Sit-Still-Squeezer

Tertius has always been stereotypical "BOY."  He's a bundle of energy, a wrecking ball, and always moving.  When he was still a baby, he would not settle down enough to nurse unless I held one of his legs and shook it violently the whole time.  To get him to sleep, I had to put one hand on his leg and one on his chest and shake/rock him back and forth.  He just always had to be moving or else he couldn't feel relaxed.

Often his preferred method of travel around the house is what we call "Ninja Rolls" instead of simply walking.  A friend asked me once if I thought he could be autistic because she noticed he wouldn't look me in the eye when I was giving him directions (he was just not interested in standing still when he had places to go and things to do.)  I believe that if he were to go to public school, he would be diagnosed with ADHD.

He has no problem sitting still when it's something that interests him, though.  Unfortunately, family scripture study every night and Family Home Evening every Monday usually don't hold his interest.  Seeing him bounce all over the living room drives me crazy and distracts the girls, so I've been wanting a way to encourage him to be more reverent when I need him to be.  So I made a Sit-Still-Squeezer.

It's just a latex glove filled with flour.  The rule is that he has to be sitting still to play with it or else it gets taken away.  We've been using it for a few nights now and so far it's working pretty well.  There have been a couple times during the day that he has actually come to me and asked, "Can I have my Squeezer?  I promise I'll sit still!"  It's amazing how fun some flour in a glove can be!

(Read an update in Part 2.)

"If you'll have a seat in the pituitary gland, the hypothalamus will be right with you..."

Primus is SO EXCITED to learn about puberty.  It's pretty funny.  Today we learned about how hormones do weird things to your emotions and your brain and make teenagers go crazy.  :)

When we were in the car today Primus told me that she imagined what it would be like if hormones were alive. She imagined hormones hanging out in a waiting room (the pituitary gland) just waiting for the signal from the hypothalmus to know what to do and where to go.  Creative!



(FYI, the following is the explanation that we read that prompted this conversation.  I had originally copied it from wikipedia, but it appears that the article has now changed quite a bit.)

This is what happens during puberty:

1. A gland at the bottom of the brain called the hypothalamus sends gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) into a nearby gland called the pituitary gland.
2. GnRH causes cells in the pituitary gland to make two hormones, called gonadotropins. The bloodstream carries these hormones around the body.
3. Gonadotropins make the gonads grow larger and start producing their own hormones, estradiol and testosterone. A girl's gonads are her ovaries, and a boy's gonads are his testicles (also called testes). Both ovaries and testicles produce estradiol and testosterone, but ovaries produce more estradiol and testicles produce more testosterone. Estradiol and testosterone are types of hormones called steroid hormones. Steroid hormones are also made by the body's two adrenal glands, which sit on top of the two kidneys.
4. When the amount of estradiol and testosterone in the body increases, various parts of the body change.

Hormones! Squee!

Yesterday Primus and I started a new science unit about puberty so we read about the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, gonads, and hormones. 

This morning as I slept in, the kids started watching a video about the human body.  (Not gonna lie...this is one reason I homeschool.)  Primus came running in to my room and excitedly yelled, "Mom!  They just showed hormones!  I can't believe I just saw a picture of hormones!  <excited squeal>"

lol.  Think she'll still be this excited about hormones in a few years?

Photographing Your Kids...(10 tips from a non-photographer)

I'm not a photographer.  It's not something I have ever felt I had any talent for.  But I can't afford to hire a photographer every time I want portraits taken of my kids (and I hate portrait studios even though they can be cheaper.)  I have a bunch of talented friends who own fancy cameras, but I'm uncomfortable asking them all the time when I can't pay in more than favors.  Fortunately, though, I discovered some tips that have helped me capture some really great pictures of my kids myself.


1. Go somewhere your kids enjoy being.  For us, that place is the Temple.  I realized that they just can't help but be happy and smile for the camera when we're there.  Also, there are plenty of places to pose with pretty backgrounds.

2. Let them pick the places to pose.  If I try to take too much control over the photo-shoot, the kids rebel and then the smiles cease.

Isn't this tree the best?  All them.

3. Also, don't get too pose-y with the group shots. If I try to place each kid "perfectly," usually someone will get bored and move by the time I'm ready to take the picture.  Give them a chance to position themselves and see what works out.

This was one of the first pictures taken of the day.  I think I just said, "give hugs" and this is what they came up with.  Quartus isn't enjoying the moment very much, but the other three look incredibly sincere.

4. It's ok to gently guide them towards shade, though.  I explained to them easily that if they stand in a sunny spot, they will end up squinting and the photo won't be the best.  Often they would pick a bench to sit on for a picture that was in the sun.  But it was easy to remind them of why it's not the best idea and then suggest a bench nearby that was better.

