Friday, October 29, 2010

Parenting notes

Last week we went to a condensed parenting class at our church. The class was originally for 4 days but we did it 2 hours. Lots of things to glean on. But I think the thing I remembered most was an excerpt from John McArthur and what he said about it's as much about what we do and what we don't do. For example, how can you get a bitter, sullen, antisocial delinquent? Here are some easy steps:

Spoil him.

Give him everything he wants, even more than you can afford, just charge it so you can get him off your back.

When he does wrong, nag him a little but don't spank him.

Foster his dependence on you. Don't teach him to be independently responsible, maintain his dependence on you so later on drugs and alcohol can replace you when he's older.

Protect him from all those mean teachers who want to discipline him from time to time. And threaten to sue them if they don't let him alone.

Make all of his decisions for him because he might make mistakes and learn from them if you don't.

Criticize his father to him, or his mother so your son or daughter will lose respect for his parents.

Whenever he gets into trouble, bail him out. Besides if he faces any real consequence, it might hurt your reputation.

Never let him suffer the consequences of his behavior, always step in and solve his problems for him so he will depend on you and run to you when the going gets tough and never learn how to solve his problems.

If you want to turn your child into a delinquent, let him express himself anyway he feels like it.

Don't run his life, let him run yours.

Don't bother him with chores, do everything for him then he can be irresponsible all his life and blame others when things don't get done right.

And be sure to give in when he throws a temper tantrum.

Believe his lies because it's too much hassle to try to sort through to get the truth.

Criticize others openly, criticize others routinely so that he will continue to realize that he is better than everybody else.

Give him a big allowance and don't make him do anything for it.

Praise him for his good looks, never for character.

And on it goes...


Happy Fall!

October means Pumpkin Patch of course! We went several times with friends from church. Now that Caris is going to preschool she is understanding more about seasons, colors, and pumpkins. They cover a color and shape each month. She also came home counting 1-10 the other day! Our Little Pumpkin is also getting more verbal everyday. Thank you Ms. Sharee for doing such a great job with her and all the Young Twos!
Excited to see pumpkins everywhere!

Two cute little pumpkins

More pumpkin friends

My Sweet Pumpkin


Three Little Pumpkins







Trying to snag Toto!
All the mommies and our Little Pumpkins

Pink pumpkins

Tall pumpkins
Personalized pumpkins

Girly pumpkin

Yes, anything can be personalized!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Look Who's 4-0!

Dear hubby turned 40 this October and we were so excited to celebrate leaving his 30's behind with a Disco 70's theme party! I love themed party so this was so fun to put together. One Birthday Boy+Disco Fever+One Groovy Cake=Fabulous Fun!
Birthday dinner at Perry's
My first time trying their infamous Pork Chops - needless to say we had tons of leftovers!
Rib Eye heaven
This was his complimentary dessert
But he wanted this instead!
Chocolate truffle, creme brulee, cheesecake trio - just right for me!
Every party has to have a cake...so I enlisted one of my friend who just started her own business to design this cake. It started with her taking a cake decorating class and the rest is history!


Cakester extraordinaire, Claudia with Cakes & Cookies by Clau

The Flans ready to get funky!

All the details of this cake was more than I imagined!
Caris mellowing out!
Retro punch-can you dig it?
70's munchies
70's Candies-Laffy Taffy & Ring Pops








Move over John Travolta!
Disco King

He's all mine!
My Little Nugget
Far out, dude!

Chicks
My friend, Tiffany, came with a topic of conversation piece! Neato!

Don't you want a Ring Pop too?
Check out these Cool Cats!
The rest of the Cool Cats

We saved this top tier for later...the fondant of this cake was amazing!
Psychedelic inside and out! Just groovy!
Tale tale sign of a great cake! Outta sight!