Random Kid Stuff

Here are some videos of the kiddos. These are sure to put a smile on your face especially if you are having a bad day! Keegan decided to put on a "tap show" for us this evening...very entertaining. The other is Klay working on his crawling.

Out-smarting Mom

Just one more piece of information on Keegan...I know...it's never-ending! She has her yellow blankie that means everything to her. She sleeps with it, sniffs it, takes it in the car, and it apparently smells like vanilla (hmmm). Anyhow, I thought that the blankie would be a great thing to take away if needed for discipline purposes...it is so special to her. Well, it did get taken away, and she was upset because she didn't get it at night and she "needed to sniff it." BUT, the next day after she had gotten it back I asked her if she wanted to take it with us in the car. To my amazement (because we take this in the car ALL the time) she said "no, Mom, I am just fine without it!" So, now I am wondering what her little brain is thinking...maybe she is hoping I won't take it away again if she acts like she doesn't care about it! She is always keeping me on my toes!

Making Progress

So, after my "ranting and raving" session I felt much better. I just needed a place to vent and let it go! Keegan and I talked over the weekend (sounds so formal) about what she should do with her anger and/or frustration. She thought about it for a bit and then said "I know, Mom! I have an idea!" She was so excited and continued with "whenever I get really mad I will go into the study and chill off for a little bit. That will be a great idea, Mom!" First off...yahoo that she is thinking all by herself and came up with this "plan." Secondly, using the phrase "chill off" just cracked me up (and Kevin, too). So, I asked where she would go if she happened to be upstairs and got upset...in her room was her reply. So...what about at school then...her reply was behind the dollhouse. So far she hasn't used her chill off rooms, but she knows where to go if she needs them! Oh, and as far as her funny little phrases go...I put her in timeout the other day and then asked her to come over to talk to me. She said "Sup, Mom?" I looked at Kevin in the kitchen and asked him "did she just say what's up all slurred together?" That was a definite yes...we just laughed and laughed...punishment OVER.

Also, I just want to congratulate my hubby on a "new" job position at work. He is now a Branch Coordinator and will be going from branch to branch to kind of oversee operations and help out where needed. It's a new position at APD so none of us really know what is actually going to happen with this...but we will see where it takes him. He loves being challenged so I think this will be a great place for him right now. He is super excited about this, and I know he will do an awesome job!

Oh, and please just say a little prayer come Thursday morning for our ballet/tap class! I just really don't want her getting kicked out again...but am prepared for it if it happens!

Our Lovely Keegan

So, I guess that we are going through an interesting period (that's a nice way of putting it) with our lovely, angelic Keegan. I know some of you are thinking (because we have talked over the past few days) that I am just getting pretty much what I deserve...but was I strong-willed as a 3 year old? I am assuming that the answer to this is a big YES. I know I was as a teen and even still today, but this child is absolutely wearing me out. Let me just say that on Thursday our beautiful little ballerina got kicked out of class for yelling at the teacher because she did not want to do what was asked of her! I was absolutely embarrassed...plus, then she decided to hit me in the lobby area where all the other parents were waiting. That was just icing on the cake. Don't get me wrong...I love her dearly, she makes me laugh on an hourly basis, and she is truly a sweet hearted child. BUT...she defies authority just basically to see how far she can get. I know you are probably thinking...oh, that's just a three year old for you, but it's a little different...she just has a strong personality. She is not a compliant child, really, and many of the kiddos she hangs out with are so at times that makes me feel like I am just not doing something right as a mom. I know this is just the beginning of this feeling, but it is a horrible feeling to have! Kevin and I had a sit down "meeting" on Thursday evening and had to re-evaluate and change our discipline method to see if something else will work (time outs do not work, taking books away kind of works, etc). Please (to any parents of young children reading this) if you have a compliant child be thankful and to those of you that don't...know that there are other's out there in the same boat as you are (even if they aren't talking). Also, don't ever think that a parent isn't trying their hardest to get their children "under control"...they probably are trying and it just takes a lot more for their child than it might for yours (just something to keep in mind). I don't know why so many of us find it necessary to make it seem like there are no issues at home with our children...but in reality we all deal with something in our own way. I am, however, feeling much better with a copy of "The New Strong Willed Child" by Dr. James Dobson in hand...it's a good read and is making me feel a lot better about things in the York house right now! Alright...I am finished with my ranting!

