10 Back to School Must Have Items

Today I'm linking up with Shay and Erica for Workin' Wednesday, I can't even believe that we are shopping for school supplies. While our school doesn't start for another 3 weeks, we had to do the shopping this past weekend because we're going to be out of town or busy every weekend leading up to the start of school. First day of school is not only going to be a 6 hour day (instead of 3, like Kindergarten), but we'll just be getting back into town the night before from camping. This is the school supply list that Baby Fox's new school sent us.

Ninjago Backpack  / Ninjago Lunch Box / Dry Erase Set / Yellow Highlighter / Glue Sticks / #2 Pencil / Crayola Colored Pencils / Crayola Crayons / Erasers  / Elmer's Glue  / Pencil Sharpener  / Ream of Paper (not pictured)

Things that I used to love as a kid buying for school, pencil boxes, there was nothing better then getting all of your new pencils and erasers and then putting them into a Hello Kitty Pencil Case. Turns out the one I used to have is now considered vintage...man I feel old. But I loved those plastic things.

Okay one last thing as a blast from the past. Trapper Keepers, man those things, and then having the matching pencil case that clipped into the three ring binder, bomb.com. I had one similar to this girl.



Okay getting off topic here. But it's so fun to remember all the stuff I used to love about the beginning of school, new school clothes, picking out what to wear on the first day, new shoes and just the anticipation of a new school year and learning new things. I loved all of it. I really hope Baby Fox loves school as much as I do, from the looks of it, I think it's going to love it.

I put together a video of all of the stuff in Baby Fox's School Supply Haul. If you could click on it and thumbs up the video, that would mean the world to me! Thank you so much for supporting my channel.

Also linking up with Erin for 10th on the 10th and with

What is something that you absolutely loved about the new school year?

Linking up here

4 Tips to Raising Polite Confident Kids

Back in June, I wrote a post for Abbie from Grumbling Grace about raising polite confident kids
for her Mombies Unit Series.  Just in case you aren't in the know: Definition of Mombie (n.) - A sleep deprived supermom who feeds on caffeine and survives on sticky kisses and messy smiles. Mombies are master multi-taskers and suck it uppers.

I'm so excited to be a part of this Mombie group. I just love that term and what it means, seriously we can all relate! I knew I wanted to contribute but didn't know exactly what to write about, so many ideas floating around my head. . My first thought was how to potty train, since we're knee deep in it right now or how I felt about my youngest birth and how she came in 10 minutes after getting to the hospital, talk about close call! But then I read Kristin's post about how she became a stronger woman after motherhood and that got my juices flowing, so thank you Kristin!

Kristin spoke about being shy and how she got easily embarrassed when she was younger, and not until she was a mother that it made her let go of what people thought of her. For me it was the same thing, I was super shy when I was younger, heck even when we I met my husband and we would go out to restaurants I would never directly speak to the waiter, I was so shy! Meeting me now you never would have guessed that. Mr. worked with me a lot, getting me to speak up. Discovering I have food allergies helped a lot with my shy-ness. I had to speak up for myself at restaurants or I wouldn't get any of the food I actually want.

All this to say, that Mr. and I want our kids to grow up confident but polite. We don't want them to be shy at restaurants when ordering their food, or when they need something else, we want them to be able to politely flag down the waiter/waitress and ask them for what they need with a please and a thank you. We want them to grow up and speak up for themselves and I believe that it all starts with manners.

It's a blurry picture but I just love that he was dancing with her because she wanted him to

1. Begin Early

Just like anything, we are continually on them about their manners. I mean from the moment we started handing them things we would hand it to them and say "Say thank you Mama/Daddy", even though they couldn't talk yet. Even now we continue to do this. If either of our kids want anything they know they need to say please. Here's an example of a conversation with our 5 year old:

Baby Fox: I want water
Me: That's nice
Baby Fox: I WANT WATER
Me: That's nice to know, care to ask it differently?
Baby Fox: May I please have some water, please? (this is typically how he says it, adds a lot of pleases in there, we don't correct him...)

We do the same thing with our 2 year old, we're a little more lenient with her as she is still learning and we are still teaching.

Mini Fox: Wa-wa (water)
Me: That's nice
Mini Fox: Wa-wa
Me: Can you add a please?
Mini Fox: Please..
Me: Now put it in a sentence
Mini Fox: Wa-wa Please..

2. Have the same rules at home as you do in public

This then translates to how they act at restaurants. Even before anyone else can understand them when the waiter comes to get our order we always make them order and then translate it for the waiter. When they are super young 20 months or so, we would prompt them, since they are in that parroting phase, we would tell them what to say to the waiter. Of course always making them add a please and a thank you when ordering and when drinks or food arrive.

