Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Mar 28, 2014 8:53:17 GMT -5
My parents, God bless them, bought Cabe a big kid bike for his b-day last fall. And said they'd buy Keira one for her b-day this spring. And this is taking the kid to the bike shop to be measured by the employees instead of everyone guessing what size is needed.
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raeoflyte
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Post by raeoflyte on Mar 28, 2014 11:21:34 GMT -5
We keep meaning to get some kind of chore list together for ds and pay him an allowance, but so far that hasn't happened. I really want to spend a lot of time this spring and summer riding bikes so it might be more for me than him. He doesn't even realize its small, but its one of those strider bikes and he can barely glide anymore. This makes me feel better to go ahead and replace it.
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econstudent
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Post by econstudent on Mar 28, 2014 18:42:54 GMT -5
So...the boy *needs* a new bike. His is way too small. Not that we really have enough to spoil him that much but do we just give him a new one? I don't want to set the precedent of big easter gifts and his birthday is too far away. Sent from my ADR6410LVW using pro boards IMO, kids aren't spoiled just because you buy them the things they need or want (within reason). The spoiling comes with the attitude around it. You can still teach them to be grateful for the things they have and receive, even if gifts aren't tied to an "event" and it's not strictly a need. (I think we've talked about this before, but I think those Strider bikes are so cool. DH thinks it's silly to pay that much for a bike with no pedals, but it seems to me like a good way to teach them to balance. Unfortunately, I told Maggie that she can't get the scooter she's been eyeing until she masters her roller skates, so I don't think I should come home with a new bike. Is he going up to a size 4? This looks like a good sale. Trump is $79. www.amazon.com/Strider-ST-4-No-Pedal-Balance-Bike/dp/B00BJBWW8W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396050101&sr=8-1&keywords=strider+bike)
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raeoflyte
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Post by raeoflyte on Mar 28, 2014 23:55:49 GMT -5
The balance bikes are really cool. Ds rides a regular bike with training wheels at my folks but he isn't nearly as confident on it. I can't keep up with him on his balance bike. Sent from my ADR6410LVW using proboards
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missk82
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Post by missk82 on Apr 1, 2014 13:04:41 GMT -5
Dumb question - how do those bikes move without pedals?
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raeoflyte
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Post by raeoflyte on Apr 1, 2014 14:37:39 GMT -5
It's almost like a bike/scooter hybrid because they just push off with their feet and glide on it. Its supposed to help them learn how to balance so they can transition easier to a regular bike without training wheels. I can't say if that last part will work, but they look like a lot of fun.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2014 8:08:23 GMT -5
Is that the kid bike that was on Shark Tank? It did look fun! ( but expensive)
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raeoflyte
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Post by raeoflyte on Apr 2, 2014 10:23:42 GMT -5
These are in the $100 range- a few less and some are quite a bit more.
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Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Apr 7, 2014 11:28:36 GMT -5
I was putzing around the house on Sat. afternoon and looked out the kitchen window. It faces the front of the house/street. And lo and behold - on the approach lawn of the house across the street was a one of those plastic houses, with a 1/2 door and windows. I don't think it's Little Tykes but one of the better makes of kid playhouses. I called DH over to look and we went across the street and snagged it. It's a little faded from exposure but seems to be in decent shape. So we hauled it into the backyard. The kids promptly wanted to play with it. It was even pretty clean, all in all. On Sunday, I dumped the plastic car on the neighbors behind us. They're pregnant with their 2nd, their daughter's about 2 or so, I think. We don't really talk to them a whole lot beyond waves and hellos as we all go about our lives. And my kids both got stuck in the car when trying to play in it the last week or so. So they agreed it was time to pass it on. Cabe helped me walk it across the alley to them. Now the backyard has 1 big ass crate that's weathering; 1 wooden swingset (with 2 swings, a trapeze bar and the 2nd story fort thing) inherited from my sister's neighbors; 1 plastic playhouse almost as big as the crate and a table w/ 6 chairs. I'm putting a sandbox in this year. DH looked at the backyard and conceded that he's going to have to keep the front lawn looking nice because the backyard is a lost cause. ETA - the next door neighbor turned 10 on Sunday. So she and her family/friends were playing with Keira and Cabe too. They dragged out the teeter totter, inherited from my sister and maybe the plastic picnic table too. And Cabe's sled died so I'm going to toss that tonight.
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Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Apr 10, 2014 8:45:20 GMT -5
My immediate supervisor was on vacation. Our next up supervisor blew up a bunch of balloons and stuck them in her office. So yesterday I took a trash bag of balloons (filled) home for the kids to play with. The smaller ones they jumped on and popped. The bigger ones kept rolling away when they tried to jump on them, so we gave them forks and told them "stick a fork in it!" They had fun. I think DH would have preferred I not bring the balloons home but it was a one shot deal so he didn't say anything.
