As a parent, you have probably always had an image as how you wanted your family to look. For most its a case of a spouse, 2.5 kids, the dog, and the white picket fence. Ok so maybe this isnt your version of how you want to see your family but you get my point. But what to do when your children get to the age where they want a say in how they look?
This has been a ongoing issue in our house with our older girls. Dave and I strongly believe that girls should have long hair. Our girls have decided that they do not want long hair anymore. They view it as "babyish" and have decided that they want their hair shorter. We have gone back and forth on the issue, we have tried to compromise and that has worked for a while. But again, the issue was brought up. To my husband and I its the end of what we view our "perfect family" should look like. It is a hard thing to swallow, but as my husband put it tonight, we allow our children to express themselves in every other way. We encourage our children to pick out their clothes, often finding them in very interesting combinations of clothes. We have endured the miss matched shoes, the plaid and stripe combos and my favorite the skirts with pants under neath...But clothes can be changed in a moment, When the family pictures need to be taken a simple wear this now, you can change when we got home is all that's necessary. But Hair? Hair is something that takes a while,, that isn't easily changed back and forth. So the question remains ~ to let them cut it, or not?
We opted to allow our girls to cut their hair. It would be hypocritical not to. And so for the first time since they where babies ~ A and K now have shoulder length hair. Its the starting of a new era here at the Aerni house. Our family photo will reflect a turning of the page and better still. It will be a reflection for us that life isn't exactly as you may have pictured it, but it still moves on. The best thing that you can do is smile...and you know we all will be. =)
Monday, October 24, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
When Mom is down and out...
When mom is down and out what are you going to do? Well when your a member of the Aerni home you suck it up, and call in reinforcements!
This last week we have been forced to do just that. A few weeks ago a Dr. visit gave me the news that I knew was coming. I was going to have to have a hysterectomy.. I am not one who likes to be taken care of ~ I am the one to take care of everyone else. But I know that this is something that I need to do, and it will be better off in the long run. So when I know I am going to be down, I call in the reinforcements. Who would I call? Well Grandma of course!
Grandma T is the lucky one who was able to come this time around. She lives in Texas but we are fortunate enough that she works for Southwest Airlines so getting up here to visit and help out isnt that big of a deal. All of the children love their Grandma T. They get to do fun things with grandma that mommy would never allow. Like banana splits, with chocolate, strawberries AND all three flavors of ice cream. Grandma T has a love of shoes ~ one shared by K. So shoe shopping is almost always on the list of things to do. But Grandma T's main job while she is here is to force me to take care of myself. Yes I tend to be stubborn ~ I try and do too much too quick. But who can blame me? I have to make sure my family is cared for, thats my "job"' and I am not one to be a slacker. Grandma T is a huge help ~ she does everything that I would. So that really helps me. I dont feel the need to try and do it myself, a big help when you are trying to keep me down. Its always helpful to have someone who can dive right in, and at least manage to tred water when it comes to keeping my family afloat. Not that I am one to gloat, but really having a large family is a different beast then most people are used to. It can be very over whelming to people. Most people have a hard time balancing the needs of one or two people. But when you are having to balance the needs of 5 children, over whelming seems like a insignificant word to use.
Thankfully I get my love of large family from my mom. While my mom only had two children, our house was always filled with "extras". It was not uncommon for us to have a large number of people sitting around the dinner table nearly every night. I learned to cook to "feed an army" as the general rule of thumb was there better be enough for all who showed up. While the faces around the dinner table often changed, the fact that the seats around the table where almost always full always left an impression on me. Now in my adult life, I am proud to say that I have done the same thing ~ my table while full with my own children. Is frequented by several others who refer to this as home too. No matter how full our table may be, there is always room for one more. =}
But even with being used to a full crew, my 5 can be a handful for even Grandma T. The biggest difference is the twins. Having 2 babies who are still very much dependent on you for everything is daunting. When people think of feeding time for a baby most figure 15-20 minutes tops. With twins? Try an hour at least from start to finish. You figure the twins get fed 3 meals a day, that's 3 hours a day solely to prepare, feed, and clean up meal times, just for the twins. Doesn't count the older three kids or my hubby and myself! That's just feeding ~ add diapers, bottles, and of course keeping them entertained and out of trouble and most people are more then exhausted at the end of the day. There really is a major diffrence with twins. Its not just "two babies" its so much more tiring then just "double everything". Its like running a marathon that never ends.