3. Be patient and be consistent as you teach specific skills

We always make them look the people directly in their eyes when speaking to them, so if they are looking down, we tell them look them in the eyes when talking to them. When someone gives them something and they off offhandedly say thank you, we make them stop, turn around and say thank you to them while looking directly at them.

People often remark how polite our children are. Heck when Mini Fox started talking she was so polite that even when crying she would be crying and scream No THANK YOU over and over. Our response is always thank you (haha), but in our heads to each other we say, because we shove pleases and thank yous down their throat.

4. Practice and Repetition are Keys to Confidence Later

I think that being able to talk to adults politely helps them with their confidence. Making them look people in the eyes while talking teaches them not to be shy. Letting them order their food teaches them they can do this on their own. Making them flag down a waiter also teaches them confidence, they have just as much power as an adult to get someone's attention. Obviously there is more to it, but this was how we started, simply with teaching them manners.

It's never too early to start to teach them, even if they can't talk, they are continually learning by our example.

Hope you found this helpful!


Linking up here

Further and Further Away

I'm not exactly sure where this is going...but gotta get it out.

This week was the first week to register Baby Fox for Kindergarten. A few weeks ago, we applied for the lottery for a local Charter school. It's getting real up in here people. My baby is going to Kindergarten. Real school, one that goes 5 days a week, and there is going to be homework.

But let's back up a bit. When I was pregnant, every ounce of his being was attached to me. I gave him food, water, life. I carried him for 38 weeks 5 days.

This is me just before leaving for the hospital. Had to take a shower, of course.

Then a short 9 hours later he was here, he could breath on his own, he no longer needed me for air.

We took him home and he relied on me for food. Which blows my mind, I gave him milk so he wasn't thirsty, I gave him milk so he wasn't hungry, he still needed me.

Then suddenly he was eating food, and didn't need as much milk from me. He stepped a bit further from me.

 

Then one day he didn't need my milk, yet again a little further away. 



He was walking and talking up a storm and finding his little personality, now he could run away if he wanted, luckily he never did ;)

Then he went to pre-school, I didn't cry, but was totally emotional.

Now he's currently in his second year of preschool.

He's starting to read and do math, which blows my mind! This one is just from February he's moved on to just numbers and no pictures...say what?!

He's getting so big, he's going to be taller than me before I know it!

All this to say, that each day he becomes a little more independent. Each day he takes a metaphorical step away from me. I know this is part of parenting and kids growing up, that he's going to grow up and someday leave the nest (Go read Lana's post about her last son leaving the nest)...but I wish I could keep him little. I know there are rough days when I want to throw my hands in the air and say I QUIT! But in reality those moments are short and at the end of the day I want to keep him sweet and innocent. He's my first Baby and registering him for Kindergarten this week is going to kill me. I probably won't shed a tear, but I'll feel sad that he just takes one more step away from me to his own independence.

What I hope for him; is that we give him a good strong foundation.  One that is of love, understanding, patience and that he always carries God in his heart. I hope that he continues wants to help others and see the good in others in a world that quite frankly is getting a little scary. I hope that when he becomes an adult he goes out into the world and makes a difference, that he carries The Light where ever he goes.

I know I'm rambling, but things just got real over here, my Baby is starting Kindergarten in 5 months!

Linking up here

Inside Out - Baby Fox Edition

Happy Thursday! And you know what Thursday is...a new video for you from me! Well this week it's from me and Baby Fox! I thought since we just saw Inside Out that I would do the Inside Out tag, where I ask him the #5emotions and he answers. Check it out below. Hope you enjoy.

Next week you'll get to see my answers!

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a $500 Amazon gift card! Who couldn't use 500 buckaroos!

Also linking up with Amanda, for Thinking Out Loud and Vanessa and Penny for Thinking out Loud,Lulia, Stephanie and Sarah for The Ladies Collective, Annie and Natalie for Thoughts for Thursday and Joey and Kristin for Stuff and Things

All Character images found at http://disney.wikia.com/ 

My Future Olympian

It all has to start somewhere right?

He learned this tonight at the gym. Finally the gym is working for us and by us I mean Baby Fox is finally taking the classes, not crying when I drop him off and is playing in the jungle gym thing, instead of staying with the toddlers in the baby side of the gym. And asking when we're going to the gym next so he can play. Woo hoo!

Lies

Last night Baby Fox told his first straight up lie. Like the kind where he looked me in the eye and just lied to me. I believed him, he's never lied before so I had no reason not to believe him. Until later in the night when I caught him in the lie.

