Make it Happen!

2007:

"A 20th anniversary trip in 5 years? How will we ever make that happen?"

Niagara Falls: June, 2011

We made it happen!!!

Part of raising Stick-to-it Kids is getting away once in a while to focus on the relationship between husband and wife. What a blessing it was for us to go on an early 20th anniversary trip to the East Coast. Four years ago, I didn't think it could happen. However, if you really want to do something, you CAN do it with planning, preparation and patience as your best friends. 

For four years we saved up our American Express points. We allowed them to accumulate,  not touching them for anything else. We were able to go on our trip at zero cost to us. Yes, waiting four years was difficult, but with eight children and a tight budget, it was very satisfying to have a plan, "stick" to the plan, and reap the benefits of being patient. 

Boston Area:

The North Bridge - Concord, MA - Where the "Shot Heard Round the World" Occured

Orchard House - Louisa May Alcott Home "Little Women"

Battle Green - Lexington, MA

Boston, MA LDS Temple

Love the Steeple!

The Timer on our Camera came in VERY Handy!

Plymouth, MA - The Mayflower II

Our Pilgrim Friend

Our REAL friend and Neighbor across the Street - we had to run into each other in Boston to see her!

Plymouth Rock is in Here. So cool!

We visited a good friend from high school and her sweet family!

Taking the Ferry to Martha's Vineyard!

Falmouth, MA - Breakfast on the Veranda at the Captain's Manor

The Beginning of our walk on the Freedom Trail

Love Benjamin Franklin!

Awesome night at the Boston Pops - in Honor of my Daddy!

New York City Area:

We LOVED Mary Poppins!

We had to ride the Toys R Us Ferris Wheel - we got the Mystery Machine car!!

Sam took my picture with Scooby. Didn't he do a good job?

Manhattan, NY LDS Temple

My Sister met us here!!!

Wicked was so awesome!! This is the only picture we took.

The Apple Store - a definite stop for Sam!

New York City Skyline - View from Liberty Island

Lady Liberty - Gorgeous! We took the audio tour which was fabulous...

...and the Audio Tour at Ellis Island, too.

Sam found his Panzerotti at an authentic Italian Restaurant in the City.

We stayed with my sister's family while in New York City. We had such a great time with them!!

 

 

 

Walking on the Brooklyn Bridge

Palmyra, NY:

The Erie Canal - Palmyra Port

Joseph Smith Log Cabin on the Smith Family Farm

Par for Sam's personality, he climbed down into the cellar where no man (visitor) had gone before.

The Palymra, NY LDS Temple - on the Smith Family Farm

The Smith Family Frame Home

Original Bricks in the Frame Home where the Plates were Hidden under

We attended a session at the Palmyra, NY LDS Temple

We really enjoyed our tour of the Peter Whitmer Home and Visitor's Center

The Moroni Statue at the top of the Hill Cumorah

The view from the top was amazing!

Not an official tour site but very awesome to visit.

We woke up early one morning to enjoy the Sacred Grove

One of the very BEST parts of the trip!

Inside the Grandin Print Shop

Our last stop in Palmyra

Niagara Falls, NY:

Simply Breathtaking!

Cave of the Winds - below the Falls

Sam on the Hurricane Deck

Horseshoe Falls - View from Maid of the Mist

Enjoying the Maid of the Mist Tour

The Niagara River above the Falls

So, that is our trip. Now, we're planning, preparing and being patient for the next one. Yes, several years down the road, but we can make it happen, again!

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

Leave the "Baby" at Home (Sorry, Sweetie!)

The hike was steep; the day was hot. The big kids were full of energy; I was not. 

The "baby" was crying, tired of walking. I wanted to cry, tired of carrying.

I had to go on...couldn't stop now. The end was in sight but how, oh, how

Will I make it up this hill with a babe on my back?; 

I thought she would walk and left home the day-pack.

Big kids stayed home so why oh why, did I not leave her home for her to cry?

"It too sunny" (No, I didn't make a typo)

Purpose of this post: To remind myself that it's 

OK to leave people home if the situation is 

not conducive to the child.

It was supposed to be a nice little hike with my sisters and their children. Half way up baby petered out and had to be carried. I thought she would walk (she's nearly three - far from a baby) and thought to myself before we left home, "Oh, she'll love being outside by the water and with her cousins." No, no. She was miserable and I was miserable. I had options before we left; I just didn't think about it. Dad and two of my teens were home. Why didn't I leave her with them? "Oh, she'll cry when we leave", I thought. "She'll have so much fun", I declared. Well, no matter the reason, I've learned a lesson! 

