It's that time of year!

A hodgepodge of the holiday! So here is a little bit of what the holidays look like at our house. I like to decorate pretty simply. We definitely don't go crazy but I add a little bit more each year and still have a few more ideas up my sleeve this year.

Above is the ornament wreath that is so popular around the blogoshpere. Along with snow candles. I saw this simple idea at the inspired room. It is epsom salt placed in the bottom of jars/candle holders to look like snow. I love the simplicity of this & have them all over the house.

In the bedroom I added a little Christmas bling to the candles by covering them in mod podge and rolling them in epsom salt.

And here is Alex and Eli's contribution to the decor. Definitely can't leave them out! They made this shape craft that I found at "No Time For Flashcards" (of course). This was a great craft b/c it focuses on shapes and it taught them "trapezoid" which was a new one for them. :)

We put these up in the kitchen window!

Don't Forget WFMW @ "We are ThAT Family".

What they are capable of:

I thought I would take a moment and share what my two year olds are capapble of in the amount of time it takes to make mac & cheese. Yep, in the amount of time it took me to boil water, cook noodles, add butter and milk, this is what Eli did.

"I'm confused she seems annoyed and yet she is taking a picture of it?"

I am proud to say that when I asked him if he did it, he clearly said "yes". I guess I am glad that he didn't lie. Thankfully it is washable crayon.

Speaking of what people are capable of I have to take a minute and brag about my husband. I always ask him what he did at work and he continually amazes me with his answers. You see he not only teaches HS social studies, which, in itself is a very noble task but he does maintenance at the church which allows me to stay home with the bubbas, thank you LORD! Anyways, he fixes roofs, digs trenches (something to do with plumbing), fixes play grounds, builds entertainment centers, etc., etc., etc., like I said AMAZING. So what is my point? My point is this week Jared and I had a first together. We completed a curtain. My idea, his handiwork. TADA! We bought a drop cloth and used it to cover our 4 dining room chairs and make this curtain. The grand total for material being $13. We have lived here for 6 years this winter and have never covered the window on our side door until now. I like how it turned out. Thanks, honey!

I have a pic where he is looking at the camera but he was sort of shooting daggers at me with his eyes so I chose the nice one of him working. :)

Ooh and last but not least here is my latest thrift store find for $4.

and VOILA!

I think I will keep the pictures seasonal.

Click on over and get more ideas at Works for Me Wednesday!

Lessons from a 2 yr. old

Any parent knows that you are in for quite an education when those sweet little babies are born. Mine teach me daily. An ongoing theme for us is patience. I have taught the boys, when they start to lose their patience or ask me 3 million times to do something after I have said "wait, please" an equal amount of times, to sing a song that I learned as a child. Jared knew it too and we used to jokingly sing it to each other. Therefore when we had children it was a natural transition to teach them. It says: "Have patience, have patience. Don't be in such a hurry. When you get impatient you only start to worry. Remember, remember that God is patient TOO and think of all the times when others have to wait for you." Sadly enough Eli has sung it to me a couple of times. Yeah, my little Holy Spirit. ;)



So, as I said, ONGOING lesson. Today I heard him playing during nap and of course they can play with their "bed toys" (aka quiet stuff). I went in and he had gotten out of bed to grab a container of his little people. He was caught in the act but quickly changed his expression of "busted" to a BIG, wide smile and said "Here Mommy" and held his two little arms out handing me the bin as if he was helping me out SO much. I took it and he said "You're welcome, Mama". Ok, I have to admit I really just want to grab him and squeeze him every time he says "Mama" to me but instead I calmly explained that he is not to get out of bed and that it is time to rest. Score one for me because by this point in the day my patience is wearing REALLY thin.


I realized a couple of months ago that this was a "trigger" time for me, right before nap and bed at night. It was then that I began thinking, usually after I had lost my cool, that if I had just been patient for 5 more minutes (sometimes even less) things would have been very different and I wouldn't have to feel horrible for being grouchy to them right before bed. 5 more minutes. It seems measly but sometimes is just takes a second to feel overwhelmed and it is definitely something I work on regularly.


