Bribery

If you don't watch the show Parenthood, you should. It is one of the best shows that television has to offer, in my opinion. Person of Interest is another favorite of mine. Jim Caviezel just so happens to be my virtual boyfriend--don't worry, Walter knows all about this. It's no secret that Walter has a thing for Rachel Bilson, so it's all good.

There's a story-line in Parenthood about a woman named Julia and her husband, who have adopted an older child, and things aren't going well. So, she headed over to Christina's house to ask for some parenting advice. For anyone who hasn't watched the show, Christina's son, Max, has autism, and they are used to dealing with a challenging child and angry outbursts. Julia, who was feeling at a loss with their newly adopted son, asked what Christina's trick is with Max. Bribery. And she pulled out a giant container of candy and told her, plain and simple, if he does this thing, he gets this many pieces of candy...that thing, and a few more pieces of candy.

There you have it. The secret of parenting.

When I was pregnant with Isaac, and couldn't get Isabella to take a nap, I bribed her with M&Ms. Every day I reminded her, "if you take a nap, you may have two M&Ms when you wake up!" My mom was like, "seriously, she only gets to have two?" In a house without candy, two M&Ms to a two year old was like hitting the jackpot.

Remembering that, makes me wish I could bribe Isaac with some candy. It doesn't work so well to promise to blend it up and push it through his tube. Alas.

What I have discovered though, is that the iPad, is the perfect tool for bribery. This was all very exciting for me since we're really struggling to get Isaac to wear his braces. When we put his braces on, he considers himself immobile, which doesn't help me at all. I did manage to get him to walk across the living-room while holding the iPad just out of reach. And later, he even walked from the living-room to the kitchen all of his own volition. He was quite proud of himself, until he looked down, and I watched as the pride washed from his face, and he remembered how truly terrible it is to wear braces, and started crying.

Isabella is in the process of learning many sight words. She picks up on them pretty quickly, but I thought it might be fun to have a sight word scramble. I said the word, and she erased the correct one from the board. She got it right every time.

Here she is, explaining to me how she set out buckets of water so that the tops would freeze and she would have ice plates.  

"Mommy, you have to be very careful with ice. It breaks very easily and then I would have to wait a long, long time to make more ice plates."

While in the car this week, she told me I'm a really amazing singer. Just so you know, I'm not, but all that matters is that my favorite little girl, thinks that I am.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Sierra

Photo dump

Isabella is in a new phase. That's what it is, right? This one is called, I don't like (fill in the blank).

I don't like milk.
I don't like my room. 
I don't like cottage cheese. 
I don't like my bed. 
I don't like school. 
I don't like Shaun the Sheep. 
I don't like cereal.
I don't like fruit. 

The list goes on and on. After a frustrating moment, she said, "Mommy, there's just a lot of things that I don't like anymore." Clearly. Last night we told her that she needed to tell us five things that she does like:
1. Squinkies
2. The Blue Angels (from the Air Show, which she did not watch)
3. Giving Isaac hugs
4. Playing outside
...and I can't remember the fifth one.

I have a bunch of pictures that have been sitting around. Here they are.

Two weeks ago she liked tractor rides with daddy. I'll have to ask her if she still likes those.

My grandma came for a visit. Unfortunately, Isaac was grumpy that entire week, and I spent most of the time crying. But she and my mom helped out with kids, so that was nice.

My mom was very bossy (have I told you yet, she's really bossy--I guess that's where I get it from) about our posing. I think she'd been planning this mini photo shoot for quite a while, but chose not to tell the rest of us about it, that way she'd be the only one with her hair and make-up done.

I forgot to tell you all about my recent really crappy trip to the zoo with the kids. We had a re-do with Walter and this time, it was actually fun.

She totally gets this look from me...

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I love watching my kids play. They are both so imaginative and purposeful (Sarah, did that make you think of Waldorf? That reminds me, I should go iron something. That's an inside joke, so it's okay if you're reading this and don't get it.).

Squinkies = best $10 I've ever spent (except they're a pain in the butt to clean up)

I told her that if she smiled she could take a picture of me.

We went to a Beatles Tribute Band Concert. Isaac thought it was the best thing ever. Until of course he decided it wasn't the best thing ever. Then it was time to go home.

Isabella's dancing was, um, disturbingly suggestive, and these pictures don't do justice to the embarrassment my sister and I felt as we watched her.

Isaac starts Occupational Therapy tomorrow! As for walking lately, it's been a rare occurrence. Eating anything by mouth has been rare as well, and frustrating. He has a new word though! It's, "Me".

