Let the Soda Flow...

For Fall Break, Eli and Oakley were going to visit Grandma Lee Ann in Idaho. Scott has recently found out that children at least five years old could fly unaccompanied as an employee dependent. We thought this would be the perfect time for Oakley and Eli to try flying solo. Although I was a bit nervous, I decided it would be okay because, 1. Scott could take them out to the plane and help them into their seats, 2. It's a short 45 minute flight, and 3. They would be together.

While we were driving in the car, I was talking to Oak and E about "the plan," Oak said he would just rather meet Grandma Lee Ann in Brigham City like we usually did. Eli then leaned over and whispered, "Oak, when that drink lady comes, we can order SODA with CAFFEINE!!!" He knew that being out of parental control would allow him access to he and Oakley's favorite contraband and he was delighted to share this knowledge with Oakley.

It did persuade Oakley to try out flying. This makes getting the boys up to Idaho a bit easier- and I am ALWAYS ready to send the boys up for a visit!

Taking a "Teaching Kids Responsibility" Sabbatical...

It's exhausting teaching kids responsibility. After an incident at the Scofield Cabin this summer, I decided our kids were severely lacking in their work ethic. Scott asked Eli and Oakley to simply hold open a garbage sack while he raked all of the leaves into it. There were a lot of leaves and it was taking a long time, but to listen to them complain about how hard it was and how they were tired and how it was taking too long- I determined they were going to learn to work!
I later had a job chart set up and told them they were each going to do a job a day and that they would also be earning allowance. They have been really been wanting a Wii gaming system, so I told them they could save their allowance for one. I've been amazed at the transformation. It is a HUGE pain to have kids to jobs. I have to help them and I usually have to go back later and do it myself the right way. So it's taking twice as long! But the boys have been really good about getting their daily job done. Very little grumbling and I think their skills are getting a bit better. I made a chart for them to track how much allowance they have earned and how close they were to getting a Wii.

After an entire summer of working, they have now earned enough money to buy a Wii. We will be making that purchase soon, just in time for the temperature to take a major dive. It will be great to have some new indoor entertainment for them.
But I'm exhausted from helping to teach responsibility. I'm going to shirk one of my responsibilities as a parent and take a sabbatical from daily jobs for a while... until they're ready to earn Christmas money.

Big Boy Bed = No Sleep for Parents...

Being forced to let Asher sleep in a regular bed has had dire consequences- most notably NOT NAPPING!!! He's at my bedside multiple times a night, so I am exhausted anyway. While in his crib, he took a 3 hour nap. Since he can so easily get out of bed now, he does. He does not nap! He went from a 3 hour nap to NOTHING! I wonder if he was plotting all summer. Could he read my mind? Did he know how I was almost giddy with the thought of Eli being in school from 12:30-3:30, the same time he usually napped? Three hours to myself! I could hardly wait. Almost to the day school started, Asher had to be in a bed instead of a crib. I've tried every intervention I know. Finally I told him he had to stay in his room for "Quiet Time." He didn't have to nap, he could look at books and play with toys. Well, he did everything but that. He completely destroyed his room instead! The first time was a huge mess, but didn't take too long to get everything back into the closet and drawers. The second time, in addition to throwing everything from the drawers and closet he could reach, he also emptied an entire bottle of baby powder all over everything. This about put me in the fetal position in the corner. This kid is killing me!
I'm now looking into a preschool for him in the afternoon. I need a break from the Tasmanian Devil. Will all of this seem funny someday? I'm thinking when he has a son of his own who makes a path of destruction everywhere he goes, I'll get a good laugh of my own finally.

We're Baaaaaaaaaaack...

A couple of weeks ago I finally got my blog printed in a book- hurray! I live in constant fear of some computer disaster and that I will have lost all of my blog before having it in printed form. After having completed this all-too-time-consuming project, I discovered it was not any easier through Live Journal as through Blogger. Since Blogger is free, I'm moving back!I know, I like to make things difficult- but I really think we're sticking with Blogger from here on out...

The Baby Turns THREE!!!...

Asher Maurice Beeson celebrated his Third Birthday with a family party. Grandma Lee Ann came down in the morning. She took the boys to Chuck E. Cheeses with Scott while I got things ready for the party.

Our first use of the giant cupcake pan

Look at all of the loot...