stem bowl:

Saturday, we had a nice lunch at a Mongolian BBQ restaurant before heading to the STEM Innovation Bowl.  STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) is a big focus right now, as our world has become more driven by, or dependent on, technology, and there is the perception that the U.S. cannot keep up.  The Bowl was part of the community pre-Super Bowl events, and it promised to be a fun and unique day filled with technological marvels with hands-on opportunities.  Unfortunately, having so many families of the community, and then some, descend upon a library was pretty overwhelming.  The line just to color some Star Wars pictures stretched across the upper floor.  We did not get to do too much, but we did get to see a few exhibits.  I think I was more excited about it than anyone else (real-life functional R2-D2's?  Sign me up!).  Naomi's friend ended up being unable to make it, so she wasn't as excited to go.  Lucas and Manny have never liked crowds.  Isaac probably had the most fun and wanted to do the most, but he's too young for a lot of it.  Naomi and I were hoping to see the zero-gravity simulation, but it was just too crowded.  The library is adjacent to a park, so we spent most of our time there, but we headed home when it got chilly.

When I was little I would have loved for my parents to take me to events like this.  I think I really would have pursued astronomy given more/different opportunities.  There's actually a planetarium with laser and astronomy shows nearby that we've been to once before on a field trip.  I'd frequent it if the kids were more interested, but I have to accept they aren't going to love stars as much as their mom (although Isaac's gazed at the stars with me on occasion).  Side note:  One of the first places Manny took me on a date was on a night walk up a hill near Stanford to go look at stars.  :)

The kids ate pretty well.  Lucas had two full plates of Mongolian BBQ and needed me to loosen the tie on his pants a little.

These were fully-functioning replicas of BB-8 and R2-D2 (there were a few R2-D2's).

The kids didn't care, so I took a photo with the R2's.

Pretty neat model of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Robot racers controlled by iPads.

Isaac's first time at this park.  I remember bringing Naomi and Lucas here as toddlers.

 

miscellaneous updates:

I am still dealing with insurance companies and paperwork from the accident.  Unfortunately, we were found to be one of the three vehicles at fault in the accident.  I felt Manny was driving safely and we could not avoid what happened, but the way the police report presented it, it was like we saw the cars stopped and continued to go fast, which wasn't the case at all.  I'm thankful we are all alive and uninjured, but it looks like we'll have an extended process ahead of us.  The driver and passengers of the vehicle behind us actually said they stopped the car before hitting us, which was not true.  There were other inconsistencies in the report as well from what we saw and heard.  So now I have to send around follow-up statements to the various insurance companies, and Manny has to make a number of phone calls to give a driver statement.

Naomi is continuing to make a lot of friends at school.  I've met some of their parents.  She's never been late or missed assignments, but she is struggling with some of the issues of a larger classroom, like having busywork, having to repeat lessons to accommodate the struggling learners, and a particular student who acts up occasionally.  Also, she feels a little lost in the shuffle between the high achievers and the poor performers.  A neighbor of ours pulled her daughter out of Naomi's school and put her in private school because she felt only the top and bottom students were getting any attention.  We (for better or worse) live in an area of academically-focused families where people might actually leave a public school for how demanding it is.

School is fun, but it is also a source of significant stress for Naomi.  She often ends up with a lot of homework, including whatever she could not complete in class.  I've said it before, and I will say it again--Naomi had more of a social life when we were homeschooling her.  I'm glad she has made friends, but they barely have time together except for that one-off weekend.  She rarely has time to play outside even on the weekends (and it's raining quite a bit right now).  She and her best friend in the neighborhood only see each other now when they're off school and not traveling.  Naomi does not feel like she's learning all that much lately, either.  There's something to be said about practicing what she already knows, but I know she gets bored when she can't create.  Social studies is now just current events and U.S. geography with some history, and it usually takes a back seat to science and math.  At home, we had gone into world cultures, missions, and ancient civilizations.  At least now she has the clarinet and fine arts classes (currently doing acting), which are new to her.  I think she will get more opportunities to learn and create in middle school, but this again goes to show that more homework does not necessarily mean more learning.  But coming from Manny and my experience, it will prepare you for life.  She doesn't get why if the students finish their math work they are rewarded with more math work, but that's pretty much how it is at a lot of jobs (except one gets a paycheck, too).

