It is becoming clearer to me everyday why the US has a no negotiating with terrorists policy. Once you start, you can't stop. There was never any question that a child of Chad's would be anything other than a shrewd negotiator. (Have you ever won an argument with Chad)? I had braced myself for the teenage years, grateful that Chad would be by my side to help. I am a terrible arguer. I just didn't expect it to begin so soon. Andrew already attempts to negotiate all aspects of his life, bed time, meal time, getting dressed time. I try very hard not to fall into his traps, and usually I do a very good job of holding the line. But the fact that he hits a brick wall every time, doesn't keep him from trying to climb over the wall. And sometimes he just makes way too much sense. Take Tuesday for instance. The kids had been allowed to watch A LOT of tv during the snowed in week! I could begin to see a toll it was taking on them. They were grouchy. I told the kids on Tuesday that they could choose one 30 minute show (which is our normal rule) to watch that day, and only one.
Andrew-But MOOOM....I NEED to watch Chuggington AND Dinosaur Train. I can't only watch one of them. That is not fair! (foot stomp)
Mom-That is the rule. Watching too much tv makes your brain sick, and you won't be smart anymore. I want you to be smart. It is my job to keep you healthy, including your brain.
Andrew-(knowing from experience I wasn't going to budge tried a different strategy...a polite and kind voice this time) Okay Mom, how about his. How about I watch one part of Dinosaur Train and one part of Chuggington? That would make one whole show and I could see both that way and still be smart.
I was impressed with his problem solving and thought it sounded like a Win-Win solution to the problem. Steven Covey would have been proud. However it has now opened the flood gates to his little smart brain, wanting to wheel and deal all sorts of compromises. Here is one that happened while I was typing this post this morning.
Andrew-Today I am watching 3 shows.
Mom-No, you may watch 1.
Andrew-Okay 2. That is my decision.
Mom-Nope, one or nothing.
Andrew-Why? You let me watch more the other day when it snowed and it is snowing today.
Mom-No, you can only watch one.
Andrew- Can I watch at 10 and 11:30? I promise to only watch one episode each. Is that okay with you mom? While I wait I will make a fruit tray for you. (Opening the fridge, pulling out blueberries).
Notice the attempted artful use of bribery and redirection? This boy has skills!
Ryan is also testing out his genetically inherited negotiation skills. They aren't quite as refined...yet.
Ryan-Mommy, I want to watch a movie.
Mommy-No, it is dinner time.
Ryan-But, because...because....I WEALLY WANT TO WATCH ONE!
Apparently in his eyes "Because I weally want to." is the best reason he can think of. He uses it several times a day, like if he adds that to a request, it will become clear to all that he is very serious. "Because I weally want to eat the candy." "But because I weally don't want to take a nap."
I think perhaps I have three options.
1-I could take the US policy as my own in our home, and just allow for no negotiations, even if they make sense.
2-I could just accept the fact that the future of our national security depends upon these valuable assets and as a good citizen, help them develop these talents.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Negotiating with Terrorists
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Molly at Bedtime 40 weeks
I love these jammies and wanted to get some pics of Molly in them in her crib. She happily chewed on the crib and laughed for the camera.
Then she slipped. And she sat there happily, until ....
she realized she couldn't stand back up. Man she was mad!
Until she figured out that she actually could stand back up. 
All was right with the world again.
As the above photo shoot was going on, I heard Daddy telling the boys that they needed to clean up the big mess they had made with the books in their room. I guess he had missed the real culprit in action during bedtime stories the night before. So I brought her back in for a repeat performance, and to clear the good names of her brothers who were innocent...this time.
A very big mess made by a very little girl.
I don't think she looks one bit sorry.
Snowed In ?