Even if you don't make the best choice, make the best of the situation! We still had fun and that is what counts!

They're all excited to begin!

Climbing rocky hills...what could be more fun?

Sliding down rocky hills could be more fun!

Always has to pose

Our Destination: Battle Creek Falls

She's happy now: We made it to the top and there's food to eat!

More than happy to pose on the way DOWN.

Back to the Trail Head. We made it!

Experiences for children are fabulous. However, sometimes a fabulous experience for Mom is a nice thing, too! Trust me, I'll remember that mantra for next time!

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

Avoid the Grumps...Be Selective and Prudent

I'm a firm believer in this philosophy: Too Many Activities=Over-scheduled Kids=Grumpy Kids=Grumpy Mom!

I see it all around me: children involved in everything under the sun...piano lessons, basketball, marching band, dance, gymnastics, soccer, community theater, guitar lessons......... Not to mention school activities and homework, church activities, and family activities and responsibilities.

Society has pressured families into thinking that your children have to do EVERYTHING or they have been deprived. I admit, with the ever-increasing competition for college admittance and scholarships, it is important for children to be well-rounded and involved. HOWEVER, the key here is to be selective and prudent.  

With eight children, we cannot afford, nor can we handle multiple activities for each child. If each child were to be involved in three or four after-school activities per week, that is 24-32 activities EVERY week that Mom and Dad have to coordinate and pay for. Can I pull my hair out now? 

I have nothing against children participating in extra-curricular activities. But, I do expect them to make some hard decisions!

Here come the examples:

1. Child LOVES basketball. He also wants to play soccer. This is a possibility since the seasons are at different times. Maybe.

2. Child LOVES music. She wants to be in an after-school choir, participate in the school's musical theater program, continue piano lessons and start voice lessons. HELP! 3 out of the 4 are ongoing. One is a two month commitment which I can handle. I can accept choir. But piano AND voice? Two great things, but you need to choose between the two. Drop piano for one year and take voice. Continue to practice piano but no lessons that year. Or, if it's not a time concern but a money concern? If your child really wants to do both, she can pay for one of the activities.

3. Child wants to participate in karate and gymnastics. They are both an ongoing event all year long. Sorry, choose between the two.

4. Child is in marching band - a MAJOR time and money commitment. No other activities until marching band is over!

I like to look for unique opportunities that my children can try out, especially things that are one-time or short-term events. They get to "put their feet in the water" to try it out, without long-term commitments that tend to equal an empty pocket book. Let me share some of those opportunities with you...

Ukulele Camp

This has been one of my best finds! It was a week-long camp during the summer for two hours each day. The tuition included buy one, get the second half off. Tuition included the ukulele. They have been taught the basics and can continue to learn on their own if they so desire.

 

They also had the opportunity to perform!!

School & Church Activities
I love opportunities that take place in school and church. Generally, they don't cost much and children have the chance to strengthen relationships with friends.
Ballroom:

Drama/Musical Theater:

 Speech Competitions:

 Horseback Riding:

Swimming Lessons

It is a must in our home to learn to swim! It's once a year for two weeks; a great activity for the summer!

New Things
The kids LOVED going rock climbing at an indoor rock climbing facility. We enjoy trying fun things that bring new experience but not long-term commitment or expense.

Let's face it...too many activities causes over-scheduled kids. They become stressed and irritable. Basically, the grumps set in. When that happens, it's over for Mom and Dad. Turn it around and put YOU in charge. Get the input of the children but ultimately, you set the schedule for the family... not society, not the events, not the children. I'd like to keep my hair, thank you.

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

Comfortable in Uncomfortable Situations

Rotten spinach, four days before the "use by" date, does not make me happy! In fact, it's rather annoying. I was thinking about the need to return the spinach that day when my son asked me, "Mom, do you need anything at the store?" That's code for "Mom, I want to ride my bike to the store."

:) ...YES!! I asked him to return the spinach. Now, not every twelve year old boy would be comfortable with walking up to the customer service desk with receipt in one hand and rotten spinach in the other, explaining the problem and asking for an exchange. In fact, MOST twelve year old boys would not even consider it. However, he was willing and confident, and quite proud when he returned home with fresh, edible spinach.

"That's Right!"

How do we get our children to that point, where they feel comfortable to take care of uncomfortable situations? Give them experiences! Take them with you places. Let them see you in action. Involve them in decisions and conversations. Set expectations that push them. Teach them to take care of their responsibilities. 