And our little Klay...well, he is still trying to figure out this crawling business. he does a pretty good lunge forward and then starts crying. I am sure he will have it all figured out in no time! And can you believe that he will be 7 months old this week? Time flies by around here!

Dance Class

Today was Keegan's first time ever in a dance class. She is taking a ballet/tap class through Tucson parks and recreation. I wasn't quite sure how she would do once she got there and figured out that she had to listen to a teacher, but she never stops surprising me! She did a great job at listening, and she just cracked me up (and she is SUPER cute)! I hope you enjoy...

Summer Summed Up

So, I guess Summer has kind of ended, and we are moving into the Fall...except here in Arizona where we still are over 100 for I don't know how much longer! No complaints...we just stay in the pool a lot and wear shorts for many more months. Anyway, with school now starting and Labor Day over...I think summer is "officially" over, and I wanted to take a look back at our crazy, fun one!

Texas Trip:
The past couple of years we have traveled to Texas during the Memorial Day holiday. This was Klay's first plane trip and was fairly uneventful as far as that goes. Keegan loves planes...she has probably flown more at the age of three than many people do in their entire lives. We split our time between Kevin's parents lake home, and my parents home. Keegan enjoyed being at the lake, riding on the boat, and just playing outside. Oh, and she really liked riding and "driving" the Pro-hauler. In Richardson she liked swimming in the pool and playing in her "colorful, wonderful room." We also took her to Spring Creek Farm to feed all of the animals. A little goat happened to "escape" from it's fencing and if we owned a farm I think it might have come home with us! She loved it and just followed it around all over the place...it was quite funny! I do have to admit...it was a cute little thing! It was so neat for our kids (and us, too) to see aunts, uncles, grand/great grandparents, cousins, etc. We were truly exhausted from our trip, but we had a fabulous time.

Italy Trip:
Kevin and I got an opportunity to go to Florence and Rome for 10 days in June this year through Kevin's work. I have to admit that it was hard to leave my kiddos (Klay was only 4 months old), but we had a wonderful time. The GE trip was absolutely increbible...wonderful food, great tours, fabulous people, and of course...just time for Kevin and myself which is a rarity with 2 little ones! Plus, the kids had a great time at Oma and Opa's house!

Mexico Trip:
Yes, we finally took Keegan to the beach. She has been wanting this day to come for a long, long time. We flew to Dallas, and we met up with my sister and her family, and my parents for a trip to Cozumel. In all there were 12 of us. We had a great time...it was fun seeing everyone and just getting to hang out. The little girls (Keegan, 3 and Gabbi, 4 1/2) just had a great time together (well, most of the time). They are both very strong willed girls so it was funny to see them interact. They liked going on iguana hunts, making "sand" babies and then setting them free in the water, playing pony (Gabbi was the pony), and painting. We also celebrated Kevin's 30th birthday there on the beach! What a day and week. The kids did well with all of the traveling, too. We had so much fun and made so many memories!

Mini-Vacation:
Kevin's parents visited this past weekend so we decided to take time out and relax at a Tucson resort called Loew's Ventana Canyon. Being the little traveler that she is, Keegan was all about exploring a new hotel! We swam, played ping-pong, and just enjoyed each other for the weekend. It was a great time, and I highly recommend this resort to anyone visiting Tucson. It was absolutely beautiful...lots of nature trails and wildlife (tarantulas, snakes, scorpions...welcome to the desert!). To end our wonderful weekend we tried out a burger and wine bar called Zinburger...really tasty!

First Day of Preschool

Well, the first day of preschool was a success. Keegan enjoyed herself and showed me her painting of an apple when I came to pick her up. She was all over the place trying to show me things, and when I finally got her out (because Klay was a little upset) she told me that she was a big 3 year old. Her teacher, Miss Janice, said that Keegan did well and that every year she has one student that could/would handle the class if she or her assistant were absent. And yes...that would be Keegan. She just laughed about it, and I am thinking either born leader or know it all/bossy girl. Oh well...Keegan is stubborn in her thinking (I don't know where she would get that!) so hopefully, this will carry over into her later life. Miss Janice also told me that she had to let Keegan know that she was the teacher and she would help the other kids, and Keegan said "well, I am just trying to help everyone." All in all, it was a great day for her, and she can't wait to go back. This month they are learning about apples and doing different projects centered around that theme...I am sure Keegan will be full of information for me as time goes on!