Incentives rock.

We recently instituted a Rock Jar for Jack to reward him for unprompted use of his manners and for helping without being asked. He gets a rock when he clears the table without being asked, gets into the shower the FIRST time we ask, or when he doesn't talk back when he's told "NO." We never take rocks away... at this point. It's not really to curb misbehavior... it's just to reinforce that we appreciate how good he is 97% of the time.

When we got the jar, we quickly realized the rocks we bought were really small. So, I created a "GOAL" line with a piece of tape... so we could move it up as he progressed. When he reached the first line, he got to go to the theater to see "How to Train Your Dragon." Near the end there, we had to shift it into high gear before the movie went to DVD. He pretty much got a rock for EVERY polite thing he said.

As with any reward system I have tried, it started off swimmingly. My days were filled with "yes ma'am" and "May I get the door for you?" and "I cleared the table, see?".

As usual, it wasn't long before this attempt at organized recognition turned against us a bit. These instances mostly make me laugh, but also make me question the activity altogether.

Overheard in my house:

Jack: "Mom, watch what I am about to do in case you might want to give me a rock."
Mom: "Jack, just focus on the behavior, not on the rock."
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Mom: "Jack, Please pick up the living room because Daddy is on his way."
Jack: "Is the mess the right size for a rock?"
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Jack: "Mom, if you had a rock jar, you would probably lose one right now."
Mom: "Excuse me?..."
J: "Well, I asked for milk once. Then I asked for it two times and I still don't have milk."
M: "Jack, honey, I did not hear you, and you're not being very respectful talking to Mommy right now. Mommy does not lose or gain rocks."
J: "Mom, just focus on the behavior, not on the rocks."
(oh, yes he did.)
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Yeah, the whole "Manners ROCK!" idea has been a bit rockier than I had hoped. I do hear FAR more "yes ma'ams" than I did before we implemented it. But, there's a blurry line between rewarding behaviors that are extraordinary vs. acknowledging basic minimum expectations.

But as soon as I think these behaviors really should just be expected, I think about my days at work. Here I am 31 years old, and I am a professional, receiving a good salary. It's EXPECTED that I am going to hire a certain number of people... and EXPECTED that I turn in quality work... and that I arrive on time for duty. But, man, it sure feels good when I get a "WOW Card" or a "Great Job" every once in a while. It is satisfying to look over and see Thank you cards on my wall as a reminder that someone noticed me and that my efforts are not taken for granted.

Bottom line, as long as getting a rock puts a smile on his proud little face, we'll keep it up.

Jack Everett, we're incredibly proud of you, buddy. You are far beyond a mother's wildest expectations. Forgive us if we take your efforts for granted. You try so hard and we notice.

No amount of rocks could show how much you are loved and appreciated.

However, it looks like about three more rocks will get you that ticket to Fiesta Texas.

Sleeping Champion #2

We used to call Jack Everett the "Sleeping Champion" after his almost two years of two-naps-per-day gave way to one 3 to 4-hour naps and long 12-hr stints of peaceful overnight slumber. Well, his penchant for snoozing could definitely be attributed to his being sick, his compromised immune system, or the fact that both of his parents love sleep... but whatever the reason, we thanked God for his sleep pattern pretty dang regularly.

Whenever our friends would talk to us about him, they'd say, "You just WAIT until your second one comes along! You won't get so "lucky" (ahem) next time around!" I'd take these frequent "well-wishes" for our unborn child as a challenge, secretly hoping they were wrong.

So, when Davers started showing signs of becoming Sleeping Champion #2, I figured it wouldn't last for long. Turns out, God has proven once again that He just KNOWS what we can and can't handle and Jeff and I NEED our sleep. Davis loves his naps and usually welcomes the words, "You ready for night-night?" He nods his head and immediately starts looking around for his beloved "woobie." It is the same at Moms, Nanas, Aunt Mels, or at a hotel... yes, we are very blessed. We're just so dad-gummed worn out by him during his waking hours, we don't have anything left for a bedtime battle.

On this particular night this week, we decided to record his little night-time routine. We had to do things slightly out of order since we ordinarily turn the lights out before playing the blankie peekaboo game. As you can see, it was hard to record in pitch black.



We bought his toddler bed on Craigslist yesterday, and will keep it in the garage until he shows signs of crawling out of his crib, starts waking up from being uncomfortable, or gets so big he looks ridiculous in it... whichever comes first. In the meantime, we'll rest up in preparation for the "stay in your bed" battles that are sure to ensue...

Davis' Birthday, Take Two.

Davis' Big Day. In pictures.

We dropped him off at daycare so he could share Birthday "foss" (applesauce) with his classmates. It's his fave.