Also adjusting from being at home, Naomi enjoys having variety and hot lunches.  We got her a Thermos Foogo food jar, and we've done homemade chow mein, congee (jook/shi fan), spam and rice, Italian wedding soup, and other simple foods or leftovers.  But it is a little extra work for me to plan and make everything, so she buys lunch one day a week and makes her own sandwich or other lunch on another day.  She or I will heat up the lunch in the morning and put it in the container (because steel is, of course, not microwaveable).

Lucas finished up with his third introductory music class and is now ready to move on to an instrument of choice.  I wasn't expecting him to pick the violin, but it works out because we received a couple of free children's violins from when my dad was helping sell string instruments.  Homeschool is going well with him right now, or at least on my end I'm just fascinated when I can get into his head.  I've introduced art apprecation and notebooking, and I love hearing what he thinks about.  For this painting, the book (which I recommend) asked what he would change about the painting, and he said the grandmother should get her elbow off the table.  When I asked what he wanted to draw and write for his Martin Luther King, Jr. notebooking page, he said that he had helped people be more equal, and for the picture he wanted me to draw Dr. King in a room in heaven.

He is doing better with his therapy sessions, although it usually takes about 15-20 minutes of coaxing to get him to go.  I account for that, so we've never been late.  He'll be starting the group class soon, and I'm hoping he'll like it.  The two current therapists feel like the areas of concern the dyslexia tutor (also a trained speech therapist) may just be the result of shyness.  Everyone agrees, however, that he does process sounds and language with the opposite side of his brain than most would, and that he has articulation issues.  They've begun to see his issues with specificity (for example, he could not see the difference between a lion and tiger until he was 6).  I'm glad that can be helped with therapy.  I'll continue working with Lucas at home.  He is now able to read the first few stories of his Bible reader from his curriculum on his own with the exception of a word here or there.  Like with "the stages of grief" (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance), I've finally reached acceptance regarding his language issues and am determined to do the best that I can for him.  I do have a fear of him becoming like my brother sometimes.  He has some quirks and pet peeves that are similar to my brother at his age, but I don't want to get too caught up in over-analyzing (but some days I do; it's hard to ignore the similarities).

The kids had their dental appointments this week.  Naomi, no cavities, just two permanent teeth left, and then we'll be talking about braces!  Lucas, no cavities, but two of his teeth are at an angle and not coming in (why he looks like he's missing teeth), so they have to monitor that.  Isaac had no cavities in November, but now has four of them plus possibly three more (they'll have to x-ray).  He probably got them all over Christmas when I wasn't taking care of teeth and diet as well as I should've been.  They'll have to put him under again, which makes me nervous, but at least I know he doesn't have a terrible reaction to nitrous oxide like I did.

I'll do an update about Isaac when he turns 3, but he is a very interesting character.  He seems to be adjusting well to his preschool Sunday school class once he's over the initial separation.  I'll be subbing for his class once a month until summer.

After 22 years in the bone marrow donor registry, I received a call that there is an Asian woman, 38, in need of a transplant, and I am a potential match.  I was 18 when I signed up and in fairly good health, but I found out that with my medically-diagnosed anemia, I have to be taken off the registry.  For a moment there I thought about what it would be like to save someone's life.  I thought of how my cousin died of a form of bone cancer (I think?  I'm translating) at a very young age.  I am taking iron, and I'll be back at the doctor's for a blood test this year, so I will see if there is any improvement to go back on the registry.  I also had to admit that with three small kids to take care of, it might be a challenge to do, but if I were told I was a definite match, I would have prayed about it and consulted with Manny and perhaps gone through with it, I don't know.

Manny has had to work late some days but makes a lot of effort to get home earlier.  His job isn't that meaningful right now; it's only to pay the bills.  So many of his long-time colleagues have left his division or company.  Manny has all of us depending on him, so I know he feels obligated to stay and can't just up and leave whenever he wants.  Not being able to travel too often also limits him in finding another job in today's global companies.  I respect and appreciate how hard he's worked all these years to provide for us, never doing it for his own affirmation or ambition.  I would give up our lifestyle if he could work in a more satisfying job, though, but I respect him for not uprooting our lives just to make himself happy.  But I do pray that God will guide him every step of the way, and that He will help me be loving and supportive.

