I used to feel guilty that so many blog posts and quotes on the side were about Keahi and now I'm making up for it. It helps that Jarom never stops talking so that there's always some funny tidbit to share.
I love that he absorbs what people are saying even when you think he's off in lala-land. After Sunday's general conference he remembered more details about the talks than Keahi did--and that's while throwing his stuffed Lightning Mcqueen around and roaming the house looking for things to eat. And he doesn't just regurgitate what he's learned. He likes to throw out new words into his conversations and use his knowledge to be funny. Here's a few examples.
After Iz had taken off his shoes at the end of his long workday, Jarom sniffed and said, "Daddy, your feet smell like a man from Tyre!" At first Iz was confused and though Jarom had said his feet were tired. Then he discovered Jarom remembered learning about the Phoenicians a couple months ago and about the purple dye made from snails that really smelled awful. What a way to deliver an insult. Now if he can just start using Shakespearean insults, Popo would be so proud.
This morning he was spinning groups of three magnetic balls on the table and then excited noticed that the center one stayed in place while the outer ones spun around it. He yelled, "Look, mommy, an eccentric orbit!" Of course, he used the word incorrectly and his big brother was quick to correct his understanding of the different orbits; but, really, how many barely 5 year olds have even heard of an eccentric orbit? And I've never actually taught him about it so it's another example of him picking up things from listening to things around him.
Tonight I was eating copious amounts of pudding which apparently upset Jarom who hadn't gotten much yet. "Mommy, that's too much sugar for you and the baby. Just one more bite and that's it. What, are you getting ready for winter or something?" Said with the perfect amount of sarcasm.
He's such a bright, funny little boy. I love him and love to see and hear what he comes up with. If only he also had a silent mode. And an obedient mode. Sigh, you can't have everything.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Jarom says...
I haven't gotten around to fixing the quotes of the day side bar thingy, but here are a few recent keepers from Jarom:
"Mommy, my stomach doesn't want food anymore. It's crying out for fun!"
He really does think--and apparently feel--with his stomach.
"I need three extra hugs and kisses, mommy. Then when I have a nightmare, I know you'll always be with me."
Wow, so articulate and charming. He could say this and get 50 extra hugs and kisses.
Alma: Why do you like pickles, Jarom?
Jarom: Because my taste buds haven't decided not to like them.
I love that he tries to answer these kinds of questions seriously.
"This nori is wickedly tasty."
He loves to use words he hears.
"Mommy, my stomach doesn't want food anymore. It's crying out for fun!"
He really does think--and apparently feel--with his stomach.
"I need three extra hugs and kisses, mommy. Then when I have a nightmare, I know you'll always be with me."
Wow, so articulate and charming. He could say this and get 50 extra hugs and kisses.
Alma: Why do you like pickles, Jarom?
Jarom: Because my taste buds haven't decided not to like them.
I love that he tries to answer these kinds of questions seriously.
"This nori is wickedly tasty."
He loves to use words he hears.
Soooo...........
after going dark for months (we've been watching LOTS of 24), I'm breaking radio silence to announce:
WE'RE HAVING A GIRL!!!!!
With much prayer, finger crossing, and books on the subject, we've been blessed with our first girl. When we went into the doctor's office, the boys were insisting I had a boy and a girl inside of me. After gaining 14 pounds in the first 17 weeks, I was a bit nervous, too. Plus I kept thinking I might have felt a flutter but didn't want to really think about it before the ultrasound because what if I had lost the baby and was about to find out in front of the boys and Iz. But she checked and there was a heartbeat. Whew. Only one heartbeat. Double whew. Then she took us to a back room for a peak with the ultrasound (we were lucky because they actually make you make a separate appointment at a different location to do this but I asked if she'd do it today since Iz got off early from work for this, thereby losing any future opportunity to come with us to the doctor). And, there she was. The quiet, compassionate, brilliant, obedient girl I had special ordered. I wonder if there's a return policy if she backtalks me later. Here's to baby girl Temple.
WE'RE HAVING A GIRL!!!!!
