The Pros and Cons of Preschool

You always wonder if you made the right decision, Do we or don't we send Braden to preschool? I think in this case sending Braden to preschool was the right decision, the pros far outweigh the cons; the cons however would give a weaker person a serious self concept problem.

Pros:
* Knows all of his letters now
* Is learning his letter sounds
* Finds letters EVERYWHERE now
* Is getting to go on field trips and have new experiences everyday
* Has come out of his shell

Case in Point: We were leaving the restaurant after Daddy's somewhat surprise birthday dinner when Braden looked over and spotted a good looking 20 something girl, and he exclaimed, "Heeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyyyyy!" (as if to say hey good looking, what you got cooking?!) We, including the girl, got a good laugh.

*His self confidence continues to grow as he becomes more independent and has more successes
* He has made a ton of new friends
* He is starting to recognize his numbers
* He likes to try to read the words in his books
* Due to his desire to read, we made a book at home that he can read all by himself, I see pink, I see blue, etc.; he loves to read it to whomever will listen.


I could go on and on about all of the pros and positive things we have observed since Braden began preschool, but due to time constraints, we will now move on to the big and bad

CON:

HIS ATTITUDE

There are so many examples I could share about his new, not so sweet attitude, but I have chosen the most recent as my proof. The following is the dialogue of a conversation I had with Braden only a few nights ago. Don't worry, you can laugh; I'm sure I would have too, that is if I hadn't been the victim of his intended to be hurtful comments.

Braden: "Mama, can I have a piece of candy?"

"No, you haven't eaten all of your supper." "If you eat the rest of your supper, you can have a piece."

Then it happens, Braden gets that look on his face; you can tell his mind is racing. What is he going to say? Then out it comes.

Braden: "You are a bad girl."

"Thanks Braden."

Braden: (maybe she didn't hear me right, lets try that again)

"You are a BAD girl."

"I heard you Braden." "Thank you so much for letting me know you think I am bad."

Braden: (Is she deaf? Okay one more time.):

"YOU ARE A BAD GIRL!"

"Braden, I told you I heard you." "Thanks for letting me know."

Braden: (Okay, well that didn't work, plan B):

"You have a big butt."

"Yeah, I guess it is a big butt compared to your little butt."

Braden: (Will nothing work with this woman?! Time to pull out the big guns!):

You are FAT!

(That's right, he went THERE!)

"Well, I guess I do have about 5 more pounds to lose after having Emma, but I wouldn't say I was fat."

Braden: (Man, this woman is tough, let's try plan A again)

"You are a bad girl."

"I know Braden, you already told me."

Braden: (I give up! I'm just going to walk away, but I'll be back to fight another day; you better watch out WOMAN, next time I will be better prepared)

(Don't worry, I'll be ready)

I guess I'll have to be ready, because as I type this Braden is at preschool picking up more knowledge and a whole lot of attitude; I still think the pros still far outweigh the cons, and as far as his attitude I say,

"Bring it on little boy, my family doesn't call me sassy for nothing!"

* As a sweet afterthought, Braden does have a peacemaker spirit, and he usually comes to apologize later in the day; he is so much like his Daddy was as a child.

Thanksgiving 2007

Thanksgiving was so much fun this year! My brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Ashley, came to visit; they were here from Wednesday the 21st until this past Monday, and my mama, Otis, and Elizabeth came just for our Thanksgiving meal. I loved getting to see everyone and spend time together! I sure love my family! We ate, played games, shopped, watched movies, talked a TON (gotta love talking), took pictures, and made unforgettable memories!

Sally Caroline Maseda

Brooke went on an adventure today in our backyard with none other than, ta da, her imaginary friend, Sally Caroline Maseda; here to tell you all about her adventure is Brooke.

Sleeping Cuties

How sweet is this?! I crawled a.k.a. snuck out of bed this morning, trying hard not to wake my sleeping cuties; I actually got to shower and get ready in peace, HALLELUJAH! Even in my rush to hurry and get ready before they woke, I couldn't help but look at this sweet scene and be struck at how blessed I am to have 3 beautiful crazy children!

Braden's Thanksgiving Party

Here are pictures from Braden's Thanksgiving party at school. They all looked absolutely adorable dressed up as indians, but Braden of course was the leader of the pack in the cuteness department.

