raising a grateful child

I have the cutest video to share of Kennedy opening her birthday present early.

I keep watching it over & over again, not because it is so cute & she is so excited but because I see something in her; she was grateful.

As a parent we are always wondering if we are doing the right thing. Will it stick? Is everything we are doing, molding them into the person you dream they will be?

One thing that is so important in raising our girls, is that they have grateful hearts.

It is no secret that these girls have everything they need. My husband works very hard to give us & more importantly our children the best that we are able to. But in all this "spoiling" I never wanted them to be "spoiled" or even put the "b" word at the end of that phrase. {brat is a bad word at our house}

I have gotten never ending compliments on our girls' politeness  & I smile from ear to ear when I don't have to remind them to say please or thank you.  But I was always wondering if it stuck. That they weren't just saying these things to say it, because thats what they were supposed to say. They are so young that right now yes thats why they were saying it. & there has been many meltdown for not getting that sucker at the grocery checkout lane.

But now just a day shy of being 4, I think Kennedy has it. Through learning this whole month about being grateful. I can see her thank you's are truly thanking us for what we are doing for her.

While I was setting up for her party she came into the living room & said "gosh this looking amazing, thank you so much for my party" & continued to say for each thing I was making. Then last night, she got to open a early birthday girl. One she had REALLY wanted. & as she opened I could tell with each "I love all this stuff guys, thank you so much" She was grateful, truly grateful.

& after the last couple of months of having just some tough tough momma days, I can see it. I can see all the work paying off. All the "what do you say", the explaining why daddy is at work, & putting up each thankful hand this week about our home, food & clothes. I can see it.

 I can see their grateful hearts, & it makes my heart so grateful God has given me ability to do this. 

& that my friends will be my thankful hand today.

kennedy opening her birthday present ma thing AG outfits from Tara Mumaw on Vimeo.

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Top 5 Christmas Apps

I had this post set for tomorrow.

But Santa made his appearance this evening & the shrills & screams of pure happiness compelled me to post it now for you all to enjoy a little earlier!

Everyone loves a good app! But then add in Christmas? You gotta love it!

I compiled a list of the best kid friendly Christmas apps!

Hope you enjoy!

Christmas Tree Decorator

this one we just found & the girls love. super simple & easy for them to do themselves.

Their nabi is the play store, i was unable to find on itunes but i found similar

Play Store | iTunes

Reindeer Cam

You maybe under a rock & never heard of this, & if you have its ok. Just get ready to blow your childs mind, & yours. This is app is a live feed from the "north pole" its starts November the 16th for Santa to come out & feed the reindeer & wave! There is 3 times a day he comes out & get your ear plugs because your children will scream for joy! You can view the reindeer now but santna doesnt start for a few days; although he made a quick appearance tonight!

Play Store | iTunes

Santas Calling

This is a good one for when the kids are just not listening or maybe they had a exceptionally good day. We have used this twice now & had great results with the girls going to bed & straightening up. First, I have to say when you first open the app thre will be an ad for other calls; just wait a second for the menu to start. Then you get to select between nice,warning & naughty call. Then select how long you want to wait for santa to call. Like 5 seconds til it rings. You press accept just like a real phone call & you hear a very nice message! Even the naughty call is very encouraging! LOVE it!

I couldnt find this one for Play store :(

iTunes

Elf on the Shelf Snowball Fight

Are you elf crazy too? Here if your favorite Chippy & a super fun game! I even get into this one! Another easy one for toddler & they get such a kick out of it!!

iTunes

Santa Tracker

& of cours every one need a Santa tracker app! This is great for Christmas Ever to see where Santa is when you can expect him at your house!

Play Store | iTunes

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Winter Car Seat Safety

Recently this post about a Michigan cop going out & buying a mom a car seat rather than giving her a ticket for her 5 year old daughter not being in a car seat was being shared everywhere.
 Every one was applauding that he did bought the seat & didn't give the ticket, but I stood there applauding that he noticed she wasn't in the right seat!!