With much prayer, finger crossing, and books on the subject, we've been blessed with our first girl. When we went into the doctor's office, the boys were insisting I had a boy and a girl inside of me. After gaining 14 pounds in the first 17 weeks, I was a bit nervous, too. Plus I kept thinking I might have felt a flutter but didn't want to really think about it before the ultrasound because what if I had lost the baby and was about to find out in front of the boys and Iz. But she checked and there was a heartbeat. Whew. Only one heartbeat. Double whew. Then she took us to a back room for a peak with the ultrasound (we were lucky because they actually make you make a separate appointment at a different location to do this but I asked if she'd do it today since Iz got off early from work for this, thereby losing any future opportunity to come with us to the doctor). And, there she was. The quiet, compassionate, brilliant, obedient girl I had special ordered. I wonder if there's a return policy if she backtalks me later. Here's to baby girl Temple.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Play Money
For Christmas Popo got the boys a toy cash register complete with working keys, play money, grocery basket, apron, and items to purchase. We'v enjoyed swiping the fake credit card (since they always want to do mine and I won't let them), buying orange juice and ketchup, and making accurate change (Keahi, not Jarom). Money is fun.
Not having money is no fun.
I just got back from an emergency root canal.....the first of two needed. Last Saturday, Iz had his emergency root canal. Somehow we were fuzzy on how much the rest of the procedure was going to cost, but today it was all cleared up for me and now I'm seeing dollar signs everywhere. Apparently, even with insurance one root canal with crown will cost us almost $500. That's $1500 for the both of us. Holy rusted boulders, Batman. So for now we have the emergency procedure done so we can put off the rest for a few months to save up. We were supposed to go to San Diego in April. The boys are so excited about Legoland and Sea World. And sometime or other we'd love to go back home. Poor Iz hasn't been back in 2 years. I could just have them extract both teeth. It'd be cheaper. But I'd have two gaping holes which would make chewing uncomfortable on both sides of my mouth. Plus, if I wanted to get a bridge later one it'd cost $2000 each.
So I'm sitting there in the dentist office texting Iz about our options and realizing too late the simple lesson my parents tried to teach me and which we're attempting to teach the boys. Choices have consequences. I grew up watching my mom brush her fake tooth after eating at the food court at Ala Moana. She always had a mini toothbrush with her. Good hygiene. Bad teeth. I never really thought about it. It just seemed to my child's mind that things happened and then you got fake teeth. No big deal. Now I know better.
Now I know that my thoughtless decision to stay up late snacking on junk food till I'm exhausted and fall into bed without brushing my teeth has led to telling the boys we'll have to skip San Diego. And goodbye Hawaii. And goodbye bigger house. Mom, now I get it. If this, then that. I just wish I could go back to playing with fake money.
Not having money is no fun.
I just got back from an emergency root canal.....the first of two needed. Last Saturday, Iz had his emergency root canal. Somehow we were fuzzy on how much the rest of the procedure was going to cost, but today it was all cleared up for me and now I'm seeing dollar signs everywhere. Apparently, even with insurance one root canal with crown will cost us almost $500. That's $1500 for the both of us. Holy rusted boulders, Batman. So for now we have the emergency procedure done so we can put off the rest for a few months to save up. We were supposed to go to San Diego in April. The boys are so excited about Legoland and Sea World. And sometime or other we'd love to go back home. Poor Iz hasn't been back in 2 years. I could just have them extract both teeth. It'd be cheaper. But I'd have two gaping holes which would make chewing uncomfortable on both sides of my mouth. Plus, if I wanted to get a bridge later one it'd cost $2000 each.
So I'm sitting there in the dentist office texting Iz about our options and realizing too late the simple lesson my parents tried to teach me and which we're attempting to teach the boys. Choices have consequences. I grew up watching my mom brush her fake tooth after eating at the food court at Ala Moana. She always had a mini toothbrush with her. Good hygiene. Bad teeth. I never really thought about it. It just seemed to my child's mind that things happened and then you got fake teeth. No big deal. Now I know better.
Now I know that my thoughtless decision to stay up late snacking on junk food till I'm exhausted and fall into bed without brushing my teeth has led to telling the boys we'll have to skip San Diego. And goodbye Hawaii. And goodbye bigger house. Mom, now I get it. If this, then that. I just wish I could go back to playing with fake money.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Accountable Kids Review
Wow, it's already been almost two months since I purchased the Accountable Kids program which I meant to review a month ago to earn the 50% rebate offer. I suppose my tardiness reflects my own need for an accountable boost. Anyhow, here's what I think of the program.
First here's a brief description from the Accountable Kids website.
Step One: Children learn to take care of personal responsibilities without constant direction. They learn work ethics, time management, and responsibility. Children earn Tickets by completing basic chores. Tickets can then be used for activities or privileges. Tickets provide parents the ability to discipline without losing control or physical contact. Basic values are encouraged and reinforced with the Best Behavior Card.
Step Two: The Privilege Pass is introduced to eliminate specific negative behaviors. This process empowers children to predict consequences, follow rules, and redirect themselves towards positive behaviors. A Special Date Card is added to allow children to work for future rewards and enhance parent/child relationships.
