustrating!

Call It What You Will...Fate...Destiny...

So this weekend we began "Operation No More Pacifier"...and lets just say, we were fighting a losing battle. One of the main reasons we ended up "giving in" is because Lydia just seemed so sad on Saturday. Her eyes were puffy and red from crying, she was extremely tired, she was clingy, didn't play very much...she was sad and confused. 

Here's how our weekend went:

I picked Lydia up at 1:30 from Leah's house on Friday. Leah is good at keeping the pacifier away from Lydia while she's happy and playing, so Lydia didn't have her pacifier and I kept it from her the rest of the afternoon. She only asked for it once or twice, but then quickly forgot about it. We put her to bed around 7:00 and she didn't even ask for her pacifier. About 2 minutes after I put her to bed, she started crying. It was a quiet, tired cry and lasted less than 5 minutes. She didn't wake up again until 3:45 and wasn't even really crying and quickly went back to sleep. She slept in until 6:00, like normal.

Saturday was a rainy, gloomy day, which meant we couldn't go outside and Lydia was getting restless. She has a runny nose and I can tell she doesn't feel 100%. We put her down for a nap around 9:30, since she was fussy and acting tired. It took her until 10:00 to fall asleep...she screamed and we constantly had to go in there. She slept for 30 minutes and refused to go back to sleep without her pacifier. We fed her lunch and then took her on a few errands. We put her back down for a nap around 1:30. It took her almost an hour to fall asleep and then she slept for 40 minutes. Luckily, this time she went back to sleep after a bit and slept another 40 minutes.

The rest of the day she was sad and fussy, like I mentioned earlier. Her eyes were so sad! I felt so bad for her. We went to church Saturday night while Brian put up Christmas decorations. She did great at the nursery and was happy to be home. Saturday night was horrible. She screamed when we put her to bed and woke up several times. I tried Supernanny's idea of sitting in the room until they fall asleep, which worked, until Lydia woke up 30 minutes later and didn't see me. We eventually gave her the pacifier around 4:30am, after being awake with her for about 2 hours, and she slept in until 7:00!

We've decided that for this week, we're going to be super strict with not giving the pacifier unless she's going down for a nap or going to bed. Then we'll work on taking it completely away. I honestly wouldn't be so concerned about taking it away except that her verbal skills aren't where they should be. I really think she has learned how to communicate around the pacifier and still communicates that way when she doesn't have it. I want her to learn to talk and communicate without grunts and crying. I know every child is different and she'll start talking when she's ready. But I don't want to be the one who is causing her to be held back, by allowing her to have the pacifier whenever she wants it. I also know she doesn't NEED the pacifier, it's just a comfort item.

I hope Lydia, Brian and I get the sleep we need tonight and we stay strong with not giving her the pacifier during the day.

Lydia and her pacifiers:

Prayers

Sometimes - no, all the time - I am amazed and in awe when God answers prayers. It's amazing to think that He really does care about someone as insignificant as me. God answers a lot of my prayers, but it's awesome when it happens right away.

I seem to be constantly worrying that I'm not following God's plan for my life. It's not that I'm not trying to follow His plan, it's just that sometimes it doesn't seem like the right path. I've posted about our financial situation before. It's not that we're desperate for money, it's just that we don't have much extra to do "fun" things with - no movies, no extra shopping trips, no splurges on ourselves. Which, in the long run, isn't a bad thing. We have plenty of money to pay the bills and buy the things we need. We are comfortable. But, sometimes I wonder what it would be like to be more than comfortable.

Last night, I went to church (Brian stayed home to put up Christmas decorations) and listened to David Robinson preach. He definitely talks in a simple, easy-to-understand way. But, when I look at him and know that he makes as much as Brian does in a year in one basketball game, it just amazes me. I know he works hard and earned the position he is in, but it always amazes me that people can make so much money just by playing a sport! Anyway, during prayer time, I talked with a God for a long while about leading us in the right direction (financially), helping us to have faith that everything will work out, etc. This is something that has really been on my mind lately and I finally managed to be able to sit and talk through it with God.

Anyway, when I got home that night,  Brian immediately says, "I have some good news." USAA sent us a check for over $300, saying that we had been overpaying on our Escrow account! Then, this morning, Brian tells me that we got our electric bill and it was for $-15...they used our initial deposit to pay the bill, and we must have used less than the deposit...so we don't have to pay anything this month! Isn't amazing how God has helped us out during this Christmas season?!