Tip #72 From Mrs. Sunny

"Think about keeping the little kids home when buying gifts for family and friends
this holiday season"

We had a great presentation at church yesterday on the Sermon on the Mount. The speaker added his own 3 Beatitudes that we tend to focus more on in this media-filled world than the original Beatitudes.

The Beatitude for children that they hear everyday in the media is: "Blessed are those who buy things!"

I couldn't agree more that the media is bombarding our children...even our 2 and 3 year old children! Kristofer gets to watch one 1/2 hour cartoon in the afternoon before nap and maybe one 1/2 cartoon in the evening if I'm pulling my hair out waiting for Sunny to get home. I love how Nick Jr. is commercial-free, if there's a show on another station that Kristofer wants to watch, I make sure I turn it on just as the show is starting because they are just filled with commercials wanting to sell TOYS to kids!

So back to my tip: "Think about keeping the little kids home when buying gifts for family and friends this holiday season"

This evening I needed to buy yellow envelopes at the stored and thought I would get ahead on a few gifts for Kristofer's friends. Before I went in I explained how during Christmas we GIVE gifts to those we love like baby Jesus was given gifts when he was born. He said, "And a present for Kristofer and Kathryne?" I explained "No, just for your friends".

All went well until he saw a toy he wanted and it all went downhill. Kristofer is not ready to understand buying presents for his friends without thinking he needs something himself, so I am opting to keep him home this season and shop on my own.

I only bought my envelopes and Kristofer cried for his toy all the way through the store and in the line...another lesson to be learned!

As Kristofer gets older he'll understand, but it's not worth the "Gimme Gimme" struggles and it's not helping to teach him the lesson of giving. Maybe he can make gifts at home to add to the presents!

Just think about it.

Tip #71 From Mrs. Sunny

"Make a list of things that need to get done!"

This may seem like an obvious thing to do...but I learned how important it was to keep a list in college from one of my professors. If I don't write it down, it probably won't it done.

I can often be a procrastinator on things such as...window washing, cleaning the fridge, dusting the piano, vacuuming, going through the pile of bills on the counter, folding the clothes (I can't stand doing this and clothes will sit in the basket for days or all week)...you name it, I'll procrastinate as long as possible. There's always something better to do.

But lately I've been going back to my scribbled list of "Things To Do" and amazingly I'm accomplishing more. Just seeing what needs to be done helps. Every day I try and check just ONE thing off the list and by the end of the week it's all done! I must just like the feeling of checking things off and throwing the list away when it's all done!

Just remember your house will never be perfect...especially with kids...but this may help you keep your sanity and feel a little more on top of things around the house! I know it helps me!

Tip #70 From Mrs. Sunny

"Follow the ... 'Better late than never' policy"

So I finally got to the store and bought my 17 month old a toothbrush - gasp! I know, she has had those back teeth for months! I just kept forgetting! After an episode this past week I had to get Kristofer a new toothbrush and alas, I got Kathryne one as well. They were actually fighting over the double pack of toothbrushes all the way through the store - screaming and tears. I guess there are worse things to be fighting over like candy or a toy. :)

Here is why Kristofer needed a new toothbrush. As always, with 6 kids in the house during the day, grabbing 30 seconds to myself on the Ol' John is a rarity and when I do, it's like they know I'm not watching and someone always gets hurt or in trouble. But this past week it was quiet - I was enjoying my time until I come to the kitchen and Kristofer, Kathryne and Lucy (whom I watch) all have their hands in the peanut butter jar. This has been a classic for Kristofer the past 2 years and he finally drug the two little girls into it!

It was cute, though. I sent Kristofer to go wash his hands in the bathroom and he was taking forever! There was so much peanut butter on his fingers that it was stuck to the sink and he was trying to wash it off with his toothbrush...that toothbrush needless to say got thrown away! So we got new ones for the whole family!

Always remember it's better late than never!