In our parenting small group, we are reading through the four gospels in 100 days as well as looking at our lives through them.  I used much of what I learned and shared last week to go into this week more patient with the kids.  Monday and Tuesday went well, Wednesday I was pretty spent and had a shorter fuse (but better recovery than most days), and Thursday had some ups and downs, but wasn't too bad.

We are closing in on February already, and it's going to be a busy month full of things to celebrate.  January flew by, but it felt sort of blah with Manny going back to work and school starting up again.  The accident aftermath and cancellations due to the rain and illnesses didn't help either.  On a good note, I finished a course a friend told me about called Make Over Your Mornings.  It was encouraging and offered simple and straightforward methods for developing a better overall routine and rhythm.  It was completely worth it at the sale price of $9, and it helped to go through it with a couple of friends.  I also finished up a special needs presentation/class with some extra resources to help me.  I just started a new diet and exercise regimen for women (Manny did a male version of it last year), and I'm just doing it in small steps, but it seems to be a good fit for me so far.      

state capitol and railroad museum field trip:

Naomi's fifth-grade class went on a a field trip to Sacramento (State Capitol and Railroad Museum) last week.  The kids were allowed to bring a non-phone camera, and I was able to find our old camera for her trip.  The small lens cap gets stuck on it, so it has to be forced open sometimes, but then fingerprints can smudge the lens.  That and not wanting to have to download from so many different sources is why I no longer use that camera.  Her photos came out fine anyway.  A lot of kids wanted to be in her photos, some photobombing, but I omitted those photos for privacy.

This is her second field trip, and both times she got to ride on a nice charter bus with soft seats, seat belts, and a restroom.  I think the only time I ever got to ride in a charter bus for school was Grad Night (so basically the very last day of all my years in school).  The classes were split among the buses and tour guides, and Naomi was glad some of her friends stayed in her group.  

Naomi thought it was cool that they got to actually watch lawmakers doing their job in the Capitol.  She was not as excited about their having to stand in high places and ledges.  She said there wasn't much in terms of protection, and anyone could easily fall.  They then made their way over to the train museum, which we went to with her grandparents and Chris when Naomi was five years old and Lucas was not quite two (but still loved trains).  

Because they went on a rainy day, the only issue they had was that the students had no designated place to eat their snacks or lunch.  I guess we've been in a drought for so long, it's thrown a lot of people for a loop.  So, Naomi got to school at 6:45 a.m., and was unable to eat anything until 1:30 p.m., when the teachers had them just eat on the bus at the end of the trip.  Unfortunately, one child threw up.  I think they could have at least let them eat with the bus stopped.  

Also, we weren't told in the communications that we were to go to the classrooms to pick up the children after they returned, but we were told they might return as late as 5 p.m.  Instead, they returned early, and her teacher ended up taking Naomi to the office to call me.  I waited at the loading zone as I always do, which is in front of the office, so she came right out, and it worked out fine.  I don't usually like to get the boys out of the car, but I would have if I'd known.  I think there is one more major field trip this year to NASA, but like the last trip, they should be back before the end of the school day, so pick-up should be easy.  I wasn't really nervous about her going.  The kids didn't misbehave on the bus, no bullying or mayhem.  I don't know how it will be once she gets to middle school, but this school year has been a good year so far for her.

  

On their way (Naomi's friend took the photo).

Heading to the State Capitol.

Fifth graders making their way in the rain.

San Diego and San Bernardino, two places we frequent.

Inside the Capitol.

The rotunda.  I wonder if all state capital buildings have one.

Lawmakers making laws.

Our state seal, which Naomi had learned about in homeschool.

Going up.

Walking the halls of the Capitol.

Up the stairs, a closer view of the rotunda.

 Seal skylight.

At the Railroad Museum.

In the dining car.

