Dedication

We dedicated both Lena and McKinley at our church (Calvary Chapel Chino Hills) today.  Grandma and Grandpa Orr were there as well as Uncle Ben, Aunt Lindsay, and the cousins.  Pastor Jack Hibbs held Lena and prayed over her while she tried to play fight with him. (yikes!)  McKinley didn't want anything to do with Pastor Jack so I held her and he laid a hand on my shoulder while he prayed.   Kinley kept prying his fingers off of my shoulders like she thought the pastor had no business touching her mom.  The congregation and Pastor Jack got quite a kick out of that.  It was such a quick moment but so special considering the circumstances in how Lena and McKinley came to be born into our family.

Lena's First Allowence

Ready to go shopping!

After the first week of Lena's goals we had to make a few adjustments.  We took "make bed" off of her list of chores as it was just too advanced of a task for her to complete especially considering she sleeps in a queen sized bed.  Secondly, getting a "pirate coin" at the end of the day for completing all of her tasks was too abstract.  She needed some more immediate and tangible reward for completing her tasks.  We opened up a piggy bank we had been saving to give her and began giving her a nickel for each task she completed on her goal chart.  If she finished all seven of her tasks she would get a quarter too.  Her other reward chart is now strictly for her pirate coins issued for making good choices.  This has worked out really well!  After a few weeks Lena got to open up her piggy bank and get ready for her first allowance shopping trip to Dollar Tree!

Getting the coins ready to take to the store.

Showing off her "gold tabloons" - three gold dollars

When we emptied her piggy bank Lena practiced her counting by grouping the nickels into rows of twenty.  She then traded them in for gold dollar coins.  She ended up with three precious gold coins to take to the store.  She carefully tucked them into a coin purse I gave her and we got ready to go.  Once in the store Lena was excitedly browsing the shelves.  She pulled items from the racks and chattered on and on about each item.  She ended up pulling several items into our basket and then she had to choose only three items to purchase.  It was fun to see what she was interested in.  She ultimately selected a heart-shaped Mylar balloon, a bag of ring pops, and a valentine snow globe.  The runner up items were a valentine goblet, a Sofia the First puzzle, a butterfly net, a set of ninja action figures, Strawberry Shortcake body wash, a bag of Cheetos, and a Scooby Doo expanding hand towel.  We then headed for the check out and she placed her items on the counter and handed over her three precious coins.  I think it was a good experience for her.

Excited about her purchases

Enjoying the "fruits" of her labor - a blue tongue from her ring pop!

 I am so proud of Lena for working towards her daily goals.  Some days she does better than others but she is becoming a great helper and I had so much fun with her today watching her spend her first allowance. 

New Year...New Goals: Lena Helps Out

As we started the New Year as a family of four I began to think about what our goals should be for 2015.  Now that Dan and I are parents our goals have shifted to include our girls. Lena has officially entered into a more difficult period of behavior.  We want to encourage teamwork, self-responsibility, perseverence through difficult tasks, and other redeeming qualities.  So we have officially begun Lena's goal-reward system this week.

Lena's Goal Chart ( By Melissa and Doug)

Each day she has seven goals/tasks to complete.  As she finishes them she gets to put a smiley face on that space.  At the end of the day if she has completed all of her tasks she gets a "pirate coin" to put on her reward chart.  If she has done an extra good job by doing all her tasks without having to be asked over and over then she gets two pirate coins.

Lena's reward chart - Dan helped her make it and as you can see she REALLY wants an extra visit to Grandma and Grandpa's house!

There are six different prizes on her reward chart that she can work towards: a special extra visit to Grandma and Grandpa's house, a visit to the farm near our house, a trip to Toys R Us to buy a toy, go to Chuck E Cheese, a trip to the beach, and a visit to Scandia mini golf and amusement park.  I let her choose these prizes out of ten prizes I had picked out.  (She didn't choose bowling, the zoo, a train ride, or get ice cream.)

Lena's favorite chores are putting the silverware away and washing the sliding door window.

Lena's first seven daily goals we picked out are: Make Bed, Feed Dog and Cat, Do a House Chore, Complete a Learning Lesson, Pick Up Toys, Put Clothes in the Hamper, Get Ready for Bed.  Hands down the chore she hates the most is making her bed.  I totally don't get it because it is super easy, but she hates it and has missed getting her pirate coin a few days because she refused to do it. 

Lena's Cleaning Bin: I went to Dollar Tree and bought some supplies for Lena's house chores: a feather duster, some rags, a spray bottle for vinegar/water solution, a dust pan and brush, a scrubbing brush, a cloth duster.

After a week of this system I think it is working well for a couple of reasons.  First it has helped me stay focused on remembering to involve Lena in my daily housework.  I like to work alone...I always have..I hated group projects in school.  I like to work fast, methodically, and according to my standards and done my way.  So needless to say it has been a stretch out of my comfort zone to find ways that Lena can be part of my daily work, learn how to be responsible for some of the housecleaning tasks, and be patient in teaching her how to complete these tasks.  So far she has learned to dust, wash a window, sort clean silverware, put away piles of her own clean laundry, use the dustbuster to clean a mess, and sweep the floors.  I plan to teach her to match socks when I fold laundry and maybe wipe down the dining room table. 