Step Three: Completing basic chores provides basic privileges, but not the extras. Children earn Bonus Bucks for completing extra chores. This gives them the ability to make decisions about purchases. They experience the advantages of saving and learn to manage resources for the future.
Step four: The Family Forum presents an opportunity to discuss goals, problems, challenges, and accomplishments. It provides an opportunity to monitor progress and encourage positive behaviors. Quiet Time is introduced to refresh and recharge children and parents. It encourages the use of imagination, self-discipline, and self-entertainment.
Theory: I love that this is more than a chore chart. They really thought about the core issues of teaching accountability to children and provide plenty of tools to get them on their way. I love the visual impact of each child having their own peg board. The tickets are cute and useful though a bit delicate for my rough boys.
Preparation/set up: this system requires a bit more preparation than your standard chore chart. But that's what makes it more worthwhile. You have to think about what each child can handle and what motivates them and be specific about what each ticket represents and what behaviors lose tickets.
Execution: I feel like we got off to a rocky start and even though we've technically been using this system for about 5 weeks we're still working out the kinks. I think it's like potty training: you have to be sure you're committed before you start because false starts just mess up the process. It didn't help that right after we introduced the program each of the kids and then I all got sick. There's no sticking to schedules and chores when you're sick. And then we had visitors. And then their daddy sometimes works night shifts so we can't really do music and all the other things when we have to be quiet all morning. But, even with all those complications, I still think this is a great system. They're still not at the point where they can be trusted to do everything without prompting but we're definitely making progress. I love when they tell me what's coming up next. Also, my older son really didn't like getting 2 tickets taken away for hitting his brother so it's only happened once. And I've really found the best behavior card to be helpful. After my younger son got his first one he was extra sweet the rest of the day.
Overall Rating: I think I'll give it a 4 out of 5 stars. I think most of our hiccups have been due to my lack of execution than the actual program. But I do wish there was more help to figure out how to make it work under different circumstances. I think I should read the book and the blog more. And if anybody has any ideas about working around night schedules and how strict to be about earning stars for dates, I'd be very grateful.
First here's a brief description from the Accountable Kids website.
Step One: Children learn to take care of personal responsibilities without constant direction. They learn work ethics, time management, and responsibility. Children earn Tickets by completing basic chores. Tickets can then be used for activities or privileges. Tickets provide parents the ability to discipline without losing control or physical contact. Basic values are encouraged and reinforced with the Best Behavior Card.
Step Two: The Privilege Pass is introduced to eliminate specific negative behaviors. This process empowers children to predict consequences, follow rules, and redirect themselves towards positive behaviors. A Special Date Card is added to allow children to work for future rewards and enhance parent/child relationships.
Step Three: Completing basic chores provides basic privileges, but not the extras. Children earn Bonus Bucks for completing extra chores. This gives them the ability to make decisions about purchases. They experience the advantages of saving and learn to manage resources for the future.
Step four: The Family Forum presents an opportunity to discuss goals, problems, challenges, and accomplishments. It provides an opportunity to monitor progress and encourage positive behaviors. Quiet Time is introduced to refresh and recharge children and parents. It encourages the use of imagination, self-discipline, and self-entertainment.
Theory: I love that this is more than a chore chart. They really thought about the core issues of teaching accountability to children and provide plenty of tools to get them on their way. I love the visual impact of each child having their own peg board. The tickets are cute and useful though a bit delicate for my rough boys.
Preparation/set up: this system requires a bit more preparation than your standard chore chart. But that's what makes it more worthwhile. You have to think about what each child can handle and what motivates them and be specific about what each ticket represents and what behaviors lose tickets.
Execution: I feel like we got off to a rocky start and even though we've technically been using this system for about 5 weeks we're still working out the kinks. I think it's like potty training: you have to be sure you're committed before you start because false starts just mess up the process. It didn't help that right after we introduced the program each of the kids and then I all got sick. There's no sticking to schedules and chores when you're sick. And then we had visitors. And then their daddy sometimes works night shifts so we can't really do music and all the other things when we have to be quiet all morning. But, even with all those complications, I still think this is a great system. They're still not at the point where they can be trusted to do everything without prompting but we're definitely making progress. I love when they tell me what's coming up next. Also, my older son really didn't like getting 2 tickets taken away for hitting his brother so it's only happened once. And I've really found the best behavior card to be helpful. After my younger son got his first one he was extra sweet the rest of the day.