The path through the mountains (largely paved by Chinese and Irish).  This always hits close to home.  The Chinese made up the majority of slave labor.  I call them slaves.  Yes, they were hired as workers, but they were whipped and starved, and over a thousand were killed doing the railroad work.  People say forget it; it's history.  However, history shows us what society can be, how far we've come, and gives us the clues to make things better.

History also preserves a moment or period of time.  What is it about old locomotives?

three-day weekend / passings / parenting challenges:

M. and me at Paris Baguette.

Naomi and K., her classmate/Science Fair partner.

H.'s birthday party (I purposely took a dark photo).  It is new to us to go to parties where all the girls except one are Asians with long ponytails.

Manny doesn't get Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday off, but Naomi had the day off from school.  She went to a birthday party, the first one for a friend from school.  I got to meet a couple of other moms.  The birthday girl was given free reign of the party plans and decided to actually have an outdoor pool party in the middle of winter and a rainy season, but it happened to not be raining that day, and none of the kids went swimming.  But the girls were happy to just hang out, play games, and eat cake.  I think it's nice to just be able to be outside, and they devised games like fetching things from the pool.

I taught preschool at church on Sunday (I'm the substitute teacher, usually about once a month).  Isaac has moved up to the class now, which is a combo preschooler/pre-K class, so the students range from 2 1/2 to 6.  It's not ideal, but we don't have enough volunteers for the two services plus rotations right now.  He did amazingly well, only being slightly clingy during a transition to story time, but he was fine with sitting with the helper when prompted.

Naomi's friend from school came over on Saturday so they could start on their Science Fair experiment (evaporation rate of juices vs. water; they decided it was easier than plants) and make videos together.  It was good to meet her friend's mom and dad and to give her a chance to have a friend from school over.

On Saturday morning (going backwards here), I met up with an old friend for coffee, although neither of us actually had coffee.  I cannot physically handle coffee, so I had tea, and she had a probiotic drink and a sandwich.  We had a great conversation as always.  I can talk to her about anything.  We have our differences in convictions, but we're still good friends.

A friend of ours from our former church passed away, and his funeral was held on Saturday.  We couldn't make it, but a friend who attended filled me in via text.  There has been a lot of news of death lately, and coming off our accident and about to turn 40, I've been contemplating death a lot.

I had various conflicts with all three children throughout the weekend.  Parenting has become physically easier as they've become older, but there's more drama.  I continue to tell the kids to respect my authority, but they know my shortcomings and sometimes use them to justify their defiance (their emotions are acceptable, but dishonoring me is not).  I am working to reduce the drama, not by sweeping things under the rug, but by getting grievances out in the open and resolving them.  I do want to earn their respect, but that is not going to happen by my bending over backwards for them.

Naomi has said several times that it's difficult to respect me when I get so angry with them.  Manny has said that as well.  I know it's true.  It's just easier to get them to behave by force rather than encouragement, and I also take things personally when they don't obey.  I will continue to work on and pray about it.  They need to know there are lines that cannot be crossed, and I have to do a better job of communicating that to them before the situation escalates rather than during a conflict.  I do actually know them all very well and am quick to tell them when I noticed, for example, that they worked hard, persevered, told me the truth even when they were afraid, found a peaceful solution, comforted each other, etc.  But I'm also quick to criticize, and I need to work on the way I communicate instruction to them.  They have to be responsible for their own actions, though, and they can't just point the finger at someone else's sin to take the focus off their own.  That goes for us adults, too.

misc update (therapy, creativity, naomi's first job) :

Last week, the kids started their first weeks back at school, Naomi at her elementary school and Lucas at home.  Lucas also started his new speech and language therapy sessions with two new therapists.  One of them administered the testing, so I met her already, and the second person seems pretty nice.  He will join a group session as well once his current music class ends.  He seems apprehensive, but he works hard.  Last week it was hard for him to focus on his lessons, maybe partly due to the new schedule, but this week is getting off to a much better start.  We are still doing a lot of commuting and carting Isaac around, but I'm glad we have the options we do.  Our insurance only covered 28% of the almost $1000 it cost to get him tested.  I may contact them again regarding the claim, but they did say they would cover 70% of the therapy.  Without it, we couldn't do all the therapy sessions.  Health care still costs so much even with insurance and the reform efforts.

