Twenty

I did this post at Ella Beth's 20-month mark here. Today, this one is just for Landon.

--

Twenty is...

1. ...how many "months old" Landon is.

 

2. ...how many times a day he asks for his Mama to pick him up. (Which I do, and love, every time.)

3. ...how many kisses he gives this Mama - sometimes I have to ask; sometimes I don't. :)

4. ...the number of times he hugs doggie.

5. ...how many times he asks to go outside on any given day.

6. ...how long it takes him to eat breakfast each morning.

7. ...how many times a day he asks for Ella Beth.

8. ...how many times a day he can give me "those eyes" - and I fall for them every time.

 

9. ...the number of times he cleans each day. (He's a little OCD like his Mama!)

10. ...how many times each day I just want to scoop him up and get as much neck sugar as I can!

11. ...the number of times each day that I realize my baby is growing up way too fast.

12. ...the number of ways he is just like his sister.

13. ...the number of ways he is just the opposite of his sister.

14. ...how many times he will say "Amen!" during grace, before we actually finish the prayer.

15. ...the number of things he points out wherever we go because he's seen something new.

16. ...at least the number of times Landon makes me laugh each day!

17. ...the length of time his bath takes at night.

18. ...how many times a day he chases after Shortcake.

19. ...how many times a day he wants to "switch" between Mommy and Daddy.

20. ...just a fraction of how much I love my sweet, cuddly, serious, and fun little fella.

HE MELTS MY HEART.

A first in our house

So, most everyone knows that us Castleberrys are pretty "healthy" when it comes to eating. We go light on the fried foods, light on processed foods, null on hydrogenated oils, enjoy our fresh-from-the-garden fruits and vegetables as often as possible.

But, recently we, ahem, let ourselves go a little crazy. ;)

Scott brought home a 1/2 dozen DONUTS! Thankfully, Scott's parents were at our house and there was only one donut per person...otherwise, Scott and I would have had to eat more than one!

And these weren't just any donuts, mind you. No, these were Halloween donuts - fresh from Krispy Kreme. 

I don't know who was more excited...the kids for getting to inhale fried sugar deliciousness - or Scott's parents for us finally allowing our kiddos something unhealthy and indulgent. ;)

I can admit that they were quite tasty. My mouth is watering just looking at these pictures. But...I tend to lack self-control. Which is why we don't bring treats like these into our house very often!

Do you think our kiddos enjoyed themselves?!?!

Now, if we could only allow the grandparents to take Ella Beth and Landon to McDonalds...FAT CHANCE!!!

Healthy eating to you!

Hello, Fall!!!

Fall is my most favorite season of the year! I love the crispness in the air, the changing colors of the leaves, and all of the fun activities that we get to enjoy as a family! One of our traditions is to go up to Burt's Pumpkin Farm each October. (We never buy anything there, except for hayride tickets, but it's nice to escape to the mountains for a day!)

We always have a picnic!

Ella Beth and Landon always ride in a wheelbarrow!

Landon was just amazed at the size of the BIG pumpkins!

Ella Beth had fun leading Landon around and showing him everything!

Photo op! (Not great lighting, but nice background.)

 

Landon's favorite thing to do was squeeze between the big pumpkins. He only got truly stuck once!

As you can clearly see, we always follow the rules at the pumpkin farm. ;)

Ella Beth showing off one of her favorite finds.

On to the hayride! This is how Ella Beth sat for the first half of the hayride. She remembered that there were "talking pumpkins" and that she "didn't like it when they talked." Once we passed them, she was fine.

Landon, on the other hand, was completely fascinated by the entire ride. He didn't want to miss a single second!

I love this last shot I got right before we left the farm. Landon was just into everything. I love his curiosity and interest in everything around him.

 

It was a great day! Looking forward to next year already. :)

Struggling

I am an honest person, so I can admit when I am struggling.

That would be now.

Often.

Daily.

More often than daily. That would be 20 times a day. At the least.

I am struggling in my patience with Ella Beth. Lately, everything is a battle with her.

everything.

We are reading an ABC book of Bible verses together (when she will cooperate long enough to get through one letter).

For "A" the verse is: "A soft answer turns away wrath." Proverbs 15:1.

That verse is for ME. I am the one who needs the soft answer.

I am the one struggling not to lose my mind (i.e. lose control over my tongue) when dealing with her behavior.

Scott and I have read one parenting/discipline book recently...but as much as we are applying the strategy, it's not helping to change Ella Beth's behavior.

I can totally see that many of the things she is doing is to get my attention. To combat that, I am trying to schedule 1:1 time with her. But what do I do the rest of the time? Times when she ignores me, or does exactly what I asked her not to do, or doesn't do what I asked her to do? Times when she is just down-right ugly in her tone or in how she treats others?

I never imagined that a 3 year old peanut could cause me such stress and frustration.

I know that there is no "fix" per-say, but can anyone suggest anything? A book? A technique? A specific prayer? (I keep praying that God will help me in the area of patience...however, He seems only content right now to test my patience. I'm losing my patience with that right now, too! Ahem.)

I am sure someone, or everyone, is going to say something like, "Just hang in there. It's a phase. It will pass." But seriously...I need someone to tell me something that's going to help get me through it!