There are thousands of people getting seat belt tickets a day. I myself even got one when I had my seat belt on, but behind my shoulder. It is a rare occasion that a cop will look back & check to see if a child is belted properly, or even in the right car seat.

Its 2014. There is NO excuse. NONE. For you child to be in a car seat not strapped in properly. 

If you didnt know this & have been strapping them in wrong. ITS OK. You are NOT a bad parent. you don't know unless someone shows you.but if you know this & choose not to, remember this is your childs life. their LIFE. every time i buckle up my babies their life is in MY hands; not only behind the wheel while im driving but to be sure they are safe, if someone else hurts us behind their wheel!

I see SO many pictures of many unsafe babies/toddlers/children in carseat/sans car seats; & I want to comment SO badly. but i also know so many people can get on the defense about their parenting. so can I ask you a favor? if you have a few on your newsfeed that are unsafe, will you share this? hoping that parenting truly didn't know & you can educate them? YOU could save a childs life.

Lets start with the basics.

Buckling.

This is going to be a shocker, but the chest clip. Goes on their chest, NOT their belly, not their ribs.

car seat safety - chest clip

Next you will notice where the shoulder straps are..on the shoulders..

when the chest clip is down & strap are on their arms; literately your child can completely fly out of their seat if you were stop abruptly or be hit from behind. the belt is doing NO good.

We are coming up on cold weather. & it is unsafe for your child to be in a bulk coat in their car seat. On impact the coat completely compresses. so that space, no matter how tight you tighten the straps is like you didn't tighten it at all!

what wrong with a little space?

"the forces that your childs feels at a 30 mph crash are akin to jumping out a 3 story window and landing on the pavement" via 

so how do you keep your child warm?

We do a light fleece jacket.

Keep blankets in the car.

Or even more brilliantly but the coat on backward with the back open, like a snuggie.

Always keep on hats & gloves.

Does this make my time getting them in & out longer? more frustrating at times? Sure.

but my childs life is priceless. & I will take ALL the time i need getting them in & out to ensure they are safe.

Here is Kennedy with her coat on. i have tighten this til it couldn't be anymore.

When I take off the coat, the space in between her & the straps which is the space that will be there when in a crash could fit her sister in their with her.

NOT SAFE.

Keep safe this winter, & ALL the time. 

Every time you buckle your child in, take the time.

this is their life. they are depending on you.

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Thankgiving Menu Planner {links to love}

I have SO much going on right now, that the holidays are a little daunting!

Im not hosting Thanksgiving this year, but I help with bringing something for both my families & my in-laws!

I need to keep organized, & nothing does it better then putting pen to paper.

I am super in love with this menu planner! 

I filled it out in preschool car line yesterday...while eating left over Halloween candy ;)

The bottom cracks me up!

If you are hosting I love this "cheat sheet" if you will!

Here's a great detailed planner to set up your down the hour! I know I am pinning this for the future!

I will be printing these off for the girls to color on Thanksgiving!

& how FUNNY is this Thanksgiving BINGO?!

Speaking of Pintrest.. are you following me?

If you're not, you should be!

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12 days of christmas - link up with me!

I did this a couple years ago 

& thought it would be so fun to do again!

Will you play along with me?

If you don't have a blog, tag my facebook page & post on yours so I can see!

Here's the Deal:

Its not really 12 days..but 12 sounded better than 14 days of Christmas!

Starting the 24th of November we will kick it off!

Day 1: Christmas/Holiday traditions

Day 2: Black Friday/General Shopping Tips & Tricks

Day 3: Most meaningful gift/best gift you've received

Day 4: Tips/Tricks to a Budget Friendly holiday season

Day 5: Favorite Holiday Movie/TV Show Special

Day 6: Gift ideas (what do YOU want?)