We were getting ready for bed and I asked him if had brushed his teeth, he said yes...I gave him the side eye and he even went as far as to do the breath check. I said I don't know...he said, I did. I said okay. Then about 15 minutes later when bed time was fast approaching, he yells out, I have to brush my teeth. Caught! I said you said you and Daddy already brushed your teeth, he said he didn't. I looked at Mr., he said he didn't. I was disappointed. I was crushed that somehow my kid learned how to lie. Is this preschool? Do the other kids in preschool do this? We sat down, I looked him in the eye, told him what lying is and why it is wrong. I'm not sure it sunk it. I hope something sunk in. I don't want to always be second guessing his answers.

Where did my little boy go and when did he learn how to lie? Mr. says it's part of growing up, and that kids lie and not to worry about it too much...

What is your experience with your kids? Any advice?

Easy No brainer Outfit for When You Don't Want to Think

Simple and easy for a Tuesday after a long weekend. Easy to grab outfit = perfect. Skirt, t-shirt, necklace, short jean jacket, neutral shoes.

This guy wanted to jump in the pictures, as usual

Speaking of this little guy, here's what happened to his poor face.

Monday after I got home from the gym, Mr. left for the gym and I decided to take the kids to the park before Mini Fox's morning nap. Baby Fox wanted to ride his scooter (seen above). Everything was fine until it wasn't. Baby Fox still hasn't really figured out the breaks yet, so when he wants to stop he tries to jump off and keep running with the scooter till it slows down. NOT the best breaking method. He got going a little too fast for him and tried to jump off, tripped and fell hard!

just around that bend is where he fell

I ran over to him and picked him up, checking his knees, his head was on my shoulder as I was checking out his knees. Then I went to check his hands and see blood running down his fingers, frantically I'm trying to figure out where all the blood is coming from. I see his lip is bloody so I have him open his mouth to see a pool of blood in there. I ask him if he bite his tongue, but he's just crying. I put him down to try and find something to soak up the blood, I was just about the take my shirt off (luckily I had a sports bra on under), but saw a tissue in the cup holder of the stroller. I threw that in his mouth to soak up some blood, and then figure out that he's cut his bottom inside lip really bad, to me it looked like it needed some stitches. I'm trying to carry Baby Fox, push Mini Fox in the stroller and carry the scooter...didn't work. So I put Baby Fox where Mini Fox's feet are and run home. Get a wet paper towel, and put that in his mouth.

So now I need to figure out what to do. I wanted to ask one of our neighbors what she thought, she has 5 kids and I needed a second opinion, plus if I need to go to the ER, she could watch Mini Fox until my parents or Mr. could get there. She wasn't home, but another neighbor (who I'm fairly certain thinks I'm a nut), said he thought it wasn't too bad and that mouths heal really fast. That calmed me down a bit, I went home and called the Pediatrician, and then called my parents to come over and get a second opinion, cause Mr. still wasn't answering his phone. Meanwhile my mom told me to call his dentist (luckily we had just gone on Friday), because it had to do with his mouth. So put in a call to them too. The doctor said, of course, to go into a kids urgent care to have someone look at it. But the pediatric dentist called back and said that we could take a picture of it and send it to her and she could tell us what to do. Which was such a great idea! She looked at it and said she didn't think that he needed to go in, and that mouths heal really quickly. She told me the different colors it would turn and what to expect. Made this Mama feel a little better.

Lessons learned:

1. Pediatric dentist - worth it to find a good one
2. When dealing with something with the mouth, call the dentist
3. Ice Cream fixes all things and will get your kid to continuously let you see the cut in his mouth

This is about 2 hours after it happened: That is a bruise on his chin, see the length of that bruise...the  cut in his mouth mimics that bruise. It's about 3/4 - 1 inch long and maybe 1-2mm wide.

And this the next day. You can see how much it is swollen. He told us that he had to figure out a new way to suck his fingers, resilient I tell ya.

I must love him a lot cause I went swimming when it was only 84° out. Mr. was working and he really wanted to go swimming.

Linking up with Because Shanna Said So, Get Your Pretty On, The Pleated Poppy, and Tucker Up
 

Nice Long Weekend!

Long good weekend, this morning when my alarm went off at 4:30am, I had to think..why is my alarm going off, isn't it a day off?  I was going to post on Friday, but then decided to work on Mini Fox's party decorations instead during nap time, then Monday was going to post, but Baby Fox got hurt and that pretty much made me want to drink (even though I don't drink) instead of post something...more on that later. Be prepared for pictures, cause I took about 300 pictures this weekend.

