Comments on: Post-holiday

By: Rae

Rae — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 22:10:19 +0000

It’s prolly been said more than once, but L, you have a GORGEOUS family. All eight of ya!! :)

Happy belated Thanksgiving.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 07:56:13 +0000

I am gearing up for an 11 hour airplane voyage alone with my 3 year-old. Its funny, because she LOVES the airplane (she claims) while I dread these flights. I just do not have the patience or the boundless energy that they require. But when it comes to loosing my temper occasionally, I try to remind myself that it does a child no good to think that his/her parents are endlessly patient. I think that they need to know that there is a point beyond which YOU DO NOT PUSH ME. Otherwise you end up with those annoying, whiney kids that everyone secretly hate.
Also, the thing that has suddenly started being very effective with my daughter in situations where we are out and punishments are sort of difficult to arrange is that we give her these little cards called ‘Good Points’. I found a pack in the shop with fairies on them and every time she does something nice or helpful, I give her one, to be exchanged later for some sort of treat (TV, candy, an extra bedtime story, etc). When we are out, and she starts acting up, I just say that if she continues what she is doing I will take away a card. And then do it. I started giving her a 5 sec countdown to give her a chance to think about it but all I have to say now is the 1 and she jumps to attention. Its amazing how well this works.

By: Elaine

Elaine — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 04:34:41 +0000

We used to routinely make the 11 hour drive from Seattle to Gold Beach, Oregon when my children were small. One time when the girls were about 1 and 4, I made my husband stop on the side of I-5 so I could get out of the car and walk around. I told him he could either stop the car, or come visit me in the big house after I strangled the children. He stopped the car.

ps – what a great family photo!

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 04:03:34 +0000

I was just going to say what Lisa said!

I hope you’ll post photos from Joe and Alexa’s wedding because I bet she’ll be a stunning bride.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:32:19 +0000

Is it just me, or is your BIL’s fiance totally hot???

By: Eric's Mommy

Eric's Mommy — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 02:27:01 +0000

Good luck “hunting” tomorrow! I’m jealous.

By: Lesley

Lesley — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 01:44:21 +0000

Great photo of a happy family looking none too stuffed. (Was this pre-dinner?)

Love the windows!

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 01:14:28 +0000

JB’s dad is so cute. He looks like a nice man.

Road trips can be either Totally Great or Just Awful. Mercifully I only have to make the 12 hour drive to Houston once in a blue moon. Not in a million years would I do it with kids. There is definitely something to be said for living *too* far away from home.

By: Carmen

Carmen — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 01:08:38 +0000

Oh good grief, Dylan does indeed look like your brother-in-law! I hear you wrt the long drives – we drove 8 hours to my parents’ house for our Thanksgiving (the Canadian one, in Oct) and I wanted to stab an ice pick in my ears by the end. My 2.5 year old’s whine is enough to make brains leak out your years. Consequently, we are also staying home for Christmas; the grandparents are coming here.

By: Lori

Lori — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 00:44:58 +0000

What a great family pic! My hubby took his sister hunting one year – just along for the ride. After 5 minutes of walking, she asked if they were done yet. When he stopped to look through the scope, she would jump and wave her arms behind him. She REALLY didn’t want anyone to shoot an animal. I’m not sure what she thought “hunting” was. Anyhoo, enjoy.

Perhaps on the drive home, a stop at the zoo would be fun. That’s probably half-way.