Wednesday, March 7, 2012

On Dad's FB Response to Daughter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl1ujzRidmU&feature=player_embedded#!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJCYuybp6DU&feature=channel


Okay, so this is the guy who posted a video on FB in response to his daughter's rant about chores in the home. I know he went over the top but damn this guy is a wake up call to America.  Watch it and listen and though you and I may not complete agree with his tactics look around at how parents are crippling their children all around the world and creating an entitlement generation.

In our home our children get hugs and kisses and sleep with us regularly and get homemade cookies and at least 2 hot meals a day and playdates with friends and trips to the library and to historical and cultural events.  They also get daily chores and consequences if expectations are not met.  They are given presents on birthdays and Christmas.  They are also given the opportunity to purchase ALL of their own toys the remainder of the year.  In fact, our son is currently saving his hard earned money for a DS.  He has over $100 and very proud of that though he has been tempted to spend said money on other things.  

As society improves and technology increases and the focus on children and education continues to grow, many parents become slaves to their children's wants and desires.  I can honestly say that I am so grateful we have decided to think out of the box in regards to educating our kids as there are few status symbols on our campus and kids with the latest technologies know to leave it and talk of it (mostly) at home.   No one knows name brands and whether or not you purchase your groceries from a local farm is more important that whether or not you are wearing Prada.


I'd love to hear your opinion of this video so feel free to comment or to send me a shout out via email!


Happy Parenting.


Dana

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Rainbow Girl

Check out Arwyn's awesome face painting!  Thank you to the Nashville Parent Camp Fair.


Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Handmade Dolls




In case you are wondering....this is the type of art that the kids do at Noah and Arwyn's school.


Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Because...







http://wheninfinityrunsout.tumblr.com/

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

More on Valentine's

Each year Valentine's give me heart palpitations as I contemplate the design for the hand-made greeting cards we create for both Noah's and Arwyn's classrooms at school. As we are at a Waldorf school we generally create these from scratch. By "we" I mean "I" do most of the work and then let the kids come in and help complete the process. I know. Bad mom. But usually I have waited until the last minute and have lost patience for the children and my husband and the cats and the house and resort to quickly putting together the cards with just enough help from the Sun and Moon to say they did the cards. 

Not this year, baby. This year I have taken drastic measures. This year, using my handy dandy coupon, I have created a Valentine's masterpiece on Shutterfly. Using pics from the Tennessee State Museum field trip that I chaperoned I have made the ultimate cards for my 4th grader to deliver on said day of Love. Not sure how he is going to feel about the photo of him in the stockade, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. 

Why did I deviate from the standard practice of a handmade card? I am seeking full time employment and am hoping to be working prior to V-Day and cannot imagine making cards for both classes. Now, with that stated, I will be sitting down with Arwyn next week to create pre-school masterpieces for her to drop in her peer's heart shaped card folders.

Now...to convince Noah's teacher that his cards were handmade..... Peace. Dana

Valetine's Love from Noah

Photo Card
View the entire collection of cards.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

9-1-1

Well, it had to happen, right?  I have children so a call to 9-1-1 is inevitable.  I mean, we've called 9-1-1 before when I set the kitchen on fire...a couple of times....  But this time was the real deal and I mean S-C-A-R-Y.   Tonight while eating dinner Arwyn choked on her pasta.  It was only a few seconds before I realized what was happening and I yelled to Nathan who immediately called 9-1-1.  I picked her up and began to do my best imitation of the Heimlich Maneuver / shaking her / slapping her on the back.  

I have to say that minute in time may have been the scariest of my entire life and I've had some scary moments.  I was holding my baby while Nathan was on the phone attempting to give our address though he could barely tell the operator the numbers in order as he was as frightened as I.  She was unable to breathe and her face turned redder and redder.  

Finally....a breathe... and the tears began to flow down her sweet face.  She was so scared.  She had not been able to breathe, Mommy was squeezing her and shaking her and Daddy was telling someone to come quick while Noah stood by and watched.  

We told the operator that the food became dislodged and that all was okay though 2 minutes later NFD showed up with a truck and an ambulance.  6 lovely men and women came running up and checked Arwyn over to be sure she was fine.  Her fear was still engaged and she was not going to let the men and women in blue near her until they offered her the chance to play with the stethoscope and with their computer.

After agreeing she was fine they left us alone and we calmly finished our dinner though I took scissors and cut up Arwyn and Noah's food into mush.  Nathan told the kids they may be eating very soft foods the next few weeks until I'm calm again.  The kids are now asleep with my littlest angel in our bed so I can keep her close to me tonight.  

Thank God for those who rushed to our home and thank God that we still have Arwyn.