Warning

You are about to view the most adorable Valentines Picture EVER

By clicking

HERE

Yes, that is my sweet 6 month old

You are never too old, just too big

I find myself saying way too many times EVERY day, 'Get off of that, get out of that, leave that alone, it's for the baby!'  It doesn't seem to matter.  Baby gear is just way to irresistible to these kiddos.

Walker doubles as a space ship   

Thought this one was cute until Camden started rolling on top of the baby

Toy mat also great for snacks time

At least she recognizes she is too big and has the decency to act embarrassed

This one is just plain sad. In a moment of jealously Camden took Brady's new blanket and tucked himself into the baby's car-seat.

Who needs an expensive swing set?  They even take turns pushing each other.

Maybe it's not that the baby gear is fun.  MAYBE they are all suffering from a lack of attention from their mother and they think if they play with this stuff I will pay more attention to them.  Well it's kinda working...bad attention is attention...

Side note:  I have been reading 'Love and Logic' in an attempt to become a better parent.  So far I have learned A LOT.  The #1 thing I have learned is that my parenting is not improving by just reading the book.  Apparently, I have to actually put that stuff into practice.  Hmmmm.  I just might have to post about that if I ever get around to the application part. 

Lesson NOT Learned

Don't you just love those times as a parent when you feel like your kids have never listened to a single thing you have taught them?  I know I am not the only one who feels this way....right?  Well after this little lesson I thought we were good.

Should have known better.

Kids get bored

Kids get 'creative'

Kids get into trouble

It was way too quiet upstairs.

Side note: I have found that anytime my kids are playing quietly it is NOT a good thing.

When I peeked into my niece's room where Conner and her were playing I was met with quite the 'creative playing'.  They had brought the potty training toilet from the bathroom into the bedroom and since it had no bowl in it they put a towel under it. Which I guess when you are four years old this is considered good planning.  

Unfortunately their playing was not playing after all.  

Yep, they were peeing in it!  Busted Conner in the act (AGAIN!!!).

The towel was a nice thought but someone missed and peed on the carpet.  Probably Conner due to the fact that when I walked into the room he quickly stood up and and started pulling up his pants mid stream. 

How do you punish a kid for this?  Rub their noses in it?  Wait that's for animals.  

Things I shouldn't have to teach my kids

 A few weeks ago I busted Conner peeing in the cats litter box.  I'm not gonna lie, I thought it was pretty funny and had a hard time disciplining him with a straight face.  Fast forward a few more weeks and the home teachers are over.  Samantha tells them that Conner pooped in the litter box.  Peeing was funny, pooping just gross!!  I am instantly red in the face and telling Samantha that what she said isn't true and to not say it.  (ESPECIALLY in front of the home teachers)  She kept insisting that Conner really did poop in the litter box.  I kept insisting that he didn't.  This was getting uncomfortable for not just us but the HT too.  He kindly said something about kids being funny when they are so insistent and the conversation finally moved on.  

When they were gone I asked Conner if he really had pooped in the litter box.  His response..."yep!"

I know he is only four years old and that I haven't covered analogous relationships in preschool with him yet but I REALLY thought this one was self explanatory   I sure was wrong.  

So this is for you Conner:

     

       CAT is to LITTER BOX

                                      AS

          HUMAN is to TOILET

Snacks

Back when Sammy was just a baby our Stake leaders asked us to not have food or drinks in Sacrament Meeting.  We were promised that if we followed this council our children would be more reverent.  Who doesn't want that!?!  No goldfish, no cheerios, no fruit snacks, we can do it!  Four kids later and a husband on the stand, I sometimes REALLY wish I could pull out a picnic blanket and let the kids go to town.  But of course we don't.  That has not stopped our little monster (Camden) from coming up with his own snacks. 

Some of his favorites:

This one he has been eating at church for a long time.  Never gets sick.

 Erasers.  Told me they are gum and after chewing them he swallows.  

This was a new one on Sunday.  He ate the lead in the pencil and then started eating the wood.   

Of course there is also the usual paper that he eats.  I usually try to stop him from eating all these things but sometimes to save everyone in the room from hearing him scream  I am just too busy with the baby so I let him enjoy his little snack.  

'What doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger"

Yes, I just quoted Kelly Clarkson.