Time-Out

Emmett had his first time-out. It happened yesterday morning after he had pushed the power button on the computer several times. I had repeatedly told him “no”, but he wasn’t listening. So we went to Plan B—a timeout. I pointed his little body toward the wall with his nose touching it. I kept him there about 10 seconds, but apparently that was enough because later on that day this happened:

Emmett pushed the power button, again, on the computer. He then looked at me, said “No,” walked over to the exact spot where the original time-out had occurred, faced the wall, and put himself in time-out. Clearly he had learned. I should have been beaming with pride at my superior parenting skills. Instead, I was doubled over in laughter at my child’s self-initiated time-out. I found it so funny, in fact, that I had him replicate it for Tom later that evening. Perhaps not the best way to reinforce the severity of time-out, but it sure was funny!

While They Were Sleeping: Refashioned Earrings

I’ve got several old necklaces just sitting in my jewelry box. None of them are expensive, in fact, most of them I’ve picked up at stores like Forever 21 and H&M.  I still like them, but they just aren’t working for me in their current state. They need a change. So, I decided to experiment a little and refashion them into earrings. Here’s how I did it:

 

What you Need:

an old necklace (mine was from Forever 21)

needle nose pliers (borrowed from my husband’s toolbox)

ear wires (or old earrings that you can take apart)

I simply took apart the old necklace by undoing the jump rings. Then I reattached the jump rings to my ear wires. I had several pairs of old earrings that I never wear, so I just used the ear wires from them.   Here are a couple pairs of earrings that I made.

 

Super simple project. And cost me NOTHING! Are you feeling inspired?

Thank Goodness for the Moments

  There are times when my children drive me batty. We rarely leave the house anymore without at least one child in hysterical tears. I often leave a room only to reenter it moments later with it in utter ruins. I don’t know why I bother cooking—my kids almost never eat any of the food I prepare. So why do I do it day in and day out?  For moments like the one pictured above. My two boys, cuddled up with one another, perfectly content to have each other (and a little movie, of course!). Thankfully, moments like this one far outshine the chaotic ones, rejuvenating and encouraging me to keep on doing what I’m doing. Thank goodness for those moments!