Too cute!

The other week the 2 older kids and I were out at a Sunday school pizza/movie night. (A reward for those children who managed to learn all the books of the Bible.) Dean had the 2 munchkins at home. Dean was making pancakes for him and Aleah and he asked Aleah to set the table. This is what she did all of her own accord...


(not a very clear picture...sorry)
Aleah got her tablecloth from her playthings, then laid out the plates and the cutlery and any thing else that was needed.


(She had her face painted earlier in the day)
It was a special treat to be eating at her little table in the front room, and yes- Dean sat at the little table and ate pancakes with his little girl.



Dean's attempt to get everyone at the dinner party in the photo!

Fall Fun

Here's a few pictures from our visit with our friends in Nottingham. We seem to have started a tradition when we are with them...a big leaf fight/bundle. The kids love to try and get Dean to the ground or at least shove leaves down his clothes. Levi wasn't too sure about being sat amongst a bunch of leaves!

Aleah loved to cover herself up completely!


It was all fun and games until we discovered that there was a little more than just leaves amongst the pile! (peuww!)

I've been tagged

My sister in law has 'tagged' me on her blog to give my top 5 baby/child tips as well as top 5 baby products. When I first thought about this I drew a blank. It took me longer than expected, especially as I am a mother of 4.

Top 5 baby/child tips

1. Get on a schedule as soon as possible. For your sanity, for your family's sanity, and so that your baby knows whether they are coming or going! It does help with sleeping through the night all mine slept through the night from 6-8 weeks with the exception of the last who milked it and only starting sleeping through at 12 weeks. Mine were all on pretty solid 'feed-wake-sleep' cycles from around 4 weeks. A few of mine had the cycles switched around, but they never fell asleep during a feed. On the subject of feeding ...that's my no.2

2. When it comes to feeding a baby do what works for you! Breast feeding is best, but if it isn't working for you GIVE IT UP!!! I stressed for 2 weeks with my first and it wasn't working - there was a lot of pressure from the midwives to keep it going but it wasn't working for us. I knew that it was best, but was never thrilled with the whole idea of breast feeding. When I made the decision to change to bottle feeding (formula) it changed my whole outlook. I have never looked back with any of my babies. (The midwives stopped hastling me about it finally with my fourth baby.)It is great too because everyone can help out when it comes to feeding! I also recommend that breast feeding moms express a feed now and then so that Dad's can have that 'bonding' time with baby.

3. DO NOT GIVE IN TO PICKY EATERS! I did and had to spend a year of agonizing mealtimes to undo what I allowed to happen. I have a very picky eater, and I used to make 'children's meals' and 'adult meals'. I, with the support of my husband, finally decided to make one meal and everyone had to have 1 mommy serving of it. It was miserable for a LONG time, but with God's help, the support of each other, and consistency meal times are A LOT better. (NOT always great, but the expectation is clear)

4. CHORES and RESPONSIBILITIES. Children can do all kinds of jobs around the the house. Families work together, Mom is NOT the slave. I am still working on this, especially trying to get them to 'do everything without complaining'. This is an area I can still improve on, my kids do the basics - ie: unloading dishwasher, setting the table, clearing the table, sweeping, collecting the rubbish, cleaning the bathroom, cleaning their rooms, hoovering the carpets.

5. Follow through with what you say - which means you need to really think about what you saying before it comes out of your mouth.


TOP 5 Baby Products

1. Wipes!(not sure I'll ever give these up...they're great for cleaning lots of things!)

2.Boppy Pillow or V shaped pillow. Great for pregnancy, babies of all ages, and ours has been noted as quite comfy as a guest pillow.

3. Pushchair/Stroller - lost count at how many we have owned over the years. We currently have an all purpose 3 wheeler (we do a lot of walking) and a lightweight Maclaren for public transport use, or as a grab and go.

4. NON SPILL SIPPY CUPS.

5. Bath Seat for wriggly, slippery, splashy babies. Levi is especially hard to hold on to in the bath...these seats have kept all by babies safe and happy in the bath.