Gotta Love Latham!

Ever wonder how to REALLY use "time-out" effectively....because what is time out for anyway? What do you do when your kid starts refusing to do as he/she's told? Ever wonder how to defuse...even eliminate tantrums? THIS BOOK HAS ALL THE ANSWERS! and coming from somebody who uses the techniques in this book DAILY with all of my preschoolers, I've gotta say, Latham has really got it down!

This is one of my favorite quotes from the book:

"Guard your children's self-esteem with the same zeal with which you would guard their very lives"

okay...here's another one too...

"How much better it is if children learn that appropriate behavior brings pleasant consequences."

Tuesday evening my school had a parent education night on Positive Parenting. I have to say it was the best attended Parent education night EVER!....You know why??? Parents are always wondering how to really be effective with discipline. Discipline is tricky....Good thing we have Dr. Glenn Latham! Unfortunately he passed away a few years ago but I know people who went to work shops of his who said he gave out his home phone number and encouraged people to call him anytime for help with discipline questions. He would even fly (free of charge) to your house and stay with you until your situation was resolved....that's how passionate he was about his work.

And just for kicks - since I'm on a Positive Disipline roll - Michelle Root (An amazing roll model for Positive Parenting) talked about her "6 rules that lead to a trusting, loving, and productive relationship with a child" at the Class.

1. Always direct discipline to the action that is happening.
2. Try to only call your child by name when you have something positive to say.
3. Get down on the child's level or go to the child.
4. Be the example - show, talk less, slow down, smile, and enjoy!
5. Stand up and protect the dignity of all people.
6. Never hesitate to ask for help to regroup and start again. The best educators/parents are the ones that never stop learning and growing throughout their entire life times.

Blessing #7 - Dirt

The weather has been so wonderful that we've been spending a lot of time in the dirt. Emmie loves it - loves digging, sprinkling, tossing...even eating! Maybe someday we'll have some space to start a little garden...I think I'll have a good helper!

Blessing #6 - Baby Signing Time

So a few posts ago (The theme song one) I posted a little cameo of Emmie and her Baby Signing Time. She LOVES it! And I have to say, I do too! I can not believe how quickly Emmie has picked up the signs and how appropriately she uses them. The sign she uses the most is "eat" and it's usually accompanied by a loud"cocah!" (her work for food). Well... the other day, Emmie and I were running errands and had just finished watching her video. I had forgotten to bring in her crackers and throughout the whole trip she kept begging for her "cocah" and signing it. Finally, as we are standing in line she's looking so pathetic with these tired, hungry eyes and so sweetly she signs "please" "food". ohhh....I melted....and got her those crackers fast!

Blessing #5 - shoes

A true girl through and through!

Hours of entertainment....can you blame her?
I remember when I was little and just loving to try on my mom's shoes....I love that Emmie loves to do that to...maybe one day she'll have some fond memories of trying on her mommy's shoes - just like I do!
(yes, yes...I own a pair of Crocks (2 actually) and I LOVE them!)

Getting Crafty With It

I didn't plan on getting all crafty this weekend...but Ceri invited me to go to Joann's with her and look what happened.....

Ceri taught me how to make a pleated tote:

(she made me one for Christmas and it's my new favorite purse/baby bag...the one she made me was a bit girly and Matt felt a little embarrassed caring it at church...so I made him a brown one!...that's more manly right?)

The inside...super cute!

Dried Euclyptus....aka: Craft smell...I love it so much I made a wreath out of it!

And since I was in the mode...I was about to throw out one of my favorite American Eagle shirts (Matt says it's bad to wear a shirt with holes out in public...bummer) but instead I cut off the holes and turned it into a pillow...

Pillow Talk

I've been wanting to make pillow covers for the longest time and finally got around to it. I think they turned out pretty good! I'm not sure if I like having different patterns on the same couch...I'm a very symmetric person...maybe it will grow on me...we'll see....but for now i just have to look at one half of the couch at a time! : )

Jackpots and Prizes!

For Valentines day Ceri & John and Matt & I doubled. We had a went out to the Oliver Garden (hello long wait!!! good news that it's right by the mall so we shopped around while we waited) and then it was off to Peter Piper Pizza for some games. Ceri and John have a tradition to go on Valentines and invited us to tag along...and I must say...Peter Piper is where its at! We had a blast!

(Don't mind the fuzzy pictures...I took them with my phone)

Matt won the Jackpot....not only once....but twice

The Gough's winnings....a giganitic pixi stick, glitter braclet, and sweat band - awesome!

We made away with a helicopter (unfortunately it died in the parking lot shortly after Matt openend it...bummer), a slinky, and glitter braclet...again...awesome!

Emmie's first Valentines Party

My mom brought Emmie to Adobe's Valentines day party and she had a blast!!!

She helped me pass out my cards....

Played in the wood chips....

Pet a ferret (the "muttly crew" show had brought all kinds of pets with them- but what do I take a picture of??? a ferret..nice) ....

She even got in some work time!

The Birthday

The evening started by taking a nice late afternoon nap before all the festivities....don't they look so sweet?

Then we all hopped in the Corriveau family van and headed over to Joe's BBQ....YUM!

Joe's did not disappoint!!! Great food AND a Balloon lady!!!
(i guess she used to be in university 5th ward so it was a kind of reunion for Adam and the Gough's!)
oooah...a birthday saber!
A gigantic flower!...perfect for static hair!!!!
And for cheesy pictures!
The birthday boy
Did I mention the food was good?

After Joe's we headed back to our Apartment for some cake and presents.

The traditional cake blowing:

In the box: a variety of Little Debbie sweets and a dozen Jumex drinks....all the things we rarely buy at the store : ) What a Happy Matt!!!

The gift that's on it's way....a Mac Mini!!!

A few months ago our computer pooped out on us - so we've been borrowing my parent's 2nd computer (thanks mom and dad!!!!) Now in just a while longer we can return their computer and enjoy our own again!!! yeah!

Happy Birthay Matt!!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!!!

Today is a Special Day!

Happy Birthday Matt!!! Here's to 29 years! Whoo-hoo!
(more pictures to come)

Doing as Mommy does....

Love it!

Do as Daddy does....

Another drummer in the family?....maybe...the girl has got some skills!