Examples: 

• Does your child need to find out when cub scouts is this week? Encourage him to call and find out. If you do it for him, he will not learn anything, except for when cub scouts is.

• Our oldest daughter is getting ready for college and taking some medical certification classes this summer. At first she was a bit leery of making calls and asking questions. With encouragement and sometimes standing next to her while on the phone, she is now a PRO! She has no qualms with calling the school, asking questions about classes, scheduling her certification test, calling for tech support, etc. If I did it for her, she would leave for college still unsure. We want our children to leave home as prepared as possible!
• Merit Badges - we're right in the thick of them! Have your children make the appointments with the counselors and schedule their scoutmaster conferences and board of reviews. They are capable...parents just need to let go, but still be there for support and follow-through.
• Teach them how to properly answer the phone and take messages. There is nothing more delightful than hearing a five or six year old child say, "No, he's not available. May I take a message?"
• Give them opportunities to interact with adults. Encourage them to talk and don't speak for them. If they are comfortable talking with an adult, they will feel fine in most situations.
• Encourage them to accept responsibilities of leadership, whether in church, school, scouts, sports or other activities. Positions of leadership naturally demand responsibility, delegation, communication and maturity.

"Did the lady look at you funny when you asked to return the spinach", Mom asks.

"Yes, but I don't care. She probably doesn't see that happen very often!" declares my confident spinach-exchanger.

I love it when I can pass on the dirty work to someone capable of handling it, and I can make lunch instead. Spinach Salad anyone?

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

Delegate.... and Drink some Homemade Rootbeer

So, the family wants to have a barbecue. Cringe! It's not that I don't like the food or the company. It always seems like a production; the pressure to have all the fixin's, like that delicious potato salad (extremely time-intensive), all the sauces and trimmings to put on the burgers, fruit salad, pasta salad, etc. Then, I don't know why :), but the work load tends to fall on mom - the shopping, food preparation, the food cleanup, dishes, and more.

Well, not this time! We had the most delightful family barbecue last week. Why? Delegation, simplification and preparation!

1. I prepared by making some simple things in the morning so the evening would be less hectic; jello and hard boiled eggs for deviled eggs.

2. Dad took all of the kids shopping for the food that we needed. I was able to get some things accomplished at home. Splitting up and conquering is definitely a good thing!

3. Jobs were delegated out:

The Chefs:

Hmmmm, cooking?

OK - There's the proof.

The Burger Makers...

No, thanks. I'll wait 'till it's cooked.

We simplified by stopping by Wallaby's for mashed potatoes and baked beans. That gave us the incentive to make homemade root beer; Dad's tradition!

The Root beer Preparers...

Preparing 4 gallons of homemade root beer. We have some lucky neighbors!

She had to measure and weight the sugar to perfection, literally!

The Rootbeer Mixers:

Love this! Ten year old teaching four year old.

Dad's Job: Handling the dry ice.

The best part - the witch's brew!

I wasn't the photographer so we missed some people and some jobs, especially the eating part! Oh, the root beer was fabulous and refreshing. Four gallons of homemade root beer equals the opportunity to deliver a delicious delight to some neighbors and friends. (Love that alliteration and the chance to serve.)

Thanks to everyone for pitching in, making this a delightful experience. We may even do this again soon!?! Three cheers to a successful family barbecue! (And I didn't even have to do the dishes!!)

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

See what they can do!

Little ones can do great things, and it's so rewarding as a mother to see them do it.

My almost 3 year old wanted to play on the iPad. I asked her if she had her work finished. (You can't say done. "A cake is done. People are finished." - something I remember from my women's-libber English teacher in high school) She looked at me with glazed eyes as if saying..."Work? What work?" Time to get this little girl moving! I asked her to go make her bed. She fussed. "You need to go make your bed and then you can play on the iPad." She disappeared. I didn't know if she'd really do it or not, but she came back a few minutes later, declaring that her bed was made. 

Pretty good for a little one! I was so excited for her. However, the next day was even better. She didn't even ask me to play on the iPad...she made her bed first. I tiptoed in to get a picture but she caught me.

One other thought...

So, your child wants a privilege? Use it to get something out of them! Oh, you want to go to the pool? Are your chores completed?... You want dessert? Did you do your kitchen job? ...Want a story tonight? Get all ready for bed in five minutes!... You want to go shopping? Is that paper written yet?... You want to watch Diego? Better tidy your room.

Set some expectations, limits and boundaries and see what your little people will do. They'll surprise you!

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!