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.