Here is the closest he ever got to showing us "TWO" on his fingers.... thanks to catching two of them under the carseat buckle.

Here we are at the grand door of the daycare. It's really a beautiful place...

... with Marble paintings and a big formal dining hall...

The kids finished up lunch while some headed to their mats for nap time. He stayed just long enough to rest up for a big dinner at a new family restaurant called the "Yacht Club."

Even though the nachos there were as big as THIS...

... it was hard keeping Davis strapped into THIS...

... when he could just look out the window and see THIS...

They have a fenced in playground eating area outside and by 8:30 it was cool enough not to need sunscreen. Between 5:30 and 7:00, it was pretty miserable out there.

So, he opened about three gifts, and was ready to hit the playground again.

If it were up to Jack, they'd slide down together every time. Davis, on the other hand... prefers flyin' solo!

The funny thing is, he's about as good climbing up the slide as he is coming down. His gross motor skills are pretty awesome.

So, we went ahead and forced him to take the milestone "bear" picture... and he did NOT want to sit for it. I always tell people... even when he's misbehaving or disobeying... he pretty much does it with a BIG smile on his face. It's charming and maddening all at the same time.

We changed them into their new birthday jammies for some late-night pics. By this time, Jeff is always like, "Melissa, seriously, let's get them into bed!" ... while I say, "but look how cute they are and how cooperative they are being!"

As we went through our little bedtime routine that night, I thought about that tiny baby laying there in that tiny isolette in the St. Luke's NICU just two years earlier. I just wanted to hold him, to nurse him. It felt like it would be forever before I could take him home. I had no idea how that little blonde-headed guy would change me. As a Mom, as a person. No idea how he'd humble me, challenge me, exasperate me, and exhiliarate me.

I can't imagine where his fun-loving personality and abundant energy will take him. I am glad I get a front-row seat. I just hope I can keep up.

Happy Birthday, Davis!

Two cute.

Busy day for a busy boy!

Davers,

Your Momma is worn out and will have to write more later. But, I didn't want to go to bed without writing how much love, amusement, and amazement I felt for you today.

Totally NOT tubular.

We are going to have to take our little guy in to see about getting tubes in his ears. It's about his 8th or 9th ear infection and they typically hang around for two rounds of antibiotics, which is not good either. We've received many recommendations for local doctors, but now have to make the appointment. It really is always SOMETHING.

In the meantime, he will be TWO in five days. That's just crazy.

Yay for a long 4th of July weekend!

We had a spontaneous early morning water playdate in the backyard with Jack's good pal Devin from Kindergarten. His Mom Karen and I were co-Room Mothers this year and she's become a great friend. Our two boys are two peas in a pod. And two smart little peas at that.

Dueling Slip-N-Sliders.

Left: Water balloon fights reminded these two Moms how long it takes to fill and tie water balloons and just how quickly two 5-yr-old boys can use 'em up. Right: This crazy contraption "The Waterpillar" from Grandmama provided lots of laughter... mostly from me and Karen.

And as I do on almost all water play days, I pulled out the floor mats from my car. Hey, it's a win-win... tons o' suds and spray gun hoses for the boys, and shiny clean mats for Mama!

On Sunday, July 4th, we headed to Marble Falls for a long-awaited trip to see Grandmama. Davis swept the back porch while Jack assembled a new game from family friend/neighbor Mr. Schwab. Brother looks on, amazed at Jack's engineering skills.

It's called "Ladder Golf" and the boys loved it. You throw the two balls connected by strings and score points for looping them around the different PVC-pipe rungs. Jack threw from about four feet while Davis preferred more of a direct placement approach.

Check out GMM's Beeeautiful backyard. What I would give for a yard like this!! (Or is that "What I wouldn't give for a yard like this!"... hmmm, help me out here peeps.)

They played out back, ate popcorn from Mom's beloved popcorn machine, and Mom, Grandmama and I finished this 1000-piece puzzle. Isn't it glorious with Jack's multi-colored Lady Liberty looking on?

It's getting much easier to take the boys places and they really get along wonderfully most of the time. Jack cracks up at Davis' funny new words and Davis cracks up at just about anything Jack does.

Happy Fourth of July!!!

Okay, so maybe 4th of July was when we decided they wouldn't wear matching clothes any more, not Easter...
(I just couldn't resist.)

Speaking of fired...

MAJOR faux pas today on the Methodist Facebook page.

When we won the coveted "Fire Starter" award, I meant to write that Debbie is a leader who keeps the "FIRE" spreading.

Instead... I posted this on the company site...

Oh yes, I did. And, it was up for almost 19 hours before Debbie herself caught it.

Well, all I can do is laugh about it.

(And I actually can't stop laughing about it every time I think of it...)