Beaches, Splashpads, and Pools, Oh My!

We have soooooo enjoyed fun in the sun so far this summer. This was our first summer to visit the beach and the children have had a ball. We've gone to Surfside twice now and the kids, Jocelyne especially, have taken to the water. On Monday, she spent hours boogie boarding. Jaxon even gets out in the water and plays, although his favorite part is building sand castles. We had a great setup on Monday with tent and seaweed wall for protection from rogue waves.

We've also been visiting the pool more often this summer than ever before. And Jocelyne has finally decided to put her head in the water and now she can swim. Yay! She's a bit rough, but she can get across a pool. I can't believe June is done. We are going to have to make the most of the six weeks we have left!

Good Ol' Midland

Last week the kids and I drove the 8 plus hours to Midland so I could reminisce and visit friends. I spent my very happy childhood years there and haven't been back in 10 or so years. Plus, I thought the kids would be interested in seeing my old home, neighborhood, favorite park, schools, stables, etc. Well, they weren't. I sure was though. Everything looks the same but different. The town has really grown, but my old house, neighborhood, favorite park, and schools were the same. Jocelyne and Jaxon could have cared less though. They did have a blast playing with their new friends: Aaiden, Bailee and Deacon (5 year old triplets). They all got along so well that I know we will be going back again (and it won't be in ten years). We saw Toy Story 3 (a MUST see), swam, saw a baseball game, met a Nascar driver, visited a childrens' museum and planetarium and just plain had fun.

Thanks so much, Cathy, for opening your house and family to us. We had a wonderful time!

Birthday Party Fun

Last weekend was a whirlwind of activity. On Thursday, we had a playdate with the Sulfridge's. Playing grocery store, eating lunch, playing outside. Jocelyne and Jaxon both enjoyed the slip-n-slide so much we had to go buy one! After all the hard play, we had to make a trip to Chick-fil-a for a filling (albeit not nutritious) dinner.

Friday, we started the day early playing at the gym, then the kids continued the playing at the Conklins' so I could get ready to host a Stella and Dot jewelry party that evening. They played, "napped" and even had their nails done (Jaxon just his toes!). That evening, Jocelyne and Jaxon had a great time with all the kids while we women perused beautiful jewelry and made some purchases. Although I'm not a "jewelry person" (as many pointed out that evening), the merchandise is sooo appealing that even I found many things I wanted.

Saturday, we did a little shopping with Kristi and Nolan then met Misty and John at Chick-fil-a for lunch (yes, we love that place). Then we went to a great birthday party for Avery at Cypress Academy. Then to Willie's for the kids to play while the moms relaxed. Then, Jocelyne and Jaxon had their first Parents' Night Out at Cyress Academy. Man, they were worn out at the end of the day but they had sooooo much fun.

Sunday, we went to A Taste of Cyress with Misty and John. What a great experience! We got to sample food from different restaurants around town, jump in a jumpy-thing, chase bubbles, do a little shopping and, of course, get our face painted (by "our", I mean Jocelyne because Jaxon refused). And the proceeds go to a good cause. I definitely recommend it to all, especially if they ever do it in the fall or spring. It was HOT!

Monday, we were back to karate for a 15 minute crying session this time. We are almost at wit's end, but Jaxon's teacher claims he is making progress, not bothering other children and will soon be participating. She is more persistent than us. We were ready to give up, but I'm glad she reminded us to believe in Jaxon and that he will do it in his own time. I don't want to teach him to give up when things are a little difficult. He is predisposed to this trait (being my child and all).

Summer is off to a wonderful start. Hope everyone is having a blast!

Where Did That Come From?

I have always been facsinated by the fact that siblings from the same parents have such different personalities. They are related; they look similar (in some cases identical), but their personalities are always unique. I love finding different personality traits in my children and trying to figure out which parent they inherited it from.

Jocelyne is a praise-seeker (me). She does things so people will praise her. She is nice, she doesn't want to hurt peoples' feelings (me and me)and she is extremely observant (Kevin). She reads people, then acts accordingly. She makes friends easily (both Kevin). She loves to read (me) and learn stuff (both of us). She catches on quickly (Kevin).

Jaxon is short-tempered and in the throes of a fit cannot be stopped (Kevin). He is impulsive (Kevin). He is mischevious and doesn't worry about getting in trouble (Kevin). He is extremely shy (me). He can spend hours entertaining himself with one toy and an abundance of imagination (me). Here's what I find baffling: Jaxon is extremely big-hearted. He will give away his only piece of candy, not because he wants to be known as being a nice person, but because he wants to make someone happy. If he is given a toy, he wants to make sure Jocelyne will be getting equally kind treatment. If she isn't given a toy, too, he will share his. He would give you the shirt off his back. Where did that come from?

Quick Karate Update

So, Jaxon had his third karate class today. He stayed on the mat the entire time! He cried the last 20 minutes (of a thirty minute class), but he followed the class around. We are making progress. If he ever actually does anything the instructor asks of him, I will post pictures of it.

Lazy Days of Summer

The first week of summer is behind us and it was definitely filled with lazy days (which were great following the bustle of the last days of school). Unfortunately, one of the reasons they were uneventful was because Jaxon had strep. Poor guy!

We spent most of our time at home, reading and playing games. We have a busy week planned, so, hopefully, we will be out and about some. Maybe I'll even remember to bring my camera and take some pics.

Help?

I love being a parent. However, there are many challenges that go with the job. One of my biggest challenges is giving up control. I know I have to let my children make choices, make mistakes and do things their way (man, this kills me). I also know that allowing them freedom often means I am filled with pride when they do something right. And, sometimes, I am busy fixing their "help". Such was the case last night.
Yesterday was my first official day of summer break. I started the day off as usual: a cup of coffee, some computer time, some laundry. Jaxon was sick so we went to the doctor (he has strep). We came home and I continued chores: more laundry, clean sheets on the bed. Jaxon took a nap. During his nap time, Kevin and I came up with a "brilliant" idea. The children would earn their fun this summer. We decided we buy them wayyyy tooooooo much and they don't work for anything. So the children would earn points for doing jobs around the house. For example: making your bed is 25 points, clearing the table is 25 points, dusting is 50 points and so forth. Picking up your room and toys is a given and no points are awarded. And 25 points can taken for breaking house rules: no fighting, no back talk, no toys left downstairs, etc. (Basically we are working with quarters). Jaxon will get his in poker chips so he sees a visual while Jocelyne will be doing adding and subtracting. Then, these points are used to "buy" things. A trip to Chikfila or McDonald's is 200 points, a trip to the movies is 250 points, downloading music is 100 points, picking that night's dinner is 100 points and so forth. We have that pride all parents have when they come up with a "new" idea. Then comes time to try it out.
Jaxon is all for this idea. "I'm going to make my bed," he states in his croaking sick boy voice. "Yay," I think, since he had messed it up during nap. He goes up stairs and comes back a few minutes later and informs me that it was hard, but he did it. He made his bed. And he is sooo proud. And I am so proud. Then he tell me it's done and everything is on the floor. Huh? On the floor? Yes, my son stripped his bed and made a neat pile on the floor of the clean sheets that had been on his bed for a total of 8 hours! And I got to make the bottom bunk, again. And explain the difference is stripping a bed and making a bed.
I'm still holding out that this "point system" will work.