8:32pm

Everyone was up a little late tonight getting ready for our overnight to the coast.  Usually Papa comes home to a quiet house, not tonight!  I also am making a very rare appearance wearing jeans.  I wore them most of the day.  So uncomfortable!  How do people do it?

I usually begin with the clock shot, but forgot tonight.  Those of you with a keen eye will notice the #1 photo was actually the last.  I could have cropped Mav and Dot out and kept the secret, but they just look so sweet I couldn't do it. 

Zucchini Baby!

It's that time of year again.  Although we didn't grow any zucchini this year we are fortunate to have friends with an abundance of squash.  You all know we bake all the time here in the pink house, so of course we couldn't pass up making zucchini bread.  My oldest Ruth wasn't home and it was the perfect time to give Pearl the lead on this recipe.  I wrote it out for her as simply as possible and placed all needed ingredients and supplies on the table.  I made sure to go over the measuring gadgets with her; "this is 1 cup" "this is a teaspoon".   I also suggested she mark off each ingredient as she added them to avoid anything being missed or doubled.   She did great and Grace enjoyed helping.

We devoured the bread before I got the chance to take a picture of it. 

Homeschooling subjects included with this project: math, reading, and mix in a little science.

WW Progress

Okay, I promised I would update my weight watcher status today.

Here I was on 5-7-10

168lbs, 38-32-47 

And here I am today

160lbs, 36-29.5-43.5

I actually was surprised at the measurements.  I had hoped to be under 160 at this post-and I am oh so close.  I thought maybe I should put off my update another week.  But this was the date I set to keep me from continuing to put it off.  It was extremely motivating-especially because I have stopped going to meetings.  Ideally I just want to be under 150.  (You know the Dr.'s scale has that bottom tab they either put at 100 or move up to 150?  I hate the 150!)

I haven't ran for a couple of weeks and before that it was few and far between.  It is disappointing to know I'll have to start all over at the beginning of the Couch to 5K running plan. 

What happened was I did what I set out to do, ran the 9 week program, then in my mind I was done.  I knew better but somehow I hadn't motivated myself beyond that. 

The thing is I am better at not eating than I am at activity, even though I know activity is what it is going to take to look my best.  I have been bike riding and hope to do a lot more before the weather changes.

I also need to track my food better.  I think I cheat myself when I guess because my tendency is to overestimate points.  

Here are a few of my current favorite weight loss friendly foods.  Soyrizo and egg whites, morningstar chick patty on a sand which thin, Kozy Shack no sugar added rice pudding and best of all, watermelon.  I eat one in a single day, averaging about 3 a week.  I am sure going to miss them when summer ends!

Sleep, Sweet Sleep

When my friend Lucy asked that I do a bedtime post, I was a little hesitant.  This is because bedtime is usually the hardest time of day here in the pink house.  Interestingly enough I have had at least one child under 6 years old for over 13 years now and I have learned a little from my mistakes and successes that I can share with you.  

The first and most important thing to remember is consistency and that you are responsible for making it happen.  I often fail here.  But I'm getting better.  With my first all I cared about was that she slept.  How and when were irrelevant. We did everything to try to get her to sleep, sling, swing, stroller, rocking, 2 am car rides... you get the picture.  I am not advocating a parenting style here but we were all about "attachment parenting."  It wasn't a plan we just fell into it naturally as we searched for ways to soothe our "high needs child."  We had a family bed and she nursed continually until she was nearly 3 and continued in our bed until she was 5.   I must interject this was not because I enjoyed the set up but mainly due to lack of consistency and giving up due to exhaustion.  Even now she prefers to sleep with her sisters and is rarely asleep before 11pm. Lesson learned: Start early and be adaptable-but keep consistent.  

With each consecutive child we have drifted more and more towards a routine, until now with #4 one might say we have her on a schedule.  

  Now I assume the question is more about bedtime battles with preschool age children.  Early on I would read to them and lay in bed next to them until they went to sleep(I often did also) then carefully sneak out.  When they did wake to find me gone in the night they would end up in our bed.  We were getting more sleep but still not ideal.  Lesson learned-When they fall asleep with you next to them they expect you there when they wake up.

