Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and/or Happy Holidays from our family to yours!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Christmas Eve
Today was a great day! I really mean it too, because I almost never say that. I was up for a couple hours with Amanda last night, so Charlie let me sleep in. I went to yoga to reclaim my peace, ran a few errands and then came home to hang out with Charlie and the kids.
We made some cookie dough to make cookies for Santa, nothing like waiting until the last minute, but I didn't realize that it had to chill for three hours. So while we waited I played a game of Hello Kitty Yahtzee with Sarah, and then the whole family played (minus Amanda who was taking a nap). It was a lot of fun, even though Charlie won (but he always wins at Yahtzee).
After Yahtzee we went to have dinner at a Chinese buffet with some friends (Melanie, we really missed you!). Luckily they had pizza on the buffet (weird, but in this case good) and lots of desserts so the kids were happy. When we got home from dinner we made our cookies and the kids had a blast frosting them. I don't think Charlie enjoyed it too much, but he was a great sport.
We put the kids to bed and then I went to a Christmas Eve service with a friend. I don't know what it is, but when we are here for Christmas I like to go to church on Christmas Eve. I think it reminds me of home. The strange part is, if I was home I wouldn't necessarily go to church on Christmas Eve, but I guess because that isn't an option I like to. Anyway, the service was really nice and the service and church were a lot like my parent's church so it was exactly what I needed.
Charlie and I took care of a few last presents when I got home and now are getting ready for bed. I couldn't have asked for a better day. Hope tomorrow goes just as well!
We made some cookie dough to make cookies for Santa, nothing like waiting until the last minute, but I didn't realize that it had to chill for three hours. So while we waited I played a game of Hello Kitty Yahtzee with Sarah, and then the whole family played (minus Amanda who was taking a nap). It was a lot of fun, even though Charlie won (but he always wins at Yahtzee).
After Yahtzee we went to have dinner at a Chinese buffet with some friends (Melanie, we really missed you!). Luckily they had pizza on the buffet (weird, but in this case good) and lots of desserts so the kids were happy. When we got home from dinner we made our cookies and the kids had a blast frosting them. I don't think Charlie enjoyed it too much, but he was a great sport.
We put the kids to bed and then I went to a Christmas Eve service with a friend. I don't know what it is, but when we are here for Christmas I like to go to church on Christmas Eve. I think it reminds me of home. The strange part is, if I was home I wouldn't necessarily go to church on Christmas Eve, but I guess because that isn't an option I like to. Anyway, the service was really nice and the service and church were a lot like my parent's church so it was exactly what I needed.
Charlie and I took care of a few last presents when I got home and now are getting ready for bed. I couldn't have asked for a better day. Hope tomorrow goes just as well!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Last Hurrah
We just got back from three days and four nights in Puerto Rico. Charlie really wanted to go on one last trip in 2011 as a family, so I told him if we could use points and have minimal spending and he planned the trip I would go. Really, how do you say no to that? All I had to do was pack and show up.
From the very beginning he wanted to go somewhere warm with a beach. We used to go on trips like this about twice a year when Andy was little, even when Sarah was little, but we realized this week that we haven't done one since Amanda was born. How pathetic our travel adventures have become, not adventures at all.
Charlie looked into destinations all over the Caribbean, until we hit a snafu. Sarah's passport expired in August and it takes 4-6 weeks to get a new passport. Being that she is only five years old she isn't a big threat to national security and isn't high on the watch list, but we still didn't know how long it would take to get her a new passport. I took her information in the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and then we waited. Charlie kept doing hotel research and narrowed down our choices to places that worked if her passport came and others that we would also be willing to go to if her passport did not arrive on time. In the end, her passport did come before we left, it only took about two weeks (but I doubt it would be that fast for an adult), but he chose Puerto Rico nonetheless.
All we wanted was three days of sun. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate. It wasn't cold, but it was overcast for most of the first and third days, and the second day it rained. A lot. On top of that, the water in the pool was cold. We spent a lot of time in the hot tub, which was the temperature the pool should have been.
