Questions and Answers

Well, I thought I would answer some of the questions that were asked during the last Meme. Thankfully, I only have 5 to answer......you never know when you put something like that out there what will happen! lol

Joan asked if I will use The Story Of You again when we travel to China for daughter #2? My answer is YES. I have heard that blogger doesn't work well there so I will use TSOY and probably ask a travel mate to update the blog. ;)

Sandra asked what is up with the chilled almonds? Nothing other than that they stay really crunchy and crisp. I like to eat them with a piece of string cheese. It is a very filling snack.

Teresa asked how I handle discipline? Sophia is put into time outs or I firmly speak to her. She is very feisty right now. There are days when the timer goes off and she is allowed to get down and she will look at me and say "I'm not ready yet"......there will have to be very clever discipline with this one. She does NOT like to apologize.....especially to Daniel.....this is something we are working on. Daniel......I'm sorry to say that he does get a spanking every once in a while. Usually when I think the temper tantrum has gone to far and I tell him to calm down. It usually snaps him right out of it. He does not like it when I speak firmly to him......he is very sensitive, however, it is really only his tantrums that cause us grief. Like I have stated....he is either happy or ticked.....I am waiting for the middle emotion! I also think once he starts talking a lot will change. Most days I let him go until the tantrum is over....he is then great for hours.

Kim asked I how I deal with the whining or when they have pushed my buttons too far? They really don't "whine" yet.....that would be the teenager! lol But I have found that if I get a goods night rest and my mind is clear and I wake up feeling good....that the day goes much better. The children are fueled by me......if I get upset, they get upset.....when it is nap time I either take a rest or I exercise.....that helps with the tension. I also have a good herbal line of products that I take on a daily basis. You can email me personally if you want more information on it. I don't sell it, but I don't think I should post about it yet either. Oh I have my days where I wish I wouldn't have yelled or said something that wasn't very nice. I don't pretend to have all the answers or say that my household or life is perfect......that just wouldn't' be truthful. I'm a Mom just like all of you out there that have good days and bad days. That's just life.

Anonymous asked: Do you have a nanny come everyday? How did you decide which nanny got to go to Maui and is Emmie ever allowed to babysit? First off, I find it interesting that this question was asked anonymously and that it also questions Emmie as well. Hmmm.....?????? Well, we do have a nanny every day (10-6) but that just started this past Feb. Once Emmie was done with her sports, it was very hard to get the kids up at 2pm to go and get her from school. It wreaked havoc with their naps. By dinner time, it was just ugly! ;( My sister Ingrid has been our nanny for the past 2 1/2 years. It has been the only job she has really needed to support her through college. We have a close bond and she is very close to all 3 of my children. She was adopted from Korea, so the bond that she and Sophia share is quite precious, very deep and emotional. She also loves Daniel to pieces. She is more patient with him than I am some days! lol However, she has just graduated....this past weekend in fact, and we knew that finding someone else sooner than later to transition into the position when she was ready to leave would be best for Sophia and Daniel. Since she was in college and her spring break was different than ours, there was no way she could come to Maui with us. We decided to bring Alycia about a month before we actually left. Last minute. I would also like to say that I am NOT gone every day from 10-6 either. I usually run errands in the morning and I am back many days to put the kids down for their naps or I am home right after I pick Emmie up from school. There are some days Emmie and I might run an errand or two. I am usually home to feed them dinner and I always put them to bed. Like I stated before, we are very routine here. Even Ingrid and Alycia have the routine down. The kids are happy and things run smoothly. After either nanny goes home for the day, it is dinner time, play time and bath time for all of us. The kids love it when Daddy walks through the door at night. I find it helpful to have another set of hands during the day. Who wouldn't??? Sophia is very easy to take places, but Daniel is not. And personally, I would rather have them here at home, where they are in their own environment, their own beds, have their own toys and where they feel secure than take them out of the home. If I can have a smooth grocery store trip (for example) or run my errands without the kids, tantrum free, that is my choice. It is a personal decision and so far it has worked out well for my family. I have never claimed to be super mom or a 24/7 mom. I am human. I need some space, I need to think, I need some alone time....not much...but enough to make me a good mom when I am here. That's keeping it real and honest! As far as Emmie baby sitting, yes she does help. If her Dad and I are going out, I pay her. If it is something that she wants me to run and do for her, than she knows she is going to watch them and not get paid. There are some things you just do because you are a family. I don't worry about her at all when she is home with Sophia and Daniel. She is very good and knows their routine like the back of her hand. However, she is also a child (so to speak) and I do not feel it is her responsibility to baby sit her siblings all the time either. I believe all families do what they feel is best. I am thankful that we can have a nanny(s)......I think the more people to love my children, the more loving and well adjusted they will be. And they are very social and friendly.

So there you have it.....a tad bit more on the Tribe. Hope you all have a good week. ;)