Lena learns to use the dustbuster to clean the floor.

The goals have also helped me get in the habit of doing something intentionally educational with her everyday.  We haven't really started any preschool curriculum yet but I do subscribe to ABC Mouse which is a great online program that has preschool learning activities.  We also have done the matching game, ABC puzzles, practice writing letters, and I plan to print off some ABC and 123 worksheet stuff for her to complete.

Completing a lesson on ABC Mouse

Lastly, it helps me stay focused on rewarding Lena for good behavior choices rather than nagging, yelling, and issuing consequences all day long.  It gives her a visible assessment of how she is doing.  I do think I would like to incorporate some additional reward for attitude...we'll see.  I don't want to over complicate it and confuse her. 

Choosing which prize she wants to work towards!

We will see how it goes this month!  I am hoping that she will grow and become more and more independent with some of these activities as she learns how to do things and begins to realize that it feels good to work hard and get rewarded for your efforts. 

Edible Easter Project: Egg Yolk Painting

Lena's first masterpiece.

A few days ago Lena and I did a fun edible art project that I remember doing every Easter when I was growing up: egg yolk painting on sugar cookie dough.  She loved it and it was a simple and fun activity we could all do together.  Here is what we did:

First Lena and I mixed up a batch of Ethel's Sugar Cookies from Betty Crocker's Cooky Book. (See the recipe at the end of this post.)  While the dough was chilling I prepared the edible paints by cracking some eggs and separating the yolks from the whites.  Each yolk is put into a dish and mixed with food coloring.

Egg yolk paints ready to go!

Once the dough was chilled Lena rolled out the dough with her little rolling pin and we cut out shapes.  I rolled out thick cookies this time but if you like crispy cookies you can roll them thinner.  We chose an egg, butterfly, bunny, and cross for our Easter themed cookies.  I always bake on parchment paper which gives the cookies a nice even bake.

Raw cut out sugar cookies ready to be painted.

Then it was time to get creative!  Lena, Dan, and I each got a row of cookies to decorate.  We used little craft paint brushes and spoons to create our designs.

Daddy and Lena

Lena favored blue and green for her painted cookies.

From left to right: Daddy's cookies, Mama's cookies, Lena's cookies

Then it was time to pop the cookies in the 400 degree oven to bake.  Don't EVER follow the baking time in the cook books and don't ever cook sugar cookies until they are slightly golden brown.  They will be hard as a rock if you do!  Sugar cookies only bake until set (not glossy).  (Thinner, small cookies take 4 min and thicker large cookies take 6 min.)  They will be very delicate when they come out of the oven but just wait!  Let them sit and as they cool they will set up and be super soft, velvety, and totally baked.

Baking at 400 degrees for 4-6 minutes depending on thickness,

You can eat your creations at this point but I wanted to add a touch of sweetness with a simple glaze frosting.  It also helps keep the cookies nice and moist if you store them for a few days.  (See the glaze recipe below.)  I like to simply brush on the glaze right over the cookies.

Ready to apply a simple glaze to the baked cookies.

Lastly, we ate our cookies!  They are Lena's most favorite cookie that we bake together and I think she loved the added fun of painting them.

Mmmmm...good!  Lena picked Daddy's egg as her favorite cookie.

Ethel’s Sugar Cookies

adapted from Betty Crocker’s Cooky Book  (copyright 1977) with my changes

3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup sugar

2 eggs, room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla (I like to use 1/2 tsp vanilla and 1/2 tsp almond flavoring)

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1. Mix butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla thoroughly.
2. Stir flour, baking powder, and salt together.
3. Blend butter mixture and flour mixture.
4. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour or overnight.
5. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
6. On a board that has been lightly floured with a mixture of flour, roll dough until it is 1/4 - 1/2 inch thick.  Cut with your favorite cooky cutter.
7. Place on an ungreased baking sheet lined with parchment paper
8. Bake 4 to 6 minutes, or until cookies are not glossy
9. Cool on a wire rack.  If desired brush on a glaze or spread on a thicker icing of your choice.

Makes 2-4 dozen cookies, depending on the size of the cutter and thickness of dough.

Glaze

1 cup sifted confectioner’s sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond flavoring

1-3 Tablespoons milk

1. Blend sugar and vanilla.
2. Add milk 1 tablespoon at at a time until icing reaches a spreadable consistency.

Toddler Wars

The terrible twos hit around 22 months for Lena.  She is a little firecracker and keeps me on my toes but I love her to pieces...even when she looks like this:

Yet another crying fit...snotty nose, puffy eyes, and all!

She is only two but it seems that a part of each of my day I am engaged in "Toddler Wars"!  The worst seems to be the hours between nap and bed time right when I am trying to tidy up the house and make dinner before Dan gets home.  While sometimes her toddler antics can make me crazy they are also often pretty amusing which is why I must document some of these moments...

This is how I like the towels....

