Top 4 ways to get the kids ready in the morning

I know my kids are the only ones who are slow movers in the morning, but maybe a few people will get a little info out of this. :)

When my kids get up, I've got a whiner, a slugger, a sneaker, and a mover. 

1 - The whiner complains about everything.  "Do we HAVE to take a shower again?"  - like the answer is going to be different this time, when it's been "yes" every time for the last 4 years.  My way to motivate them is to give them EXTRA activites whenever they whine about it.  This has proven effective 50% of the time, most of the time.

2 - The slugger moves at a snails pace (ala a slug).  When one is already dressed, ate, and ready to go, they've barely started wiping the sleep from their eyes.  The strategy for them is simple - leave them one day.  If they're not ready for school, leave without them (of course, mom is still home.  And mom has to give them LOTS of chores on that day).  This was pretty effective.  Repeat about every few months.

3- The Sneaker tries to get away with things.  They'll try and slink off and hide somewhere and lay down, or cut corners by not taking a shower when they should.  I give praise and extra sugar on the cereal to the others, who are still visible, when this happens.  Surefire way for them to stick around more next time, just waiting for the praise.  And the sugar.

4 - The mover is great.  They move all around, getting ready and not complaining, and always doing what they're supposed to.  The funny thing is - not every kid keeps the same role each day.  Sometimes one is the mover, sometimes they're the sneaker.  It's a revolving door.  So with the mover, I just tell them they're doing a great job.  This always makes them smile.  And gives them a reason to try to stay "the mover" the next day as well.

Here's to mornings!

go to http://www.mredie.com/ for teaching tips and tricks, and follow @misteredie on twitter

My little Heroes

My kids are blowing me away in the "living life" category.  I think they've done more in 10 years than I did in 30.

We went skiing last week, and I was blown away by how well the girls are skiing now.  I was zipping down the mountain fast as I could, and still could barely keep up with them.  We both learned at the same time, about 4 years ago, and now they are smoking me on the slopes.

That makes me more proud than when I accomplish something.  I used to think it terrible when parents lived vicariously through their kids, but I can see why.  Your kids ARE an accomplishment, and when they succeed, you have too.  (of course, the caveot is when people ONLY experience life through their kids - big no no in my book).

I have a lot of personal heroes - My parents, Abe Lincoln, Paul Bunyan.... but my kids are all top of the list.

check out http://www.mredie.com/ for a post about the heroes that are everywhere in our lives.

Art is life

We have a sculpture in town that was commissioned around a year or so ago, that is of a train conductor waiting for the train.  He's looking at his watch and he's got a little dog beside him, waiting patiently.  It's really great, and a wonderful addition to an already colorful and artistic town.

I gave the kids a challenge to try and draw the sculpure.  I gave them some pictures I took, and tried to get them to caputre the essence of the sculpture in a 2D format.  They did a really great job, and Kassy in particular took a real effort at getting the lines and shading right.

I know I couldn't have done that when I was a kid.  I had no idea what good art was, and how in the world you could produce it if I wanted to.  I think the kids have more talent than me!  But I also think it comes from talking to them about it.  We'll walk by the sculpure, and I'll point out a few details, or "wow, look at how detailed the lines are on his jacket" or things of that nature.  It's all about the talking I think.  It's all about conversing with them at their level, but at the same time raising their level on a daily basis.

Who knew that running your mouth was a good parenting technique?

Check out http://www.mredie.com/ for more on drawing techniques, and how to incorporate them into your homeschool or away school class!

Rolling in Hills

Earlier this summer, we went on a walk as a family, and came across a grassy hill.  All the kids immediately ran up the hill, just to be able to roll down it.  I can remember loving this as a kid, but now it does not sound fun at all.  When did we lose our love of pure hill rolling?  Why can't we get it back?

Maybe we learn it again through our own kids.  Or maybe we just don't like grass stains.  www.mredie.com

End (less?) Summer

I can honestly say, this was the greatest summer I've ever had in my life.  You'd think a summer of my high school or college years would be the greatest.  Or maybe those years after college when you actually had money and no kids.  But no - this summer takes the cake.

I won't say the kids made ALL the difference, but having the kids old enough we could have fun and adventure together certainly was MOST of the reason this summer rocked.

The other 15% would have to be the fact that we DID things.  We got out there.  I don't remember the days this summer where we just stayed in and watched TV (there were a few of those).  But I remember vividly the days we went hiking, or biking, or swimming.  We got out there.  It was fun.  And Thanks for sharing it with me, kids.

Sports!!! (kid version)

Sporting events with kids are great!  No so much to watch...at the age my kids are at the action moves slower than a snails pace.  A slugs pace, maybe?

They're great for the kids though!  My girls have played a few sports now, and they love it.  I love it too, because it's exciting to see them grow and you get to cheer and tell them they did a great job even if they throw the ball to the wrong base.  And they learn to get a little dirty once in awhile.  Be kids.  That's important.

And speaking of kids being kids and learning to take risks...check out http://www.mredie.com/ and go to the "Books" link on the right to view the new childrens story "Bubbas Knees" - a great message, funny, and I wrote it.  Support your local author!  Come on!  (you can watch it as a video at youtube - http://tinyurl.com/bubbasknees )

Maybe I'll get them involved in cage fighting next.  That HAS to be a more exciting sport to watch, right?

Tents Up!

Camping with kids is a lot easier (and in the end funner) when you just put the tent up inside the house.  It's even funner when your kids are goofballs like these maniacs. (and we had outdoor time too, so I'm not depriving them of the natural world).