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It better not be a tease. The weather has been improving significantly every day and Jaia and I have easily spent more time outdoors than in over the last three. It is still warm jacket/coat and mitt weather, but at least it is warming up. And I can’t deny that watching the snow recede is like much needed therapy for me. Today, we dusted off the cutest trike in the world and took it out for a spin. Then, after dinner, Little Miss convinced her dad to take her out again. I can’t wait for summer…
      Jaia rarely sits for me to take her picture. Not without her putting up a fight then pouting or making a face at me in more than 3/4 of the ones I take. But today, when she was cruising around in her Snow White dress, she happily offered to LET me take her picture. And I must say, maybe it was the fact that she was playing along – finally – or maybe the light or the colours were right, but this is now my new favourite picture.
February 26, 2010 - 8:12 pm
She looks like Cinderella. Very cute !!! My distaste for winter has not been well hidden this year. I’ve talked about it a lot. But, in my defence, it’s been going on a looooong time. Didn’t it start snowing in November? I feel like I’m just done wrapping up in warm coats and hats and mitts and fighting the cold. We get out, Jaia and I, almost every day, for walks and fresh air, but I’m dying for springtime. I can’t wait for the weather to warm up, for the flowers to bloom, for the snow to melt. I’m just done. And when I’ve crawled out of bed the past two mornings to more snow, I felt defeated. Wasn’t it supposed to stop now? I realize it is still February, but I was hopeful. So. Rather than sulk all day and look out the window, Jaia and I embraced the weather today. To see Jaia revel in the snow, made it not seem so bad. To hear her squeal with laughter as she slid down the hill, made it worth it. Here’s a little of our 2 hours outside today:
Namely, the Warm Fuzzy Jar. That’s what we’ve instituted in our house and it works like a charm.
Jaia is a good kid. A really good kid. And I’m not just saying that on the blog to make people believe it. She really is. Our naughty stool went virtually unused for months on end because we just didn’t need it. No problem was too big that a conversation about it wouldn’t solve it. And then she turned three. I won’t say it all went to hell in a handbasket (that’s a ridiculous saying, I wouldn’t say it even if it were true…or made sense), but things have changed a little. Our quiet, sweet, sensitive bean has acquired a voice. A loud voice. She can be stubborn and if she wants something to go her way, she’ll let you know. So, after having our quiet, sweet, sensitive daughter all along, Dan and I were fairly unprepared for such a change. It wasn’t an every day occurrence, but the episodes were far more frequent than we would have liked. Dan and I aren’t really punishers or voice raisers so we suddenly found ourselves in quite the predicament. The naughty stool re-emerged with less than glowing results. Talking calmly and quietly went ignored. The silent treatment was laughable. We were at a loss. And then I saw it. On one of my favourite blogs, a mom talked about the warm fuzzy jar she used for her kids. The (very) simple concept is this: Kid does something awesome without being asked or follows directions without whining, etc and they get a ‘warm fuzzy’. We are using pompoms as our warm fuzzies. Pretty coloured ones, just cause it’s more fun. (White cotton balls would work just as well). Once the jar is full, The kid gets a reward. Depending on how your household works, this can be whatever you and your family deems reward-worthy. A day out at the movies, a new toy, kids choice of restaurant. Whatever. So far it’s been brilliant. Jaia works hard to get the warm fuzzies added to her jar and she takes pride in each one she adds. She already seems to be back to her old self. Tantrums have faded and are few and far between again. It’s been lovely. So much so that …it gives me the warm fuzzies. 😉
February 23, 2010 - 6:56 pm
Best idea I’ve heard in a long time!
February 23, 2010 - 8:35 pm
What an awesome idea. What will her reward be for a full jar? On another note, the phrase “to hell in a handbasket” always makes me think of those hilarious cards in the card store in the bottom of 100 Queen. Remember those?
February 23, 2010 - 9:48 pm
I can totally picture that card. As for the reward, I think we’ll give Jaia a few options and let her pick. Unless I find something awesome in the meantime.
February 24, 2010 - 1:41 pm
I want a warm fuzzy jar. Can you make one for me and add Farm Boy sour jubes for good deeds, the prize at the end being I get to eat them? Red ones only 🙂 Overheard after dinner tonight: “Daddy, will you be mine forever?” Cutest. Ever.
February 23, 2010 - 5:23 pm
*I* say that to Dan, and everyone thinks it’s weird.
February 24, 2010 - 1:42 pm
It’s definitely cuter when Jaia says it. And I don’t get the evil eyes from Sonja that I do when you say it to me. But seriously, that was pretty high up on the list of best questions ever asked of me. |
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Heather - Ha…my ant-spam word was ‘bunion’.
Anyways, lovely that you guys out east are getting a bit of what we West Coasters had last week. Nothing like a taste of spring to keep the hope alive that summer WILL return!! A little sunshine makes everything happy!