If you have to be snowed in, it is great to live close to great friends. We woke up Saturday morning to 8 inches of snow! Since no one's daddies had to work and none of us could get to our normally scheduled obligations, we were able to play outside with our friends. Something that NEVER happens on the weekends. Our Daddy scored two great sleds for us on Friday! We grabbed them and after spending 20 minutes getting us all bundled up, we walked over to a great hill in our neighborhood.
Chad pulled the boys there in one of the new sleds and had Molly on his back. (I carried her home).
Molly sat in the backpack for quite a while happily watching us sled.
No one else came out to brave the hill with us, so it was only the three families from our church outside together.
Poor Ryan's mittens got wet and then he was done. He was inconsolable. He cried 90 % of the time we were there. And only Mommy holding him would do. This is a picture of Daddy trying to help him while Mommy was holding Molly. Luckily there were 2 other mommies there to help with Molly.
Andrew had a great time sledding with his friends, taking turns going down with all of the boys. He wouldn't sled with any of the girls, but he would let them use his sled.
Then as quickly as the tears began, Ryan's stopped. and he was laughing and smiling and SLEDDING!
Little Stinker
About the same time that Ryan became rational, the other children decided they were FREEZING and were finished. They wanted to go inside to warm up. The Thorntons invited us to their home to "warm up" with snow cream. Yum!
We headed to our own home for hot cocoa and hours of snow shoveling for the Mommy and Daddy. What a great work out!Our church was canceled, so on Sunday morning, (with the Bishop's permission) we got together again with the Thorntons and Campbells for church. We shared a potluck lunch afterward. The kids are hoping that we get Snowed-in with our friends again next weekend. (And I can't say I blame them).
We shared the story of "Daniel and the Lion's Den" during primary time.
Andrew and Ryan worked hard on their lions.
Aren't they cute?
My favorite part of church at a friend's house was letting Molly crawl around and nursing her during church without having to leave. I think we should ask for permission to start a neighborhood branch. (just kidding...kind of).
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Ski Beech
For Chad's Christmas present, the kids and I gave him a day pass to Snowboard at Ski Beech. Coincidentally :), his best friend, Dave, received the same gift from his wife and kids. The guys took off a day of work and headed up this week to enjoy the slopes. 
Daddy's Birthday Party at the Children's Museum
Daddy took the day off on his birthday. We went to the Children's Museum together in the morning. All of the pics are from our morning there. That afternoon we ate lunch at Chad's brother's house with their family. For dinner we took the kids out to eat with us to Carrabba's, then home for homemade peanut butter bombs for dessert. We had a great (and busy) day. Saturday, Nana, Papa, and Rachel came up and played Rock Band and ate dinner with us. It was nice enough that we grilled out. What a fun week!
Here is Chad's arm...the only part of him I caught on camera on HIS birthday. I should be fired as the photographer. Molly is looking at Clifford's big nose.
Andrew and Ryan made a great doughnut making team.
But this was by far their favorite activity. Feeding Clifford giant dog bones.
They stacked them high on the conveyor belt, turned the wheel...
and waited in the giant bowl for the bones to fall on top of them.
(Does anyone else have kids who did this or is it just mine)?Molly's Hide-out-9 Months Old
Molly turned 9 months old on her Daddy's birthday. Molly loves the new found freedom that mobility offers her. And where does a 9 month old go when she can go anywhere she wants? One of two places.
Choice 1: Wherever there is a toy that isn't hers to be played with. (She was very excited to find Daddy's guitar. She sang along as she hit it over and over again). 
Choice 2: Under the kitchen table. She will crawl here from any corner of the house and play and play and play. (No matter how often she hits her head on the dangerous metal legs. She is undeterred by pain). 
Sunday, January 17, 2010
You've Got to Stand for Something - Molly 38 Weeks
Molly is pulling up on everything and everyone this week. She is a girl on the move.
She crawls to her target.
Gets her feet positioned just right.
Pushes up.
And then smiles to let us know how proud she is of herself.
Then she looks at the pretty baby in the mirror and gives her kisses. :)