I had my hair chopped off today! Now maybe my arm won't get tired trying to brush it after a shower.Walter told me he wouldn't notice if I got my hair cut. He isn't home yet, so we'll see. If he doesn't notice this, I might need a new husband.  Here's my amazing self portrait. Oh, and if you don't like pink bathroom tiles, something is seriously wrong with you.

Goodnight. 

Isabella

As I was cooking dinner last night, I realized that I am quick to share Isaac's accomplishments and challenges on my blog, but often leave out all of the wonderful things that Isabella has accomplished. So, despite the fact that we have exciting news to share about Isaac (he's walking) , this post is about Isabella.

I really feel for this girl sometimes. In her little, five year old body, she can in the matter of one minute, experience elation and quickly shift to devastation. It's like witnessing the worst PMS you've ever had, in action, right in front of you. We definitely have our good moments, but we're really working on thinking, before reacting, following directions, listening, and all of that fun stuff.

She is so much like me, it's scary. She rolls her eyes, she requires a constant supply of food, she makes the same faces I make (including the ones I wish I didn't make), she is independent and wants to do everything on her terms. Unlike me, she is incredibly brave--fearless, even. She does flips off the swing set, eagerly hopped on rides at the fair (whereas the one time I went on a ferris wheel, I was screaming so much that my dad had to have the operator let me off...I guarantee I was older than Isabella at the time).

This summer she has:
-learned to count to 100
-practiced writing numbers 1-10
-perfected writing the letter 's'
-been to summer camp one morning each week
-played piano with Josh (and Rosie when she was in town)
-learned how to control the TV remote (I'm not sure yet if that is a good thing)
-in her mind, learned how to read silently
-learned how to brush her own hair -- oh, by the way, I no longer judge you if your daughter's hair looks like a bird's nest because now I know, and will take bird's nest over screaming, just about any day.
-learned to pump her legs to swing
-helped Walter build the swing set
-decided (for the moment) that she wants to be a photographer, and told me that she and I can work together. I asked her what we should call our business and she said, "Isabella and Mama Photography".

Yesterday in the car,

"Mommy, I don't like that Isaac has so many appointments."
"I don't like it either, but remember, Isaac has a hard time learning things."
"I just wish he didn't have a hard time, and could do everything that I can do."

Believe me, I wish that too. She does have to go to more appointments than most kids, but she is usually very patient and cooperative. When we go to hospital for therapy, she gets to push all of the elevator buttons, so that usually makes her happy. I can tell she's been one too many therapy sessions when I overhear: "Isaac, you can have the train when you use your signs. No, you didn't use your signs. Sign, 'please'". Yep.

We have our good days, and our bad days, but I wouldn't trade her for the world.

Five

An interview with Isabella:

What does it feel like to be five?

It feels pretty grown up. Pretty like a big girl.

What do you look forward to this year?

Homeschooling and Pre-K.

Favorite color?

Pink, purple, red, and yellow

Favorite show?

Shaun the Sheep

Favorite food?

Pizza

Favorite book?

My Mommy and Me by Tina Macnaughton

Best friend?

Maya

What do you like to play with Isaac?

Squinkies

     Mommy?    Zingo
     Daddy?      Mario

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A photographer.

What do you like about Isaac?

That he's my brother.

What makes you sad?

Sometimes I cry happy tears and sometimes I cry mad tears. When I do happy tears is usually when I go to the zoo. I cry mad tears usually when I don't get to play Mario, sometimes. 

What makes you happy?

When daddy and me get to play Mario.

Do you like to take a bath or a shower?

Baths and showers. But I usually forget to tell you that I want a shower. 

Favorite ice cream?

Mint chocolate chip and Snappy Turtle...AND mommy's special ice cream (ben and jerry's). 

What do you like to do at Oma's house?

Swing

What do you like to do at Gar's house?

Play hide and seek with Josh.

Where do you like to go on vacation?

Beach!

What is your favorite animal at the zoo?

Penguins! 'Cuz they go, 'wobble wobble wobble'!

What kind of cereal do you like?

Cracklin' Oats

What is your favorite outfit?

My favorite outfit is this shirt that I'm wearing right now! (the shirt we just got at church for vacation bible camp)

Playing paper dolls with Josh. It went something like this:

Josh, now say, (in a high pitched voice) "Oooo, now I need my wedding gown!"
Now say, "Oh, but my crown, I must have my crown!"

He's a good sport.

Almost finished.

Making pizza for her birthday dinner...

Isaac on the big swing for the first time...

I just overheard Isabella asking Isaac his opinion on which outfit she should wear today.