Don't Quit

"Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion." Muhammad Ali.

I read this somewhere a while back, and it kind of stuck in my head. I love the directness and do-or-die impression this statement leaves. I love how, when you think about it, it's applicable to anyone...in any situation.

It's SO easy to procrastinate. It's easy to be soft, and lazy, and impatient, or tell yourself all the reasons why you should give up.

Sometimes...when I'm exhausted and have school work to do, or when I'm busy and Jaden wants a story, or I feel like watching TV but there's dishes in the sink... sometimes I hear these words in my head, "Don't quit. Suck it up, do what you should and what's right, and don't take the easy way out."

You don't have to be an athlete to be a champion.

In Here, Honey.

Jaden has spent more time than usual in timeout today. After Jaden was sent to her room a third time, Caitlyn went down the hall, knocked on the door a little, and held Jaden's fingers that reached under the door.

I heard Jaden call from underneath the doorway, "Honey? I'm in here, Honey. In here! I'm in HERE, Honey. Honey, help me. Open the door Honey, I'm in here!"

I was torn between laughter and pity as I sprung Jaden from her prison early.

As always, when time-out is over Jaden has to go apologize to whoever she's wronged. And she did. She very contritely hugged and told Caitlyn sorry....for locking her in the bathroom and not letting her out.

Lunch Theater

Caitlyn plays so hard in the mornings that sometimes she can't make it through lunch without a little snooze or two. Or maybe it's the sports TV in the background? Sure knocks ME the hell out!

Publish Post

Mission Impossible

A few days ago, Jaden started climbing in Caitlyn's crib. In the mornings we'd wake up to the sounds of toddler laughter, which was cute for a while. Eventually, though, Caitlyn would get smooshed in some way from Jaden's acrobatics. So we decided to put an end to it.

It took several days of trial and error because we didn't know how she was getting in. I actually had to rig the video camera to catch her in the act, and discovered that she was basically scaling the side of the crib like Spiderman.

I agonized and labored over a Jaden-proof crib repellant. Finally I came up with this. Yes, Craig helped with the execution, but I want everyone to know that I was the mastermind behind this ingenious idea. Oh, and before you go copying my design, you should know that I'm calling the patent office in the morning.

+ =

Artists

Okay. So, the first thing you need to understand about coloring is that you have to keep the swirly part ON the paper, or Mommy takes it all away.



She's not even looking. Let's color our fingers!



Look, she'll be back, so get busy.



Um. That may be a problem.



Well, get a good grip on the sticks.


Like this?



Yeah. Now scribble around and around.....



That's it? This medium is way overrated.



Good job, Honey!



Yours is better. You didn't even go off the paper at all.




I’ve been around, kid. I know some stuff.


Mmmmmm.



Eating crayons is SO last year.


Don't knock it 'til you try it. Which flavor do you want, lemon or orange?


Ewwwww!!!


I can't believe I fell for that.



What do you know? This IS fun.