Big Day

Anna got her ears pierced!! She was having trouble sleeping all night so when we talked about an incentive/reward, she said she wanted her ears pierced. Usually she freaks out and says she's never getting them pierced (she doesn't handle pain well...). So we made a chart..she had to sleep all night for a month to earn it. She did! And she didn't even cry!

Why Reading the Label is Important

I sent Aaron to the store for Popsicles when one of the kids was sick. I told him to read the labels. He only read the front and since it said "made with real fruit" he thought they were good ones. These are better than some, but they still aren't good for you! They might have real fruit in them, but it's not very much. The main ingredient is sugar. The first ingredient listed is always the main ingredient, what the food contains the most of (sorry Mrs. Schwindt...I ended that on a preposition!). But the worst part of these Popsicles is the artificial coloring. If you make Popsicles with real fruit, you don't need to add artificial coloring! These artificial food dyes are very bad for you. They are known carcinogens...meaning they're known to cause cancer! Most other 1st world countries have banned these in their food. In fact, many major food companies that distribute in both the US and places like England and Australia, have alternatives that do not contain these dyes. So it's not that Mac & cheese cannot be made without yellow 5. It's strictly for aesthetic value. There is no nutritional value whatsoever!
So back to the label. This is a prime example of why it is so important to read labels. No matter what the product is, READ THE LABEL! Otherwise you have no idea what you're *really* eating. Because on the front of this box, it looks like a very good product.

Braids, shades, and lessons learned

Since this didn't publish correctly, I have no idea what the "lessons learned" I was talking about here...oh well.

Big Boy!

Well I decided it was time to start potty training Isaac. He's been showing signs that he's ready since before he turned 2! I really considered waiting until this summer when it's warm and he can run around naked but I got tired of taking his diaper off and on because he kept telling me he needed to potty. Actually, my friend Stacy gave me the final inspiration to just do it when I found out she was potty training her youngest (who is younger than Isaac). So our days are filled with a half naked 2 year old running around the house! He has done GREAT!!! A couple accidents every day for the first couple of days. Once on Aaron's new throw! Ha. Today has been the most successful day! He's told me every time he needs to go and we even got #2 in the toilet today!!! He was super proud of himself. He stood there and waved, saying "bye bye poo poo!!!" Hilarious! He also thinks it's funny to chase Anna and Jacob around and try to sit on them because they run screaming. After Jacob's year-long PT stint I wasn't expecting much better this time around! But he's catching on quickly. He had one accident at Aaron's office this morning. So we just stick to sweatshirts and socks at home. This morning it was really cold so I made him some leggings using some of my old holey socks. I just cut off the toes and slipped them on his legs! They don't stay up all the way but at least his legs aren't totally bare. Now I'm going to have to get all the 18 month pants back out...without the fluffy cloth diapers his 2T pants are not going to stay up on his itty bitty tush!

Buddies

They all love Toy Story (all three of them). Isaac says Buzz very clearly and loves running around with Woody while they watch the movie!

Pintrest

I love pintrest!!! It gives me great ideas for everything...recipes, school, crafts, sewing, organization, decorating. Today while we were shopping I decided to see how much fleece cost. I'd seen a pintrest project for making your own reusable dusters (like Swiffers). The fleece was less than $5/yard. I figured 1/2 yard would be plenty. So I got some, came home and spent less than an hour making 7 of them! So for less than $3 I made 7 dusters that I can use over and over! I hear they work even better so this might be one of my best pintrest finds!

Haircuts

I gave all 3 of my boys haircuts this weekend. It's always a toss up for how Jacob will react...thus the reason he always gets a buzz. Isaac usually sits perfectly still. This time, Jacob freaked out a little but he held it together. Isaac wasn't so enthused about it this time. After 2 swipes with the clippers I knew there was no way I'd be able to give him his regular haircut. So I decided to give him a buzz, too! It most certainly changed his looks! He's still cute as ever but I prefer longer hair on him. Now every time we go outside and be doesn't have his hood up, he stops, points to his head and says "buhh!!! Buhh!!" until you put his hood up!

Sledding...Redneck Style

Anna and Kaedyn were the first ones to sled. We didn't have an actual sled so Papa rigged up a pool toy! The rope drug and threw up a LOT of snow but they thought it was hilarious. They finally turned around facing backward and that helped.

Christmas in Kansas

Papa had to take the tractor from the shop back out to the farm so guess who got to ride along?!

Little Entrepreneurs

Anna decided last night to open an art gallery again (she did this last Spring but had it set up in the front room and front porch). She sold a few and then Papa came and bought all of them! :) this time she set it up in her bedroom. I had a stroke of genius and put her little desk in there. She has been spending any free time she has creating masterpieces. They're hung up around her room with price tags. And she made a sign for her door advertising her hours of business!

It's good to be home

We had a good time seeing family over Christmas break, but it is very good to be home! Especially since at least one of us (usually more) was sick with a cold the entire time (and still not everyone is well!).