Quick Visit to the Zoo!

Last weekend we had a few hours without anything scheduled. We have a season pass to the KC Zoo, so we decided to take a short trip out there to see the new polar bear and then the girls' favorite animals. Diego happened to be there for a visit which the girls loved! When we walked away, Ainsley said, "I think he remembered me. You know, from when I watch him on tv."
We saw the new polar bear do his tricks and then made sure to see the giraffes, elephants and ducks (their favorite animals!). It was a fun few hours!
(Brynn insisted that I take a picture of the hippos because they are buddies!)

Almost A Semi-Decent Family Picture

Poor Sweet Baby Girl...

Poor Brooke fell head first off of the front steps (again!). However, her bleeding head did not seem to stop her from eating!

We Did It!

Well, we did it. Jesse and I successfully went out of town for a long weekend with NO CHILDREN! We had a wedding to attend in Estes Park, Colorado and there was a "no children" policy. So, we decided to go ahead and go and use it as an excuse to take a mini-vacation. When we went to update our "consent to treat" form and our temporary will, we realized that the last time we went out of town without kids was when Ainsley was a baby! So, we figured we were due! I'm not pregnant or nursing for the first time in 6 years!
We rented a house in the mountains with 6 college friends. It got a bit wild at times, but it was lots of fun! The wedding was on the side of a mountain next to a river. It was beautiful. Although I missed the girls terribly, I will admit that it was nice to get away for a few days.

I brought these ribbons back for the big girls from our trip to Colorado. They were so excited to play with them... however, it didn't take long for them to hurt eachother. Jesse said I may as well have bought them toy guns!

Isn't this just the best fall project? I stole this idea from a friend who had seen it on a blog. I think that they turned out really cute!

Choices...

This morning Brynn said to Ainsley, "You have 2 choices... that's it. Your red cowgirl boots or your new tennis shoes. Which shoes are you wearing to school?"
Listening to her say this made me both laugh and think. First of all, do I really sound like that?!?!? Ainsley did call me "Miss Bossy Pants" the other day, so I suppose that I must sound bossy to her.
I have attended several workshops and classes and seminars about parenting. I read a lot about it during my Masters program (before I had any kids). I still try and read about it. I live it all day ever day... but I have figured out that nobody has all the answers or really comes close. I find myself trying different things and seeing how they work for us and if they mesh with my girls' personalities. Having three strong-willed (nice way of saying stubborn) children, I am always looking for a parenting skill that will reduce conflict and stress.
So, lately we have been trying out this idea of choices. I give them two choices. Both of them are acceptable. It really doesn't matter to me which one they choose... as long as they make a decision. Example: "waffles or cereal?" "dress or pants?" "you buckle your seatbelt or me?" "red cowgirl boots or new tennis shoes?"
I suppose this is working for the most part. It gives them a bit of control and they are involved in the process. Those things are beneficial to their developing selves.
However, sometimes I feel like yelling, "Eat your waffle! Wear pants for once! Buckle your own seatbelt! And wear the tennis shoes!"
Yikes... does that make me a bad mommy?!?!? Honestly, I like the response I am getting from the girls with their choices. They seem to be understanding the concept and hopefully it will make me be less of "Miss Bossy Pants"!