Day 7: Do you have elf? If no why? If yes, whats his name? Share some photos 

Day 8: Least favorite thing about the Holidays

Day 9: Favorite Holiday recipe

Day 10: Favorite Christmas Songs/Caroles

Day 11: New Year Resolutions

Day 12: Show us your decorations (indoor/outdoor)

Day 13: Favorite Cookie Recipe

Day 14: Holiday Craft/DIY (If you don't make anything, what do you WISH you could make?)

The first day I will have a link-up for you to see everyones posts! I can't wait! Hope to read your posts!

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change of name

Have you noticed the new name?

Ive been struggling with a new name for quite some time!

I love "our journey" it explains perfectly what this blog was all about for over 2 years.

But now part of my healing, is really starting to move on from our heartache.

Even though its "over" sometimes it really isn't.

&  I want to make strides for it not to effect me the way has in my day to day life.

I want to enjoy "every thing" get it?

Not just a big stuff like a birthday & not just the little stuff like the way kennedy & kensley will randomly say I love you.

 I want to enjoy every.single.thing.

& part of that sometimes was robbed by that journey we went on.

Yes it is very much apart of me. The wounds are still there. Sometime they still ache. & because of those wounds I now have a beautiful family. 

So now? Now its time to wrap up my wounds & let them heal. 

There will be a scar, but i'm tired of hurting.

To which I bring you..

The every things.

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Happy Halloween!!

It started snowing right after these were taken!!

YES, snow.

Follow the yellow brick road!

Happy Halloween from:

Glinda the Good Witch, Tin Man, Scarecrow & Dorothy!

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trick or treating with toddlers

1. Plan your route ahead of time

I try not to go to too many streets away from home. We live in the midwest so most the time its pretty chilly out, & if you dont have a stroller/wagon or if like here they are "big girls" and want to walk; those little legs can get tired pretty fast! Also, you don't want to get too far from home & in the dark, & decorated houses get lost with cranky cold toddlers!

2. Comfy shoes

As much as those adorable dress up plastic shoes are on the girls, they arent practical for walking about! Nice comfortable shoes are great!

3.Flashlights

Have one. As much as YOU as a parent would think about yourself driving around on Halloween, there are just as many people that aren't even thinking about those little ones. It takes even the most cautious parent for a kid to see something exciting across the stress & dart! Glowstick necklaces are great too! I've seen some parent put a strip of reflective tape on their kids costume, which is pretty genius!

4. Be careful with masks

It can be hard to see & breathe in some of those things. If your child is having trouble with it at home, ex the mask all together & find some non-toxic paint to paint it on your kids face!

5. Prop weapons

I'd like for all those prop weapons to be flexible & plastic but it just not the case with some costumes. Make your child knows it not to hurt people or to play hurting people. If i had a dollar for every time I saw a child get hurt  last year from a little child  or hurt himself with a sword or numb chucks I would have enough money to buy a few extra bags of candy for myself ;)

6. Check that candy

& by check i mean steal all your favorites claiming your checking to make sure they taste ok ;)

No in all seriousness I can't believe we still have to do this but we do. Make sure you throw away any candy not in its original wrapper or any wrappers that look as though they have been opened!

7. HAVE FUN!

Take pictures, enjoy the moments & wonder of "OH MY GOSH CANDY" in your childs eyes or when they see their favorite character walking down the street!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

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Apple Orchard 2014

Another fall activity my family loves is apple picking. We went VERY late this year. & there was only one kind of apple left; but we got just enough & the right kind for me to bust out a few more apple pies & crisps!

I found this orchard last year, & loved it so we went back this year! 

Check out last years photos HERE, look how much Kensley has grown!! Its so crazy!!

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Halloween at the Zoo

One of our favorite things to do every halloween!

Here is a comparison for when the girls were 6 months & a year! both are looking almost the exact same ways! ha!

Miss shy girl at her first trick or treat stop

not this one!

after one stop kensley figured walking was for the birds & rode like a diva the rest the way in a warm blanket.

curbside service

we are hoping this is a sign kensley will sit with santa this year!

people always ask how i get such great pics of the girls together.. & it isn't always easy here are some outtakes. it always either one or the other

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