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raeoflyte
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Post by raeoflyte on Apr 10, 2014 11:29:22 GMT -5
Dang Anne--3.5? Connor is almost 5 and still rocking the balance bike. The balloons sound awesome Beth!
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Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Apr 13, 2014 8:53:20 GMT -5
So what do you do for older kids for Easter? We've got a couple of DVDs, some of those things you put into water to make them expand, jelly beans, choc. bunnies and some other Easter candy.
ETA - I bought Keira a new dress for Easter too. Thankfully she's got a pink pair of shoes that still fit to wear with it. Cabe's decent pants still fit from Christmas and he's got a couple of non-t-shirt style shirts to pick from. Am I a lousy parent for not buying my son new clothes for Easter? I mean, I'm a lousy parent for all sorts of reasons (getting slightly smashed on wine 2 nights running BEFORE the kids are in bed is just one of the reasons...) but now that Easter's a week out, I'm rethinking it. And feeling kinda guilty that he's not getting new clothes and she is.
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Sharon
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Post by Sharon on Apr 13, 2014 10:47:07 GMT -5
So what do you do for older kids for Easter? We've got a couple of DVDs, some of those things you put into water to make them expand, jelly beans, choc. bunnies and some other Easter candy. ETA - I bought Keira a new dress for Easter too. Thankfully she's got a pink pair of shoes that still fit to wear with it. Cabe's decent pants still fit from Christmas and he's got a couple of non-t-shirt style shirts to pick from. Am I a lousy parent for not buying my son new clothes for Easter? I mean, I'm a lousy parent for all sorts of reasons (getting slightly smashed on wine 2 nights running BEFORE the kids are in bed is just one of the reasons...) but now that Easter's a week out, I'm rethinking it. And feeling kinda guilty that he's not getting new clothes and she is. Sidewalk chalk, Bubble stuff, a kite. DD usually also got a DVD for Easter but it would be hidden along with the eggs.
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econstudent
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Post by econstudent on Apr 13, 2014 14:20:49 GMT -5
ETA - I bought Keira a new dress for Easter too. Thankfully she's got a pink pair of shoes that still fit to wear with it. Cabe's decent pants still fit from Christmas and he's got a couple of non-t-shirt style shirts to pick from. A m I a lousy parent for not buying my son new clothes for Easter? I mean, I'm a lousy parent for all sorts of reasons (getting slightly smashed on wine 2 nights running BEFORE the kids are in bed is just one of the reasons...) but now that Easter's a week out, I'm rethinking it. And feeling kinda guilty that he's not getting new clothes and she is. Personally, the whole idea where we buy our kids fancy clothes to wear to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus is lost on me. My mom bought Maggie a fancy dress, but if were up to me she'd wear her normal tshirt and comfy pants to church, just like she does every other week. I did pick up a pair of dressy shoes for her at a consignment sale since they will only be worn once in a blue moon. All that to say - nope, I think you're just fine to not buy him new Easter clothes. As for gifts, I'm glad you reminded me, because all I have so far is a basket, grass and eggs. I guess I need to get something to put in them. I'll probably just get food items as we don't need any more stuff around and I can't think of anything she is wanting right now.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Apr 13, 2014 15:49:07 GMT -5
We're not religious, but Pop Tart wants to know what we're doing for Easter. We've told her no on hiding eggs in the house because of the dogs. I had been thinking of what to get her. I like the idea of sidewalk chalk and a kite. I'll have to get out this week while she's in school and get her some stuff.
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Sharon
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Post by Sharon on Apr 13, 2014 16:03:13 GMT -5
We're not religious, but Pop Tart wants to know what we're doing for Easter. We've told her no on hiding eggs in the house because of the dogs. I had been thinking of what to get her. I like the idea of sidewalk chalk and a kite. I'll have to get out this week while she's in school and get her some stuff. How about hiding plastic eggs. DD had fun for years playing with plastic eggs at Easter time. She would hide them herself and then find them the next day. I would get them out a couple weeks before Easter and she would play with them until about a week after Easter and then they would be put away until the next year. If you and C were to hid the plastic ones she might enjoy that.
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raeoflyte
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Post by raeoflyte on Apr 13, 2014 16:19:11 GMT -5
Connor is getting a new tie because I want to try to get cutesy pictures with the kids. Evie has a dress already-that is dark blue corduroy so totally not springy but I just love it so I'm going to use that anyway.
They will do an egg hunt at my grandmothers assisted living and one at home, but I'm not sure about baskets/gifts. We've never done Santa or the easter bunny, but Connor was asking about seeing the real easter bunny so he's heard it somewhere. This year I feel.like we have to decide whether we just ride it out or put the kibosh on such things.
Beth-with my kids Connor already thinks clothing gifts are lame, whereas evie loves to accessorize so I wouldn't sweat it. Or maybe get him something small like a tie.