Despite all that, we still had a good time. Not a great time, but a good time. The kids were forced to spend some time together and even enjoyed a little of it, and we got to try some of the local fare. The kids got to swim, which they love, and Charlie got to play some catch with Andy, which he loves (I was referring to Charlie loving it, but Andy does too). I got to forget about wrapping presents, which are waiting for me upstairs as I write, and cleaning the house, which we are all going to work on tomorrow together. We just got to enjoy hanging out as a family. A little quality time for everyone. What more could a mom ask for?
From the very beginning he wanted to go somewhere warm with a beach. We used to go on trips like this about twice a year when Andy was little, even when Sarah was little, but we realized this week that we haven't done one since Amanda was born. How pathetic our travel adventures have become, not adventures at all.
Charlie looked into destinations all over the Caribbean, until we hit a snafu. Sarah's passport expired in August and it takes 4-6 weeks to get a new passport. Being that she is only five years old she isn't a big threat to national security and isn't high on the watch list, but we still didn't know how long it would take to get her a new passport. I took her information in the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and then we waited. Charlie kept doing hotel research and narrowed down our choices to places that worked if her passport came and others that we would also be willing to go to if her passport did not arrive on time. In the end, her passport did come before we left, it only took about two weeks (but I doubt it would be that fast for an adult), but he chose Puerto Rico nonetheless.
All we wanted was three days of sun. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate. It wasn't cold, but it was overcast for most of the first and third days, and the second day it rained. A lot. On top of that, the water in the pool was cold. We spent a lot of time in the hot tub, which was the temperature the pool should have been.
Despite all that, we still had a good time. Not a great time, but a good time. The kids were forced to spend some time together and even enjoyed a little of it, and we got to try some of the local fare. The kids got to swim, which they love, and Charlie got to play some catch with Andy, which he loves (I was referring to Charlie loving it, but Andy does too). I got to forget about wrapping presents, which are waiting for me upstairs as I write, and cleaning the house, which we are all going to work on tomorrow together. We just got to enjoy hanging out as a family. A little quality time for everyone. What more could a mom ask for?
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Kid Quote of the Day
Me: Amanda, for your nap do you want to wear underwear or a diaper?
Amanda: Diaper.
Me: A diaper, why?
Amanda: I love diapers.
Amanda: Diaper.
Me: A diaper, why?
Amanda: I love diapers.
Holiday Frenzy
I know I've been kind of quiet lately, but that's because I'm frantically working behind the scenes to pull off a fantastic holiday once again this year. The holiday cards are printed and screaming at me from the desk to be stuffed in envelopes. Thankfully after I complained on Facebook today that I hate trying to print address labels, which I do with my entire body and soul, Charlie took pity on me and found some time to do it at work. I wrote our annual letter that goes with the cards already, just waiting for Charlie to make 150 (yes, we send about 150 holiday cards) copies so they can be folded and added to the picture cards. So, hopefully by the end of the weekend they will all be stuffed and in the mail. I have considered on many occasions just sending the cards without the letters, but there are too many people that say "Oh, I just love your Christmas letter" and would be very angry with us if it didn't get included. Of course if those people just read my blog they wouldn't need the letter, hmm.
We delivered almost all of the kids' teacher gifts already, just a few last ones to do tomorrow. I hate waiting until the end of the week to give them, in case the kids or the teacher or the teacher's kid gets sick and then you have to wait until after the break to do it. I made bread this year, and we would get really fat eating it all before the break is over and then would have to make even more, no way. 36 mini loaves was enough thank you!
The presents are another story. I'm done shopping, you don't have to worry about that. Except for my brother, David's kids (uh-hmm, because I haven't been told what they want), I finished the last couple stocking stuffers last night. I start buying things for the kids in August. Just little things, but I know if I see something and say that I'm going to get it later, I never find it. So my gift closet starts out kind of empty and then as the months go buy it gets fuller and fuller. No, my problem isn't buying, it's wrapping. I can guarantee that I will spend several nights next week wrapping presents because there's just no other time to do it. The paper will still have my breath on it when they open their gifts.