In my Bible reading last week I came across the story of Esau who sold his birthright for some soup. I can so relate to this guy. He was hungry! I've read and heard this story several times but this time that stood out to me. My New Living Bible study notes say: Esau acted on impulse, satisfying his immediate desires without pausing to consider the long-range consequences of what he was about to do. " It goes on to say: "We might feel such great pressure in one area that nothing else seems to matter and we lose our perspective. Getting through that short pressure-filled moment is often the most difficult part of overcoming temptation."


That moment when I am about to lose my patience with Jared or the boys. That moment when I don't feel like exercising when I know it is best for my health. That moment when I just. want. some. soup. (o.k. unlike Esau mine would be a 2nd brownie or another slice of pizza) but know that I should give it a rest. They are all short term decisions that have a lasting consequence. I am trying to be more mindful of this. So that is what "works for me". Think of Esau!

Who could possibly run out of patience with these sweet faces?

Me!

Head over to "We are that family" for more tips!

Chore Charts and Potty Training

So last week while reading through some of the "Works for Me Wednesday" tips I came across this blog (A Very Blessed Mommy) who linked her readers to this fabulous chore chart for toddlers. I love it AND it allows you to fill in the blanks right on the site, print and voila. Your charts are ready to go. I slipped them into a plastic sleeves attached magnets to the back and then the problem became: How should I mark off the chores that the boys complete? I thought with dry-erase marker but that quickly became "lets color on the frig. time" and it wiped off way too easily. I have been coming up with alternatives so that the charts remain re-usable. I decided I was going to make little stars out of brightly colored foam and attach magnets to them. THEN while shopping at Wal-Mart I found these magnets which TOTALLY match for around $2. I bought one pack in case I was wrong about it matching and brought them home. Needless to say I will be getting one more pack because it looks as if these magnets were specifically made for these charts. So that is what works for me.

Now, onto MUCH bigger things. I was planning on waiting until the dead of winter to do potty training b/c we would be stuck inside and I was completely fine with the boys not being trained until 3 or 3 1/2, 6 whatever. I dont' struggle with the whole "keeping up with the joneses mentality" when it comes to developmental milestones. I think I can attribute this to having preemies and having worked with Developmental Specialists who are quick to tell you that the "normal" range is VAST. Anyways, as is typical for Eli he decided that he would like to start now and began presenting to me ALL the signs of readiness. Therefore, in the interest of not losing that enthusiasm I am going to begin potty training. I have all the neccessary supplies (I think) below and would love to hear some of your tips. :) Thanks, I look forward to hearing from you and for those of you who aren't to the potty training stage yet and are interested I will lay out "the plan" in a future post.

What's missing?? I still plan to make a potty, sticker chart.

Here are a few of my other WFMW posts if you are up for it.

Works for Me Wednesday: Daily Organization

I love lists. Love them! My problem seems to come with the following of the said lists. BUT for my "Works for Me Wednesday" organizational tool I thought I would share my lists: where I find them and where I put them!

First of all I have found great downloadable lists at the following places.

I started using these daily dockets . I found them a bit rigid for me but I know they will work for others. These along with her other downloads are incredible. I love simple mom for home management and other simple family life information.

I then moved on to these for days that I feel I need to map out my "to-do's". I also use her menu planner (I use the 2nd option.) and have found this system to be my most successful. I have actually stuck to it for a while.

On a regular basis I refer to a master daily schedule which I made and it is just a hour to hour list of how the day usually goes. I also use the weekly menu planner regularly along with my cleaning schedule. On days when I feel like I have a lot to accomplish I will use the aforementioned to-do list/daily planner on Project Girl's Website. I write all of my appointments, play dates, etc. on my dry-erase calendar.

Now onto my personal organization station.

I am totally kidding but isn't that space gorgeous!!! Thank you, Pottery Barn!

Seriously though, I love my home but I don't have that kind of wall space so back to reality. :) Here is where I put my lists:

on the side of my refrigerator. My daily schedule is on the bottom left with my weekly cleaning schedule next to it and then above it is the grocery/menu plan. Next to my meal plan is a coupon holder that I put diaper coupons in (when I remember to). When you look to the left on the wall that is my monthly calendar.