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Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Apr 14, 2014 8:07:14 GMT -5
Keira's really smart and picks up on stuff. I told Dh a couple of days ago that our "window" for the Easter bunny is going to be short, maybe just another year or two.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2014 8:12:32 GMT -5
DD asked me if the Easter Bunny is real just last week. She's only 8! I thought I had until the double-digits at least. She said kids in school were saying Santa, the EB and the Tooth Fairy are just your parents. So I said "can I tell you a secret?" and whispered "we sometimes have to help them if they get busy". I hope that pacifies her at least until Christmas this year. I want one more before they stop believing!
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Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Apr 14, 2014 8:22:49 GMT -5
I walked in on my parents doing Easter baskets when I was around 5. But I believed in Santa for another couple of years. My brother and sister told me once I made my 1st Communion at which point I told them I knew about the Easter bunny. I'll be honest, DH and I do a much better job of being discrete with Christmas than we do with Easter so I'm sure the Easter bunny is going to be blown first.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Apr 15, 2014 10:14:51 GMT -5
How about hiding plastic eggs. DD had fun for years playing with plastic eggs at Easter time. She would hide them herself and then find them the next day. I would get them out a couple weeks before Easter and she would play with them until about a week after Easter and then they would be put away until the next year. If you and C were to hid the plastic ones she might enjoy that. We have a Beagle. She would try to eat the plastic eggs, too, even if nothing was in them. And our Terrier might decide they look enough like balls to try and chew on them, as well. I've had dogs where you could get away with hiding plastic eggs (and even real eggs), but not these two.
C's plans for Sunday just got cancelled, so maybe we'll take the opportunity to go see Mr Peabody or the Lego Movie.
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Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on May 6, 2014 8:14:36 GMT -5
K had soccer practice last night. I had the joy of standing outside watching 6 kids (ages 4-6) figure out how to kick a soccer ball. I was cold by the time we were done. I'd grabbed a couple of water bottles and a bag of leftover crackers from K's party to bring. Ended up giving 1 water bottle to coach for one of the kids and sharing the crackers. Those kids were like a plague of locusts. Damn. K was kinda upset about the crackers because the bag was a mix of different kinds and the only ones she liked, of which there weren't many in the bag anyway, went fast. So I told her I'd put some in her lunch today.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2014 8:29:33 GMT -5
You're going to be in charge of snacks if you keep it up!
DS had his first baseball game last week and I was talking to a Mom from the other team (our kids were on the same team for 2 years of T-ball) and she asked if our team had a "snack schedule" made yet. CRIPES! Why can't people just be responsible for their own kids??!?
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Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on May 6, 2014 10:21:00 GMT -5
LOL. I'm ok with that. I keep a case of bottled water in the car anyway. And it was only 1 kid who didn't have something to drink. Plus it was week 1 (well, technically it was week 2 but we got rained out last week) so I assume that the water/drink will resolve itself next week anyway. It's 6-8 kids for another 4 weeks I think. I think part of the problem is/was that we're scheduled for 530-620. In my house, that's dinner time. So K got a quick meal and off we went. The crackers were for me, not her!
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raeoflyte
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Post by raeoflyte on Jun 29, 2014 22:42:35 GMT -5
Ds turns 5 tomorrow. Had a great day at the waterpark with him and friends/family. It's cliche but I can't believe how grown up he is getting. Showed excitement over every gift, thanked us repeatedly for taking him to the park. It's just crazy.
Now if only I could sleep for a week and then clean for a week after that I think I could recover from this weekend.
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Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Jul 7, 2014 10:55:50 GMT -5
Sounds like a fun kid.
We spent several days in Door County with a bunch of my family. The kids had a blast. We wimped out on going to fireworks though.
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raeoflyte
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Post by raeoflyte on Jul 7, 2014 11:07:05 GMT -5
We bailed on fireworks too. I wasn't willing to risk a crying/melting scene.
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Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Jul 7, 2014 11:10:21 GMT -5
Yeah, we'd have been the only ones going and just didn't want the hassle. Plus the kids were having a great time at the trailer with their cousins.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Aug 23, 2014 19:39:13 GMT -5
Okay, I probably won't be back here again until sometime on Monday, but I need a quick place to rant. I understand that, when Pop Tart came into our lives, we were given tons of paperwork. We got even more as we adopted her. I did not read every single sentence, check every single date on pieces of paperwork. I admit that. But still, there are some events that I feel like should be pointed out, some things that are just too big to be left to chance. Like, why didn't someone tell us that last time Pop Tart saw her birth mom (ever) was on Pop Tart's birthday? Because, you know, that's not something kids forget....
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Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Aug 25, 2014 8:43:09 GMT -5
Ooh boy. I got nothing.
Hugs Shane, lots of hugs and patience beyond measure to you guys.
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