Christmas Dance Program

I was thrilled when they offered dance lessons at Chloe's daycare . I was a little disappointed it was only going to be ballet, instead of tap, jazz, and ballet, but figure I'll get her in all three next year. Ballet is a great place to start.

Before you read any further I want to warn you, these are videos of Chloe's Christmas dance performance and may only be entertaining to family members. I am actually a little surprised at how emotional I was over her dancing and how much I really loved this performance. Such a Mom reaction, but I thought Chloe was amazing and I've watched the videos over and over.

Here's a breakdown of what I think Chloe learned:

1. If you're unsure how many times to turn, turn again.
2. If you're sweet little friend Penelope is too shy to dance, it's OK to dance in front of her.
3. If you don't know the next step, put your hands on your hips and shake 'em!

After the ballet performance, we were treated to a surprise tap dance. The teacher brought shoes for everyone from her studio and they learned the following dance in only three weeks. Here's what Chloe learned about tap dancing in those three weeks:

1. If the music starts, Dance! (even if no one else does)
2. If you make a noise with your shoes (jumping or stomping) that's tap dancing.
3. As with ballet, if you're unsure of the next step, shake your hips!

At the end of the performance the teacher tells the dancers to, "... march out and give lots of hugs and kisses to your Mom and Dad." Chloe didn't hear the "Mom and Dad" part and ran out and hugged the first person she could, Penelope's brother. Spread the love y'all!

Happy Thanksgiving

Our neighborhood is very kid friendly and one of the homes at the front entrance has decorations for every holiday. Right now they have an inflatable turkey that causes comments from the twins every single time we drive by.

The first time we drove by we asked the sound a turkey makes and Chloe promptly responded "backa backa boo!" We had no idea what she was saying, so we asked her again and again we got, "backa backa boo!"

We asked Connor what sound a turkey makes and he said, "gobble gobble," the expected response.

After a few times Connor solved the mystery for us. When Chloe enthusiastically exclaimed, "backa backa boo!" Connor said, "No, no, that's a rooster. A turkey is gobble gobble."

I kinda like Backa Backa Boo! Happy Thanksgiving!

Motivation

One of the things I've thought about as a parent is how to motivate my kids in a positive way, but also about the right things. 

Soon after the twins were born I read the book Nurture Shock by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman. The book was very interesting overall, but the idea of finding ways to reward and encourage effort (instead of just the end success) stood out to me in particular.

On my morning drive the other day I heard a story on NPR that reminded me of the idea from Nurture Shock with a little bit different take. The discussion was about the differences between parenting/teaching approaches in Eastern and Western cultures. 

Struggle For Smarts? How Eastern And Western Cultures Tackle Learning

The professor of psychology featured in the NPR segment said this,"I think that from very early ages we [in America] see struggle as an indicator that you're just not very smart," Stigler says. "It's a sign of low ability — people who are smart don't struggle, they just naturally get it, that's our folk theory. Whereas in Asian cultures they tend to see struggle more as an opportunity."

Although it may seem a little cliché or over simplified to see "struggle" as "opportunity," I like to think of it as rewarding and reinforcing effort. 

As a parent, I will always be excited when one of my kids accomplishes something, but I have to work hard to praise them for effort. I try to get excited by them trying a task. Ultimately I'm hoping they'll be motivated to try new things, even if they might fail. 

I'm not so great at trying new things myself, especially if I find it risky. I really want my kids to be willing to try new things, be comfortable with struggle, and feel a greater personal reward when they've had to work a little harder to accomplish something. 

This is great in theory, but we'll see if I can pull any of it off as a parent.

Catching Up

So it's been a little while. There are two things I need to catch you up on.

First, Halloween was a blast. The kids loved it! This was the first year they really understood what was going on and looked forward to trick-or-treating. Since I rarely let them eat candy, they adopted a unique trick-or-treating strategy of going to a few doors and then stopping on the side walk to go ahead and eat some of the candy. Ultimately it was a good strategy for parenting too since we didn't end up with as much candy when we got home.

