Playground Politics

There are those who like uppers and those who like downers. As a family, we've chosen to allow the uppers. The thing is, I am not opposed to those who choose downers. I am fairly similar with my political views. I can see why others believe the way they do even if I don't agree. No need for an ugly debate when there is an understanding of both sides.

Kelven and I were face-to-face with the upper/downer debate this evening. Unfortunately, we were blind-sided by another passive-aggressive parent (with the first child I would have been a little insecure about my belief in uppers, but confidence kicks in with child number two).

This debate is about more then just the act of upping vs. downing. Those who allow the "ups" do have a valid viewpoint just as those who allow only the "downs" do, too. Heck, a dear friend of mine only allows the downs (you'll know who you are).

Parker recently experienced the joy of a slide. His eyes and grin get huge as he speeds down! He also impressively climbs the slide like a champ. Take the boy's shoes off and those big toes will bend to a perfect degree and he becomes a human koala.

Tonight we took the kids to a nearby park with five different slides. The park was empty until another dad and his two and five year-olds showed up. His two year-old son came over to Parker at the bottom of the slide and kept yelling, " NO!" at him. Finally the dad came over and told his son to stop yelling at Parker. Then the dad turned to his son and said, "Let his parents do their job. You are right, we only go down slides." Side note - this exact situation happened last week too!

And thus, the debate begins.

Uppers - Kelven and I allow our kids to climb up slides. It's a challenging climb that gives kids a sense of power and confidence. Do you remember how it felt to climb a slide? I do. Seems way quicker and way more fun than the stairs. Yes, it challenges the (unwritten) rules. I am pro rules. Big time. Allowing our kids to climb up slides comes with our own set of boundaries. To climb a slide it must be unoccupied and the tie always goes to the slider. No questions asked. The slide is there to be slid down just like the monkey bars are intended for arms. Yet, if there is no line at the monkey bars, is it not acceptable to swing those legs up and hang upside down? Life is about challenging the limits. Yet, challenging the limits requires a conscious responsibility for safety and others. I am all for teaching kids to be courteous and fair.

Kelven's input - The more you can put the decision in the hand of the kid, the better. If they are just following rules to follow rules, they don't even think about it. But if kids are allowed to use their own judgement they're using their own minds to think about what is right and wrong. Example, Jada is about to climb the slide and sees a kid at the top. She'll stop because she saw the danger of a collision and also knows how to be responsible in the playground. This is a critical thinking moment.

Back to Tami - Here's the kicker for me. If you don't want your kids to climb slides it is totally okay with me, but teach your kids that different families have different rules. That'll solve a lot of your "but he's doing it!" debates.

What a Moment

Lately I've been fixated on the idea that time is slipping by so quickly. I look at our kids and can envision them as high schoolers. Dramatic? Yep. Time never factored into my life before kids and until my dad passed away. Each day is meaningful and I try to remember to take it all in. I feel settled in, happy right where I am.

So...out of nowhere Jada was extra cuddly today. We were sitting on the couch and she took my cheeks into her two little hands and (out of nowhere) said, "We have lots of time, mommy." I asked her why she said that and she responded, "We just have lots of time."

It was one of the moments where I actually felt God giving me a sign. What a moment.

Happy Birthday, Jada

Best buds celebrating Jada's big day.

Poor Parker had been pretty sick in the days leading up to the big bash. He tried to perk it for his sis. He was glad to see Wyatt, who can understand what it is like to be the only other person not walking. And I'm not sure how he did it with all the noise, but Ford slept through most the party. Get well soon!

Nothing like catching butterflies from an elephant's trunk. The fun lasted about five minutes and then on to the next adventure.

Here's Wyatt being calm, cool, and collected as always.

Our precious girl is three!

Jada loved the silly string mainly because she got to scream and giggle. Reilly was a pro and competed with Shannon for the title. Evie hid out in the car so her beautiful curls wouldn't get damaged. I don't blame her. The whole ordeal was hilarious.


Thanks for helping us celebrate Heinz's, Johnson's, and McKinney's!

New House?!

Our offer has been accepted on a new house. Hope to be home owners by the end of the month:) More soon...

The Housing Market and the Big Bad Short Sale

Month One (July)

Made an offer close to asking price on a short sale (sellers owe more than can sell house for so the bank helps by creating a plan to sell the house without foreclosing on it). All paperwork in. Heard that short sales can take two to four months.

Month Two (August)

Wait.

Month Three (September)

Wait.

Month Four (October)

Man, I thought we'd be moving by now. Hear paperwork is sitting on management's desk.

Month Five (November)

Hear paperwork is still on management's desk. Answer probable in two weeks.

Month Six (December)

Should be hearing something any day (feel I have the right to insert - blah, blah, blah). Just need one more bit of information from sellers. We have to be out of our house by April 1st. Cutting it a little too close for comfort.

Month Seven (January)

Find different house (bank owned). Make an offer. Should hear something by tomorrow.

Looks promising. Large house on nice dead end street, at least two families with little kids, big yard with a playset, elementary school down the street, close to Kelven's work. Needs new carpet, paint, and other little repairs, but has everything else on our list.


I have this weird suspicion "short sales" don't really exist. Live and learn.

What a beautiful day. It's 9pm and the roto-rooter guy is here pumping our downstairs laundry room sink which is currently full of food from our garbage disposal? Don't ask. But it is times like these that I get to hang out exclusively with my daughter (Parker is sleeping) while Kelven gets to watch the rooter guy work (rooting him on). Jada's bedtime routine has been anything but graceful the last couple weeks (a kid who used to walk herself to bed is now running from us, refusing to get dressed in her pjs? What?!) We knew it would be a loud job downstairs so I didn't put her to sleep until right before he left. I spent a good hour reading books and just talking with her in her bed. THE BEST THING EVER. Holding a conversation with a toddler with your full attention for more than five minutes does not happen often enough in a daily/weekly schedule. These are the moments when I feel so blessed and happy. I didn't even come close to this type of teary-eyed contentment before I had kids. Life has much more meaning these days. Here are some pieces of our conversation:

(Jada's words in purple)


Nember (remember) my buns were hot on Nana's boat at her nother house. (Referring to the hot seat in Kelven's parents' boat in Chelan).


Nember I fell and the lamp fell on me.


Papa Boo lives in Heaven. Way up in the sky. You sad about that, Mommy. Because he lives so far away. Nember he says boo and I do dis (hides her face and laughs).


Nember daddy likes my poop. We only talk about poop in da potty. Nember I only pick my nose in da bafroom. Nember, Mommy?


I asked her what she likes about herself and she said that she "eats real food in the kitchen" and that she "has friends Evie and Cooper." Not sure she understands the whole self-esteem thing yet, but maybe she's just humble. We also talked about how mommy and daddy love her so much and how we'll always love her, even when she's big like us. And she said, "I grow big and go to high school, Mommy? And I be a teacher. And Parker will be big like me."


Then I asked her if mommy yelled today (I try to keep my cool, but Jada was putting my beloved pictures in her mouth and bent a few with her kicks. I really don't yell much, but at nine cents a picture plus shipping and handling, I take my scrapbooking pretty seriously). She said, "Yeah, and I got sad." Then I asked if mommy said sorry for yelling and she said, "Yeah." We're trying to help her understand the concept of sorry. And finally I asked what it feels like when she gets sad or mad and she said, "I just need you. I want you, Mommy. Cuz I got little tears in my eyes." Melt my heart. Reminds me that listening to our children is so important. There wasn't sadness in her request, just a simple statement. No book or advice hits you like hearing the words I just need you straight from the source.