The extra challenge that our family has is that we celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas. It's not a challenge for the kids, they love all the presents. It's a challenge for us because a) we have to come up with enough gifts and then b) they have way too much junk lying around the house. Charlie has told me that Hanukkah presents can't be over $5 each, but the only think you can buy for under $5 is junk, so I try to keep it to $10-$15, which can still be challenging. The last two years Andy has gotten a lot of books for Hanukkah, but he is okay with that. They are usually ones he wants anyway. The girls get art supplies, books, and little toys like My Little Ponies and Littlest Pet Shop. Amanda is having a very Elmo Christmas and Hanukkah, which means most of her gifts for both holidays will have something to do with Sesame Street and Elmo, but she'll be all over it.
The struggle we have with Hanukkah and Christmas is that they are usually pretty close together. I love it when Hanukkah is the first week of December. Then there is no overlap. But this year it starts around December 19. That means Christmas Day is one of the days of Hanukkah. Plus, we will be out of town for a couple of the days. So, in our flexible, happy go lucky way (ha ha), we tend to move Hanukkah to when it fits us. You can't really move Christmas because every knows it's December 25, but not many people know when Hanukkah officially starts each year, and surely the people that do are not our kids. They are just happy to have it whenever we do it.
In past years we've had such a hard time fitting it in that we will do a couple of days, take a few off, do a few more, whatever works. We always get in all eight, and we always say the prayers and light the candles. Charlie makes sure the kids know the story of Hanukkah and why we have it (I'm pretty sure they know the story of Hanukkah better than the story of Christmas, which means I need to work a little harder) and they know they are to respect the time while we are lighting the candles and remain quiet. If they always behaved as well as they did during the short time that we light the candles my life would be so easy.
Overall we make it work, it's just hectic. So maybe this year I have wrapped the Hanukkah presents five minutes before giving them to the kids each night, but at least they are wrapped and I actually have all the gifts. The kids are happy and that's all that really matters.
We delivered almost all of the kids' teacher gifts already, just a few last ones to do tomorrow. I hate waiting until the end of the week to give them, in case the kids or the teacher or the teacher's kid gets sick and then you have to wait until after the break to do it. I made bread this year, and we would get really fat eating it all before the break is over and then would have to make even more, no way. 36 mini loaves was enough thank you!
The presents are another story. I'm done shopping, you don't have to worry about that. Except for my brother, David's kids (uh-hmm, because I haven't been told what they want), I finished the last couple stocking stuffers last night. I start buying things for the kids in August. Just little things, but I know if I see something and say that I'm going to get it later, I never find it. So my gift closet starts out kind of empty and then as the months go buy it gets fuller and fuller. No, my problem isn't buying, it's wrapping. I can guarantee that I will spend several nights next week wrapping presents because there's just no other time to do it. The paper will still have my breath on it when they open their gifts.
The extra challenge that our family has is that we celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas. It's not a challenge for the kids, they love all the presents. It's a challenge for us because a) we have to come up with enough gifts and then b) they have way too much junk lying around the house. Charlie has told me that Hanukkah presents can't be over $5 each, but the only think you can buy for under $5 is junk, so I try to keep it to $10-$15, which can still be challenging. The last two years Andy has gotten a lot of books for Hanukkah, but he is okay with that. They are usually ones he wants anyway. The girls get art supplies, books, and little toys like My Little Ponies and Littlest Pet Shop. Amanda is having a very Elmo Christmas and Hanukkah, which means most of her gifts for both holidays will have something to do with Sesame Street and Elmo, but she'll be all over it.
The struggle we have with Hanukkah and Christmas is that they are usually pretty close together. I love it when Hanukkah is the first week of December. Then there is no overlap. But this year it starts around December 19. That means Christmas Day is one of the days of Hanukkah. Plus, we will be out of town for a couple of the days. So, in our flexible, happy go lucky way (ha ha), we tend to move Hanukkah to when it fits us. You can't really move Christmas because every knows it's December 25, but not many people know when Hanukkah officially starts each year, and surely the people that do are not our kids. They are just happy to have it whenever we do it.