Wearing the T-Rex and Rose costumes to school

Another view of the T-Rex for the awesome tail!

Before trick-or-treating Chloe decided to add butterfly wings and a wand to her rose costume

The second this is on Halloween day we added a new member to our family, Piper, adopted from Take Me Home Pet Rescue. We've been told she's a Chihuahua/Terrier mix. She is small but feisty. 

Shot taken by the volunteer team at Take Me Home Pet Rescue

Since Piper is about 7 lbs it makes Leo's 20 lbs seem much bigger. The dogs are getting along really well and Piper helps Leo get much more active. Although, when it's time to nap he doesn't appreciate her taking his favorite sunny spot. 

If you are interested in adopting a dog, you should like Take Me Home Pet Rescue on their Facebook page, which will keep you updated on pets available for adoption and upcoming events. 

If you're not ready to adopt but would like to help, consider getting something from their Amazon wish list. I donated paper towels the other day when they said they really needed more.

Fall Carnival

Last Friday night our neighborhood elementary school hosted a Fall Carnival. They had crafts, food, games, and several bounce houses. 

For the twins the bounce houses were the big draw. One bounce house in particular was an obstacle course. Now the bar for bounce houses has been set pretty high and I'm not sure the twins will ever settle for simply bouncing again.

Then this is the face that happens when you realize the bounce houses are being deflated.

To fix this face, we stuffed it with a cupcake and then painted it.

Butterfly and Tiger

Thanks to my Mom for all of her help at the carnival and buying tickets for cupcakes and face painting. We had a blast!

Boot Season

I love boots and one of the joys of being a mom is getting the kids cute boots. This season, I may have gone a little overboard.

This would have been a great shot if Connor wasn't in constant motion and turned out blurry
(couldn't get them to pose together again)

Connor is the tough one to buy boots for because he has super cute, chunky feet. When I was shopping last month I came across some boys UGGs. Since they fit I snatched them up immediately.

Connor's boots

I love his boots, they're so cute on and fit great. Totally worth it.

At the same store they had UGGs for girls too. Of course the girl's were more expensive, but they were so adorable I couldn't pass them up. I let Chloe pick the color and she's crazy about them and tries to wear them all the time. The best part are the bows on the back.

Chloe's boots

So you think I'd be set on boots, and we are. Except, purple boots are great but a brown pair would be more practical. So I ordered two pairs from Amazon.

Chloe loves the ankle boots with the pink flowers. Not as excited about the taller brown ones, but I love them. I may get the adult version.

See Kai Run "Louise"

Timberland

Participating in the 2012 Komen Race for the Cure

Shelley, Wendy, Sandy & Karen at a previous Race

We're participating in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure this Saturday, Oct. 20th. I've done the race with my Mom, off and on, for years. We participated before she was ever diagnosed with breast cancer and we'll do it again this year now that Mom is a 9 year survivor.

For the first time I'm going to bring the twins. We'll have to start in the back with the stroller, but we're not really there to compete, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Chloe with GiGi and Connor with me

It's an inspiring day and I hope it's something the twins can enjoy with us too.

If you'd like to make a donation to help with funds for breast cancer research and services for women, please use the link below:

Donation Page

Super Heroes

A fire engine and firemen are visiting the kids' school this morning. I thought it would be fun to wear their Wonder Woman and Superman shirts from Aunt Wendy.

Seriously, you wouldn't think it would be that hard. The first challenge is to get Chloe to ever agree to any outfit. She likes to look through her closet and pick out what to wear herself, which lately is a dress, something with butterflies and maybe her boots. She requested a "pretty dress" and after I explained to her the fire engine would be at school and we could wear our super hero shirts she totally agreed, since that's perfectly logical.

Connor doesn't usually give me a problem with clothes in the morning, but for some reason he decided he wanted to wear the Wonder Woman shirt instead of Superman. Which is fine, he can wear the Wonder Woman shirt, just not when his sister is already wearing it. After a mild breakdown, we agreed on Superman.

