2011 in Review

Wow, this year flew by...so much has changed and boy have the kids all grown. Here is a recap of my crazy four.
Ace (9)
Boomer(6)
Tank(4) and
Q( 2)

Ace turned 9 in 2011 and began 4th grade. He won a math medallion and. He won the award for "most points" in his 8 and Under summer swim team. Ace began gymnastics and has moved from level a to level b! Yeah!! He had his first "party" sleepover for his birthday party!!

Boomer turned 6 in 2011  and began 1st grade! She got the 1st teachers award of the year for student of the month.Boomer lost her first and second bottom teeth as well!! She learned to ride a two wheeler in June and  joined the same swim team Ace is on this season. Boomer moved up to Level a gymnastics and then recently she moved up to level b as well!!! Way to go Boomer!!

Tank turned 4 in 2011 and began preschool (dinosaurs). He also learned to ride a two wheeler 3 days before his sister did!! He also learned all his letters and can now write his name perfectly!! Tank learned to tie his shoe in one day. He also learned to  swim without a floaty and moved up in swimming lessons to Advanced preschool level 3. Tank also joined Gymnastics  and has made a huge impact on his coaches there as well!!

The tie his shoe video
Finally Q! Not such a baby anymore turned 2 in 2011. He graduated from Binkys("DD's) and moved into a big kid bed. Q also learned to sing his ABC's and can tell you his and Tank's birthdays. He also is POTTY TRAINED and as of Christmas EVE officially over night potty trained as well!! This year Q began to jump into the water and loves it !!!!!

That is that!! A new Year and I know lots will be achieved this year as well!!!

Holiday Road....and our tradition

Last night we went to see the "Holiday Road Light show" again. We have gone 3 years now and we love to see the awesome display that this neighborhood puts on. This year we chose to walk though it instead of driving (and that line was 2 hours long).

Check out the video, HERE

Discipline

Lately, I feel like someone always is on the "NAUGHTY STEP". Hitting, throwing, yelling, lying, crying,sneaking, fighting, rough-housing, ....you name it! I feel like a full time referee. I can not take too much more of this. It is exhausting...for all involved!! LOL!! I try to follow "super nanny's"naughty step rules. My current discipline regime for almost any "crime" I enforce:

The STEP

1. Give a warning.

2. If they persist (mine always persist) take them to the step..or direct them.(this always involves the dreaded screeching, tantrum throwing, and running and chasing)

3. Explain why you put them there(mine plug their ears, but I know they hear me)

4. Leave them for one minute per age.( I  start over if they get up or yell from the step)

5. When time is up, go back ask for an apology to the person involved and get/give a hug and kiss.

(My little two are stubborn and 1/ 2 the time refuse to apologize and therefore they stay until they submit to an apology)

Well, as you can see it is quite involved and very tiresome but claims to teach consequences in a quick and fair manner. I do this maybe 15-20 times a day. Mostly with my little two, but lately it is all 4!!!! Today alone I gave 17. Two in the last 7 minutes..........grrrrr......

I need a time out to regroup and calm down..........................maybe a little Diet Coke, a cake pop and some nail polish will do the trick! If not this is gonna be a LONNNNGGGGG Christmas break for all!

Gannie and Papa come to visit and babysit too!

Last night my parents came to babysit while we went to a Christmas party. We had a blast!

Our annual Christmas picture is always taken at this party.
We also had a fun time in the photo booth as well!!

Today, before they drove back we went to the Children's museum....which is always a hit with my kids!!Ace and Boomer were in school.

 We ended the trip at Yesterdog for lunch! What a great visit!!!!

Wordless Wednesday-computer time

A childhood right of passage!

Yesterday, Ace went on a field trip to the Capital! This is a Michigan child's right of passage! Needless to say, he was THRILLED and prepared the last 2 yrs for this day!!!

He had an awesome time and learned lots!!!!!!!