Most of this bench was in direct sunlight.  But this little corner was perfect.

5. Sometimes sitting poses are better.  I did get some cute ones of them standing, but there were also several that just looked awkward.

Like this.  No matter how much she tried, she just could not stand there without sticking her hip out.

6. Stick an easy prop in the baby's hand.  Grabbing a leaf from a nearby bush was an easy way to get Quartus to stay in one place long enough to take a picture.  The shot sometimes ended up being of him looking down, but I thought it was still cute.

7. Ask the kids to say "monkey" instead of "cheese."  Go ahead and try it out.  "Cheese" gives you a funny face.  "Monkey" produces a more natural smile.

Definitely a monkey face.

8. Let them have fun.  Don't be too focused on the staged poses.  Sometimes the candid shots when they're just playing around are the best. 

Here he was so happy to be walking on the edge of the planter like brother.  I just had to crop out my hand holding his to make sure he didn't fall.

9. Take a ton of pictures so at least a couple will turn out.  If you take 100 pictures but only 10 look good, don't be discouraged.  Just be glad that you scored 10 great photos!  And to go along with that, don't be afraid to delete the ones that aren't perfect.  Just delete them!  Only save the very best ones that you would be proud to post on your wall (real or Facebook.)

Primus reminds me a lot of myself.  She just looked very uncomfortable in most of the pictures that I took of her and didn't seem to be able to decide how to smile.  But the handful that did turn out cute are excellent!

10. Pay attention to the background.  Watch out for photo-bombing people and things behind the kid that just look weird and distract from the star of the shot.  Some background issues can be fixed with cropping later.  But try to keep an eye out for that kind of thing while you're taking pictures, too.

A little above that window and to the left there was a little red circle (fire alarm?)  So I had to crop that out.  This picture should actually be cropped a little more, in fact, to focus in on Secundus and her adorable personality shining through.

What are some photography tips that work for your kids?

Can I Wear Pants to Church?

I've had a couple occasions recently to discuss whether or not it is inappropriate for women to wear pants to church.  I've done just a tiny bit of research and have formed a strong opinion on the matter, so I thought I would share.  My words should not be taken as gospel-truth, as I am not the Prophet.  I am, however a woman who strives to follow Christ and love and support others as He would have me do.

(I am fascinated by and respect churches that place a large emphasis on women wearing dresses at all times- not just during worship services- as a way to highlight the importance of femininity, among other reasons.  For the purposes of this post, though, I will be talking exclusively about dress standards in LDS Sacrament Meetings.)

So, is it ok for women to wear pants to church?  Yes!  In the Church's Handbook of Instruction, I couldn't find any mention of dresses or skirts. Following are three statements that got the closest to giving any kind of dress-code.

1. In the Relief Society section (9.10.2) it says, "The Relief Society presidency teaches sisters to be well groomed and modest in their attire. Presidency members help sisters understand that at Church meetings, their appearance and clothing should show reverence and respect for the Lord. Relief Society leaders also help sisters understand that when they go to the temple, they should wear clothing that is suitable for entering the house of the Lord. On these occasions they should avoid wearing casual clothes, sports attire, and ostentatious jewelry."

2. In the section about young men passing the Sacrament (20.4.1), it says, "Those who bless and pass the sacrament should dress modestly and be well groomed and clean. Clothing or jewelry should not call attention to itself or distract members during the sacrament. Ties and white shirts are recommended because they add to the dignity of the ordinance. However, they should not be required as a mandatory prerequisite for a priesthood holder to participate. Nor should it be required that all be alike in dress and appearance. Bishops should use discretion when giving such guidance to young men, taking into account their financial circumstances and maturity in the Church."

 3. In the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet, youth are counseled, "Always be neat and clean and avoid being sloppy or inappropriately casual in dress, grooming, and manners. Ask yourself, 'Would I feel comfortable with my appearance if I were in the Lord’s presence?'...Show respect for the Lord and for yourself by dressing appropriately for Church meetings and activities, whether on Sunday or during the week. If you are not sure what is appropriate, ask your parents or leaders for help."


I feel strongly that what we wear to church has more to do with what is in our hearts and less to do with what is on our bodies.   