Another morning accomplishment is Chloe letting me comb her hair, sometimes we just go with the bed head look. I even talked her into pigtails with Wonder Woman matching red hair clips, but then halfway through she rebelled and we only made it out with a one-sided pig tail.

As we're heading out the door I ask the twins if I can take a picture. Chloe is totally game and gives me a super smile. Connor gives me a super tantrum.

The List

I've had a few ideas running through my head lately of things I need to get done. So like any efficient person, I made a list.

1. Work out: start by walking, running, anything, just start
2. Update budget
3. Dog food
4. Search Getty images for royalty-free pictures of messy, happy babies for work
5. Buy a light blue shirt for Chloe to go with the brown corduroy skirt that has blue, green, and pink flowers. Or take the skirt shopping to find a matching top.
6. Buy Connor something too. He notices when Chloe gets new stuff. Consider Spiderman slippers from Target
7. Eat less in general, but eat more fruits and veggies
8. Buy green Velcro for the belt of Chloe's rose Halloween costume. Also figure out how to put the Velcro on or sew it or something without messing up the belt. Probably just ask Mom for help.
9. Figure out the rest of my rose gardener costume for Halloween to go with Chloe's rose. I have rose gloves, shears, and gardening boots, but what clothes should I wear?
10. Research elementary, magnet, charter, and private schools in Dallas. Need to determine education plan for twins before they turn 4 so I don't ruin it for them.
11. Make separate list: Christmas shopping
12. Oh yea, make separate list: Thanksgiving
13. Buy some Fall clothes. Although I don't want to commit to any new clothes until I lose some weight. See items #1 and #7.
14. Figure out how to get this blog onto the www.SwanAndOn.com URL I got. It shouldn't be that hard. I've done it for other people's blogs why can't I figure this out for my own?
15. Via #13 #1 and #7, drink less wine. Although this list makes me want to pour a glass and throw the list away.
16. Milk, we always need milk

BRCA Test Results

A few weeks ago, at my last OBGYN visit and with the doctor's advice, I decided to take the BRCA gene test to see if I was at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. See previous post here.

Only about 2 of 100 adult women are likely to have the BRCA gene, and as it turns out I'm not one of those two. Good news!

Since my Mom and both grandmothers had breast cancer, in the back of my mind I've always assumed I'd probably get it too. The results of this test provide a bit of lightness. It's not a foregone conclusion that I'll get breast cancer and that's really nice to know. I'll still be diligent about screening, but I feel better about the idea that I may never get breast cancer.

However, what's even more important to me is knowing this is good news for Chloe too, since I didn't pass along a gene that might also put her at higher risk.

Now the only thing left to learn is what this test cost me. Some, most, or all of the cost will be covered by insurance. Even though I have the test results, I still don't know what I'm on the hook for.

Beautiful Beach

Pensacola Beach is beautiful. Was it worth the trip? Well, for the beach part absolutely. I guess the challenge of taking a family vacation is that you have to take the family. I really wanted to take the kids to the beach and they loved it, but it’s all the other times with the twins that are exhausting.

I’ve heard the saying ‘it takes a village,’ but what seemed to work for us was to take the village on vacation with us. Thank heavens for GiGi, JoJo, Lolly, NeeNee, and Aunt Deb or I’d never be able to squeeze in a nap. The beach seems to make me a little more sleepy, but has the opposite effect on Connor. He got up at 5:20 am this morning (thank you Carl for taking that one) and even though he’s completely exhausted, he takes nearly two hours to finally go down for a nap. Hopefully we’ll get schedules back on track when we get home.

For now though, I will have to admit it’s all worth it for us to share this time on the beach.

Damn You Cracker Barrel

The plan for our drive to Pensacola Beach, FL for vacation was broken into two drives. The first leg to New Iberia, LA to stay the night with family before making the final leg to the beach.

Halfway on the first leg is a Cracker Barrel we frequently stop at when making the drive to Louisiana. We timed it perfectly, just before the lunch rush, headed into the bathrooms and then out to get a table. But to get to anything at Cracker Barrel you have to maneuver through the “country store.” The evil, toddler tantalizing “country store” that required the twins to touch everything they could get their hands on and burst into tears when we headed to our table for lunch. Although I hate being one of those parents that buys naughty children toys when they cry, I understand it reinforces a negative behavior, but frankly I just wanted some iced tea, a chicken sandwich and a little piece and quiet while we tried to eat. So I left bawling children at the table and dashed back to the country store for two light up airplane fans. Only $5 bucks each. A bargain to keep other tables from staring at us like we were torturing our children and ruining their lunch.

All was well, until it was time to leave and we had to brave the country store again. Connor made it, completely distracted by his light up plane, but that toy had lost it’s charm for Chloe. She started to cry and insisted she wanted a Scooby Doo toy instead. This time there was some really serious, outrageous crying. I didn’t buy her the Scooby Doo, but I did make the twin parent mistake of exchanging one of the airplanes for the Scooby Doo instead, meaning we had two different toys.

Nightmare. Now, not only did we have to listen to the cartoon voice repeating, “Scooby, Scooby, Doo” and the obnoxious Scooby laugh every time Chloe shook the toy, which was about every three seconds for an hour. We also has to listen to Connor cry that he wanted a Scooby Doo too.

They finally traded for a little bit, but not until Chloe took wicked pleasure in shaking Scooby Doo and taunting her brother while he cried and reached toward her for the toy.

We have all vowed never to go to Cracker Barrel again!

Vacation Planning

Some of the best part of taking a vacation can be the planning and anticipation. However, it now seems like a lot more work than it used to be.

We decided the kids were old enough that it would be fun to take a beach vacation to Pensacola Beach, FL. We invited my Mom, Carl’s Mom and her sisters (the aunts) and I wanted to get a house with several bedrooms to fit as many as wanted to come. We found a lovely home at a great rate where we could walk to the beach. Score!

Sydney's Sandcastle

The plan was to drive, 6 hours and stop overnight with family in New Iberia, Louisiana, then drive the final 5 hours the next day. This is where the planning really began, what to pack and how to pack. I needed to have overnight bags, for the kids and myself, easy to get to for the one night stay and everything for the beach could be packed in larger bags that were packed at the bottom of the van. There is a washer/dryer at the rental house, so I knew we could do laundry and pack fewer clothes.

Then we also needed to bring some toys, enough for entertainment on the ride and when we made it to our destination, but not so much stuff overall that we couldn’t fit everything for 3 adults too.

Ultimately we made it all fit.

Back of Van 

Inside of Van

But honestly it took a lot of thought and consideration to make it work and even then the drive was a beating. I need a new plan for next year.

Busy Day

The twins had a dentist appointment. We were headed out on vacation in a couple of days and they needed haircuts too. We had enough to do I thought it was worth it to take them out of school for a day to get everything done.

The trip to the dentist was fairly uneventful. Connor felt more confortable sitting with Carl, but Chloe was fine by herself. Our dentist is great, which is why I assume she does this for a living. She told Chloe she’d make her teeth sparkly like a princess and Connor that his would shine like a shark. They loved it.

We had lunch. Took naps, except Connor never slept. Made a grocery store run and then headed out for haircuts. For cuts we go to a place specifically for kids but it’s so fun the twins are sometimes fussy when it’s time to leave. I promised them ice cream if they were good and that did the trick.

We walked to the yogurt shop and everyone got their own cup with sprinkles on top. They loved it, but then the sugar rush came and they were climbing the walls, literally.

We headed home, made lunches for school the next day and started dinner.

I was exhausted. I seriously don’t know how stay-at-home moms do it. Being a Mom is really hard work and caring for children all day is incredibly thankless. I’ve heard Moms say knowing their children are being cared for, loved, and enriched by their own mother is all the reward needed, but that just doesn’t work for me. I salute all the Moms out there. It’s hard no matter how you do it.