I hardly ever stick to the schedule. Some might question why I bother with them then? Because 1) as I mentioned I love to make them and 2) I like a basis from which to work. I am one of those people that likes to have a "rule of thumb". So that is what "Works for Me".

Works for Me Wednesday: Blog Reading

Works for Me Wednesday is here again so go and check out these other fabulous ideas at "We are THAT Family".

Blog reading is what works for me. I tend to find a lot of useful ideas for activities from other moms. I will display it in pictures because that "works for me", ha!

My #1 spot for craft/education ideas for the boys is at "No Time For Flashcards". I have a button on the right bottom side of my blog. All of the following crafts are from that blog. I cannot say enough about the wealth of ideas this former pre-school teacher and current SAHM provides.

Here is a link to an alligator craft and a dinosaur craft that we did also.

Another twin mom blogger @ "Two are Better Than One" gave me the idea for fun at the sink. This is really basic but it was not something that I had thought of. To give you an idea of how much the boys love it. I asked them if they were ready to go outside and they BOTH shouted "NO!!"

I also picked up the idea of playing with beans at a blog although I am not sure which one AND realized here that I needed to start baking with my boys despite the mess.

All of these things come in handy while looking for ways to entertain twin two year old boys. I especially appreciate them in the dead of a Michigan Winter!

Works for me Wednesday: Room Time

Room Time, my sanity saver! My sister in law talked to me about this. Her kids are in elementary and middle school now and they still enjoy time to themselves playing independently. She feels as if it has helped to build their imaginations and fostered independence. I also read about room time in a parenting book and knowing older children who benefited from it definitely convinced me. The book indicated that is also helps to improve your child's attention span because they are not always watching Mommy to see what she is doing and thereby getting distracted. It all starts with the play pen when your children cannot play safely in their room independently and lasts for as little as a few minutes and now for us it has moved to their room with a gate up. Ideally it is independent but I still have not come up with a solution for the boys to have separate areas.

I don't do this daily but on a regular basis I put the boys in their room to play for about 20-30 minutes. I get down all of their favorite toys and let them have at it. On a normal day they have no objections. Every once in a while Alex will have a clingy day and not want to do it but typically I sit with him for a few minutes in the room and play and then he is content. I can then use the time to do whatever I need to get done and I know they are safely playing. I also look forward to this time as a breather for me. Anyone who has a two year old (or two ;D) can probably sympathize and understand why even 2 minutes of having no one under your feet would be heavenly. On Saturday mornings this gives Jared and I enough time to conquer cleaning and organizing the house together and then we have a clutter free weekend.

All I can say is it "Works for Me". Head over to "We are THAT Family" and hear what works for other Mommy bloggers.

Below is and example of a time it didn't "work" quite as well. It also reminds me to caution you that you have to make sure you check on them regularly (especially when it gets quiet like it did on this particular day) and make sure all "fun" things that toddlers like to explore but shouldn't is out of reach. Thankfully these were the safety Q-tips.

STINKERS!

Milky!

Ah that word. When the boys, particularly Eli, is thirsty his sweet request starts out with the word milky. It then continues as follows "milky, milky, milky!!!!" I respond with "excuse me, what do you say????" and he follows with a "please, milky" in a much more bearable tone. Which leads me to quickly put together the 45 piece straw deal (seriously, what is up with those cups?) so that he can have a drink. I do not go through this anymore, which, leads me to what "works for me" on this fine day. I am enjoying being part of this whole "Works for me Wednesday" thing so continue to bear with me. Oh and please keep in mind that mine are el lame-o compared to some of these other creative ladies so don't forget to go check out all of the other ones at "We are THAT family".