In past years we've had such a hard time fitting it in that we will do a couple of days, take a few off, do a few more, whatever works. We always get in all eight, and we always say the prayers and light the candles. Charlie makes sure the kids know the story of Hanukkah and why we have it (I'm pretty sure they know the story of Hanukkah better than the story of Christmas, which means I need to work a little harder) and they know they are to respect the time while we are lighting the candles and remain quiet. If they always behaved as well as they did during the short time that we light the candles my life would be so easy.
Overall we make it work, it's just hectic. So maybe this year I have wrapped the Hanukkah presents five minutes before giving them to the kids each night, but at least they are wrapped and I actually have all the gifts. The kids are happy and that's all that really matters.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Picture of the Day
Did you know that today is the first day of Hanukkah? That's because it isn't. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. I'll explain in my next post.
Kid Quote of the Day
Back story: We were watching a video in the car where it explains about silent "e"s and how they change a word. The example they were using was changing "dim" into "dime".
Sarah: Is DIM actually a word?
Me: Yes
Sarah: DIM IT!
No, not exactly, but that it what it sounds like when I'm angry and saying it really fast!
Sarah: Is DIM actually a word?
Me: Yes
Sarah: DIM IT!
No, not exactly, but that it what it sounds like when I'm angry and saying it really fast!
Family Gingerbread Man Project
Andy's teacher enjoyed the family turkey project around Thanksgiving so much, and she claims the kids did too, that she sent home a family gingerbread man project. Same basic concept, the family works together to decorate a paper gingerbread man. I had high hopes for this project, seeing that we had so much fun doing the turkey one, but have now come to the realization that we only have one family project in us.
We kind of put ourselves in a bad situation. When the assignment came home over a week ago, I told Charlie that he could do it this time, since he missed out on the turkey. I never made it a priority, and neither did he. Fast forward to last night around 6 p.m. Charlie was conveniently out on a "work" event at the Cowboys game, so it was up to the kids and me to make the gingerbread man. Luckily the girls and I had gone out on Saturday to get supplies or it would have gotten really ugly.
The problem was, it was around dinner time, the kids were tired, and all three of them were uber cranky for various reasons. So, Andy didn't really want the girls to help, which goes against the whole "family" part of the assignment, and the girls were whining because they did want to help. In the end Andy basically told me where to put the glue (the positive part of the whole thing was I got to use my fun, fun, fun glue gun again!) while the girls watched. Oh, and threw all the extra art supplies on the floor. Because really, what's an art project without me having to clean up everything from everywhere. End rant.
Andy wanted the gingerbread man to be able to stand up by himself, which we sort of accomplished. He's kind of bent over, so he must be a very old and crotchety gingerbread man, but he does have a smile on his face. I'm sure he was just happy to get out of the house away from all the yelling and fighting. I wish I could go hang on the wall at the elementary school for a couple of weeks.
Anyway, I'm just really hoping we don't have to do a Family Leprechaun Project for St. Patrick's Day. That would probably be enough to send me over the edge and denounce my 1/4 Irish bloodline.
We kind of put ourselves in a bad situation. When the assignment came home over a week ago, I told Charlie that he could do it this time, since he missed out on the turkey. I never made it a priority, and neither did he. Fast forward to last night around 6 p.m. Charlie was conveniently out on a "work" event at the Cowboys game, so it was up to the kids and me to make the gingerbread man. Luckily the girls and I had gone out on Saturday to get supplies or it would have gotten really ugly.
The problem was, it was around dinner time, the kids were tired, and all three of them were uber cranky for various reasons. So, Andy didn't really want the girls to help, which goes against the whole "family" part of the assignment, and the girls were whining because they did want to help. In the end Andy basically told me where to put the glue (the positive part of the whole thing was I got to use my fun, fun, fun glue gun again!) while the girls watched. Oh, and threw all the extra art supplies on the floor. Because really, what's an art project without me having to clean up everything from everywhere. End rant.