Now to address the hope that they will go to bed and stay in bed.  Up for water, to go potty, because they're itchy, saw a spider etc...  I am ashamed to tell you a few of the many ways I have dealt with this.  Bribes, spankings, yelling, threatening to lock their door.  (Yes, spankings, which I am against.  Yet in desperation obviously I let go of my ideals.)  Again notice I didn't deal with it consistently.  What I would hope to do is simply and quietly walk them back to bed each time they get up.  Remaining cool, calm and consistent.  It may require physically carrying them back to bed-against their will.  Do it.  Then do it again, and again...and repeat.  Lesson learned- Do not fall prey to every single piece of advice you hear/read.

We do pretty good now.  The baby has slept through the night since she was 2 months old.  A night or two a week we may wake up to someone in our bed.  If one has a bad dream I comfort them and lay with them a bit.  

Our routine for our 5 and 7 year old is, and has been, PJ's, bedtime snack, teeth brushing/flossing, stories, prayers and kisses.  They'll get up once or twice then I firmly tell them to stay in bed and no more getting up.  They do listen to music.

Here is my biggest piece of advice.  Buy the book 'Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Children'.  

It truly changed how we approach sleep issues.  It isn't a specific program but lots of different approaches to suit your particular child.

I Have a Question for Ya'll.

 I am wondering which type Life in a Pink House posts you enjoy the most.  Would you please take a moment and let me know with a comment?  I have so many topics circling in my head I'd love your help narrowing it down.  You can also let me know if you have any questions or curiosities regarding any subject under our roof.  Ask away!

Family Anti Portraits

Yesterday was our annual family picnic.   The group photo at the top reminded me of some old ones  I have in our family albums.  I love the candidness so much more than a studio family portrait.  Interesting a couple of people, including my mom, are in yesterday's and the black and whites.  (Speaking if B+W, the bottom picture was taken in 1947 so I am perplexed by the fact it is in color.)  My mom is wearing a hat in the 3rd picture and Solanah and I are in hats in the first.

no. no. no. ? ? ?

Bath time with my 10 month old has become quite a chore.  With #4 we forwent a baby bath tub, we have simply (and cautiously) bathed her in our bath tub.  She loves her bath and it is extra special the nights her sisters join her.   Here is the problem, she just will not stay on her bottom!  Standing up simply is not an option, and I am forced to communicate this-over, and over-and over...

How do I do it?  Well I simply say "No, no.  Sit on your bottom." and gently sit her back down.  No sooner do I sit her down and up again she goes.  She stands up.  I sit her down.  Repeat scenario about 15 times and then I take her out.   This has been going on about a week.  At this point I could say, "I give up! There is no way she is going to stop."  and then proceed to shop for a both seat or other restraint.   But I believe she will "get it" and she will stop.  Right now she is trying to understand what it is I am telling her.  (I do use the word "no" with her, with the other three girls I have always used "stop" followed by a positive.  This means I let  know what I DO want from her- "sit in your bottom.")  What ever word you use the infant has to learn what it means.  You say "no" in a firm voice, the child looks at you and repeats the action.  

 I have heard people say the child is looking at you to "test" you, trying to wear you down.  Not so.  The child simply is experimenting to understand what makes you say "no."  Here is an important tip: physically remove the child from the situation.   For example Dot grabs an electrical cord at the outlet.  I say "no, no" she stops to look at me, then smiles and grabs it again.   I say "no, no" and pick her up and set her away from the outlet.  Just like the bath we do this over and over.  Sometimes I am pretty sure she thinks we are playing a game.  Please do not view this as disobedience.  To disobey the child must have a clear understanding of what you are asking her not to do and make a conscious decision to do it anyway.  I assure you raising your voice or being overly firm when moving the child will not get better results, just a frightened baby.

I have seen this be successful many times in the Montessori class room.  So here's to being patient and soon having a baby who will "stay on your bottom" during bath time.

The Weighting Game

Okay I know it is time for a Weight Watcher update.  Past time actually.  I have been putting it off hoping to lose a bit before I post.  I was off program for a few weeks.  I am back now-although not totally tracking and my running is few and far between.  So I just need a couple more weeks before I stun you with my results.  I will post weight and measurements August 23rd, regardless of where I'm at on the scale.  (I so hope that gives me incentive!)

