"Just Get Along!"

I find myself saying one thing over and over lately…"just get along".  If any one has any tips on how to help kids to get along I am all ears!?  It doesn't matter the combination lately Ava and Ella, Ella and Gavin, Gavin and Ava, all they do is fight.  While screaming, yelling and arguing makes me feel like I might lose my mind, I tend to "try" and leave them for awhile and see if they can work it out.  

However, today there was actual pushing, kicking and poking…yes poking!?  I do not tolerate physical violence and after a long conversation of the typical "You can't do this", "you can't do that", "no more play dates", "you know better", "sorry Mom", it was the "you have to tell Dad how you behaved today" that really got them upset.  Then there were real tears..."I don't wanna tell Dad"..."what do you think he'll do".  

Gavin had already sat in time out and not that he is allowed to resort to physically hurting someone, it is punished and we move on.  He is 3 years old and still learning to keep his hands to himself.  But the girls DO know better so I left it up to Dan as to how to discipline.  First, since the last straw was them pushing each other and yelling about who would have their hair blow dried first (ridiculous!), Dan had them blow dry and brush each others hair.  

They were fine with that till they realized the other one would have to brush knots out and no one was allowed to yell, scream, or whine.  And it took way longer to dry their hair than they thought it would.  There was a lot of "I can't take it anymore, it feels dry enough".  

Next, to ensure that they learned a lesson they each had to pick one of their stuffed animals out of their bed (where their favorites reside) and give it to Dad.  Now they have to earn their animals back by getting along over the next few days.  I am hopeful, but remaining realistic.  I think we'll have a few good days, they'll get their animals back and then the arguing will ensue.  I expect arguing, Lord knows my sisters and I did plenty of that growing up, but we will not have the kids who push, kick, hit or even poke others!  I just wish the 'wrath of Mom' was as feared as the 'wrath of Dad'!

In other news, Gavin finished up another session of soccer.  He is showing me how dirty his hands got and his new medal to add to his collection.

He still says he likes to play soccer, but he means the kind of soccer where everyone has their own ball and everyone kicks them around together.  And under no circumstances is anyone allowed to take his ball, EVER!  I think all these little ones felt the same way.  They ended every practice by cheering "We love soccer".

Last weekend Papa Jim stopped in to catch Ella's soccer team in action.  While she didn't score another goal they did come back and win 6-3 after being down 2-0.  I think Papa got more than he bargained for when he stopped by for a quick visit.  Everyone wanted to sit on his lap.  He did his best, especially once Ashton and London came by to join in the fun for awhile!  There is never a quiet or dull moment when all five of them are together.

That same weekend Ava had competition number two of three for the season.  

Here they are running through the routine outside before heading back stage.

We were unable to stay for the award ceremony after the last competition so this experience was new for Ava.  To say she was excited is an understatement!  All the studios sit around on the stage with music is playing while waiting for the awards.  Ava was SOOO excited to be up on stage she was doing her own little impromptu solo for everyone.   Busting a groove, shaking her tail feather, shaking it off, would all be putting what Ava was doing up there mildly.  I wish I had a video of it, but no video cameras are allowed, at all.  Anyway, once awards were underway Ava sat down and listened for her group to be called.  They did really well this time, especially considering their music was started before they were even out on the stage in position.  Not sure that I totally understand the scoring system of these competitions, but they got a double platinum score (?), they won 2nd place overall of the 11 teams in their category and they won best costume!  Ava had NO problem jumping up each time they were called to accept the award. If there was even a sliver of doubt as to whether Ava would want to compete again next year it vanished the second that award ceremony started.  She went to bed that night saying "Mom, I just can't stop smiling!" I hope she keeps all the confidence wrapped up in that little body as she grows up!!

One more short story about my confident little Ava.  While Ava oozes confidence on the stage she does the total opposite when it comes to school.  Her grades are A's and B's, but she works hard for them.  There aren't many things Ava hates in the world however at the mere mention of homework she has had total meltdowns.  Instead of a meltdown last week she came up with a solution…"Mom" she said "I want to trade places with you.  Dad goes to work and we go to school and you get to hang out at home all day. I want to do that and you can go back to second grade".  I tried to explain that I don't just "hang out" all day.  I even listed off what my days consist of, but Ava was not deterred.  My "job" is just a walk in the park compared to second grade and a "real" job like Dad has.  

Some day Ava…some day.

I will end with a picture I took while at the Cardinals home opener this week!!  It was a beautiful day for a ball game.  And a special thanks to Aunt Mary Lou for watching Gavin so we could make it to the game!