This is how Lena likes the towels....

You never know where you might find little Lena "surprises"!  She loves to move and hide things in strange places.

I let Lena have a "trinket drawer" in the dining room.

This girl is like a monkey!  She is always climbing...everywhere!

Lena has a habit of twirling her hair into fantastic knots!  Not fun!

Lena and one of her kitties.  She will often try to sneak off to find one of them.

Lena and I on a fly killing spree with our electrified fly swatter.  Lena can't stand having flies around.  Going on a fly killing spree is one of her favorite activities to do with me.

She has TONS of toys but pulling things out of my cabinets and lining them up is one of her favorite games. 

And then there was the eve of 7dp5dt +UPDATE

I am having an emotional crisis so I put Lena in the crib with juice and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and I'm lying on the bed eating chocolate that I am not supposed to be eating.  I thought I had it all under control.  I got her up from her nap and made her a juice and snack and directed her towards her toys so I could clean up the messy kitchen and make Dan dinner.  And then she dumped her juice on the living room carpet, cried, and wouldn't let go of my legs. 

Help!  My house is a disaster, I am STILL cramping from the transfer almost a full week later, I am STILL seething from having to drive 4.5 hours round trip today to Dr. K's for a simple blood draw for estrogen levels because insurance won't pay and the local lab wanted $350 for the test, the maddening "what if" crazies have begun to spin in my head, the PIO shots are really starting to be a pain in my butt - literally (bruises, welts, knots, rashes, and itching), and to top it all off I start my new job tomorrow.  Welcome to my pity party.  This is my fourth FET and days 7-10 are the toughest to endure, ALWAYS!  The logical woman inside my head is telling me to sit down, make a list, and prioritize.  She is telling me, "Everything doesn't have to be perfect right now."  But I hate admitting when I am defeated and I totally feel that way right now.  I don't even know how to finish this post.  I am waving the white flag.  I am sure I will re-read this at some point in the future and laugh at how dramatic I became over spilled juice.  I blame the PIO.  Those wicked little hormones... 

FYI:  7dp5dt means 7 days post 5 day transfer

UPDATE:
I have the best husband EVER!  He came home after working a 10 hour shift.  He brought dinner and sent me up to bed. He fed Lena, took her to the park, gave her a bath and then put her to bed.  And when I got up this morning I discovered that he stayed up late to clean the entire kitchen.  I went to my first day as a second grade homeschool co-op teacher and it went so well and I LOVED it!  Lena had a great day visiting Grandma and Grandpa while I was at work.  So thankful tonight for a loving and thoughtful husband and the prayers and support of my family and friends. 

Hume Lake 2013: Camping with a Toddler

Last week we went on our very first camping trip as a family of three!  We spent a full week up in the Sequoia National Forest at Hume Lake Campground in our "new" tent trailer that we acquired off of Craigslist a few weeks ago.  It was the most relaxing vacation we have ever had together.  I had fun recalling memories from when I worked there 16 years ago.  It was one of those experiences that I would want to do all over again.  It is so beautiful and so peaceful there and yet there is also much to do!

We took lots of pretty walks around the lake...

We went fishing and caught rainbow trout to cook up for dinner...

Even Mama got some fishing action and caught a fish!

We took Lena on her first bike ride around the Christian campground and also around the lake...

Lena LOVED the bike rides.  She would yell "Weeeee Weeee" every time we would pick up speed.

We cooked yummy camping food and did the dishes in our trailer...

Dad teaching Lena how to properly eat ramen noodles.

"Mountain Man Breakfast Skillet": hashbrowns, eggs, cheese, sausage, and bacon

First time Lena and I got to experience Jiffy Pop!

Pancakes!

We brought along some of Lena's favorites like strawberry Greek yogurt.

Mama doing KP!

We played games and cards and read lots of books and even watched a little Mickey Mouse Clubhouse...

Mom and Dad played Monopoly cards (Dad dominated) and Lena played Mickey counting cards.

Play time with Daddy

How we kept her clean after her afternoon shower.

A little Mickey Mouse Clubhouse while Mom and Dad make dinner.

We took our kayak out on the lake for fun boat rides and fishing...

This fish was too little...had to thrown him back.

Yes we own a huge purple kayak!

We walked to the Christian Camp to watch recreation, get snacks, and play in the sand...

We got very dirty... and then very clean...

This drove me nuts!  But hey, she loved it.

The toddler camping shower.  

We swam in the lake and played on the beaches...

We relaxed and enjoyed the beauty of God's creation...

We had an AMAZING time and were sad to leave but happy we got to go.  Thank you Jesus for making such beautiful places for us to enjoy.

All packed up and ready to head home.

Side note:  Contrary to popular opinion camping with a toddler is not crazy nor impossible.  Kids LOVE to be outside, get dirty, explore, and enjoy nature.  Lena loved it!  Notice though we did use some modern conveniences: perimeter gate, tons of baby wipes, a bag of favorite toys, a portable DVD player to give us an occasional quiet break, a few lollipops and other favorite snacks, and we kept regular nap time every afternoon.