Monkey See, Monkey Do!!!

Discipline is a constant battle in our house right now. What works, what doesn't, how long, how often, what consequence for what behavior, etc. etc??? Anyways...our typical "sit against the wall until the timer goes off" time out...has recently ended in a 3 minute screaming fit about anything and everything...every time!

So...we decided to try something new. If a certain offense is "time out" worthy, the kids place their nose against the wall and stand there until we say it's time to move. No fits, no fidgeting, no face off the wall! So far, it's working like a charm!


The first time Kallen experienced said punishment however, he threw a larger than life fit, and I ended up holding him "in position" to show him how to properly stand against the wall. Well...dear sweet miss Kynlee, immediately walked over, said some gibberish to Kal, and proceeded to place her hands and nose on the wall, as if to show him how to do it.


Well, a few days later, Kynlee was tugging away at my clothes, trying with all her might to tell me something though I never quite understood. After failing to help me understand, she drug me to the refrigerator, stuffed monkey in hand, and proceeded to point up to the "spanker". Reluctantly, I handed it to her, just to see what she wanted it for.

Silly me...she sat down, laid the monkey over her legs, said some words that encouraged it to "no do dat adain", proceeded to give it a gentle yet firm spank on the "buns" and stood up. Well, she told him I thought...Nope, that was only half of it. She immediately then walked over the the wall, and shoved the monkeys face into it, all the while still repeating those words "no do dat adain"!

Apparently the monkey must have hit someone, then talked back in order to warrant such a punishment!!! Not just a time out, and not just a spanking...poor guy got both. Hopefully he won't do "that" again!!!

Blessings,

A Little Craziness...though it's a good Crazy!!!

Life has been crazy, hectic, chaotic, happy, wonderful...yadda, yadda, yadda. New school, and everything that comes with that, new puppy, and everything that comes with THAT, new schedules, new routines, new new new! We've been sick, had anniversaries and birthdays, gone on some 'vacations' and much, much more. We're adjusting, but life just seems as if it kicked into overdrive! So...here are a few pictures from the last couple of weeks:

Our favorite book

Happy Birthday Daddy

Sick little boy, but trying to make the best of it!

Sick little girl, and NOT making the best of it!

Our little "Kutter", 6 week old Boxer

An instant part of the family, for sure

Blessings,

Melissa and Doug...you shouldn't have!!!

For those of you who don't know...Melissa and Doug is a company that makes many wonderful wooden, and creativity enhancing toys! I'm a HUGE fan! Wooden toys are just fantastic and if we had no fisher price bright, flashy, noisy toys in our house I sure wouldn't be sad!

Anyways...A few weeks ago Kallen and Kynlee received a little "after Christmas" surprise...a play kitchen...wooden of course! They just can't get enough. Well, imagine their surprise when the mailman dropped of a box from amazon.com filled with Melissa and Doug food. One set of "food groups", and one set of "cutting fruits and vegetables". The kids LOVE them, and I love hearing their chatter as they "cook dinner".

"Here sissy...put this carrot back together so I can cut it for the soup"

"No Kally...no touch...mine"

Okay, so it isn't always joyous, but they are having a good time and sharing rather nicely...for the most part!

Blessings,

Cuddled in Red, White and Black

A few months ago some dear friends of ours were throwing their sons old twin bed away. Of course I don't like to see perfectly good things going to waste, and knowing that someday soon Kynlee would be transferring from her crib into a big girl bed...I snatched it up! With a little sanding, and several coats of paint, Kynlee got a darling little bed for FREE mind you!!!

Anyways...I wasn't quite ready to put Kynz in her big girl bed, so it's just been sitting in the garage, waiting! Well...Kevin recently turned the garage into his "man cave", so out went the bed, and into Kynlee's room it went. As you can imagine...the bed and the crib in her room, made things a little tight. Well...not anymore. I rolled the crib out this afternoon, and cuddled her up for our first try at the big girl bed.

