A Day in NJ
We took full advantage of a day in NJ a couple of weeks ago: a visit to Howell Living History Farm, Robert’s awesome baseball birthday party, and dinner with Grandma and Kary. I took tons of photos at Howell, then got lazy with the camera the rest of the day. It was so nice to be able to hang out at the farm, see friends, and spend time with family too—especially on such a beautiful day. And as much as I enjoy the city, it was refreshing to be out in the boonies for a day. I was especially excited that we got the farm while the lambs were still little and cute.
Hugs
Crossing the stream
"moooooo"
City girl visits the farm
At her old hang-out
Mama sheep & lambs
"Look at this pretty flower!"Hallelujah!!!!
[HAAAAAAALLELUJAH!]
[HAAAAAAALLELUJAH!]
[HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH!]
[HALLE-AAA-AA-LUJAH!]
After 4 years and 3 months, Natalie is sleeping through the night!!!!!!
I repeat, Natalie is sleeeeeeeping throoooooooough the niiiiiiiiiight!!!!!!
[HAAAAAAALLELUJAH!]
Ok, to be fair, she hasn’t been waking up the same way a baby would since she was a little over two years old, but she was waking up every. single. night. and coming into our bed to sleep. And we’d tried various things to curb this behavior, but it never worked for more than a week or so, when we would all revert back into the same bad habits.
Most recently we tried rewarding her with a TV show in the morning if she stayed in her bed all night, and no TV if she came into our room. The third night she came in saying, “I don’t want to watch my show tomorrow.” I was feeling really defeated.
And then one day, in March, she stayed in her bed all night. I think it was a fluke, but we jumped on it. I gave her chocolate as a reward. Rainbow non-perils to be exact. Before breakfast. Hey, after 4+ years of interrupted sleep (more if you count the pregnancy) mom gets a little desperate. We marked the success with a sticker on the calendar and told Natalie that she could choose a toy from the store if she could get seven consecutive stickers.
Natalie's Reward FairiesAfter she picked out the fairies from the toy store, we wanted to offer Natalie an additional incentive to keep the momentum going—because 7 great nights doesn’t break a 4+ year habit! So, we promised her a party if she could fill the rest of month up with stickers on the calendar. Natalie loves parties, so it worked!!! She was so excited, she was telling anyone who would listen about the party she was going to have (with cake!) when it wasn’t even her birthday! Ultimately, whatever the reward, she was just ready.
Party time!!The nice thing about offering a party as an incentive was that it was a reward and a celebration at once. Natalie got to bask in her accomplishment in with her friends–her pride was palpable—and enjoy yummy cake shaped like a bed! And we got to tell Natalie that once she had her party, she wouldn’t need any more rewards to sleep in her bed all night. And, a month after her party, she hasn’t.
Party Girls!
Says Natalie, "this bed cake is daaaamn good!"
Yoshi & Artie love cake!
So proud!![HAAAAAAALLELUJAH!]
[HAAAAAAALLELUJAH!]
[HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH!]
[HAAALLEAAA-LUJAH!]
A Trip to the Beach
RockawaysIf you know me, you know that the beach isn’t my favorite place to be. I burn easily, it’s hot, and I have a bit of an aversion to sand. But I don’t mind the beach as much when the temperature is mild. And happily occupied children is a big draw. I may hate sand, but Natalie and Miranda loooooove playing in it. So last Friday, when it was sunny, warm but not too hot, Tam and I took Natalie, Josie, and Miranda to the Rockaways for a morning of fun in the sand. The Rockaways are a short drive from Park Slope, but walking on the beach felt like we were not near the city at all. I can see more trips there this summer!
3 girls digging
Miranda
Fascinated by the waves
Josie
Dancin' in the sand
Beach lover
Rolling in the sand
"Let's go look for shells!"