This week's tip is one that I gleaned from a book I am reading by Lisa Whelchel (yep, Blaire from "The Facts of Life", oh and in case you are tempted to comment and ask who Blaire is, don't bother you must be "too young" and I am in no mood to hear about how old I am ;) Anyways, I just started doing this and it is a real time saver for me. She suggests filling up all of the sippy cups needed for the next day at night (regular cups with lids if your children are older). She suggested 2 milk cups, 2 juice, and 2 water, I believe. Obviously you will fill up what you know your kids will drink. Her formula is not mine and mine will not be yours but it is nice to just grab the ready to go cup out of the frig and be on my way, especially if I have errands or appointments. She also suggests putting them low enough for your children to grab them when they please, however, this Mama doesn't allow the boys open access to the refrigerator. Me telling them to grab sippy cups would translate to "grab you cups and then throw some of those eggs around and don't forget to open a few yogurts and make a mess trying to eat them......" (you get the picture). As I said you can tailor this little tip to fit your needs. I only fill up 4 cups for each of them and then my handy little water bottle that helps me drink the water that I should. I also thought that for those of you with older children that they could fill them themselves at night and it might encourage them to hydrate as needed. So that is "my" tip this week. Here is a pic just because.

Why I love stickers!

1. They motivate the boys to stay in bed during nap.

2. The boys get crazy excited about something that costs $1 and last me for a couple of weeks.

3. They helped Alex survive not having a binky. Oh yes, my friends we are BINKY-LESS! :)

4. They motivate the boys to cooperate with the Dr. Although now my ped's office does stamps and Alex is scared of having his hand stamped. It still works though because I just tell him that if he is not good the evil stamp lady will get him after the appointment. ;) (Please "hear" my sarcasm here because I am totally KIDDING!)

Why I hate stickers (not kidding about this part):

Exhibit A

Case and point!

Oh well, I guess everything has a "downside" I just wish it wasn't stuck to my hardwood floor. Other than this incident bribery with stickers :) is what "works for me", on this fine Wednesday. Go and check out more ideas.

Organizing all the LITTLE toys that become a big problem

The boys little toys have gotten a bit out of hand and I was tired of chucking them all into the same bin. Jared and I keep the boys room organized but we needed an updated version of organization due to all their "loves" (hot wheels, trains, little people, blocks, etc.). Jared came up with using these little clear bins and for $9 we now have a closet that I LOVE and that is much more manageable. The boys even like cleaning up (if Mommy cheers for them OFTEN) and I love that I can pull out only one or two small bins at a time as opposed to larger bins and lots of mess.

We have had these red bins and were using them for all of the miscellaneous toys that were quickly growing out of control. Now one of them is miscellaneous and the other has their MegaBlocks in it. Much better! (On a side note: If anyone knows of a good chalk for these particular bins, let me know b/c nothing has worked well so far.)

I kind of have a "thing" for these containers. Recently when my sister watched the boys she said she desperately wanted to find my label maker and change the "OTC Meds" label to "OCD Meds". She's a funny one!

Works for Me Wednesday (kind of )

There is this blog carnival called "works for me Wednesday" that has all these cool tips by real moms telling what has worked for them and I have never joined in. This week I FINALLY came up with one and when I headed over to add mine to the list it was a "traveling with kids" theme. Bummer. So, being the stubborn girl that I am I decided that I'd post mine anyways and I just wouldn't link up to the other blog. If you are new to blogs or blog reading this probably doesn't make sense so I will just show you my discovery!

Recently my sister passed some magazines my way and one of them was "Family Fun". It is a great mag and it had this idea in it. It was sent in by one of their readers and it is a slow flow watering can. I made them for the boys to help water plants and hadn't used them until today. They LOVE them!

You just take an old juice bottle and poke a whole or several small holes in the top of the lid. They played with this for almost an hour. As you may know an hour for a two year old is like eternity. They watered the plants, flowers, concrete (and we talked about how it got darker when it was wet), the grass, themselves and Mommy. I highly recommend this! Have FUN!

While we are on the topic of what works for Moms....I have a question for you. The boys and I have been having a lot of picnics in the backyard for lunch and I always have to bring them in to prep the lunch and then take them back out which never excites them. What type of lunches would you recommend that I could prep in the morning and then just run in the house to grab? Alex can't do peanut butter so unfortunately that is out. If you have a suggestion please leave me a comment or email me @ 3guysandamom@gmail.com. Thanks!