Table Time Rules

Yes, I am an artist.

I recently hit a breaking point with dinners at our house. They were becoming more and more frustrating as we attempted to get Andrew to sit down, stop playing and actually eat. My super-smart friend Lauren told me about her "Table Time Rules" and how it improved their eating experience greatly. So, Andrew and I spent a Saturday morning coming up with our own rules. As he came up with a rule that we both agreed should be on the list - I would write it down - and draw a picture so that he could remember the rule without me reading it to him.  This lovely artwork now hangs in our home near our dinner table.

The beauty of it is that these rules are enforced anywhere we eat - not just at home. So, now, instead of fighting over how many bites he has to eat or how much time needs to be spent at the table - I simply say "Table Time Rules" and he begins to behave again. It's been great so far!

Love taking tidbits from other moms and seeing results.

I'm about to add a Number 5 for Jeff - No phones at the table - but, that's a different frustration. :-)

Overdue Haircut

Andrew got a haircut yesterday - a much needed and very overdue haircut. I prefer his hair very short because I like to look at his sweet face and beautiful eyes and not a mop of hair.  Although, yesterday's haircut made me realize how much of a "boy" he has become. Where did my baby go??

The "Before" mop

During the "transformation"

Trying to watch tv while she is working.

All done! Much better.

Peas in a pod

I had a "girls night out" a little over a week ago and left the boys at home to fend for themselves. Almost every time I go anywhere at night, I come home to find Andrew in our bed. It's their fun "slumber party" time. They watch a movie and then fall asleep. Before I moved him back to his bed, I had to take a picture of them sleeping. Their mannerisms are so similar...they even sleep the same.

Christmas 2013

This Christmas was very different than any of our other Christmas celebrations. This was the first year that I did not spend Christmas with my parents - ever. I was not sure how I felt about the change so I decided at the last minute to completely change our normal Christmas to something a bit different and new. We (Mamaw too) went to Stephanie and Marc's lake house on Christmas Eve (They are so awesome and allow us to make use of their amazing lake house on Lake Bonham).

We woke up on Christmas Morning by about 7:30am and Andrew got to see what Santa brought for him. The race track was huge and he enjoyed playing with it, but always seems to enjoy the little things even more - like the whoopee cushion, spinning tops, etc...

The weather was perfect during Christmas day and we were able to play outside for most of the morning. Jeff and Andrew went kayaking on the lake and fishing off the pier.

Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Mike joined us that afternoon and we opened more presents and had a great time laughing and playing with all our new goodies. When dinner time arrived, we ate a non-traditional Christmas meal of YUMMY Filets, Polenta, Mushrooms and Salad.

We moved outside to sit around the campfire and look at the stars. It was a bit cold though so we ended up back inside watching Kung Fu Panda. We were all asleep by 10pm.

The next morning we had a great breakfast casserole, packed up and were back in Plano by mid-afternoon.


Even though we missed having Granny and Pappy with us for Christmas, we still had a great time and loved trying something different.

Decorating our Tree

Andrew and I spent an evening decorating our Christmas tree. We sipped on hot chocolate and hung ornaments together (and danced, giggled and watched some football). Unfortunately, Jeff had to work, but we made the best of it and really enjoyed our night together.

I love this picture! 

Being Silly In Our Christmas Hats

 

 

On the ladder - reaching the middle.

Very proud of his Santa hat.

Sipping on Hot Cocoa

4 years old

We celebrated Andrew's 4th birthday in true Walker style... we made it last over 7 days with 3 parties and 2 cakes. It is no wonder this child is spoiled. But, he is worth it. With a birthday that falls right around Thanksgiving, we have to be creative with the timing of his events. We were able to pull together a last-minute event with his two best friends, Carter and Luke. They spent the evening running all over the house and having a great time with the new birthday toys. The grown-ups had a nice time too. :-) We were also able to celebrate on Thanksgiving with his Spiderman Cake and family time and toys and his school did a great Celebration of Life with him that I was able to attend.

Hard to believe my kiddo is 4! What an amazing 4 years we have had. He is so smart, sweet and caring. He gives the best hugs and the sweetest compliments. I'm so lucky to be his mom.

Date Night

Our wonderful and amazing friend, Heather, gave us a night's stay at the Omni in Downtown Dallas. She knew we needed some time together and a night away from all that we have been going through at home. Boy, did we. We had a wonderful time! We checked in, toured the place, watched some tennis in the sports bar and had an amazing dinner at Bob's Steak House in the hotel. We were also asleep by 10:30pm!

I can't say enough about how great this hotel is. So beautiful, such a wonderful view and an extremely comfortable bed...it does not take much to impress me! Some quick pics of our overnight stay. THANK YOU HEATHER and THANKS MAMAW for watching kiddo so we could spend a night out!!

The View From Our Room!

I'm doing a "Cheers" to Heather while sitting in the room. Or, that was the plan...

Pretty much what Jeff always looks like... staring at his phone.

Here he is again - staring at his phone - but at least the view of the city is behind him.