Sunday, April 26, 2015

Nonny Tips/Chewing Gum


This is an unlikely subject for a Nonny Tip, but, it works!

By the time the grands get to be about three years old, most of them are old enough to chew gum without swallowing it. It is such a treat for them, because most of them don't get a lot of gum at home. It is something you have to really watch them with so they don't take it out of their mouths and *lose it* somewhere! :) 

A few years back I heard about chewing gum being used as a calming tool to help children with ADHD and other issues. It helped with focusing and/or calming down. It's amazing to me how on point this is! I decided to try it. It works. If you have a grand that is fidgety in a car seat or while doing an activity such as art or listening to a story….give them a half piece of gum. I usually buy regular gum or bubblegum. I know there is sugar in it, but, I'd rather them have a small bit of sugar than the fake stuff! It's pretty magical the focus they have when chewing gm.

Also, gum helps as a reward. One of the toughest challenges as a Nonny is car seats. UGH! I believe in them 100%. I'm an advocate for them being hooked in correctly and used until they are eight. BUT, it's a pain getting everyone buckled up. Soooooo, when they reach the age of being able to get in the seat themselves, I promise them gum if they climb up in the car and get in their seat and sit there until I get each person buckled in properly. This Nonny is not beyond a bribe.

I try to remind them every few minutes, *When you are done chewing, give the gum to Nonny.* It works most of the time. 

Just a little Nonny tip to help make things easier. If you have any tips, share them with me in the comments. I'm always looking for new tricks of the trade!

And, just a couple of old pics of the three big boys!


Thursday, April 16, 2015

Blog Questions!!!

Stacey, at The Yarbrough's blog, shared this survey with me. I thought I would go old school and fill it out!! I included some random, old pictures of the grands....just because I don't like a post without pictures!!!


1.  What made you start blogging?

I started reading a Caring Bridge blog about a little girl I knew who had cancer. That lead me to other Caring Bridge blogs and ultimately to blogs about fashion, decorating, children, etc. Then, my DIL, Jenny, started a blog and talked me into starting mine! I'm so glad I did. I have the blog posts printed into books every year and it's a way to journal and have pictures printed at the same time! One day I hope my grandchildren will enjoy seeing a part of their childhood and know how much they meant to me. My first blog post: Pressure From The DIL.



2.  What are some of your favorite blogs?

I have so many!!! They change every month or two! Right now my favorites are:

So many of the bloggers I use to read have stopped blogging. Instagram and Facebook have taken over. I really like FB and IG too (as a matter of fact, IG is just so easy and it's why I don't blog as much either)




3.  Where is your favorite place to vacation?

ANYWHERE! I love a road trip!






4.  What do you enjoy doing in your down time?

Spending time with family. Reading. Traveling.





5.  What is your favorite food to eat for dinner? 

White Pizza with veggies.



6.   What are 3 beauty products that you can't live without?

Lipstick. Mascara. Foundation.



7.  If we were to open your purse, what would we find?

Lipstick (duh). Calendar. Debit card. Cell Phone.


8.  Who is your hero?

Outside of people I know, The Duggars would be my heroes. They live simple lives that glorify God.


9.  What are your favorite TV shows?

Nineteen Kids and Counting. Fixer Upper. Little Couple. Little People Big World. 



10.  What is your favorite music to listen to?

Christian. Country. Oldies.




Tell me how you'd answer some of these!!

Saturday, April 11, 2015

These Babies Are TWO!!!!






We know about boy/boy twins in our family. But, boy/girl twins were new to us. They are a hoot! Don't let this sweet girl fool you!! She is dyn o mite!! She can take care of those brothers of hers in a hot minute! And they listen. I do too! :)

HJ loves: Her paci. Her *Sally* doll. Frozen. Bossing her brothers.

B loves: Goldfish crackers. His mommy. Any riding toy. And ducks.

Happy Birthday to these two amazing twins.

Nonny and Poppy love you BIG!


Friday, April 10, 2015

Nope, Didn't Fall Off The Face Of The Earth!


Good grief. How did this much time pass since I last blogged? It's not like things aren't happening. I would often think *I need to blog this!* And well, then life would get in the way and before I knew it, two months had passed. I'm going to try to hit some of the highlights!

Valentine's Day was fun as usual. We went to the little soda shoppe we go to each year with some great friends! So fun!!!



We celebrated lots of birthdays in February. My mom, my FIL and hubs to name a few. Life got in the way and we couldn't get everyone together to celebrate this year. But we each celebrated in our own ways and are still so thankful for our families!! The kids all gave Poppy and me the GREATEST gift for our birthdays! They had Jared (at Jared's Drawings) hand draw a portrait of our grandchildren. It is amazing and such a special gift to us! (Jared doesn't have a website that I could find but you can find him on FB.)


We had snow here in NC several times in February. Just a few inches pretty much shuts us down for days and the kids missed lots of school. A lot of the schools had to make up their days during spring break. Bummer!!



In March Poppy and I went away for a few days to celebrate my birthday. On the way, he surprised me with a visit to *Chef and the Farmer* Restaurant in Kinston, NC. You may have seen their television show (A Chef's Life) on PBS on Sunday nights! I am hooked on it now! I have watched every episode online. The food was AMAZING!!! If you ever have the opportunity, it's worth the visit!! They also own an oyster/burger bar….Boiler Room next door. We ate there on the way home from our trip. The two restaurants have totally different foods but are equally as good. 



Also in March was our SIL's birthday! Do you know how blessed you are if you have a great son in law? I try not to take it for granted. He is so humble and is ALWAYS so grateful for what we do for him.


We celebrated Easter last weekend! It's hard to believe it's April already! All the kids and grandkids and my parents and other family members were at our house. The weather was gorgeous and we all had such a great time! I ordered a banner from Ever Thine Home. I adore it!! It's burlap on one side and says *I Am The Resurrection and the Life.* On Easter Sunday, you turn it around to the white linen side and it says *He Is Risen!*


Of course we had Meredith's Cookies on Easter! (no website but you can find her on FB @ Sweet Stuff by Meredith) She ships too!!


And, last, but you KNOW not least, I did get a picture of the nine grands. Not all of them were happy, but such is life. I was just glad to have the picture!!


Happy Spring Friends!
He is Risen Indeed!!