Keeping Boys From FIghting. How? Please? Help?

For the past several weeks the boys have been fighting non-stop. Don't get me wrong- they do have their moments of kindness to each other, but they are few and far between.

I think the worst was yesterday when Keith said Kolbe lost 9 marbles (we use marbles as a reward system and when he fills his jar he gets a toy). Well he has never lost that many, and they were all lost due to being physical with Nickolas. Nickolas definitely eggs him on, but then Kolbe usually loses his patience and pushes him, or hits him, or grabs something from him really rough or like yesterday, but his hands around his neck!

That was the last straw. We decided to not give him 3 marbles at the start of the day, now he has to earn every single one. Also, we designated a box, and no more warnings when he hits or pushes he immediately loses a toy (he's pretty attached to his trains right now so I think this strategy may work). He will then be able to earn the toys back.

I don't know if this will do any good, but I'm really at a loss on what to do. This is such a new experience dealing with how they interact with each other in this way and how to be fair. I never had brothers or even siblings close in age, so I have no experience with this kind of thing.

Most people have been telling me they did that all the time growing up with their siblings and always fought. Hearing the stories are not very promising from a Mom's point of view! ;)

Toddler and Hair Overgrowth

When Kolbe was born, he had jet black hair, but not very much on his face. No biggie. As he got older, it quickly changed to blonde when I balded him after using shampoo for cradle cap. No biggie.

But now, as he's gotten older he's started growing a massive unibrow! I don't want to make him self-conscious about it, but it's not the most subtle of things because his hair is growing in really dark and thick on this face, which is odd.

We finally decided we would go ahead and shave it off, and eventually teach him how to "man-icure" it.

Oh the things we do to maintain our looks, even at the age of 3.

Kolbe & DoryAnne

Eventhough it's been 2 weeks, this picture was too cute not to post. We spent some time with Keith's brother and his family, so Kolbe and Nickolas got to play with their cousins, DoryAnne and Robert.

They all had a great time. Riding in the golf cart, swimming, driving the car, eating and running all around the house!

Lots of fun for them, but 4 kids under the age of 4 is suicide.

One on One TIme with Nickolas

Keith and Kolbe left for Disneyworld super early on Tuesday morning, so I have had Nickolas all to myself since then-just the 2 of us.

It's really weird.

I mean, it's great, but just so different. On Tuesday night after work I picked him up, then we went and ate dinner together, which I realized was the first time I had ever done that just me and him. Then we came home and played, no TV on, no noise. Bath time, snack and bed. I think Nickolas really enjoys having the house to himself for a change. Although he did get very upset when it was time for bed, and I was the only one to give kisses too-he went into Kolbe's room looking for him crying.

It makes me realize that a lot of the time I think of my kids as "one". I always think of interacting with them while they are together, and focusing more on them being together, when I really should make more time for one on one like this, especially with Nickolas who has gotten much less than Kolbe.

It's a nice change of pace-but we are ready to have everyone together again on Friday!

Grocery Store Priorities

Nickolas and I went to Target tonight for the below items:

• Diapers
• Cleaning wipes
• Cotton balls
• Ketchup
• Dishwashing soap

I did get those items, but somehow a few extra items slipped in there too! I really had the sweet tooth tonight- I can't even remember the last time I bought any of these things in the store- circus peanuts?? Come on!! I even had them open before I left the parking lot!

Where's my self-control?

Girls Trip to San Marcos

I went on a Girls Trip from late Thursday night until Sunday afternoon down to San Marcos. It was a lot of fun!

We tubed along the river (which was the best part), did some shopping at the outlet mall, saw "Mama Mia", ate some great food and did more shopping in Gruene for the trade days.

We stayed in a great bed and breakfast, they made breakfast for us every day, we played games at night and got a good amount of exploring the town and relaxing at the same time!

Thanks for Andi, Jill, Susanna and Anne! Can't wait until Santa Fe next year!

CS3 Training in Dallas

So I'm always up for one day local training on anything that applies to work, so when a few of us went to CS3 training last week I was excited. It's been many years since I've had hands on, especially since Adobe took over, and this day did have a web track.

So, how did it go?

Not too well. I was expecting a lot based on each session summary, and the sessions were either too geared towards beginners, or bounced around too much. I know that's always a tough thing when you only have an hour to work with, but I didn't get anything out of the day, which is rare to get nothing.

I wouldn't recommend a day through SkillPath, unless you were brand new to a topic, and even that is questionable.

Fourth of July Celebration (On the 3rd)

We celebrated on July 3rd with my family at the Historical Park in Farmers Branch. It was my aunt, cousin, grandparents, Mom, her husband and my sister. Oh and of course my boys.

I was really nervous about taking Nickolas because I didn't know how he would respond to the fireworks, and he's never been up that late, but they both did wonderful! I was so relieved!

After they got some food in them and it cooled off a little bit they were snacking, dancing to the music, running around and having a good time. The music was good and the fireworks were great.

It ended up being a great evening to celebrate and honor the day.

Randomness About the Boys

• Kolbe has really been interested in taking care of Nickolas lately-singing to him when he's crying, entertaining him, playing hide and seek and distracting him when he needs it.

• Nickolas has been waking up at 5am for some odd (and unfortunate for us) reason.

• Nickolas really loves airplanes, and of course Kolbe still likes trains, so I think when we move Nickolas into Kolbe's room eventually in the bunk beds we'll do a planes, trains and automobile theme.

• They both love to get in the pool, but we really need to get Kolbe in lessons.

• They have a good Pop. Keith took them grocery shopping, to the park, to the mall and swimming all in one day on Monday! I'm tired just thinking about it!

• Nickolas is in the phase of throwing everything.

• Kolbe has taken a big leap in interest with books every night. We have always read to him, but he's not too engaged, and lately he has been so excited about books. We should probably get him back in the library!

• I'm anxious to see how Nickolas does with fireworks tomorrow night! Wish us luck!