One of these things is not like the other

If anyone has watched a Primary Sacrament Program, you know that there is always that one child who is doing their own thing, that one child who can't seem to sit still, that one child who does all he or she can to draw attention to themselves, that one child who tries to carry on a conversation with his parents in the audience, that one child who has designated himself the ham of the production; today that child belonged to me (and to think Rich and I worried that Braden might get up in front of everyone and get scared, freeze, and refuse to stay up front for the entire program). During the program Braden proceeded to: crawl all over his chair, fall on his butt, cover his face and nose with tissue, wave the tissue in the air like a banner, tear up the tissue, blow up his cheeks with air and ceremoniously pop them, and contort his face in as many ways as possible. Of course along with Braden's behavior comes the inner struggle, do you as a parent sternly reprimand your child, do you go up front and remove your child (drawing attention to yourself as well), crawl under your chair from embarrassment, fight fruitlessly to contain the laughter, or do you sit back, remind yourself that he is only 4, and enjoy the show?! I decided to finally pick the latter alternative, sprinkled with a little laughter of course; I couldn't help myself, it was so stinking funny. I really am going to have to get better at one of the all important cardinal rules of parenting,

"During your child's misbehavior, keep a straight face at all costs!"

(and laugh your head off when they are out of ear shot)

Oh, you know you do sooo want to be ME!!!!!!!!!

Title sound a little cocky, don't worry I am not on an ego trip, I am just responding to a woman at Wal-mart. Today, Brooke, Emma, and I went to Wal-mart to purchase food for Thanksgiving Dinner. We will be having: Cajun Turkey (mmm, made by Kroger; hey let them make the turkey, I'll do the rest), creamy potatoes, scalloped sweet potatoes with apples, tender sweet yeast rolls, homemade macaroni and cheese, green beans, and cornbread and sausage dressing. Anyway, back to my story, as many of you can imagine going to Wal-mart with a 2 year old (almost 3) and a 7 month old isn't the easiest thing to do (Braden luckily was in school, Hallelujah); it requires patience, prayer, endurance, and chanting in your head 'endure to the end, endure to the end' also helps. Well, I survived the trip, had just finished paying for our goodies, and was attempting to find my keys and leave the store with a sleeping Emma in my arms and my sassy princess at my side when I saw a woman look my way and exclaim to her friend (did she really not think I could hear her?!), "I'm sure glad I'm not her." Well, sister, I'm glad you're not me too! I'm glad I get to be the mother to my 3 beautiful, energetic, crazy children. I'm glad I am the one who gets to be in the trenches everyday working hard to mold them into the amazing adults they will become. I'm glad that I am the one who gets to: read the stories, kiss the boo boos, sing the lullabies, wipe the dirty faces, say the prayers for guidance, answer the endless barrage of questions, make the treats for school parties, go on the field trips, remind them to always say please and thank you, tell them its okay to scream in the house only if there is a fire or if they are being attacked, tell them that if they are going to burp at the table it needs to be followed with an excuse me, kiss them on their sweet faces morning, noon, and night, be the one to applaude their accomplishments, be the one to help them learn from their mistakes, encourage their creativity, help expand their imagination, cook the endless number of meals, buy the clothes, wash the clothes, dance with them around the kitchen, and be the one who at the end of the day hears the sweet words, "I love you Mama!" I personally couldn't imagine a better life! To top it all off, I have a stud by my side supporting me in all that I do and loving me for who I am and not for what he would want me to be! So, I say to all the sadly misinformed women in Wal-mart,

"You know you soooooooo want to be ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Rich Maseda~Father and Husband of the Year

Envelope Please, The Award for Father and Husband of the Year goes to (drum roll)

Rich Maseda.

Speech speech!

That Rich Maseda must be some great guy; I sure wish I could be married to somebody like that, oh yeah, I am!

Seriously though, lately I have just been more and more aware and in awe of what a fantastic father and husband Rich is and how patient he is with our children. Yesterday, I was at church all day for a huge craft day I had planned for the women and young women at church, so that meant Rich had all of the cuties all day! Most husbands would be stark raving mad by the end of a day with their children, but Rich had whipped our kids and the house into shape. I came home expecting to see a complete disaster, but instead I was greeted by a clean kitchen, a clean living room, vacuumed and steam cleaned floors, washed, dried, and folded clothes, and 1 child down for their nap, and 2 getting ready to take theirs. What could be better than that?! I began to wonder, "Is this real?" "How can I be so lucky to have such an incredible husband?" Just when I thought it couldn't get any better my sweet pillar of perfection looked at me and said, "You can go lay down and take a nap if you want to."

Every day when I say my prayers I thank Heavenly Father for sending Rich into my life; I consider having him as my eternal companion one of the greatest blessings I have ever received. It is amazing when you meet the right one and everything just seems to fit into place. I couldn't imagine spending my life with anyone else by my side. His weaknesses are my strengths, and my weaknesses are his strengths; we truly compliment each other. I love his sense of humor, his quick wit, his intelligence, and I love how his eyes light up when he smiles! The cuties and I are lucky to have him in our life.

As I watch him with our children, I feel even more blessed that he is the one I get to have children with; they absolutely adore their father and for good reason.

This slideshow is for you BABY!