Birthday Party at Monkey Joes

Ramsey's best buddy Ty had his birthday party last night at Monkey Joes. Ramsey had the time of his life and was WIDE OPEN the whole time. He climbed and slid down every single thing there all by himself. It is so funny to me how kids can do so much more on there own when they have their buddies around. My Dad went with us since Cope was flying back from his all week work trip. Ramsey loved having his "Pops" there with us. Monkey Joes was CRAZY on a Friday night but Ramsey enjoyed every minute of the 2 hours we were there. He slept like crap last night though due to the sugar and adrenaline high he survived the night on. Oh well at least he had fun!

Ramsey and BFF Ty:

Ramsey, Ty,a nd Connor. These 3 are in preschool together. There teachers should get paid more:

Ramsey just showing off:

He found this race game and was in L-O-V-E:

Ty too: Riding the elephants:

He's Back!

Whoo Hoo! My little boy is back from the depths of naughty-ness!!!! I have been using the "If I have to ask you again I will take your race car away" method and it has worked pretty well. I have put a basket on top of the table and when he isn't listen or doing something he knows he shouldn't I give him a warning and if it happens again the toy he is playing with gets a time out. This seems to be quite effective for the moment. I promise I won't try to bore you all with every time my child acts like a demon but this week was really bad so thanks for listening and for your ideas. I just love my blogging buddies and fellow mommies out there. It is wild ride with this little man but I wouldn't trade this life for ANYTHING.

Favorite Breakfast Spot

Thank you all for your responses to yesterday's post. I was reading in a magazine yesterday that when kids go through these extreme testy times it is when they are in a period of BIG development. Not sure about that but whatever it is Ramsey's is out of sorts. I am going to try today to make chest or box and when he is naughty/not listening I will make him put a toy in the box for a certain amount of time. I'll let you know if this works. I swear though it is if we have these peaks where I want to pull my hair out and I go into "boot camp" discipline mode and then in no time he is sweet as pie again? Ramsey for sure does not like for me to ever think this parenting thing is "easy". It is NOT!

Need Some Parenting Advice

Ok, So I am not sure what exactly the "terrible twos" are but one thing is for sure I am at loss when it comes to disciplining Ramsey lately. He simply not listening when I tell him not to do something. I have tried talking to him and explaining gently why I am saying "no" to what he is doing. I have most certainly raised my voice. I have tried the counting to 3 thing but he just thinks it is fun to count right along with me. Time outs are not that effective for him. He will stay put but doesn't considerate it harsh discipline. I have popped his bottom, I have pulled down his panst and smacked his leg but at this point he doesn't even flinch and I hate spankings and at this rate he'll be getting one several times a day making them even less effective. He is not a bad kid and he knows when he is doing something wrong. It is as if he just checking to make sure his will is stronger then mine.

Anyway, I am struggling to find a way to get his attention to let him know I am "the boss" and when I say "no" I mean no. I never want him to be afraid of me but I do want him to believe me. I try to stay consistent as much as possible. I mean sometimes he is so sweet but when he his naughty, he is naughty. I know this is all part of the development of a STRONG WILLED CHILD but any advice to help this mommy survive would be much appreciated.

Morning Reading with Daddy

Ramsey loves when Fridays come around and he knows his Daddy is home. We take is a little slower and enjoy being at home and not having to rush to activities or errands. Ramsey also loves it because he has another playmate around and will immediately ask Cope to play or read. Cope is a great Dad and Ramsey and I are both incredibly thankful for him.

The Heat is On!!!

I've been quite the bust little bee lately. My little home business has really turned into a real job and so now I am a 30 + hours a week worker/full time stay at home mommy. I love waking up each day and thinking about what new things I get to create that day. I love when customers send me picture from their kids birthday party wearing a shirt I've made or on vacation sporting some of my items too. It makes me truly enjoy what I do and I am thankful every single day I get to do what I love so it really doesn't even feel much like "work" at all. I've posted some of my latest Summer designs as you Mommy's out their begin to think about your kiddos summer wardrobe and beach wear. These will make excellent birthday gifts as well.

For more applique designs and other products visit my business blog at www.collectionsbytaranicole.blogspot.com

Picture Post

Ramsey and Ty eating popcorn and watching Cars:

Totally both into the race track scene:

Ramsey on his morning perch:Posing:

About to smack Bentley for getting in his way. They have a love/hate relationship:

Entertaining himself:

Not sure why but my computer won't let me turn this one. But the outfit cracks me up here so I had to include it:

Ramsey with his "friend" George. He has started referring to his stuffed animals as his friends: