Exercise!

Dan and I have been doing exercise videos together almost every evening. Jackson loves to get involved with the moves, either doing them with us, which is cute, or poking us when we're trying to hold a yoga pose or do a push up, which makes us laugh and lose control.

My favorite video is the Kenpo kickboxing, but Jack likes Chest and Back exercises.

Dan laughing because Jack can stretch twice as far as him without even trying

Cosette's working that pullup bar

 Strong Baby!

First Phrase

One of Cosette's first phrases came out today. She put her hands to her mouth and yelled "time tunnel!" I guess Jackson's love of Dinosaur Train is rubbing off. Jack says the whole phrase, which is "time tunnel approaching, going to the Jurassic time period."

St. Patrick

I'm really excited about St. Patrick's Day this year! I've been reading (actually listening to on CD) a history called "How the Irish Saved Civilization" and it is so interesting. Patrick is one of my new heroes. He was the first missionary to spread the Gospel message outside of the Roman empire to the uncivilized peoples of the world. He shared the love of Christ with the Irish and it was pretty much the only conversion of a people group without bloodshed. He was also one of the first abolitionists and defended slaves, gave a voice to women and the oppressed, and ushered in a Christian community where people were free to be themselves and did not stand condemned but forgiven. He was quite a revolutionary voice in 460 CE, with the message of the gospel nearly putting an end to tribal warfare and pagan human sacrifice in isolated Ireland.

Also, I take a special interest in Ireland because it's one of the few countries outside of the US where I have traveled. Not sure what all of the belligerent drinking is about, but St. Patrick is surely a figure to remember.

Throwbacks from 2009, Dublin and Dingle Peninsula, Ireland

 Later monks and abbots after Patrick lived in these little bee hives

Parenting Advice, Who Needs It?

Need to vent a little about a mom's group I attended today. The topic was parenting and I'm finding sweeping overviews of parenting are driving me nuts and making me feel terrible. The lady (some sort of child psychology person) basically said to pick your parenting style and stick to it, be that more permissive or more authoritarian or authoritative (not much explanation about what those mean). She claimed to be backed by all of this research and then made statements like "never use physical punishment because there are better ways" and "the main thing that toddlers need is a sense of control over their world."

Jackson is acting like a maniac at home most of the day, throwing one violent fit after another over the most inconsequential issues. He doesn't even know what he wants most of the time, just that he wants to control everything I do. I feel so strongly that my job right now is to show him that he is not the boss of this house. Not to make him feel like he has some control, but show him how to rest in the fact that I will care for him and he doesn't have to rule the world. He's 2, the job of running the house and controlling all of us is much too big for him. Reminds me exactly of the submission and peace God wants for me as I trust in His plan and provision.

It is so hard to keep doing what I know he needs when every parenting influence (even, and especially, Christian ones) do not emphasize having authority over your child and don't help you take hold of the reigns in your home. We are supposed to just muddle through with these little tips about having the kids "talk it out" and "make small choices." I give him the choice of sitting at the table without thrashing and screaming or going to his room, he chooses neither. So I guess I'm "making him comply" by taking him to his room, which is not ideal. He is wielding his emotions as a weapon against every good thing I try to give him and it's sad and hard for both of us to make it through the storm of his unfiltered emotions.

The gal also had some great things to say about the uniqueness of each child, how I have been chosen by God specifically for my child, and about the need to change approaches every few months as a child progresses to different ages. That's what makes it so confusing. There's a lot of helpful truth woven into an undertone of shared authority between the generations (with really little ones, not sharing authority with a teen which would be totally different). There were also subtle hints that if husbands parent differently, we can get them to think like us with the proper "neutral statements." No talk of actually respecting the husband and his wisdom and approach, just delegating parenting task to him that are easier for him to swallow.

I'm most definitely oversensitive to these particulars, especially when people come at you with "science" and not just their personal experience. If you're going to tell me that research says that my 2-year-old has the capacity to "negotiate" and "reason it out for himself" then keep it to yourself!

Getting Through A Sick Day

A sick day at home calls for some special allowances to get us through the day. I try my best to not always let those leniencies go toward TV, but sometimes that just happens. Today instead Jack got to do his favorite sink-play. It's like a bath without getting soaped or submerged.

Kept the coughing boy busy for a hour. Plus I didn't have to watch him in the bathroom like I would with a bath. He's right in the middle of things.

It's a double win since Cosette gets her run of the house while he's busy. She loves it.

We also tried out the successful baby-gate cave. Jack liked it but kept demanding everything from his bed be brought in there, including every special animal and pillow and blanket, so it was pretty crowded.

I see a bear who's happy to be caged.

Kitchen Express

They formed "train cars" in the kitchen from their storage bins. Cosette's bin is actually really tiny but it doesn't look so small with her body in there. I can't believe she fits. We can barely get our play dough in there.

Jackson wanted a turn to drive so they negotiated a way to switch the "cars" around. Now he's running the train.

Opps, a little tumble. She's ok. It's so funny to me what kids come up with. I would never think to suggest some of the games they think are the most amusing.

Where's Cosette??

This reminds me of ET hiding in the closet. I think Coco has gone overboard on the stuffed animals and dollies to cuddle.