Andy wanted the gingerbread man to be able to stand up by himself, which we sort of accomplished. He's kind of bent over, so he must be a very old and crotchety gingerbread man, but he does have a smile on his face. I'm sure he was just happy to get out of the house away from all the yelling and fighting. I wish I could go hang on the wall at the elementary school for a couple of weeks.
Anyway, I'm just really hoping we don't have to do a Family Leprechaun Project for St. Patrick's Day. That would probably be enough to send me over the edge and denounce my 1/4 Irish bloodline.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Sisterly Love
Today when I went to pick up the girls from school, Sarah's English teacher (she has English on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Spanish on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) leans over to me and says, "Did you know...". Of course I never know what anybody is going to say when they start out that way, and generally when it involves my kids I don't want to know. "Did you know", she said, "that everyday Amanda comes into our class to see Sarah?" No, no I didn't.
Apparently Amanda's teacher walks her down to Sarah's classroom to get a hug from Sarah. Sarah walks over, gives her a hug, and then Amanda leaves. No big deal, just a little reassurance that Sarah is still there and is looking out for her. I asked if they did this everyday. The English teacher said it happened everyday that she was there. I asked the Spanish teacher the same question. She said it never happens on the days she is teaching. However, Amanda doesn't go to school the days that she teaches. So I guess it is everyday as far as Amanda is concerned, because it is every day that she is at school.
Up until today nobody told me this. Not Sarah, not Amanda's teachers, not Amanda. Although I probably wouldn't understand if Amanda was trying to tell me anyway. They just do it as if it's part of the planned school day. How sweet that Sarah isn't upset or embarrassed and is willing to console her little sister, and even more sweet that Amanda needs that reassurance not from a teacher or mom, but from her big sister.
They truly are the best of friends. I hope it continues forever and ever.
Apparently Amanda's teacher walks her down to Sarah's classroom to get a hug from Sarah. Sarah walks over, gives her a hug, and then Amanda leaves. No big deal, just a little reassurance that Sarah is still there and is looking out for her. I asked if they did this everyday. The English teacher said it happened everyday that she was there. I asked the Spanish teacher the same question. She said it never happens on the days she is teaching. However, Amanda doesn't go to school the days that she teaches. So I guess it is everyday as far as Amanda is concerned, because it is every day that she is at school.
Up until today nobody told me this. Not Sarah, not Amanda's teachers, not Amanda. Although I probably wouldn't understand if Amanda was trying to tell me anyway. They just do it as if it's part of the planned school day. How sweet that Sarah isn't upset or embarrassed and is willing to console her little sister, and even more sweet that Amanda needs that reassurance not from a teacher or mom, but from her big sister.
They truly are the best of friends. I hope it continues forever and ever.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Picture of the Day
Sarah in her new Snoopy shirt we got the Saturday after thanksgiving during all the sales. The hat came with it.
The Gingerbread House Project
When I was a kid, we didn't make gingerbread houses. Okay, that's not exactly true. We didn't make them as a big family project. We would occasionally make them at school or at Girl Scouts or something like that, but it wasn't a family tradition. Plus, we didn't even use gingerbread. We would cut up a cardboard milk container to use as the base and then glue graham crackers to it with frosting (or possibly just glue) and go from there.
Somewhere along the way after Andy was born I bought a gingerbread house. He was probably two or three years old. Back then I liked doing fun, creative things with my kid because there was just one of him, we didn't have a lot of other things going on, and I got to decide how messy the project got. So different from life today.
Over the last several years, we've continued to buy them and now the holiday season is somehow not complete without a gingerbread house. The problem is, Charlie and I hate making them. We either break the roof, or the wall, or the frosting is too thick or it won't stick together. There is always some drama with the house. It's rare that we get through a year of making one without something going wrong.
One year we found one that comes with a plastic base that the pieces just fit into. That way if your frosting glue doesn't work well it still stays together, except for the roof sliding off. We were so happy that year. Rediculously happy, really, for two highly educated people, but when you have a gingerbread house deficiency you need the plastic base. We may have found that same house one other year, but I didn't find it this year.
