No Good, Very Bad Day

Is TODAY!

There are many pieces to my crabby day puzzle. One of the main reasons this day is making my blood boil is because of... my kids. I know that sounds horrible but it's true....and worst of all I know I'm one of the biggest factors in my girls driving me crazy.

I have been letting them get away with WAY to much, catering to them WAY to often and generally not giving them the guidance they need to respond to what is needed of them...like being OBEDIENT and THANKFUL and KIND....and to do this all without WHINING or COMPLAINING or flat out IGNORING.

I need help and I need it fast...no time for book reading....I want instant gratification help...I need to get through the rest of this day without taking my frustrations out on my children and nap time is only going to last 2 hours if I'm lucky.

I know some of the issues we struggle with but I'm overwhelmed with where to start and how extreme to go for a 3 1/2 year old and almost 2yr old???

Should I:
-only offer one option for breakfast so I'm not constantly getting them things to eat all morning....and send them to bed hungry if they didn't eat their dinner at the table at dinner time? should I just make a meal plan for every meal and snack and if they don't like it too bad?

-throw the toys away that they get out and play with but complain about picking up? Should I just put all toys, games, crafts up high so they can't get multiple things out at once even if that means I won't get anything done all day because I'll be getting things for them constantly?

- put them in time out's all day for every single thing they fight about, every unkind word, every selfish moment?

-always be willing to stop what I'm doing to help, play with or cater to?

-make a game plan with my hubby tonight and flip the switch on the girls tomorrow...can we change our expectation (or at least start enforcing them)all at once or should we do it in steps?

If I was reading this on someone's blog I'd think about all the "picture perfect" ways to handle these issues but my life is not "picture perfect", my mothering skill are far from "picture perfect" (obviously)...and I know there is no such thing as "picture perfect"....I just don't know where to start. I have so many ideas about how I WAN'T to mother my girls and right now I feel like a complete failure!

Any ideas? Anyone? Besides turning me over to NANNY 911 (or whatever that show is called...maybe I should start watching it...huh...)

Lake Fun!!!

Sadie stayed on the boat floor almost the entire time....she finally let me hold her on the way in when she fell asleep....silly girl.

Bekah loved everything about the lake. I think we are going to need to get a tube so she can do more than be the flag girl!

We had so much fun at Pine Flats with Rob, Katie and Cole. It was a first for both Cole and Sadie! All three kids did great and Bekah LOVED playing on the "porch" of the boat. She had a blast dipping her toes and legs into the water (with a little help so he didn't end up overboard :). Sadie didn't want anything to do with the water so she ate snacks with uncle Rob and played with Cole when on the floor of the boat. Keith and I are still sore from wake boarding and I can't seem to get the water out of my left ear from my oh-so-graceful face plat but it was totally worth it. It was such a great day!

My First Mother's Day Tea!!!

Bekah has been in a wonderful pre-school these past 4 months and today I experienced my first mom's tea. I was a very proud / crazy picture taking mommy. The kids sang 5 songs (with hand motions) and each child had made a gift. Bekah made me this BEAUTIFUL :) yellow bag with her hand prints on the front....I think I have a new fav. TJ tote! I think this was by far my favorite mother's day moment yet!

P.S. sorry it's been so long since the last post...we are all doing well just really busy :)