What NOT to Do

It's very early and I must finish preparing for work, but I just wanted to share a though that came to mind late last night. Through the scores of parent conferences I've been a part of this year, there is one overwhelming thing I've learned: what not to do with my children. I'm serious. I'm amazed at how many parents do not know how to deal with their children. "Well, we've tried this and we've tried that, but nothing works." Well, you know what, parents? I only have an almost 11 month old, but I know that parenting is HARD!! And sometimes, no, 2 or 3 discipline methods will not work. Keep going!

These thoughts came after a particularly difficult and frustrating conference yesterday in which one of my8th grade boys is dating a senior. Yes, you heard me. No, he's not just bragging about it. It's true. HEADLINE: Senior girl dates middle school boy. UGH. (Shudder.) Anyway, mom was just like, "Well, what's a parent to do?" She shrugged her shoulders. I nearly came across the desk. I can't share too many examples, but just know I've learned some things to avoid when it comes to Hayden and future kiddos!

PS. He'll be 11 months old TOMORROW!!

1st Park Visit

This past Sunday, March 14, the weather was just absolutely too beautiful to spend inside. We don't get many beautiful, non-humid days often, so David leaned over during church and whispered that we should take Hayden to the park. I readily agreed. I'm just now taking time to put the pictures on the computer and I wanted to put some from his first visit to the Little Children's Park in downtown Ocean Springs.


Hayden loved the bouncy bridge, and he seemed okay with the slide. Forget the swing, however! As long as it was sitting still, he was fine. Once we pushed it, he was no longer cool! This really surprised us. We didn't stay too long, as there is only so much you can do with a 10 mo. old who's just learning to really walk.



On our way out, we stopped to take a few pictures on the wooden bridge that leads from the parking lot to the playground. Once Hayden decided to start licking every rail, we decided it was definitely time to go. Please don't think I'm a bad mother; we did try to stop him, but he thought it was a game! I'm very much looking forward to more park visits later this spring and summer, when it's hopefully not too unbearably hot!

3 YEARS

Today David and I celebrate 3 years of marriage. We have learned a great deal about one another, about marriage, and about life. I couldn't imagine my life without my soul mate. Happy 3 year anniversary, David, and Happy St. Patrick's Day, all!

Spring Break & Growth Spurt

Spring Break is finally here! An entire week with Hayden and time to clean my house top to bottom! Yes, I'm actually excited about that!

We also have a 1st birthday party to plan. Any tips, suggestions, and cost-cutting ideas? Please share! I have some in mind, but I have to do some looking this week at some things. I took his clothes that do not fit anymore out of the nursery; yes, so, he doesn't have nearly has much clothing as I thought! So church clothes, short/shirt sets, t-shirts/polos, and books are on the birthday wish list! He received these amazingly cute 18 mo. smocked overalls at a shower, and we decided to try them on him today just because. Thank goodness it's warm enough because he MUST wear them to church tomorrow since there may not be another time to wear them. I also bought a Carter's 24 mo. pair of dressy overalls that he'll be wearing next week for the same reason!

And finally (and quickly, since Hayden's waking up), baby boy must have hit a growth spurt because all he wants to do is eat and sleep. He slept from 7:30 last night with no wake ups until 6:30 this morning, then took a nap from 9-10 (which he's been skipping lately), and he's been down now since noon and it's 2:10. He could walk if he'd let himself and cruising around the furniture and using one of his riding-to-walking toys gets him pretty much anywhere. Oh, and he loves the baby that lives in the full-length mirror in the master bath and the baby that appears every night when daddy gets home in the mirror above daddy's chair! Hayden has this infectious laugh that I want to capture forever!!

Enough of 8th Graders

That's all this post is really to say... that I've had ENOUGH of 8th graders (and some of their teachers!). My patience is gone, I'm tired, and nothing I do is ever cool enough. That's fine; I'm okay with not being cool, but no matter what I do they still can't speak or write correct English!