The funny thing is that when I buy them I don't always scrutinize them carefully enough. Sometimes the boxes are very deceptive and look like there is a base or that it will be easy, but then you open it up and it's just wrong. Yesterday when we opened the box and there was no base Charlie decided he was going to go out and buy a new one. That's how bad it is. We aren't even willing to try to make it without the base. He was gone quite awhile, however, and when he came back he had a new house but it didn't have a base either. Ugh, now we have to do two!
The kids did the one I bought last night. I sort of followed the directions, which I don't think we've even done. I glued the walls together first and we let them sit for about 30 minutes. Then I glued on the roof and we let that sit for another 30 minutes. We've never made it that way before. Usually we put it together and instantly start decorating. That may be why it falls apart so often.
Regardless of what a pain in the ass it really is, the reason we keep doing it is because the kids love it. Last night while all three of them were working on the house by themselves, Charlie and I both kept our distance, there was no fighting whatsoever. They got along great and were so happy with their house. That is what the holiday and the tradition are all about. Of course it wasn't a spectacular looking gingerbread house when they were done, but in their eyes it was beautiful.
Plus, next weekend we are going to do the one Charlie bought so that was just the practice house. Good thing, because look what happened after the kids went to bed.
Somewhere along the way after Andy was born I bought a gingerbread house. He was probably two or three years old. Back then I liked doing fun, creative things with my kid because there was just one of him, we didn't have a lot of other things going on, and I got to decide how messy the project got. So different from life today.
Over the last several years, we've continued to buy them and now the holiday season is somehow not complete without a gingerbread house. The problem is, Charlie and I hate making them. We either break the roof, or the wall, or the frosting is too thick or it won't stick together. There is always some drama with the house. It's rare that we get through a year of making one without something going wrong.
One year we found one that comes with a plastic base that the pieces just fit into. That way if your frosting glue doesn't work well it still stays together, except for the roof sliding off. We were so happy that year. Rediculously happy, really, for two highly educated people, but when you have a gingerbread house deficiency you need the plastic base. We may have found that same house one other year, but I didn't find it this year.
The funny thing is that when I buy them I don't always scrutinize them carefully enough. Sometimes the boxes are very deceptive and look like there is a base or that it will be easy, but then you open it up and it's just wrong. Yesterday when we opened the box and there was no base Charlie decided he was going to go out and buy a new one. That's how bad it is. We aren't even willing to try to make it without the base. He was gone quite awhile, however, and when he came back he had a new house but it didn't have a base either. Ugh, now we have to do two!
The kids did the one I bought last night. I sort of followed the directions, which I don't think we've even done. I glued the walls together first and we let them sit for about 30 minutes. Then I glued on the roof and we let that sit for another 30 minutes. We've never made it that way before. Usually we put it together and instantly start decorating. That may be why it falls apart so often.
Regardless of what a pain in the ass it really is, the reason we keep doing it is because the kids love it. Last night while all three of them were working on the house by themselves, Charlie and I both kept our distance, there was no fighting whatsoever. They got along great and were so happy with their house. That is what the holiday and the tradition are all about. Of course it wasn't a spectacular looking gingerbread house when they were done, but in their eyes it was beautiful.
Plus, next weekend we are going to do the one Charlie bought so that was just the practice house. Good thing, because look what happened after the kids went to bed.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Kid Quote of the Day
Sarah: How come everybody just left me in there?
Me: You went in the game room to watch tv and you shut the door. Plus, we've been a little focused on Andy who isn't feeling well today.
Sarah: How come it's never about me?
Me: You went in the game room to watch tv and you shut the door. Plus, we've been a little focused on Andy who isn't feeling well today.
Sarah: How come it's never about me?
