1-2-3 MAGIC

I recently learned about a child discipline program developed by Dr. Phelan called 1-2-3 MAGIC. The program emphasizes that children are not little adults and should not be treated as such. This has been my big mistake. I assume my boys are logical and reasonable when they are in fact illogical and unreasonable. Dr. Phelans' theory goes on to illustrate that my job as a parent should be likened to a "wild animal trainer"...I really laughed at this part and thought that maybe someone had been spying on my family! Anyway, the basic concept is that we should give warning counts followed by immediate timeouts without ANY TALKING or EMOTION. Turns out that this program is working like MAGIC in my home!! HOORAY!!! I have not raised my voice or acted out in frustration since Thursday night! (This is when I went to Enrichment meeting and learned about this program.) We (my church group) have just learned to methods for stopping behaviors and in a few months, we will revisit the subject and learn the techniques for start behaviors. Porter is responding very well to the program.

I would highly recommend this to everyone with children ages 2-12. His books are available and you might be able to find his DVD seminars through your children's school guide counselor or resource center. He also has a program for teens.

Environmental Sampling Please....

I am thinking that Matt must be working in some sort of toxic environment. He has truly lost his mind. He is no longer thinking rational thoughts. I am wondering if I should file a complaint on his behalf. (Jared, what were your symptoms when you learned your work environment had unsafe air?)

Matt has gone camping this weekend!!! This might not sound so alarming except for the fact that today is the COLDEST DAY IN 6 YEARS....YES, THAT WAS 6 YEARS!!! He and several guys from church are up in the mountains (where their thermometer is registering 5 degrees) camping out with a hunting expedition planned for tomorrow.

As if that wasn't crazy enough....he is actually VERY EXCITED for this crazy, ridiculous camp out! So excited that I really feel bad for not wanting him to go. I did let him know that I would be seriously ticked off if he comes home sick! Not to mention that Porter could not go to sleep without worrying if Dad would be eaten by a bear. (Yes, he gets his worrying habits from me...I know it!!)




On another note, my visit with the lung specialist went well (my horrible cough has cleared up with the antibiotic cocktail). I do not recommend lung function testing for fun. I also seriously doubt if I will ever want to scuba dive!

Christmas Day at Nanny and Papas

Here are some pictures from Christmas at Mom and Dad's. I wasn't feeling well so, pictures will have to do....

I can tell you that Porter LOVED, LOVED, LOVED his bathrobe and Pajamas from Aunt Michelle and Uncle Darren. He was so excited....he thought Santa forgot!

Christmas Morning

This year Matt and I opted to drive home after Uncle Gene's party instead of heading over to Mom and Dad's for the night. We have reached the point where we want to be at our home for Christmas morning and then drive over for Christmas day.

Porter had been sick earlier in the week and with everything going on, I forgot to make Christmas cookies for Santa. In a panic, Porter remembered this oversight on the way to Uncle Gene's. Aunt Connie saved the day and sent us home with a plate full of cutout cookies for Santa to enjoy. Before bed, Porter made sure that we set out the cookies and eggnog for Santa to enjoy after bringing presents for my boys.

Santa ate all of the cookies and just left some crumbs!

I might be able to figure out how to download our video of the event. It was so great! Porter woke around 7:30 am and ran screaming, "Santa came, Santa Came!!!" It was wonderful. We unwrapped our gifts, ate breakfast at Waffle House then drove to Nanny and Papas for the rest of the day.

I was feeling sick with fever by the time we got to Mom's house. I spent most of the day in bed and so, I can't comment much more on Christmas....well I can say that we all got sick and Mom came to our home to take care of us for a few days!

Christmas Eve with the Hendersons

My favorite family gathering of the year is Christmas Eve at Uncle Gene's house. We have celebrated Christmas with the Henderson cousins every year for about 22 years now. The night is low key and I just treasure this time together. We have dinner first which always includes yummy Christmas treats for dessert. My favorite Christmas goodie is Date Nut Balls and Aunt Connie never fails to have them out. This year she also had homemade sugar cookies. (not to mention the buckeyes, peanut brittle, chocolate covered pretzels, carrot cake, brownies, ranch crackers, salted nuts, lemon bars and more.)

Following dinner, everyone goes to the family room where we sing Christmas songs and read the story of Christmas from the Bible. In closing, anyone who wants to share a special thought or message can do so at that time. It isn't a fancy night, you can come as you are and it it the one night I never want to miss.

Ehlers Family Christmas Party

We hosted the Ehlers Family Christmas Party this year. It was wonderful to have the family together. We did miss Andy and his family as they could not get away this year. It is very difficult for them to come back to Georgia at Christmas. We love them and miss them!

Those who came, had a great visit...at least I think they did! It has been difficult to find time for all of us to get together this year. With so many children with different schedules, it proves challenging but I hope to make more time to spend together in 2009. Porter loves his cousins. It is great to see that he and Elijah have so much in common....meaning they both love to play rough games and guns are a favorite of both! Pretty soon Dixon will be right in the mix too!

I want to start planning an Ehlers family Wii game tournament. Maybe I will practice lots first and then invite everyone to come!!

Someone Feed this Kid

Dixon was so hungry coming home from church recently that he decided to eat his orange (one he took from the Primary room) skin and all! It was pretty cute and very messy! He also had some chocolate bar. He really does get to eat real meals at home but sometimes it is too much to wait for that 15 minute car ride home. Lucky for us, we now change to the afternoon meeting schedule so we will have lunch before church and dinner in the crock pot while we are gone.

Santa's Workshop with Nanny

Porter had a Santa's Workshop PACT at school the last week of school before his winter break. Nanny and Papa came to surprise him. Since it was nap time, Papa stayed home to babysit and I got to go with Mom to the activity. Elf Porter had a lot of fun making crafts and thought it was great to get out of school a few minutes early.