Naomi won her division (Music Composition, 3rd-5th grade) for the PTA art contest again, this time at the district level, so she moved on to County.  I took Naomi and Isaac to the exhibition and participation ceremony last week while Manny took Lucas home from his music class.  Now the judges will decide if she moves on to State.  I'm not going to publicize her song.  She'd like to keep it private, and the audio is fairly quiet anyway.  She threw it together pretty quickly, so it was sort of unpolished, but I think it's good to show that I had no part in creating the song at all.  I am proud of her creativity and willingness to try things on her own.  The idea of her song "Imagination Creations" is that she can create so many ideas from her imagination, and she is not letting anyone tell her to limit them.  She just sang it acapella into my laptop.   It would be fun if she were to move on, but we're proud no matter what.  

She also records and edits videos online right now.  I monitor her channel, and it's only for her and a few friends, but I gave her the green light to do it when she had all that free time at Grandma's.  Right now she's on hiatus while she is starting back with school.  She and a friend decided to enter the Science Fair together, and they want to do something with plants (which is good, because it lends itself well to an x-y graph, which is required).  I have several ideas, but our kids always like to come up with ideas and solutions themselves, which I appreciate.  They've never asked me to hold their hand through school or come up with the answers for them, and I love that.  On the other hand, they can be too independent and ambitious and not want to listen to my suggestions or warnings either.  They get that from me, unfortunately.  :)

On Friday, we went to visit friends from our former ISP.  Naomi got to see her friend, and I got to visit with her friend's mom.  Her mom gave us some clothes and shoes they've outgrown or don't want, as well as these awesome Yoda and R2-D2 cutouts.  She gave Isaac a pine cone, to which he is very attached.  He actually dropped it on the floor there and demanded I get it for him, and after a twenty-minute battle of wills with lots of tears, he finally gave in and picked it up himself.

Naomi worked her first paying job last night helping at a fish-themed 5th birthday party at church.  She helped set up, frost some mini cupcakes, watch the kids, clean up, and other miscellaneous jobs.  I asked the mom later if there were any issues, and she said that Naomi and her daughter had gone outside and no one knew, but she did figure it was her daughter who led Naomi out.  I asked Naomi, and she said that the birthday girl ran out, and she went to chase after her, and didn't realize none of the adults had seen the little girl walk right past them and out the door.  I know Naomi judges that a little, because I've been open with my opinion about adults chit-chatting and not keeping an eye on small children (I don't have a positive view of that), but I'm glad she was there to catch her.  However, I'm also a little concerned that this has happened a few times before with Naomi where adults cannot find her because she follows a younger child who decides to wander off.  Aside from that, I was told Naomi did an excellent job, and she will receive a check in the mail.  :)

Some other photos below:

Isaac coloring in the waiting room while Lucas attends therapy.  He is 2 for 2 in throwing a fit because I have to pull him away from the waiting room after 20-25 minutes to consult with the therapists.

At Naomi's art exhibition/awards ceremony.

The kids had to write a short blurb about their artwork or composition.

Participation ribbon and certificate.

One of the many impressive entries.

Yes, Naomi got a cotton candy machine for Christmas from her grandparents.  It works with just two pieces of any hard candy.  Worked very well and was very fun for the kids.

This store is closing, and all they really had on sale were the fixtures and displays.

Naomi after working her first job.  She was happy and wiped out.

personality triggers:

The Myers-Briggs Personality Test was just a fun quiz to me the first time I took it for a class at my old job.  I didn't think of it as more than a label, and the assessment was something along the lines of a glorified horoscope.  But over the years, as I began to really look at relationships and personality conflicts, and seeing the dynamics within our family, I saw just how important it is to consider personality differences (and commonalities).  I don't think one can ever fully put oneself in another person's shoes, but one can remember that we do not all wear the same pair.

During Manny's leave, he met with someone who went over personality triggers with him.  Conveniently, he and I have the same personality profile, ISFJ.  However, we have different percentages of each trait.  Here is my profile.  There is a free personality test there if you are curious about your profile.