You do get used to it eventually, but it does take time. I am sure my mom is very thankful she is back at home now with her "kids" who are still at home. (My mom is raising my cousins, and has been for the last eight years). Thankfully they are all older now and pretty much can care for themselves. I am sure of one thing, my mom will be very thankful for the sleep! I think she had forgotten what it was like to get up several times a night. =)
This last week we have been forced to do just that. A few weeks ago a Dr. visit gave me the news that I knew was coming. I was going to have to have a hysterectomy.. I am not one who likes to be taken care of ~ I am the one to take care of everyone else. But I know that this is something that I need to do, and it will be better off in the long run. So when I know I am going to be down, I call in the reinforcements. Who would I call? Well Grandma of course!
Grandma T is the lucky one who was able to come this time around. She lives in Texas but we are fortunate enough that she works for Southwest Airlines so getting up here to visit and help out isnt that big of a deal. All of the children love their Grandma T. They get to do fun things with grandma that mommy would never allow. Like banana splits, with chocolate, strawberries AND all three flavors of ice cream. Grandma T has a love of shoes ~ one shared by K. So shoe shopping is almost always on the list of things to do. But Grandma T's main job while she is here is to force me to take care of myself. Yes I tend to be stubborn ~ I try and do too much too quick. But who can blame me? I have to make sure my family is cared for, thats my "job"' and I am not one to be a slacker. Grandma T is a huge help ~ she does everything that I would. So that really helps me. I dont feel the need to try and do it myself, a big help when you are trying to keep me down. Its always helpful to have someone who can dive right in, and at least manage to tred water when it comes to keeping my family afloat. Not that I am one to gloat, but really having a large family is a different beast then most people are used to. It can be very over whelming to people. Most people have a hard time balancing the needs of one or two people. But when you are having to balance the needs of 5 children, over whelming seems like a insignificant word to use.
Thankfully I get my love of large family from my mom. While my mom only had two children, our house was always filled with "extras". It was not uncommon for us to have a large number of people sitting around the dinner table nearly every night. I learned to cook to "feed an army" as the general rule of thumb was there better be enough for all who showed up. While the faces around the dinner table often changed, the fact that the seats around the table where almost always full always left an impression on me. Now in my adult life, I am proud to say that I have done the same thing ~ my table while full with my own children. Is frequented by several others who refer to this as home too. No matter how full our table may be, there is always room for one more. =}
But even with being used to a full crew, my 5 can be a handful for even Grandma T. The biggest difference is the twins. Having 2 babies who are still very much dependent on you for everything is daunting. When people think of feeding time for a baby most figure 15-20 minutes tops. With twins? Try an hour at least from start to finish. You figure the twins get fed 3 meals a day, that's 3 hours a day solely to prepare, feed, and clean up meal times, just for the twins. Doesn't count the older three kids or my hubby and myself! That's just feeding ~ add diapers, bottles, and of course keeping them entertained and out of trouble and most people are more then exhausted at the end of the day. There really is a major diffrence with twins. Its not just "two babies" its so much more tiring then just "double everything". Its like running a marathon that never ends.
You do get used to it eventually, but it does take time. I am sure my mom is very thankful she is back at home now with her "kids" who are still at home. (My mom is raising my cousins, and has been for the last eight years). Thankfully they are all older now and pretty much can care for themselves. I am sure of one thing, my mom will be very thankful for the sleep! I think she had forgotten what it was like to get up several times a night. =)
Saturday, October 1, 2011
The Magic of Sprinkles
I am sure that every parent has used the bribery method at some point. "If you clean your room, we will go get ice cream!" I am sure is a phrase that has been used more times then can ever be counted. But why do parents use the bribery method? Its easy, because it wo
We have a "game day" tradition with our kids. After every game ~ win or loss ~ we go for ice cream to celebrate a game well played. So how do we reward our kids for being extra good on game day? With Sprinkles of course! Those magical multicolored globs of sugar have now symbolized how well our child has played the game. "I earned sprinkles today!" is a phrase that I love to hear. Not because my child will now bounce off the walls that much more. But rather it means that they are proud of an accomplishment they achieved. Even if its just a sprinkling of extra sugar that gave them that extra umph to do so.
We have a "game day" tradition with our kids. After every game ~ win or loss ~ we go for ice cream to celebrate a game well played. So how do we reward our kids for being extra good on game day? With Sprinkles of course! Those magical multicolored globs of sugar have now symbolized how well our child has played the game. "I earned sprinkles today!" is a phrase that I love to hear. Not because my child will now bounce off the walls that much more. But rather it means that they are proud of an accomplishment they achieved. Even if its just a sprinkling of extra sugar that gave them that extra umph to do so.
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