What Have We Been Up To?

I haven't given up blogging, I promise! I was out of town for a while and got out of the hang of blogging, and once that's done...it's easy to put it way down at the bottom of your list of things to do! Plus, there hasn't been very much to blog about. But, just in case you care this is what we've been up to:

1. My sweet mother-in-law, Jane, let RoyBoy come visit her in Boone for a few days. This was such a help to me, as RoyBoy has been a handful lately. Let's just say that he has entered the "terrible twos" about 3 months too early and it has made me become a "terribly confused/frustrated mom". I feel like everything I learned with Caroline--and all the confidence I had in being a 'good mom'--has been thrown out the window and I'm back to square one with how to raise a child. I'm getting there, thanks to much support and prayer from Mom, Jane, my sisters and some girlfriends. Thanks to Dayna and Denise for passing on some good books for me and Roy to read. This one is my favorites:

To Train Up A Child. Dayna let me borrow it and it is great! It's by a man who lives in an Amish community. He had wonderful advice, such as comparing taining children to breaking in a horse! I have learned this week to discipline and train Roy Austin in a firm, yet calm voice and to not let him get to me. I could go on and on about what I've learned about this book. I'll give one more concept, and then I'll move on. The author says that children are like pesky cats that wait by the door hoping to sneak in. If that cat sneaks in 5% of the time, he'll remember what it was like in that warm house, finding food and having a great time exploring. If the master doesn't let him in 100% of the time, he'll eventually give up and not try to sneak in. Same with a child. If a parent let's him win 5% of the time, he'll remember what it was like to get his own way and have what he wants. If a parent wins 100% of the time, he'll eventually give up and know that his parent is the one in charge. Why is is so easy to let that cat in?!! So far, these concepts have worked because this week has been a good one for us!

2. We had Caroline's preschool teachers pay us a home visit today and let's just say that I was a little on the embarrassed side. I think I talked the visit up to her a little too much. I kept telling her that they were coming, we made them some bread, I kept talking it up.... Well, when they came, she covered her eyes with her hands, hid behind my back, hid in the kitchen, and at one time, she was crawling on the floor, ignoring their questions. Yep, I apologized a lot and someone got in trouble when they left. Just wait until Daddy gets home! Oh, and the teachers are great! I'm already happy with them and I think they'll be a good fit for Miss Caroline.

3. This is my new favorite laundry item--The Bounce Dryer Bar. I bought it last week at Wal-Mart. It sticks inside your dryer and acts as dryer sheets. Our clothes smell great and they are so soft. And it lasts 2 months!

4. Due to my favorite consignment sale not taking place this fall, I have been buying clothes for the kids on Ebay, KellysKids.com, and other stores for this fall/winter. I have found some great deals, including this cute little number for Caroline for Christmas 2009--see the cute Nativity smocked on the top??? I got it on Ebay:

Yes, this is the same sweet and silly girl who was crawling on the floor when her teachers came today.

This dress was originally $124. Yes, one HUNDRED and twenty four dollars. Who would spend that much on a child's dress, I don't know. I spent $24 on clearance at a store in Lynchburg and I think it is adorable!

I found this Plantation Shop outfit at a consignment shop last week for $7.50!

And since we were trying on clothes, check out Mr. Roy Austin Graham, Jr. in his big boy outfit. Hey, Mr. Graham...You have a call on line 4:



I don't think Roy Austin likes playing dress up!

Now I'm searching for shoes, especially for RoyBoy. Girls are so much fun to buy shoes for....basically you need a Mary Jane in your basic black, navy, brown, red and maybe another fun color, and then a tennis shoe. But I'm at a loss about boy shoes. I have done some searching on the internet this week, and now I'm just waiting for sales and certain coupons to make my attack.

5. I love The Fresh Beat Band as much as my kids do. When they come on Noggin, we all get excited! Loco Legs is the best!! We are looking forward to August 24th for their show!

That's about it. Now see why I haven't been blogging lately?