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! 

Shortcake

Shortcake came into our family by chance. Pebbles was dropped off at Scott's parents' house on July 15 (his mom's birthday). Shortcake and three other kittens were born on July 31.

Ella Beth and Landon fell in love at first sight. Shortcake was the runt of the litter, which made her even cuter to all of us.

We brought her home last week. She has had no lack of attention or hugs or kisses.

Aren't her whiskers just insanely white?!

We have actually started to worry a little whether Shortcake is able to walk on her own. But I think it's just because we rarely see her doing it.

And, I do mean rarely. ;)

But, Shortcake is a good great sport. I don't think she minds all the attention all that much.

A Day in the Life...

So, what is there to do on a Saturday while Daddy is working? 

==

5:30 a.m. - Ella Beth is standing at our door way whimpering. I bring her in to snuggle...after all it's only 5:30 on a Saturday morning.

6:20 a.m. - Landon is singing in his bed. Scott goes to get him. Lucky for me, I was snuggling with Ella Beth. :)

7:15 a.m. - Ella Beth wakes up and is ready for breakfast. (This is the latest I have slept in in FOREVER. I feel like a brand new woman!)

7:45 a.m. - Daddy leaves for work (no, he typically doesn't work on the weekend, but when there's work [during this economy] he will take it)

7:46 a.m. - Ella Beth finishes her breakfast...of Chex Mix. (Don't judge me. We are letting her make choices and learn from them afterward.)

7:50 a.m. - We are singing and dancing around the room to a children's worship CD. It's fun, and there are lots of smiles.

8:30 a.m. - We go downstairs to the play room. (We inherited a kitten last week - actually 6 weeks ago - when a stray cat had kittens at my in-law's.) We let Shortcake (short for Strawberry Shortcake...wanna take a guess who named her???) in to play with us. Lots of squeals to be heard!

(This is a picture I took of our [almost] complete play room earlier this week. Scott built the storage shelves, but we haven't painted them yet. The table and chair set in the middle of the room is my mom's from when she was a little girl. Scott refurbished it and painted it earlier this year.)

9:00 a.m. - Ella Beth is hungry. I explain to her how we need to eat a wholesome breakfast so that it helps to give us energy and keep us full/satisfied. She is told that she has to wait until snack time to eat. (This is what we call a "teachable moment.")

9:15 a.m. - Landon and I go upstairs to make homemade/all natural play-doh (thank you, Megan) while Ella Beth stays downstairs to play.

9:45 a.m. - Ella Beth comes upstairs and we play with the play-doh. (Landon mostly watches; he's intrigued by Ella Beth's giddiness and laughs whenever she does.)

10:20 a.m. - We finish playing with the play-doh. Mommy cleans up the mess while Ella Beth and Landon watch an episode of Little Bear.

10:35 a.m. - Snack time. Both kiddos chose Cheez-its. Wash them down with some cold water, and that's a nice snack.

10:55 a.m. - Back to the play room. Ella Beth plays doctor. Landon reads books and plays with his piggy bank. Shortcake dive-bombs our toes and we all laugh.

11:55 a.m. - Lunch. Cheese sandwiches, applesauce, and water. (Left over fajitas for me.)

12:25 p.m. - Nap time for both kiddos. Landon is asleep in approximately 37 seconds; Ella Beth is asleep in approximately 10 minutes.

12:35 p.m. - Free time for me. I quickly snap a few pictures of what I am going to miss around the house some day.

1:36 p.m. - I realize what time it is and think, "If I want to get a shower sometime today, I'd better go get one."

See ya!

Top 10 Patience Testers

I was talking with my friend Angie the other day and sharing with her how I have really been struggling with patience lately. Ella Beth especially seems to push all of my buttons, and Landon has moments when he can push them, too. (Usually, he pushes the same buttons Ella Beth is pushing because he is "watching and learning" everything she does.)

Drum roll, please:

Top Ten Patience Testers

10. Ella Beth refusing to nap about 50% of the time now. I almost always need a break during the day, and I have relied on nap-time for this said break. When she won't nap (or won't just play quietly or read in her room)...Mama is at the end of her rope!

9. Landon and Ella Beth fighting over a toy or book in the backseat of the car. (Of course, neither wanted THAT toy until the other decided s/he did.)

8. Ella Beth refusing to "mind me" when I ask to do something (e.g. please put your jammies on, please put your shoes on, please STOP HITTING YOUR BROTHER...oh, sorry...my patience was waning.)

7. It never fails that when we are out to eat and I have [finally] started eating, Ella Beth needs to potty. I can't think of the last time I've eaten a hot meal at a restaurant. (Can anyone tell me why she NEVER needs to potty during breakfast/lunch/dinner at HOME???)

6. The noise level of having two very young children. If one makes a funny noise, the other copies even louder. Then the first one, not going to be out-done, responds even louder. Not to be under-done by the second...I can't even scream loud enough to get their attention. (Not that I've tried. Of course. Ahem.)

5. Ella Beth's sassy three-year-old attitude. Hands on her hips. Testing her limits in action and in word.

4. Landon not using his words. The boy can talk, but the boy likes to point and "uh, uh, uh." Oh My Word. Just tell me what you want b/c when I don't understand "uh, uh, uh" and don't do the right thing...I seriously have little patience to want to figure out what "uh, uh, uh" means after the FIFTH try!

3. The "I want Daddy" when I don't get my way from Mama. Give me a break!

2. The messes everywhere. I vacuum; they eat. I pick up toys; they drag everything out. I vacuum; they eat. I fold and put away laundry; Ella Beth goes through her entire wardrobe and leaves it on the bedroom floor. I vacuum; they eat.

1. They fight constantly. It just won't stop. Ella Beth takes something away from Landon; Landon screams. Ella Beth lays down to read a book; Landon tackles her and Ella Beth screams. Landon is playing on Ella Beth's bed; she pushes him off; Landon pulls her hair; lots of screaming. Landon says, "Uh oh" three times in a row; Ella Beth yells, "stop saying Uh oh!"; Landon says, "Uh oh."

(#1 is really never-ending. I do see how they love each other, and they can play well together when [Ella Beth] wants to. However, our current stage is play well together seldomly and fight OFTEN.)

Whew...I can feel my blood pressure rising just proofing this post!