We learned what triggers stress responses (sort of a tug-of-war between our dominant and inferior functions) for different people, and it helped us appreciate and adjust our interactions with EN's (extroverted intuitive people).  Naomi took the test and got ENFP, which was no surprise.  In a nutshell, the triggers for IS personality types (see In the Grip by Quenk) are:

-issues of reality

-anything unknown

-overdoing own type

An issue of reality, for example, would be if someone were to call me a liar when I was not lying and there was no evidence of it.  Or when Manny or I think people are in denial or are not looking at the facts, that can trigger our negative responses.  Someone with an EN personality might be just being optimistic for the benefit of all, but it causes us to lose control and, according to these theories, suddenly become EN's (the inferior function, or sort of the opposite of how we usually are).  Like Jekyll and Hyde, we might suddenly blow up and say a bunch of nonsense.  

EN's are more intuitive, flexible, take risks, and flourish in being with others and not caring about all the specific data so much.  Their negative responses are triggered by:

-feeling bogged down by details, structure/rules (bureaucracy), and practical matters

-lack of stimulation and excitement

-fatigue and pressure from overcommitment

So, one can see where conflict would arise between IS's and EN's.  Any two people can have conflict, but I didn't realize this underlying problem I had and how much I was expecting others to communicate or respond a certain way.  EN inferior function means when triggered, they become more like the weak side of IS--they will suddenly become quiet and reserved when upset, for example.  This I've seen again and again with Naomi.  At first, I believed I was just right, but soon I had to appreciate that even if our viewpoints were the same, our personalities were at war.  That doesn't mean I don't have conflict with the IS's in our family, or that I excuse my anger when triggered, but I am using these ideas to consider how I might be more honoring toward family and friends.

Quoting from Was That Really Me? also by Quenk:  

Issues of reality are likely to push the inferior “button” of Introverted Sensing types. Dealing with people whose approach denies facts and actualities (often identified as Extraverted Intuitive types) serves as a trigger for eruptions of harsh, negative, extreme reactions to whatever is being proposed. With the usual preconditions in operation, even slight deviations from present reality or minor suggestions for future change will provoke Introverted Sensing types to intractable anger and stubborn immovability. One ISFJ said,“If I’m watching the devastating effects of an ongoing crisis and someone says to me,‘Don’t worry, everything is going to be fine,’ I come unglued. I steamroll over the person and mow them down!”

What this helped me understand is how I can be so relaxed and peaceful and then suddenly seem to rage at the smallest things (I mean outside of hormone issues).  It's usually triggered by the same type of people--those who appear to me to be living in denial and not looking at the facts, when in their point of view, they are just being optimistic or flexible, as many ENs are.  These are the same people who are sociable and seem to pick things up quickly and take risks, so I actually admire ENs greatly.  I can often draw wrong conclusions, because I base it on actual experiences and data, rather than having a good intuition about what someone is saying or doing.  On the other hand, intuitive people trust their intuition because it's been right before, and sometimes they'll say the most outlandish things, which then sets me off.

Anger management goes wider and deeper than this, but sometimes you have to look first at the root causes (or at least I do; I'm sure EN's would readily have a hunch).  Even though this may be extrabiblical, I think there is definitely a kernel of truth to all this, and it has helped me and Manny in understanding ourselves and how we can do better in our relationships and communication with others.  And just because we have the same personality type doesn't mean it's all roses and harmony--having similar weaknesses means a lot to overcome as well.  I think the take-home message is just to remember that human standards are just that.  They are not God's standards, but we cloud His with our own.  We have to be careful not to justify or excuse our behaviors or preferences with twisting of the Word or by saying, "that's just my personality."  Like if I'm lazy, I can't just say I'm exercising faith.  Or if I'm overly cautious or a control freak, I can't just say I'm exercising wisdom.  God knows the difference.  He also made each and every one of us unique, so it always helps to remember how He created us all to be different yet work together in unity.

back to life / nye:

