Sleeping Kids

On Saturday Jason had his last soccer game.Thank goodness we have the whole summer to recoup until Fall sports. During one of the games (he had a double hitter) one of the moms commented on the size of our family. I guess she just has one kid. She told the other mom that I have a 7,3, and 1 year old. Which was correct, however I have no idea how she got this information. Saturday was first time that I really had a conversation with her. Well, after she finished giving some lady my family history, she continued to tell the lady what time our kids go to bed.Maybe Brian told her because he usually take Jason to soccer, those wooden bleachers are hard on the back and bum. She was literally shocked that we are able to get all three of our boys to bed before 8 ( I wanted to inform her that our kids go to be at 7, but I didn't). She told me that she was lucky to get her 6 year old to bed before 9. Personally I think 6 year old should be in bed by 7. Also, I don't know why she was making a big deal about it. She is the parent and she should act like it(She is really crazy).
With our kids we have a routine, they know what to expect and what they should be doing when bedtime comes. We have used the same routine since they were little babies. If fact Matthew now asks, "Mom what clock is it", If I tell him, "7:00". He will tell me "time for bed". I think it is important for children to get a good night sleep. For me it is the saddest thing to go to the store and see little kids shopping at 9:00. Usually the child is crying and the parent is frustrated. Shopping is hard enough with kids, I could not imagine shopping with a super tired one.
Our bedtime motto here at the Grimwood house is "a well rested child is a happy, ready to learn child." We have times of difficulty especially now that Gavin has moved in with the boys.(he always wants to play, what a trouble maker):) However the times of difficulty are few. I feel blessed that our boys can go to sleep on their own, after a story, prayer, scriptures and a million kisses (this is for Matthew) they are on their way to dreamland.
Sorry no pictures, Gavin and I have been kicked out of the office so Brian can study for boards. Maybe next time.

Two down one more to go

I have been meaning to write this post for a while. Matthew is completely potty trained!! Actually he has been since around October. I wanted to write this back in November, but I was worried I would jink it. On Tuesday night when he came to me in the middle of the night and told me he had to pee, I knew it would be okay. I am so proud of Matthew. It only took a couple of days, and a few accidents for him to realize what was going on. I learned so much during this process. When it is Gavin's turn I plan on using the same method I used with Matthew. I am so thankful for my friend Heather and for her sharing her potty training advise with me. Matthew was the easiest kid to p/t ever. All kids are different and they learn differently, but I pray this method will work for Gavin.
If anyone is interested this is what you do. When your child wakes up from a nap dry, then you take them to the potty and introduce the concept. They know that when their bladder is full and that they are suppose to empty it in the potty. Also, you don't mention the word "potty" until they get to this point. (we kinda messed-up here) The only thing we did different was when Matthew first turned two I automatically decided that he was ready to be potty trained. I thankful he let me know he wasn't. So, I put it on the back-burner for a while. Then, in October I read he blog and decided that we would try it. It worked now he goes whenever he needs to. I hardly ever ask him, unless I can tell he has to go.
I am going to brag a little here. This method only took Matthew maybe a week or less to learn . It was so not stressful. In fact the most stressful thing was keeping Gavin away from the toilet paper. I know some people that read this blog like the EC thing, which is fine. It is just not for me and my family. I also know that there are some that believe that once a child hits 2 that they must be potty trained. ( this is the crowd I was in with Jason) However after experiencing a wonderful peaceful potty training experience with Matthew (something I wish I had with Jason). I will never go back to those methods again. Now, Matthew knows what he needs to do and he does it.

My little readers

Recently, the little boys have taken a great interest in reading our cereal boxes during breakfast. After watching Jason always read them they have decided that they want to read them also. Jason, is not actually reading a box in the picture he spoke too late. So, he got one of his books instead. We do talk during breakfast, but the boys really enjoy reading the cereal boxes.
Today, while we were shopping at DI. We stopped by the book section. I was looking for a Judy Blume book for Jason. (they are always checked out at the library)I found, but Jason had already found a book he liked. Of course it was Star Wars novel. I let him know that their were no pictures and that the book was long. He told, "no problem, I will ready anyway".I think has to be for middle school kid. But, not for Jason he started reading it while we finished our shopping. I think he is ready for some Harry Potter books, if I could only find them. I am so proud of our little readers they inspire me to want to read more.

Look Mom

Yesterday Matthew came to me and said, "Look Mom lipstick." He was pretty close. The picture tells it all. He wasn't so happy when bath time came.

Saturday Fun!

Today so wonderful. The weather was nice and I was able to get many things done and spend quality time with my boys. Here are some fun things that we did today

• After Jason's soccer game we came home to see a squirrel eating a peanut butter sandwich in our tree. I tried to take a picture of him he was so cute. Jason wanted me to make another sandwich for him. I let him know that one was enough.(besides I did not want to encourage feeding animals).

Jason looking up at the squirrel with binoculars that don't work. I guess we should
check on those glasses again.

• Jason and I got to spend some quality time playing in our beautiful backyard. Sometimes it is hard to find time to play or explore with just the two of us. Usually during the week our alone time is spent working on homework. So, on Saturdays we work hard to have Jason and mom time. Here are some pictures we took of our wonderful garden.

This is my poor Marionberry plant. It has met the hands of Gavin one too many times.
My three blueberry bushes. They started out small but they are getting
BIGGER!!

We are getting ready to plant a couple of tomato and pepper plants. We tired doing the seed thing, but all this stink-en rain ruined them. And I forgot to make a couple of drainage wholes in the pots. We don't have a whole lot of space for a garden so I purchased some planters where else the Dollar Tree. Man I love that store! We want to teach the boys that it doesn't matter how much space you are given there is always room to grow your own veggies and fruit. One day we will have a larger space to grow until than we will grow in pots. If you look really close my
a few of my flowers met their doom at the hands of a one year old.