I am not smarter than a 2nd grader.

Ben and I have been trying to come up with a way to help Ally focus when she needs to without denying her the time to daydream and be totally care free. Every so often, I read. Yes. Me. I was given a book and told "it" might be a good one in helping us come up with ways of using scripture, stories, etc. to "discipline and direct" our kids. So I tried it today. Here is how it all played out.

I was in the kitchen helping Hayden study for a language test. Ally, Caleb and Joshua were in the living room watching a show appropriate for a 3-4 year old. (Ben is "workationing" in Florida).

I had mentioned a couple of times to Ally that she get a piece of paper and pencil so I could call out her spelling words for her to practice. After not even getting a "in a minute, Mom", I decided it was time to implement the new technique: a story. I told Ally to come into the kitchen I had a story for her. She bit. And so I began to weave:

Once upon a time there lived a little girl. She lived in the most beautiful place, right next door to the most beautiful castle. Day after day she dreamed of getting to go inside the castle to look around. One day the King decided he would open up his home for anyone to see, but only for one day.

The next morning the little girl set off on the path to the castle. Along the way she would step off to smell a flower or watch a bird. But she would quickly remind herself that her dream was to see the castle and this was her one chance. It would be too late tomorrow. She continued on stopping to watch a squirrel play in the leaves or a fox to chase it's tail. Oh and those wonderful flowers. Before she knew it, it was lunchtime. She decided to sit and have a picnic but would immediately get back on path once she was finished. Seeing the inside of the castle was her goal and it would be too late tomorrow.

After lunch she continued down the path occasionally stopping to smell the flowers or to watch a pretty bird glide through the sky. She would look up at the sky and count the clouds. She reminded herself that she needed to get back on the path to the castle since that is what she wanted to do today. That was her goal and tomorrow would be too late.

She walked for a while until she saw the most wonderful butterfly skipping from flower to flower. Oh how much fun it was having. She stepped off the path just enough to almost catch it, but it made its way to the next flower. She followed it. It flew this way and that, almost letting her catch it, then zipping off to the next stop. Before she knew it she was way off path. It was getting dark and there would be no way for her to get to the castle. She had forever missed her chance. She hadn't reached her goal and now it was too late.

I told Ally that she was the little girl and although not as glamorous or fun as the castle, her goal was to study for her spelling test. Tomorrow would be too late. All the toys, TV shows, DS games etc. were like the flowers, butterfly, birds and clouds. The little girl could have done all those things any time she wanted, but the castle was a one time thing. Your spelling test is a one time thing. Tomorrow would be too late. Do you understand?

Her eyes glistening , fully enthralled in what I was saying, responded, " Yes, I get it. Can you tell me another one. That was fun."

I also got a "Mom, that was a good story" from Hayden.

Thanks girls. Glad I could entertain you.

Beetlejuice, beetlejuice, beetlejuice !!!

The party not at Chuck E' Cheese

Griffin's party for his 4th Birthday was today. It was at Jump Zone, not Chuck E' Cheese. I'm still kind of disappointed. There's always next year I suppose!

Valentines

Remind me next year that those great ideas in Family Fun magazine aren't all that fun with the family!

They did turn out cute and were a BIG hit!

Some Additions.

Child: "I need you to be in a good mood when I get home from school."

Mom: (several thoughts flooding her mind, but says the obvious) "Why?"

Child: "I"ll be bringing home some bad grades today."

Mom: "Like a B?"

Child: "Well, how bad is an F if it is below a 50?"

Mom: "An F is an F, it doesn't really matter the "degree" of the F."

Child: "Then I need to get Dad in a good mood for this afternoon too."

Mom: "Here's a hint: Don't use the technique you just used on me."

Mom: "Go get your shower."

Child: (Practices her selective listening skills and continues to wander aimlessly around.)

Mom: "Hey, go get your shower."

Child: (Child moves towards the stairs and climbs slowly.)

Mom: (Noticing naked child standing at the top of the stars playing with a balloon) "Why are you not in the shower?"

Child: "I forgot what you told me to do"

Trying to bring witty back.

So, I haven't exactly been feeling witty. I'm trying to get out of the "funk" I've been in and made a little progress in the car today. I was thinking about all the funny things I've heard, been told or seen. Some you'll get and some you won't.

Here goes:

Child: (Holding craft made at school of a groundhog popping out of a cup) "Happy New Year!"

Cashier: (Scanning some "fix your wrinkles" face cream) "Have you used this before?"

Lady: "Yes"

Cashier: (Checking out lady's face) "Does it work?"

Lady: "Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, . . . Blah, Blah, Blah . . .

Man: "So does she have a thing for men in uniform or what?"

Mom: "How'd you do on that quiz?"

Child: "I missed 4"

Mom: "So that's like a 60?"

Child: "Yes"

Mom: "I guess your way didn't work. Today you'll do it my way. Think you've learned a lesson?"

Child: "Ok, yes. Can we stop talking about it?"

Mom: "No. I like this subject."

Child: "Ok, but don't tell Daddy"

Mom: "Oh, I'm not telling Daddy. You are."

Lady: "You have an eye appointment at 4 on Monday."

Man: "In the afternoon?"

Lady: "Um, what's the alternative?"

Man: "I have to go back to the dentist."

Lady: "Do you have a cavity? What's that 2 or 3?"

Man: "It's 3, but I don't think it's really a cavity. "

Lady: "It's ok, welcome to the dark side."