It is Hard and It is GROSS

*** Warning this post is not for those with a weak stomach***

I am sure I am not the only mother who has a tough time getting her kids to eat, so I am hoping there will be some fun and great tips coming my way.

Kyle will go DAYS without eating.  I often times have to barter with him: ex. eat this and you can watch Mickey Mouse.  It used to be that he was filling up on milk so, now he either gets milk after a meal or it is used as a bartering tool to get him to eat.  I know kids go through food stages so in the very least he is into pasta now, so I can usually get one meal in him a day.

I KNOW he needs more protein and more iron, as well as veggies and fruits.  I think I have the fruit and veggie thing covered.  I have Jessica Seinfelds book (where you puree fruits and veggies into meals and treats) so that is what I am planning on trying to conquer that. Its the meats I am struggling with, he won't even eat chicken nuggets!

Beyond all that, despite my bartering and talking with him and being so proud of every bite that we celebrate with high 5's and good jobs, he is still tough. Though I do have to say he is definitely eating better There are times where he literally gags with every bite.  TWICE now he has actually thrown up.  I don't know if he really does not like something or if it is his way of trying to manipulate me and get out of eating?

I guess all I can really do is keep trying.  I can't be completely on the wrong track because at least now he is actually eating something everyday.  Ugh this mommy thing is tough sometimes.....but eating, that should be a NATURAL thing.  Here's to tryin'! =)

Little Einstein

My mother in law has always said "Kyle has music in him" and I have to agree.  Since he was little little he has loved music.  He has always danced and lights up when he does.  He has a keyboard, and a xylophone he can't get enough of; and he rushes in to beat on the drums at Grandmas house.

Recently Kyle has really gotten into "Little Einsteins" on Disney. Sadly, it comes on at 4am so we miss it, but it is on demand and we watch it when we can.  He knows all the songs, composers and artists.  I find it amusing that when we were out the other day he pointed out Mona Lisa on a calendar.

One of the characters: Quincy, plays the flute in an episode to decipher a high note from a low note and now: Kyle does too.  He took the cardboard piece off of the bottom of a hanger and made a flute, which comes with us everywhere; and as he plays he sings "high, high. low, low".

I love my little Einstein. We "pat, pat,pat" in the car and "pat, clap" throughout the day. 



Jameson

Right in the middle of the holiday season we have ANOTHER reason to celebrate. Can't believe my nephew Jameson is BIG BOY 6!!

It was MY responsibility to get him his waterproof watch.  NO one else could so the pressure was on to find the PERFECT one.  Kyle picked it out, and Jameson got it on his special day.  Happy Birthday Jameson!

What a HoliDAY!

Yesterday was full of friends, family, and Christmas Spirit. The day was unseasonably warm at 46 degrees. We started at Gillette Stadium where we got to get a picture with Santa ON the field.

After a fast and delicious lunch at CBS Scene we waved goodbye and thanked our friends The Emonds for a great day; and it was off to Edaville for us. We met up with Rhonda and Ryan and Ryan Jr. as well as Jasons parents.  It was a DeVincent Day! (well night)

 Grandma and Grandpa bought the kids some light up globes (oh and they got me 1 too-they know how I love flashing, glowing, blingy things) and they were SO FUN!

 Then after the three kids searched the park for "Thomas"(the train) we finally got a ride!

I know my pictures don't capture much but the kids LOVED it!  So did I. 
I really hope this is not the final year for Edaville, it is up for sale so we don't know what the future has to offer.  I just hope whoever buys it keeps up the Christmas light tradition.  For it is something I would really like to do every year with my family.  There is nothing like lights and Christmas decor to get one in the Christmas spirit. If you have a chance to go to Edaville, do it!

It really was a great DAY and it got me even MORE into the HoliDAY spirit =)

Choo-Choo

In just the last few weeks Kyle has become a BIG fan of "choo-choo's". He talks about them all the time.  Yesterday he even built his own full length choo choo, and the hallway was his track.  He made sure I knew that.  I was not allowed to move or touch or change the choo choo in any way, shape, or form.

I sure hope I can get a letter to Santa in time.  Kyle REALLY wants a train!

P.S. isn't his imagination so cool =)

Sending Christmas Cards! (the 4th pain of Christmas)

I couldn't give up.  I couldn't give in. I had to try once more to capture the perfect photo for our Christmas cards. I waited until the afternoon, so I would not have to fight the sun and began my photo shoot.

