Nikki's Book Club

This month, the book club I'm in read some parenting books. I'm not really a "parenting book person". I'd rather just talk to people about ideas and experience life with my children through trial and error. Usually it's more error than not, but I am trying to be a better mom. I read part of a book called "The Potentially Sane Mother's Guide to Raising Young Children". The author is a LDS BYU law school grad with 5 children under age 8. She had some good philosophies and I tried to apply them in my life. One of her things is to try to put a postivie spin on negative situations. Well, last week we had one of those potentially dreadful experiences. Lucia decided she wanted a treat at the store. When I told her no, she started having a temper tantrum. I kept my cool in the store and left as quickly as possible. In the parking lot, she was screaming her head off and a guy walked by and laughed. I thought to myself, this could be funny. So I got her in the car kicking and screaming and she continued to kick my seat and scream at me. I thought to myself, "What could I do to get her to settle down?" So, I put in a primary CD and "I Am a Child of God" came on. Within seconds, she settled down and started singing. Instead of me blowing up and her reacting to me, we were all happy and went to the park to play.
Other books we discussed in book club:

1. Christlike Parenting
2. 10 Secrets All Parents Know
3. A Mind At a Time

Can't get one by her

This afternoon before I sat down to check out the blogs, I gave Lucia a bowl of cereal. She did come up and talk to me at one point and I was too distracted to answer her. So when I got off the computer, she yelled at me, "Mommy, I want more cereal NOW!". I said to her, "You need to ask nicely." Her response was, "I did say please and ask nicely, but you were checking your email and didn't pay any attention to me!" Boy did I feel sheepish.

Fairy Tale Town

On Marco's actual birthday, we decided to go to Fairy Tale Town. It's basically a park with different fairy tale scenes like Cinderella's coach, Sherwood Forest, Old McDonalds' farm, etc. We went with Tami, Dan and Noelle and it was a nice day. We had a picnic and when it got too hot and the kids were tired, we went home! We then celebrated his birthday on Sunday at Mom and Dad's. He got a whole new fall wardrobe, bath toys, balls, toy cars, and his red push car that he loves. He handled the whole hoopla with ease and he loved his cupcake. I can't believe he is already a year old. It went by way too fast.

Marco's 1st Birthday

I've been tagged!

Jobs I have held (most recent first) Mom 1. Substitute teacher 2. 3rd and 1st grade teacher. 3. E-Trade customer service 4. Telemarketer 5. Mortuary Assistant
Movies I can watch over and over:1. Anything Jane Austen 2. Legends of the Fall 3. Musicals
Guilty Pleasures: 1. Cookie dough 2. Reality TV 3. Bollywood videos 4. Naps
Places I've lived:1. Santa Monica, Los Angeles and Pasadena, CA 2. Sacramento area 3. Murray and Provo, UT 4. Uruguay
Television Shows I enjoy: 1. Amazing Race 2. So You Think You Can Dance 3. America's Next Top Model 4. Grey's Anatomy
The things I most likely thought when I met my significant other:1. I would never date him in a million years 2. He has blue hair (ugh) 3. He's fascinating
Places I've been on vacation:1.Hawaii 2. Mexico 3. New York and DC 4. Peru and Bolivia 5. Argentina and Brazil 6. England, Scotland and France
My favorite Foods:1. Baja Fresh Mexican 2. Gnocchi 3. Sushi 4. Cookies, brownies, ice cream
Websites I visit Daily:1. E-mail2. Blogs 3. Craigslist.com (not everyday)
Body Parts I've injured:1. Scar on my chin 2. Sprained ankle in high school
Awards I have won:1. Poem writing contest 2. Moot Court 3. Cheerleading competitions
Nicknames I have had:1. Mommy (my favorite) 2. Babe 3. Nik
Now I tag two of you!1. MaCall Potter 2. Johnny Shirley

Mastitis...miserable

I haven't posted in a long time because I've been sick. Last week I came down with mastitis, a breast infection. I woke up with some pain and started feeling flu like symptoms. I went to the doctor right away and got on antibiotic. I fell down with a fever of 102.5 and was flat in bed all day. Luckily my mom was here to help with the kids or I would have been in big trouble. So, I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I've had a lot of catching up to do since then. It's amazing how much the house can fall apart in three days. But all is back to normal now.