Do you play games like this with your weight loss? 

Road Trippin' With Children

We love us a good road trip!  I am always excited to get to spend hours alone with my family.  I love sitting next to Mav and chatting the hours away as children sleep.  Ruth- our 13 ear old- has said her favorite art of the trip is the drive.   Here are some tips we have learned over the years that might help your family love them too.

• Adjust your attitude.  This week we took a trip with another family us in our car them in theirs.  7 children altogether.  We stopped a lot.  Pee pee stops, poop stops, and puke stops.  Amazingly we were all happy and if anyone was frustrated by pulling over every hour of our 5 hour drive, it didn't show.
• Prepare your children's spaces.  Water, snack, book, stickers, DS, stuffed animal etc.... all within reach. (don't forget car chargers)
• Have a change of clothes accessible.
• For young children we have always kept a potty chair and wipes in the trunk.  Line in with a plastic bag for easy clean up.  You never know when 10 miles to the next stop might just be too far, or a decent bathroom is nowhere to be found.
• We prefer to stop at Starbucks when possible and use their bathrooms.  A Starbucks app can direct you to the nearest one.
• Sing songs.  Play car games, like eyespy and turkey lurkey.
• We do bring a movie or two although my favorite is listening to old time radio shows and audio books.  The latter two are so good for your child's imagination and you can download them for free on iTunes.  Movies take away the role of their "minds eye", but a story enhances it.
• I like to have snack in the car they don't always get.  Bubble gum and suckers are best because they are sugary and last a long time.  Plus it is hard to be loud with a sucker in your mouth.
• Keep a barf bag handy.  We use ziploc freezer bags because they help contain the smell.

Now here is the best thing we have discovered for long drives.  Picnics.  No fast food play area needed.  (I simply can't let the girls play in one. shudder)  and sitting in a restaurant waiting for your meal is hard to do when you've been sitting so long already.  We pack a lunch (or dinner) along with a blanket to sit on and find a park where we can stop.   Most towns have a school yard or city park that is perfect for running around and getting some energy spent. (I am hoping to discover  city park app, so far I only found a dog park one)  Even if you don't pack a meal, going through a drive through then the park is a great choice and most grocery stores have delis with all the fixins for a meal.  (We always go for salami, rolls, fruit, and cheese.)

I would love to hear your favorite road trip sanity savers.

Aunt Ruth's Okie Photo's

My Great Aunt Ruth always wrote on her pictures.  Not simply a name or date, but often a little tidbit about the subject.  She also always wrote the name of the person who was to get the photo after her death.  A lot of times I find a name or two crossed out and another added because she has decided someone else should get it.  This has proved invaluable to preserving family history.  I wanted to show above that she didn't candy coat things, but rather told them as they were.   I once saw a photo with her sister and another man where she had written something about not knowing who the man was.  Her sister, my Aunt Dorothy wrote on that picture "What do you care?"  Letting her know it wasn't her business.  

Above are a few examples.  First one I thought was cute because she said "Okie Friend".  

The next one is her daughter, the back says "was 4 years old 1939, July 15, give to Barbara McDonald-crossed out, Wanda Ritchie-crossed out and again Barbara McDonald.  "Doris Lavenia Dawson age 4 years 1939, I lost her 2 months and 2 days ofter this was taken"  Heartbreaking to read in her mother's handwriting.

Of the picture of the little boy next to the car she writes "Rose little boy the one Lee Roy beat.  Give to Lois West"  Yes, my Uncle Lee Roy was dating this little boys mother Rose and obviously beat this poor little boy.  Most of us would not preserve such history but I think it should be.  (Just think of the things you might write if you were to be completely honest in your family album.) 

The last picture is my mother Barbara and her cousin Wanda.  My mother was very poor and Wanda in comparison wasn't.  Written on the back of this photo it says "I think Wanda is staring at the holes in Barbara's shoes."  My mother still takes it as a put down.  Looking back my mom is able to see being the poorest in her extended family brought hurtful humor.  My Great Grandfather liked to say "If you are going to invite Lois give her plenty of notice so she can wash Barbara's only dress."  

Ah, Family.