Overall Rating: I think I'll give it a 4 out of 5 stars. I think most of our hiccups have been due to my lack of execution than the actual program. But I do wish there was more help to figure out how to make it work under different circumstances. I think I should read the book and the blog more. And if anybody has any ideas about working around night schedules and how strict to be about earning stars for dates, I'd be very grateful.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
conversations with 2 very interesting boys
It's been a long time since I've updated the quotes and I know there's some text error so you can't even read most of them. So here are a few choice tidbits from my hilarious boys.
Nov 13, 2010
Jarom: I'm the king of the world! (He likes to climb on the highest part of the wall along the way to Keahi's school.) That means I tell everybody what to do.
Cailin: What about me? Does the king of the world tell his mommy what to do?
Jarom: Ummmmm..No. Mommy still tells teh king what to do.......mommy is the mommy of the world!
Nov 16, 2010
Jarom: When somebody isi tired of the world, I will pick them up and take them to a bouncy castle.
Nov 20, 2010
Jarom: I'm thirsty.
Cailin: Have some water.
Jarom: No! I want some juice!
Keahi: If you were really thirsty you would drink anything. Even your own pee.
Nov 26, 2010
Jarom: I'm hungry. (about half an hour after breakfast)
Iz: No one is surprised, Jarom.
Jarom: Weeeellll....I never give up on eating.
Nov 26, 2010
Cailin: Did you find the wii remote?
Iz: No. Maybe the ipod and the wii controller are hanging out together.
Keahi: Yeah, maybe they found love. The ipod is the girl and the remote is the boy and they're kissing somewhere.
Nov 27, 2010
Jarom: I like eating the heart and the liver and the gizzard of the turkey. You can eat the chambers, too.
Keahi: Yes, but not the blood.
Keahi: Do you like the stomach and the intestines? (We told him that Uncle Kervin is a big fan.)
Jarom: You can't eat those.
Keahi: Yes, you can. Oh, do you like the large intestines?
Jarom: Yes.
Keahi: Eeeww. You like the poop!
Jarom: No, you take the poop out.
Keahi: Eeeewww.
Jarom: The people that make the turkey take the poop out.
Iz: How do you do that?
Jarom: They put it in a poop holder.They just scoop it up and it lands into the bowl part.
Nov 13, 2010
Jarom: I'm the king of the world! (He likes to climb on the highest part of the wall along the way to Keahi's school.) That means I tell everybody what to do.
Cailin: What about me? Does the king of the world tell his mommy what to do?
Jarom: Ummmmm..No. Mommy still tells teh king what to do.......mommy is the mommy of the world!
Nov 16, 2010
Jarom: When somebody isi tired of the world, I will pick them up and take them to a bouncy castle.
Nov 20, 2010
Jarom: I'm thirsty.
Cailin: Have some water.
Jarom: No! I want some juice!
Keahi: If you were really thirsty you would drink anything. Even your own pee.
Nov 26, 2010
Jarom: I'm hungry. (about half an hour after breakfast)
Iz: No one is surprised, Jarom.
Jarom: Weeeellll....I never give up on eating.
Nov 26, 2010
Cailin: Did you find the wii remote?
Iz: No. Maybe the ipod and the wii controller are hanging out together.
Keahi: Yeah, maybe they found love. The ipod is the girl and the remote is the boy and they're kissing somewhere.
Nov 27, 2010
Jarom: I like eating the heart and the liver and the gizzard of the turkey. You can eat the chambers, too.
Keahi: Yes, but not the blood.
Keahi: Do you like the stomach and the intestines? (We told him that Uncle Kervin is a big fan.)
Jarom: You can't eat those.
Keahi: Yes, you can. Oh, do you like the large intestines?
Jarom: Yes.
Keahi: Eeeww. You like the poop!
Jarom: No, you take the poop out.
Keahi: Eeeewww.
Jarom: The people that make the turkey take the poop out.
Iz: How do you do that?
Jarom: They put it in a poop holder.They just scoop it up and it lands into the bowl part.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
I hate money.....
...or rather I hate my lack of it. I just scheduled my first surgery appointment and called to inquire about the copayments. It's going to cost me $250 to remove my silly IUD. Plus I have to go under general anesthesia and have my very first surgery ever. I've never broken a bone or been admitted to a hospital for anything other than the births of my kids. And now I have to have a pre-op visit, lab visit, surgery, and post op visit (all requiring babysitting) just to get rid of my hassle-free IUD. Gee, having a baby starts costing money before you even start trying to have a baby. Oh, state insurance, how miss you.
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