just eat it

I'm being better about serving fruits and veggies to my family. Only they're not being eaten.

The bribes, threats, pleads, etc are not working. The "you-didn't-finish-your-dinner-therefore-when-you-get-hungry-again-you-will-finish-this" holding of the plate doesn't work. The sending to bed with a hungry tummy doesn't inspire. I'm telling you, after researching and reading books, articles and professional journals, I'm at the end of my rope!

I can't, for the life of me, get my kids to eat veggies. And some fruits. What kid do you know that won't eat watermelon?! Mine, that's who.

I think it's a texture thing, more than a taste thing. And it's got to be in their genes. Their father isn't too keen on the green either.

I've tried to be creative. For example: Green Beans are worms. Olives are moster eyes. Broccoli are "trees with heads." (they like to bite off heads, yikes) Even then, they end up playing in their food rathen than digesting it. I don't have a food processor or I would puree their vitamins and minerals right into their food.


If carrots are good enough for Bugs Bunny, you'd think that my kids would eat them more. But not without Ranch Dressing, of course.


Enlighten me with your ideas and your suggestions, please!

christmas, hurry up!

(Happy Christmas in Chinese characters)


The tickets are here!



We get to go on a couple of these!




We are leaving December 22 and getting back home on New Year's Day. We're spending Christmas in Shanghai, which is an unbelievable dream come true. They have Dun Che Lao Ren, which means Christmas Old Man and he is their "Santa Claus." We've been researching like crazy and can't wait to go! It's the ultimate shopping trip!

Thank you Mom and Dad for jumping through hoops, spending countless hours and money on trying to get us out there. Just put it on our tab.

windows to the soul

Who's eyes are these?

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first day for dawson

Today is Dawson's first day of preschool! He was so excited and he got dressed all by himself. However, the outfit included come pajamas and Carter's shorts, so we compromised on this outfit. He asked me, "Momma, please don't call me handsome. Big boys aren't handsome." He is so handsome, although I called him 'delightfully cute' to his face!

We arrived and he didn't cling to me or anything! I was so surprised since he has separation issues and I thought for sure that he would want me to stay.

I kissed him goodbye, ran home, threw Carter in his bed and now I'm thinking, "What in the world am I going to do without children for at least two hours?!"

fun at the fair

The Fair came to town last week and Ryan took Ryanna and Dawson to experience it. I stayed home and rested and took advantage of the peace and quiet! They got to see baby chicks, baby ducklings at the Petting Zoo and rode on a few of the rides. Their favorite ride was the Rollercoaster, although they loved petting the horse. Dawson was surprised that it didn't bite him. Ryanna got bored with the big slide since it didn't do anything "flashy." They both really loved the helicopter and airplane rides too. They talked nonstop about seeing their friends, Cole and Bryce, The Smiths and Brandi. I missed a lot of fun! I needed the rest though, and we'll be gone by next year's fair!