Friday Baby Fox had his first dentist appointment. I know parents of the year here, taking him to his first dentist appointment so late in the game...but we'll things happen, I'll get over it :) If I can say anything, take your kid to a pediatric dentist, it was so much fun for him and he loved it! Plus pediatric dentists need like 2-3 more years of school, so you know they want to work with kids if they go to school longer.

Razzle the tiger...Baby Fox thought he was too cool.

Sunglasses to ward off the bright lights...

Monkey had to come get his teeth cleaned too

Yep that's a TV up there, they had Cars on, his favorite

His hygentist, she was really nice and super gentle on our newbie

Dentist giving Baby Fox his fluoride treatment

And we left with a woopie cushion from the treasure chest, of course my son would pick a woopie cushion.

After our appointment we went and met up with some friends for a playdate. This place was super cool, had some mechanical things for the kids to ride on, and it was great because it was just one big room and only 1 way in/out and it was manned by someone who had to physically open the door for you to get in/out.

This rocked back and forth

Bounce House

This room was dedicated to balls, there were different machines you could put them in to make them fly around the room.

Boat, that also rocked

This girl got tired...

After that we went to my parents for lunch, I know all that happened before LUNCH!

My sister was there, the kids love her

Still hasn't gotten a nap and still tired

On our way home...for a nap, I told Baby Fox to keep Mini Fox awake the 5 minutes it takes to get home, cause if she falls asleep, she doesn't transfer and counts that as her nap. He wanted to hold her hand.

Don't worry, we were at a stop light when I snapped these pictures

I made something really cool with this, during nap time

Then we went swimming after nap time

I told Mini Fox that the best gift she could give me was to sleep through the whole night...and that's exactly what she did, she slept from 8:30pm-9am the next day, I got 8 hours of sleep and it was glorious!

My girl, I even woke her up at 9am!

We had plans to go to my parents, but spidy showed up to conquer the house

We got this in the mail on Thursday and he's worn it everyday since. We have bought another one because we're fairly certain at this rate, it's not going to make it to Halloween! sidenote: I bought it through a co-op and it was $10, awesome right?

 Mini Fox loved the costume

We played Justice League Shoots and Ladders while Mini Fox took her morning nap.

Afterwards we headed over to my parents for lunch and to watch the Notre Dame game...

But I opened to get my nails done...hey it's my birthday and I'll do what I want :)

Then we met up with some friends to get some dinner...yum! Waiting for our friends to get there

Baby Fox's first ever tortilla chip, he's never been interested until Saturday...

The kids got a little tired

But rallied to have some fun with Daddy, yep we had two more kids while eating dinner :)

When we got home, Baby Fox wanted to play swords and guns...yep he has them in his shirt on all sides, he likes to be prepared

That's his mean face...really menacing, especially with fox socks on right?

While getting ready for bed, Baby Fox decided to hide... can you guess where he is? Pretty good hiding spot if you ask me

He's roaring at me

Sunday Mr. went paddle boarding, so I told Baby Fox he could watch TV in Daddy's office as a treat. He told me he was all ready and dragged me in to show me.

All set to watch...wait for it...Tinkerbell and the Pirate Fairies

This girl woke up happy from her nap and ready for lunch

Sunday night my parents came over to watch the kids and Mr. and I went on a date, a real live date, dinner and a movie, can't tell you the last time we were gone for that long!

The restaurant we went to actually had food I could eat, I was in heaven...yep I did eat all 5 of these tacos...I'll pretend that Mr. had more than the 4 bites he took...

Mr.'s Nachos

 

And we saw Guardians of the Galaxy...really fun, and a good movie, would totally see the sequel if they make one.

Monday...started off awesome

I took a Barre Fusion class, was really good, I liked it.

And then I took the kids to the park while Mr. went to workout.

and then our day took a turn...which is a story in itself...which I'll talk about to you later this week, but Baby Fox fell really hard and got hurt and cried, I cried (not in front of him) and I panicked, but in the end everyone was okay.

But I took him to the store

and ice cream pretty much fixes everything

We were supposed to meet up with some friends, but with everything that happened, we had to postpone and then they decided to do what they were going to do in the evening earlier in the day. But we still BBQ'd because it's Labor Day and that's what you do.

Baby Fox was still able to get a little workout in with Mr.

Monday night was spent, relaxing and getting ready for the week. At least it's a short week, yay!

How was your weekend? Anything eventful?

Linking up with Faith, Sarah and Heather for Mommy Moments

and with Bella & Lisa