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Compromise (or Lack Thereof)
When Charlie and I were trying to decide whether or not to have another baby (okay, really I was just trying to convince him), my brother tried to tell us that three wasn't the best idea. Of course he loves all three of his kids, but the story he would always tell was this: you can always get one all fired up about where you are going or what you are going to do, you can usually convince a second one to go along with the plan, but that third one will always put up a fight and won't want anything to do with it. Lately, that's the story of my life.
I have to admit the older two are pretty good when it comes to compromise. Yes, Andy will always grumble and Sarah will always whine (if she didn't I would seriously think something was wrong in the world), but they are old enough to understand and will stick with the plan. It's Amanda who wants nothing to do with it and does not like to take turns making decisions.
I stopped letting the kids watch DVDs in the car for a long time because it became such an issue every time we would go anywhere. Andy would get to pick but would get out of the car (for school or an activity or whatever) and then Sarah, who didn't want to watch what Andy picked, would ask if I would change said DVD. Of course I would because why would I make her watch something she didn't want to watch, but then Andy at some point would get back in the car and realize his DVD had been removed. There was constant yelling and fighting and whining and crying about what we watched that we just stopped completely.
I'm not sure when, but we started watching again. I think Charlie was the one who started it, putting in a DVD that Amanda would like. Of course it was something Sesame Street. At first the older kids were just so excited to have TV in the car again that they didn't say anything. They happily watched Sesame Street or Blue's Clues or whatever was on. That was until we watched it 500 times. You think I'm joking, I'm not.
After an amazingly long time they finally started asking if we could watch something else. Something they actually wanted to watch. I agreed and we decided we would take turns picking what was on next. You see where this is going, right? The big kids are pretty good about taking turns, but Amanda is not. Plus, Amanda is with me ALL THE TIME, and when she isn't with me the other kids aren't with me either. So, on many occasions I will remove their movies to put hers back in, and then history repeats itself.
Every time we tell Amanda it is someone else's turn to pick a DVD, she goes crazy. Then, for the first 30 or so minutes of the movie she says, "Mommy, I want to watch Elmo," over and over and over again. It's kind of pointless to be watching something else because she's talking over it and you can't hear it anyway.
I'm very close to ending this experiment and going back to silence. I'm pretty sure I will not have a DVD player in my next car. Some days I truly see the value in having an only child.
I have to admit the older two are pretty good when it comes to compromise. Yes, Andy will always grumble and Sarah will always whine (if she didn't I would seriously think something was wrong in the world), but they are old enough to understand and will stick with the plan. It's Amanda who wants nothing to do with it and does not like to take turns making decisions.
I stopped letting the kids watch DVDs in the car for a long time because it became such an issue every time we would go anywhere. Andy would get to pick but would get out of the car (for school or an activity or whatever) and then Sarah, who didn't want to watch what Andy picked, would ask if I would change said DVD. Of course I would because why would I make her watch something she didn't want to watch, but then Andy at some point would get back in the car and realize his DVD had been removed. There was constant yelling and fighting and whining and crying about what we watched that we just stopped completely.
I'm not sure when, but we started watching again. I think Charlie was the one who started it, putting in a DVD that Amanda would like. Of course it was something Sesame Street. At first the older kids were just so excited to have TV in the car again that they didn't say anything. They happily watched Sesame Street or Blue's Clues or whatever was on. That was until we watched it 500 times. You think I'm joking, I'm not.
After an amazingly long time they finally started asking if we could watch something else. Something they actually wanted to watch. I agreed and we decided we would take turns picking what was on next. You see where this is going, right? The big kids are pretty good about taking turns, but Amanda is not. Plus, Amanda is with me ALL THE TIME, and when she isn't with me the other kids aren't with me either. So, on many occasions I will remove their movies to put hers back in, and then history repeats itself.
Every time we tell Amanda it is someone else's turn to pick a DVD, she goes crazy. Then, for the first 30 or so minutes of the movie she says, "Mommy, I want to watch Elmo," over and over and over again. It's kind of pointless to be watching something else because she's talking over it and you can't hear it anyway.
I'm very close to ending this experiment and going back to silence. I'm pretty sure I will not have a DVD player in my next car. Some days I truly see the value in having an only child.
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