Girl Talk...

Often when Paul is away at night, for one reason or another, the girls and I get our pillows arranged in the living room and watch a movie. Last night Paul went to the General Priesthood broadcast. We'd had a rough evening. Paul & I were really tired from all the birthday party business we've been attending to. Paul was in the mood for pizza. That boy never requests anything for himself. He gives the girls & I what ever we want. M really, really, REALLY wanted us to ride our bikes to Subway. Paul & I explained that we were tired and it was almost time for him to go to the meeting. M threw a fit, and cried, and was very mad. We talked about how we'd worked so hard to give her an awesome birthday party and she should be grateful & happy. After all, how often do we order pizza?!

Like always, we try to compromise, this is a very strong practice in Paul's family. Our bikes were down the road at Grandma's house. Paul drove us there so we could ride our bikes home while he picked up the pizza. M was not appeased in the slightest. At Grandma's house everyone asked her what was wrong and she just stormed around.

That was our rough night. So, I decided to try to end the day on a positive note. We piled our pillows in the livingroom and instead of escaping reality with a movie, we talked. We laid together and talked about the scripture story I've been studying lately - Alma & his people being delivered from Amulon & the Lamanites. We talked about their amazingly positive attitude even though it wasn't fair that the Lamanites found them and enslaved them. We talked about how we can have positive attitudes even when it's hard and unfair. I worked especially hard to listen to them. Our discussion was really good, as they often are. I told them I bought warm fuzzies. We'll put one in the jar every time someone has a good attitude when it's hard. When the jar is full we'll enjoy a reward.

Then I read Harry Potter to them for awhile. Over all, it was a very enjoyable, positive experience, at least for M & C. Little J was walking all over us while we laid on the floor and got very chatty & mischievous.

What I learned:
1. Talking can be better than movies, and children do listen, and I should listen.
2. My children know what's right in principal, I need to be patient as they practice.
3. Don't expect J to cooperate at a sleep over, she's only two after all.

Piano lessons...

I've always been of the opinion that my children would submit to music lessons. Music is like math, you need to learn it, love it, and use it. We have been blessed to be friends with a FABULOUS Suzuki instructor!

Can I say that piano lessons has been a lot like my experience as a mother. There is someone who is trying desperately to teach and enrich. Occasionally, these efforts are well received and everyone experiences joy. Unfortunately, most of the time there is complaining, resisting, whining, arguing, and therefore failure and frustration. My oldest daughter, M, has always hated learning things while being watched. She was self conscious very, very early. When we're practicing together she gets furious if I try, using a plethora of methods, to correct mistakes. This is one of our many struggles.

C has a pure yellow personality, like her mother. She lives like a honey bee fluttering from fun flower to fun flower. If it's not a fun flower we don't even go there! I was so old by the time I out grew this... seriously! Like, 22. My poor C! I worry she'll be the same way & life is very hard when you only linger on the fun flowers. My struggle with her is getting her to think piano is a fun flower.

Sometimes the trauma happens in the actual lesson, which is beyond humiliating for me. Sometimes C pouts if she doesn't get her way & will sit there, arms folded on the piano bench. A few weeks ago Mr. Dad took them to their lessons, well, they fought so much over who was going first (each volunteering the other) and such that he brought them straight home. Their punishment, an hour long imprisonment in their separate rooms.

We had an awesome rehearsal the other day. One awesome rehearsal for every several, several negative ones. I know I am doing things wrong. So, what does one do when she knows things need changing, but can't find what they need to be changed to? I want my mother!

Things I learned: I'll get back to you on this one.