When Hubby was a missionary, he was teaching one particular man who was making great progress.  But this man didn't own a white shirt, tie, and nice slacks.  The elders told him to come to church anyway.  When he arrived though, a misguided member of the ward stuck up his nose at this investigator and told him he should wear something "nicer" told him he should be ashamed of himself for dressing the way he was.  Instead of putting his arm around this new potential friend who was so fledgling in his testimony, getting to know him, and showing him love like Christ would have him do, he basically pushed him out of the building and told him he wasn't good enough to be a disciple of Christ.  Soon after this event, this man moved (for an unrelated reason) to another town and broke contact with the missionaries.  As far as Hubby knows, that man didn't go back to church after that.

This was a tragedy!  And sadly, it is not a unique situation.  I've heard more than a couple other very similar stories from various friends.

Heavenly Father loves all of us infinitely!  He wants all His children to come unto him.

I firmly believe that women wearing dresses or skirts to church has more to do with how our American culture has defined "Sunday Best" than anything else.  And other cultures have their own standards.

So if I had a nice pair of slacks that were modest, showed "reverence and respect for the Lord," and were "neat and clean and [avoided] being sloppy or inappropriately casual," then I should feel comfortable wearing them while worshiping my God.

Also, what if I didn't own any skirts or even slack pants?  Then I would wear the cleanest, nicest trousers I owned, be they jeans or sweats!  The fact that I made an effort to go to Church should be more important than what I wore there.


All that being said, I personally prefer to wear dresses to church.  (Though, especially as a mother with little ones climbing on my lap and a calling in Nursery, pants would be a lot more practical!)  That's because it's just what I'm used to.

Dresses and skirts are the norm here so it would feel weird to me to wear something else (not bad, just weird.)  Also, I often wear slack pants during the week (though, they usually end up with food and kid booger mess all over them and one pair needs to be hemmed-but I never remember until after I've put them on and left the house) so I like the feeling of Sundays being "different."

So while wearing pants to church isn't for me, if a friend sat down next to me in Sacrament Meeting wearing some, she can be sure I won't be calling her a "heathen!"

Poor Secundus...you're just too smart...

My poor Secundus is just too smart for her own good. lol.

This morning when we met with her teacher, she had to take an end-of-the-year test in language arts. It's the same one she took at the beginning of the year so we can compare her progress.

The computer program is designed to keep giving her harder questions until she makes too many mistakes (obviously reached her "limit.") Well, she is reading so well and has great comprehension skills so that the test just kept going, and going, and going.

Finally she got so bored and frustrated that she got stubborn and refused to do anymore. Basically it was like she was being punished for being smart! Hopefully she doesn't realize that's what happened or else she'll probably purposefully flunk it next year! :)  I can't wait to see her score, though!

How Would Your Children Describe You?

This year in Primary our Ward is "spotlighting" one family at a time.  In a couple weeks our whole family will be invited in to Sharing Time so all the Primary kids can get to know us better.

To prepare for this, we had to fill out a form all about our favorite things to do as a family.  We also had to write down just one character trait for each person.  Hubby got described as "creative," Primus is "responsible," Secundus is "smart," Tertius is "energetic," and Quartus is "playful."

When it was time to decide on a character trait for me, I'll admit, I was pretty worried about what the kids would come up with.  Without any hesitation, though, they yelled out things like, "loving" and "nice."

Even with the craziness in the room with everyone being rowdy, yelling over the top of each other, lots of joyful laughter, and the confusing words coming from their father (Hubby gave me a great boost by calling out suggestions like, "sexy" and "PHAT."  Oh, I love that man!), the girls kept coming back to "loving."

Despite my flaws and bad days/hours/minutes, when it comes down to it my kids remember me as being "loving."  I must be doing something right! 

This morning I read "The Words We Speak" by Rosemary M. Wixom.  She shared some wonderfully wise and inspired words.  When I got to the section, "Pray to Know a Child's Needs," I felt the Holy Spirit so strong and I almost cried.

 

"To speak to a child’s heart, we must know a child’s needs. If we pray to know those needs, the very words we say may have the power to reach into their hearts. Our efforts are magnified when we seek the direction of the Holy Ghost. The Lord said:

 "'Speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, …For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say.' (D&C 100: 5-6)"

 This really struck me.  Each morning I kneel in prayer and ask my Heavenly Father to help me to be patient, kind, and loving that day.  And just as Sis. Wixom counsels, I also frequently pray to know the needs of my children and ask to be guided to know what, when, and how to teach them.  The scriptures promise that He will guide me.

I know that these little ones aren't just mine.  They are children of their Heavenly Father and have been put in my temporary care.  I know that no one knows their needs, desires, talents, trials, and future better than God.  The charge to raise and teach them is a heavy burden and responsibility, but also a great blessing and privilege.   

I know that if I ask, Heavenly Father will give me the words to say in a loving way to "reach into their hearts" and teach them all He would have them know.