After we got back home, we had a mini-Christmas for the kids.  I talked to the kids a little about what Jesus' birth means.  Naomi got her brothers a flying football using her piano lesson points, and she gave Manny and me a wallet with some coupons to use (free prayer night, free hug, free smile).  I bought a couple of small things for each child (a calendar and some caramel chocolate for Naomi, a mini Titanic puzzle and gumballs for Lucas, and a kids' flashlight and foam ball for Isaac), and they were pretty happy.  They don't really need a lot.  The major, special Christmas presents and traditions are reserved for their grandparents and aunt.  I think this year I realized there is sort of a threshold with our kids--if you give them too much, they won't appreciate it, and if you give them too little, they feel like you're withholding love.  I can be like that; it reminds me of Proverbs 30:8-9.  So next year, we'll cut back on the wishlist.  Isaac was just happy to unwrap things.  "Wow, I got a box!"  When we were at my parents' house, my parents and I just wrapped and rewrapped things out of the junk drawer for him to open, and he was very happy.  To give you an idea of what they got from their grandparents this Christmas, the kids received video games, board games, a cotton candy maker, a chocolate pen, a robotic puppy, a robotic Olaf, a battery-operated Orbeez toy, Minecraft toys, Legos, and much more.  

I don't think I've ever seen them act as spoiled at their grandparents' as they did this year.  I don't know if it was because I've been correcting them less, especially while Manny was off work or around the extended family.  Manny had been telling me that my anger was often worse than anything the kids did, and it made everyone feel uncomfortable, so I've been trying to curb my response more or let Manny handle it if things get out of hand.  A funny thing happened at my parents' house.  When Lucas was really young, I disciplined him at my parents' house, and my parents gave me the third degree (even though they punished us far more severely for far less).  But then when Lucas was fooling around and picking on Isaac this time, my dad said, "When I was young, sometimes my dad had to hit me, and even though I was upset at the time, it didn't kill me.  It was the right thing to do and good for me."  Haha.  I should have reminded him about that other visit.  Kids get older, though, and certain forms of discipline are no longer effective or even appropriate.  

I went out with a friend for lunch on her day off work.  We had Israeli Mediterranean food, which was so good.  I noticed the lady next to us glancing over at me, so I quieted down a little.  That made me nervous.  I've noticed I can't hear very well lately, constantly having to cup my ear to hear Manny or the kids, and people keep telling me I'm yelling when I think I'm talking normally.  I guess I'd better get it checked out when I can.  Online tests show my hearing is like a 55-year-old's.  

We also had a New Year's Eve celebration at 9 pm with Grandma and Grandpa on FaceTime.  We watched the CNN countdown and then put on the Netflix countdowns for kids.  Lucas was pretty tired and didn't want to do much, but he did have some of the sparkling cider.  He went to bed right after, Naomi stayed up past midnight, and Isaac I think was woken up by the fireworks outside.  I can no longer nurse him back to sleep, so he cries a lot, and I've been very short on sleep again.  But eventually he will get there.  I didn't wean any of my kids till they were 2 or 2 1/2.  Not because I wanted to (I wanted to wean them all at 5 months), but I had to keep them quiet at night for everyone else, and my maternal instincts said I had to keep going despite really not enjoying it at all.  Perhaps this and probiotics are why they hardly ever get sick.  Who knows?  The older two are excellent about cleaning their hands and eating vegetables, but Isaac is an anomaly.  He hardly eats vegetables, is terrible about cleaning his hands, eats too much sugar/carbs, and fights us to eat things off the floor.  I caught him licking the chairs from the rented hall at the Christmas Eve party.  Completely disgusting to me, and he throws such a fit when I correct him.  Actually, that is the most common fight that he and Lucas (germaphobe like me) have--over Isaac's nasty habits.

I plan to be a little more open again on the blog this year.  I'm not here to sell you a perfect, always-happy family, but a family who is working through our differences and finds our identity and joy in Jesus Christ.  We are thankful to be alive, and want to live life as well as we can, but it doesn't happen without our share of challenges as well.

Merry post-Christmas Christmas!

I thought this was a nightlight, but it's a flashlight (even better).

We love Naomi's coupons!

Lunch with K.  We were both craving hummus!

Happy New Year!

Party time!

Sparkling apple cider break during dancing.

Lucas skipped everything but didn't want to miss out on apple cider!