Rody

Thanks Christine, she's used this toy ever since she could walk. It's got to be the best invention for kids ever made.

http://www.rodytoy.com/

Just call me Guinea Pig

One day, Not today, but One day, I will try this approach just to see how foolish I can look at it. The day is not far. And to all my parent friends out there or would be parent friends, I'll let you know if it's a bunch of bologna, or if it really works against tantrums, cause ever since Emy has learned she's gonna be a big sister, she's become as equally determined to be the best big sister ever, as she has to becoming as much of a PITA (pain in the boop) as she can try to be.

Changing Your Approach to Regain Control

Parents can manage children’s resistance in a positive, effective fashion. But you may have to step outside your comfort zone and get creative in your responses to your child’s misbehavior. Here’s a final example: A mother and her daughter are at a mall when the daughter pitches a huge fit — a floor-mopping tantrum with arms and legs waving madly. The mother immediately drops to the floor and starts throwing a tantrum alongside her daughter. The daughter instantly stops her tantrum, stands up, and says “Mom, stop that, you’re embarrassing me!” Whether or not you have this mom’s dramatic talents, the general lesson applies: Don’t get stuck in frustrating patterns of reacting to your child’s resistance. Often you have more power than you think to change your child’s negative behavior.

Other Names that Have Been Cast Aside

Suggested to Randy this morning:

Evergreen Ivy
Persephone (The Queen of the Underworld)
Haiku

His response was "Why don't we just name her Hippie"

No, We Don't Know What to Name Helluva Yet

Randy does not like the names I have suggested so far:

Forsythia Constitution
Freesia Kangeroo
Audrey Luna
Marina Pedro, pronounced "Pee Drough"
Oceana Audio

And no, I am not joking, I actually suggested these names.

Just in Time for Summer

Someone, and I am not naming names here, got bored today. Her brain becided to tell her to cut her own hair all by herself. Her father, the only parent capable of thinking in such a crisis (and who always thought short hair would be easier and more manageable anyway), immediately called several hair salons, and found the only place open on a Sunday in Ithaca. She now sports a Julie Andrews, ala Sound of Music, blunt cut bob. Pictures exist of the mullet look she created on her own, and subsequent bob hairdo that she now has, but I am not sure I want to relive the event enough to add these pictures here where I will have to see them everyday. I might do it later when the cut grows on me a bit.

Luckily, Randy bought a canoe a few days ago, and fitted with our new life jackets, we were (I was) able to regain perspective on a calm Sunday family canoe ride.

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

We hope to welcome this August, Little Miss Helluva Hendrickson. Name tentative.

My College Roomie

Went for a drive to MA for a visit long overdue

Em and Timmy...

Hurry Mommy, Hurry!

Mommy should check my diaper...he he...


Emy, right before she inexplicably walked into the water...

Randy

Spring is Sprung

Collecting Moss is hard work...






In the Secret Garden...

Random Emy-isms

Apricot = "Papercut" as in "Yum, I really like these papercuts"

Decided = "Becided" as in "My brain becided to tell me to do it"

Holy Crap = "Holy Crack!"