Let's not talk about the fact that I've been listening to her screaming at the top of her lungs, while pounding on the door, for the last hour or so. Or the fact that I've put her back into bed 26 times in that time, and instead...let's just look at how cute she is all cuddled up!!!

Blessings,

A hat...of sorts

So, Kynlee won't wear hats of any kind, and getting her to leave a clip or band in her hair for more than 2 seconds is like pulling teeth...But she'll go to the laundry basket of clean clothes, pull out her brothers underwear, put it on her head and proceed to wear it around all afternoon. Nice!!!

Blessings,

Better Late than Never, I always say!

I know...Christmas is over!!! But...while some of you got this a couple of weeks ago, others have it in the mail now, and still others I don't have addresses for, so you're getting it here!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Albins!!!

Hello Family and Friends,

Well, 2008 has come and gone, and I’m not even sure where it went! We are blessed beyond words each and every day, and thank the Lord for all he has, and continues to give us!

As you can all imagine, life is a little crazy around here, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. Most of you know that in January 2007 Kevin and I bought Albin’s Plumbing from his parents, allowing them more time for golf, and visits to the family cabin!!! We’re going on our 3rd year as business owners, and definitely starting to get the hang of it. Rod is still around part-time, “just to make sure things run smoothly”, and we really appreciate his help and input!!! In May we tried our hand at “home renovation”, by transforming a house that should have been bulldozed, into quite a nice little rental (if I do say so myself)! Due to the hours and hours spent there, we were only able to take the boat out a couple of times this summer…something we regret, though we understand is just how it goes! We’ve got next summer to make up for it, so Triangle Lake, here we come!

The kids continue to run through life without a care in the world, and keep us smiling every day! Kallen is now 3, and entirely full of curiosity! He’s constantly inquiring about how things work, and why they do, and usually doesn’t give up asking about something until the 8th “how come” or so! Coming up with clever responses, helps keep our brains young! In January he starts attending the Philomath Montessori School, and he is SO excited. He can’t wait to “go to school, and ride the bus.” I try to explain that he won’t be riding the bus for a couple of years, but he just looks at me like I’m crazy…when you go to school, you ride the bus…duh mom! I’m dreading letting my little man “go”, though I’m looking forward to the one on one time I’ll be able to spend with Kynlee!

Speaking of Kynlee…our precious little angel is just that: A precious 1 ½ year old “angel”!!! Okay, did I fool you all? My parents used to tell me “just wait until you have a spit-fire, stubborn little girl, like you were, then you’ll understand.” Well…I got her! Our Kynlee is the most stubborn little thing you’ve ever met, and you just can’t help but smile at her! She knows what she wants, and when she wants it, and if she doesn’t get it…you better look out. Her brother thinks she’s the best things since sliced bread, and we tend to agree. Fiestiness and all, she is the most tenderhearted, loving, cuddly individual, and can light up any room with her “center of attention” act! It’s always about her!!!

I often wake up and pinch myself as a reminder, that no…it isn’t a dream! This is our life, and we couldn’t be happier!!!

So, blessings to you and yours…and have a Wonderful Christmas Season!
Kevin, Kati, Kallen, Kynlee and Kubota!

Blessings,

Count to 10, deep cleansing breath, count to 10...

Imagine this: Only in the post office at 4:00 in the afternoon, 3 days before Christmas, with a line out the door...Kallen is running around acting like this while screaming "I want my daddy, and I want to go home," and Kynlee in my arms kicking, screaming, and smacking me in the head as well...



Good times, Good times!!!

Blessings,

"River-dogg"

Remember our neighbors and good friends, Ellie & River. Well, I've talked a lot about how smitten Kallen is for Ellie, but what I've failed to mention is how much Kynlee adores River as well! The twinkle in her eye when River walks into the room is unmistakable!

Anyways...Today River turns 2, and we just wanted to wish him a very Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday "River-dogg", we love you!

Blessings,