OCD Moment

Last week the kids decided they wanted to play in the backyard all afternoon.  They mostly played in the dirt and writing on the fence with chalk. Now don't hyperventilate like one of my kids - who's name I won't mention, it'll wash off in the rain (or we can always hose it down).

They found a shade under a tree branch that is growing over our yard from the preservation behind us. They laid on a picnic blanket and had their DS Lites too. I got to spend the afternoon alone reading a book in a quiet house with the occassional beckoning for more snacks. I should really send them outside more often ;)

My kids are all so different and funny when it comes to making a mess and getting dirty.  Enzo likes to play and get messy as long as it stays off his face and legs and he gets cleaned off right away.  Lizzie gives no second thoughts to getting dirty.  I had to really bite my tongue to keep from ruining her lazy afternoon in the sun. She got grass and dirt in places that still make me wonder how she got them there to begin with. Ethan on the other hand...well, I had to take a picture because words just can't describe...

"Please Jesus help me"

After dinner tonight Enzo decided he was going to throw a tantrum and throw his body on the floor.  So I calmly (and trust me, it took every ounce of me to stay calm and collected) told him I didn't like his choices and that he needed to put himself in time out properly - that means no whining, crying, screaming or playing.  He proceeded to whine and since I ignored him, he decided to throw his body on the floor and then stomp around my kitchen trying to get me to pay attention and get a reaction.

The past few days we've been trying a new approach with him.  I'll only tell him once, and won't warn again, so when you miss out, that's just too bad because you will miss out.  So I decided to remind Lizzie and Ethan that however long it takes them to get to time out, is how long they will stay there (you dilly-dally for 10 mins, then you will sit in time out for 10 mins).  So he finally goes to time out after about 5 mins of whining and stomping around with no audience.

I call him over to talk to him and let him know that I didn't like the way he disobeyed me and paraded his stinky attitude.  He apologized, then I told him that I forgive him but we always have consequences, and for tonight it meant Ethan wouldn't get to spend the night in his room. He was so heart broken, he walked himself back over to the corner crying out "Please Jesus help me".