It wasn't easy but after a while I was able to capture a few shots that would work.  So off to Shutterfly where I went to make the card.  After much deliberation Jason chose this one:

Happy Snowflakes Christmas

Personalize your Christmas cards at Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.



It may not be perfect but I think its pretty cute.  PLUS I saved over $65.00!  Go Me! 

 Pain of Christmas #4 ..COMPLETED!

Photoshoot...FAIL

Yesterday before Enchanted Village I had a little photo shoot, to try and get the perfect Christmas photo for cards......It REALLY isn't easy.  I knew it wasn't going to be easy, but having the sun fight against me too, that SUCKED!  But I tried!

 These 2 have some potential: ya know of worse comes to worst

Guess we will have to try again tomorrow afternoon: like I really mind shooting these 2 =)

Hope your photo shoots go better! =)

PONYTAIL!

It is official!  Hailey's hair is long enough to ROCK A PONYTAIL!

  

 



We were so excited we did the Hot Dog dance =)

COATS!

It REALLY is hard being a parent.  Not only because you try to be the best parent you can be to your children but also because you do all you can to make everyone happy; I even find myself trying to make strangers happy.  Sound strange?  I am just trying to be the best me, but that never comes without judgement.

Last year our doctor was spreading the word that children should NOT wear their heavy winter coats while in their car seats. It can diminish the integrity of the safety belt system.  PLUS it looks really uncomfortable.  I would not want to sit in a 5 point harness safety system with a heavy coat. Would you? So, my children don't.

Last night after a wonderful day spent at Enchanted Village we went out to eat.  We parked near the restaurant and decided it would take longer to put the kids coats on and go inside as opposed to just running inside.  So that's what we did.  Our children in their warm sweaters were removed from their car seats and taken into the restaurant where we enjoyed a wonderful meal.

As we were leaving one man yelled "where do you think you live Florida?" and someone else shouted "Put a coat on your kids".  I felt like a HORRIBLE parent! Jason and I with babies in tow ran out to the car (which was already warm and heated up, thanks to my automatic starter) strapped the kids in and came home.  I just can not get the yelling and judging out of my mind. 

 Then, today we went to the grocery store.  It is a rather blustery cold day, a day where a winter coat should be worn.  The kids went from the house to the heated car without a coat.  When we got to the store I put their coats on before we went inside...but again I found we were outside and cold for a longer period of time putting them in their coats than if I just ran in the store. So you tell me...what is a parent to do? Am I wrong?



Back to Binky

I am sad to report I have FAILED!

Hailey and Kyle still have binkies.  Kind of.  Hailey is getting her molars and has been waking up a few times a night screaming!  LITERALLY!  She is also yelling in her sleep and even after I wake her up and cuddle her she is a mess.  So, Jason got her the binky and that soothed her back to sleep right away.  As you can imagine her yelling and horrible antics in the middle of the night not only wake up Mom and Dad but they also wake up Kyle..and that's not fun! So back to binky it is, but only at night, to soothe Miss. Hailey (whom I felt badly taking the binky from in the first place). We all are sleeping better thanks to the bink.

Now I can not tell a lie, if and when they find one during the day they pop it in, but when I ask for it I receive it right away. So its not a complete failure..and a family has to sleep!

TreeTradition

Every year we get our tree at DeVincent Brothers in Norton. Not only because they are family and we love them, but because they have a great selection (and you get a free large pizza from DeVincent Downtown with purchase).  We didn't stay for pizza, but we did get our tree.

Daddy and Kyle hit the lot hard to find the perfect tree.

 Rhonda, Ryan and Jr were getting their tree today too.

 

After the Mulloys STOLE our perfect tree (we didn't mind though) it came down to 2 other trees.  Kyle and Hailey had a tough decision to make.

 They both agreed tree #2 was OUR tree.

 Its nice going down there because we get to visit with family we don't always get to see.  Uncle Brian couldn't believe how big his 3 grand niece and nephews were getting.

So there it is the Devincent Family Tree...#2

 And the Mulloys had their tree (really our tree...LOL)

 Once you have the tree you have to set it up.

You have to decorate it too

 Kyle loved decorating.  It was fun to watch him, he was so excited to have a Christmas Tree.

 Hailey was excited too but she wasn't really into decorating the tree.  She was happy to watch and drink her milk.

 So

 So here is our tree.  Tradition kept and day fulfilled. It is a little skinnier than usual but we love it all the same.

The house is decorated and ready for Santa.

Happy Holidays!