My kids have been fighting a lot lately.  Whew...there, I said it.  Many times when I've looked back over my blog, it doesn't sometimes seem true to the life I really live.  It's not that I am purposely giving you a false picture, or that I'm just making stuff up.  All of it has really happened  (Oh...okay...Indiana Mimi did not really do "the worm" the other day).  However, I think I realize that what I choose to blog about paints a warmer, fuzzier picture of my life.  Quite frankly, I'd rather not blog about yelling at my kids or the ring around my bathtub or the casserole that was dry or my Bible study that I didn't feel like going to.  I'm fairly certain that I don't have one picture on this site of Annaleigh teasing Harrison or him whacking her upside the head in retaliation....but trust me....it happens around here.

Last week we were frantically preparing for a weekend trip to my in-laws for a whirlwind celebration of Thanksgiving and Christmas.  They started this tradition of celebrating with them early a couple of years ago, and so far it's working out beautifully for everyone to get there, which just isn't able to happen later in the season.  The one downside is that I have a hard time getting everything done.  I'm just not in Christmas-mode yet.  So last week found me in need of some time to wrap presents and pack.  I decided to keep the kids occupied with baking some cookies for all of their uncles.  I was a little nervous about doing this...not because of ability, but because they were going to be alone in the kitchen with wooden spoons, hot burners and a general dislike of each other that day.  But ya' know what?  It worked out.....

They were within about 3 feet of each other at all times, and the only sounds I heard were the occasional crack of an egg, a clang of a measuring cup and a steady chorus of "Can we lick the bowl now?"  They even cleaned up the kitchen....

And then they went on the next day to peacefully make ornaments together for their aunts.

Maybe we are turning a corner.  Maybe they are maturing right before my eyes.  Maybe their hearts are repentant.  Maybe we can avoid having to write (and type if I'm feeling a tad merciful) assignments like this:

Uh-oh...maybe not.  Check out #318.  Freudian slip, Annaleigh?  Say it ain't so!!!!!!!!

DID YOU SEE THE WREATH?

E-mail me at kellieann@adelgren.com for your points!

OK...I have a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for this contest now. 

Don't forget your poems!!!  The clock is ticking....

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Posted by CrossView

Thoug I'm not entering the contest, I still wanted to be the first to say that I absolutely do NOT see the wreath in this entry. =/

And welcome back! =D

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Posted by teachingmisssmartypants

Maybe. Or maybe not.

My kids have been fighting a lot lately, too. Somehow I think bonding in the kitchen is not a solution for 4 and 2 y.o.s! I am especially impressed they cleaned up after themselves.

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Posted by lahbluebonnet

Great piece...and so true of most of us I am sure! ;)
Blessings,
Laurie

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Posted by Arby

Go ahead! Take a chance! Tell the unvarnished truth! Okay, maybe the slightly varnished truth. Maybe the truth buffed and polished to a high sheen. I tell the truth and it keeps you guys laughing all day long. (I know you THINK I'm making this stuff up.) Heck, just the whale photo alone almost finished off Crossview. So take a chance, stories of children whacking each other are fun!

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Posted by Debbles107

I saw it! Crossview had me scared!

Braden and Benjamin fight daily. I get so tired of telling Braden to stop antagonizing his little brother. I have a feeling when Ethan gets bigger, he and Benny are going to tag team Braden.

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Posted by icecastle

Thank you for praying.

I'm glad your kids were able to work together nicely!

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Posted by proverbsmomof3

I have to add my confession to this. My kids fight constantly, too, but, like your own, I am so glad when they work together. Nice to have something to look back at on those days when you're just waiting for the police to arrive on a domestic disturbance call. LOL I appreciate your sharing the 'dark' side.

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Posted by Anonymous

And to think all this time, I thought you were the perfect mom with the perfect children. Of course, I always knew you were a fan of a very imperfect baseball team, so I guess I'm not that distressed after all!!

Actually, I'm relieved. You're real...just like the rest of us!!

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Posted by Prodoceo

That's me with the comment above....see, I'm not perfect either!

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Posted by CrossView

*ahem* I do believe I see the wreath now. =P

And Arby? The shot didn't show the no-bellybutton. It was the backside.

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Posted by kaysmarmey

I am loving your wreath contest, I just never get a chance to play. Oh, I know about those siblings... I have three.
Love your red kitchen, I just painted my kitchen red this weekend. I am loving it!
Melissa

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Posted by jenn4him

It happens here too. One thing I have decided to do is to stay home more and make them do things together more. Togetherness or else! A friend of mine pulled her kids out of everything from AWANA, co-op and even Sunday School. They were not allowed to go anywhere without the other child. It worked. I am not to that point yet, but I am thinking about it. That should scare them!
Jenn

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Posted by becominglikehim

...for being real!

I struggle with blogs that are not. I do see how it is easy to focus on the good though...we are supposed to, but it really helps those who struggle from time to time to know we are not alone.

It's also easy to get "involved" with a personality on line when everything is "happy go lucky". I really appreciate the "darker side". Maybe it's 'cause that's where I've been living lately!
Anyway, thanks KellieAnn!!

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Posted by becominglikehim

...for being real!

I struggle with blogs that are not. I do see how it is easy to focus on the good though...we are supposed to, but it really helps those who struggle from time to time to know we are not alone.

It's also easy to get "involved" with a personality on line when everything is "happy go lucky". I really appreciate the "darker side". Maybe it's 'cause that's where I've been living lately!
Anyway, thanks KellieAnn!!

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