A Study in Human Behavior

We normally try to visit the library on Thursday mornings.  Today dentist appointments meant we were not able to get there until later than usual.  Typically we arrive before the toddler/preschool storytime starts and once it lets out, we are ready to head home away from the chaos.  Today we arrived shortly after storytime let out.  Mass chaos.  Enough to make me rethink visiting the library on Thursday mornings at all.

Truly, if you gather large groups of preschoolers/toddlers and their parents in a semi-enclose public place, you get a unique chance to study modern parenting behavior.  These parents seem totally focused on making sure their parenting and their children are viewed as perfect.  Let's not even imagine disciplining said children because you might damage a child's growing ego.  Who came up with this rule?  Seriously, why are adults afraid to say no and even worse, afraid to say no in front of other people. These perfect parents must watch any other child who steps near their offspring like a hawk but remains oblivious to the fact that their child is running amok, wreaking havoc, threatening other children and being destructive with others' property.

No, my kids aren't perfect. Every single child is going to be a monster and a moron at times. So I don't really take issue with the children.  They'd been taught it is ok to behave this way.  I take issue with the parents.  Get off your butt, go get your child and make a few corrections.  Heck, maybe even make them apologize to the proprietor for destroying their property and not respecting their space.  Today I had to intervene while a little girl had a large plastic container hefted over her head and was prepared to toss it at a little boy.  At first I thought perhaps she was the bully.  Watching the children for several more minutes, it became apparent that the little girl was simply defending herself from a child who was sorely lacking parenting.  It also became apparent that neither child had a parent who was aware of what their child was doing.  I never saw the boy's mom until it was time to go at which time she picked up two babies off the floor and strapped them into a stroller while begging and pleading with her older child to come with her. Pretty please.  Meanwhile the boy was jumping on the furniture, throwing toys, chasing people and being obnoxious.  I do understand it is hard to wrangle several young children at once but this was beyond out of control.  Mom had plenty of time to have a 10 minute conversation with a librarian on the way out about her older daughter while the boy continued his antics in the adult section of the library but never once attempted to correct his behavior.  Seriously lady. Give the rest of us a break.  It was one of those days where I understood why folks get that sudden look of panic in their eyes when they see our family walk in places.  Unless you know us, you expect our kids to be just as bratty.

I think we may start going to the library on Wednesday mornings when they don't have any activities scheduled.  I have a feeling it will be a tad emptier then.

Saturday Night with Robert

Take one small child, add a cowboy hat and a bit of extra energy.  End result is some rather cute pictures.

Star Wars at the Library

Alan took the kids to a meet and greet at the library.  They were able to get autographs and take pictures with some of their favorite Star Wars characters.

Student Exhibition

The kids participated in our group's Student Exhibition yesterday.  This event gives all of the kids a chance to show everyone something they are particularly proud of.  Some kids put together art projects, others did research reports, some did science projects, some kids showed us their lapbooks and other kids shared their musical and dancing talents.  It was a wonderful afternoon and everyone enjoyed the chance to share with friends.  (And the pizza didn't hurt either.)

Since 1773

Science Projects

The science fair projects are in progress.  Things are looking rather interesting.  Katie and Liam are attempting to peel eggs without using their hands. The older 3 boys are attempting to make a batch of home brewed root beer.  And Alan is making a batch of honey mead. 

I decided long ago that the science fair would pretty much always be something that Alan handles and I pretty much have the job of just giving a few ideas and then staying the heck out of the way.  So I will have further details and pictures after the fair on Saturday. Wish us luck.

Happy Birthday Abby!

Abby turned 4 today.  When I came downstairs this morning, she greeted me with "I'm the birthday girl! Say happy birthday to me!" which frankly is quite in line with her rather persistent and somewhat demanding personality.  Sadly Abby did not quite realize that after about an hour, folks were quite tired of hearing her announce that she was the birthday girl and you should tell her happy birthday.  I guess you just can't blame a girl for trying.

Abby requested a butterfly birthday cake and I had grand plans of making one for her but we ended up with a doctored up store bought cake instead.  Notice the giant butterfly cookies?  Abby was very happy.

We ate macaroni and cheese, cake and ice cream.  Presents were opened, games were played.  Small children were packed off to bed hyped up on sugar and artificial coloring.  Overall a great birthday, if you ask me.

Happy birthday Abby! I hope you had a wonderful day.

Swinging

I went upstairs to do some laundry and came down to find Liam pushing Abby and Gabe on the swings.  Yes, the child is wearing just a shirt and a diaper. The weather is nice, we have no neighbors and it cuts down on the laundry.  Any other questions?

Bonding Time

Yup, bonding time.  And it didn't include super glue.

Liam and Katie spent close to 30 minutes sitting together coloring in Katie's new coloring book on Sunday.  No fighting, no fussing, they even shared the same book.  Amazing how sweet they can look when they are getting along.

Family Traditions

One of the things we try to do for our family is to have a few simple, concrete traditions to build our family life around.  Nothing major or expensive.  Simple stuff like a weekly family movie night, an attempt at saying the rosary as a family on a regular basis and ice cream sundaes on Sunday nights.  May I admit the last one was an attempt to declare a weekly "clean out the fridge before the leftovers start mutating in there" night with ice cream as in incentive.  Maybe that part doesn't always work but the kids do look forward to having their sundaes on Sunday.

This past Sunday was Robert's first time to have his very own sundae.  The boy was thrilled.

Look at that smile.  Nothing beats a chocolate covered sugar rush right before bed time.

Just Playing Around

Easter Egg Hunt

After Mass this morning we had an Easter Egg Hunt on the front lawn.  Just wanted to share a few of the before pictures.  As in before the chocolate coma sets in.

Alleluia! Happy Easter!

Resurrection Eggs

Have you seen these before?

While searching for a hands-on way to help the younger children truly grasp the meaning of Easter, I found Resurrection Eggs last year.  Yes, they've been sitting on a shelf for a year because life got crazy last Lent and many things went undone.  But Robert was worth all the extra chaos. 

This year I actually pulled them out and showed them to the kids.  Each egg contains an item that has something to do with the Easter story and the Passion of Christ.  Egg 1 contains a donkey and egg 12 is empty to signify the empty tomb on Easter morning.  Yes, all of the younger kids were able to glean something from this activity and I was able to see exactly how much of the real meaning of Easter they understood.  Yup, it's much more than the Easter Bunny, too much candy, hunting for eggs and a special dinner.  Something important for the kids (and grown-ups) to realize.

Dying Easter Eggs

One of these years I will get my act together and remember that it is not a good idea to dye eggs with the boys the night before they have to serve.  But this was not the year for me to remember that.  Sigh. I'll get with the program eventually.  But everyone had fun, there was minimal mess, little fuss, no fighting and the kids are looking forward to eating their eggs tomorrow.

When Children Adore

Who can resist a picture of little girls stopping to say hi to Jesus?