Wednesday's Winning Words: The cure for temper tantrums

I am not even kidding, y'all, I have found. the. cure.  I have a guaranteed method for bringing 2 year olds and 6 year olds alike, out of a full-blown, mid-scream, tears-down-the-face, I-hate-the-world-when-I-don't-get-my-way temper tantrum.  It's 5 simple words:  "What does the fox say?"

I don't know if you have heard that song, What Does the Fox Say?  but if you have not, you MUST immediately drop everything and check it out.  If you have small children, have them watch with you.  It is awesomely bad to adults, but once a kid hears it, it is kryptonite to the common temper tantrum.  Now, to be truly effective mid-hissy fit, you must say it loudly, in the rhythm of the "music" and then be prepared to say what the band says the fox might say (or some variation thereof).  Because, well, that's the best part to a child.  Silly dancing helps too, but that should come as no surprise.

You are welcome.

If, by chance, you are as enraptured by this Swedish group and want to hear more, like a certain part-Swedish person I know and happened to be married to, a great deal of entertainment (although NOT for kids) was derived from Meaning of Stonehenge.

Wednesday's Winning Words: Relocation Edition

As you know by now, we are moving.  So, we have spent quite a bit of time trying to prep the kids for it, even though they aren't really going permanently for a few more months.  Justus has his days--sometimes there are tears and sometimes there are cheers.  We're working on getting him excited about it.  Lately, he's asked a lot about the school mascot and sports teams.  When I went last week, he asked me to pick him up a few things because,

"I'm excited about becoming a Hyena, mommy!!"

He LOVED his hat and pennant, but I just need him to remember they are the Javelinas, not the Hyenas (they sound the same to a 6 year old).  I'm giving him a break.  He's only known the Aggies and Tigers until now. 

 

And, as for Delaney....she thinks we are moving to "KingsBell."  It's really precious to hear her say it.  I've corrected her once or twice, but not too much because I love the way she says it.

Change is GOOD....isn't it?

 

Well, friends, I have some news: The Royals are making a change.  A BIG change!  I have accepted a new position and the family is moving to South Texas.  I will tell you that although this has been brewing for awhile, I am still struggling with it a bit (if we're being completely honest).  It was not planned, but one thing led to another and the next thing we know, we are changing everything about our lives.  I am beyond excited about this new opportunity to expand my professional experience.  See, one of my clients hired me!  Talk about a compliment!!  But, I was hired to do something other than be a lawyer.  I may not be the best lawyer I know, but it is what I know.  No worries.  It's not like it's 10 years down the drain.  My legal training and specialty area will serve me very well in my new position, and is in fact, what makes this such a great fit.  There have been so many tears and prayers as we have come to this decision and I will undoubtedly cry every single day until (and probably even a lot after) I am there because our life here as been enormously rich with amazing friends, co-workers, neighbors, schools, and activities.  We will miss our College Station life so very much.  When Kidd and I moved back here in 2003, we never intended to stay.  Everything just fell into place for us, but even then I was hesitant about being a late 20's/early 30's adult living in my college town.  Almost everyone we knew here before had left.  Life would definitely be different.  I joined the local Junior League (which is, regrettably, not available in our new location), we got involved in church, and we've made such a wonderful life here.  Our kids were born here, baptized here, schooled here, loved here.  It will always be a special place for us, and for an entirely different reason than  because I'm an Aggie.  This truly is a great community in which to live and raise a family. 

 

As I mentioned, we didn't have kids last time we relocated.  If you haven't had to do it, let me just tell you that even though ours are very young, the idea of taking them from everything they've ever known is heart-wrenching.  People keep telling me they will adjust, and I have every confidence they will.  It's just different when your professional aspirations potentially impact little lives in a way you had never even considered.  Always at the forefront of my mind is "Am I screwing them up by doing this?"  I know military people do it every few years, but I am not military so I am not used to it.  It's HARD!  Having said that, if you happen to see my kids, particularly Justus, please speak highly of moving and our new adventure.  He has moments of excitement, but the realization of leaving his friends, school, activities, babysitters, etc. is starting to hit home for him.  Also, our tentative plan is that I will move to start on October 1st, but because of potential daycare wait lists and the fact that Justus just started a new school year here, we intend to hold off on the rest of the family relocating until Christmas Break.  If we manage to stick with that plan, it will be an incredibly difficult few months for our family.  Please send up all the prayers you can manage for us.  We would definitely appreciate it!!

 

So, new job--Check.  New town--Check. New friends--Sort of a check because I know some people.  New house--no check yet.  New schools--no check yet.  New doctors--no check yet.....you see where my anxiety has begun to set in about this whole thing....

 

Although I have no doubt that everything will fall into place again and that this will be a great adventure for us, I still have such mixed emotions about it.  I kind of wish I was a guy--Kidd is not at all as emotional about this as I am.  I so much as look at a friend these days and I start crying.  God help me when we take the kids to their doctor for the last time, or to school.  Ugh, and now I'm crying again!  This is going to be a problem.  It should be him going in October to allow me until December to be here a little longer...  Stay tuned--I'm sure there will be much to write about along the way and during this transition period!