No More Binky

Our oldest daughter Zada, who will be turning 3 in February took a very big step on Christmas Eve.  She got rid of her binky completely!! We had already gotten it so when only had it at nap time and bed time.

So this is how we did it....

We decided that on Christmas Eve that Zada would give her binky to Baby Jesus.  So we sat down with her and wrote a letter to him saying that she hoped he liked her binky. Then left the binky with the letter by the cookies ans milk for Santa.  We told her since he was a baby and she was a big girl now that he needed it more than she did.

In the morning when she got up she went out to the table where she left her binky there was a letter and a little gift for her. In the letter it said how Baby Jesus loved the binky and that he was proud of her for giving it up.  The note also said that the Minnie mouse that was left there was for her to take with her to bed every night.

So I'm guessing you're wondering how it turned out.  Well she cried and screamed and cried some more on the first night.  The second day at nap time and bed time  she asked once about the binky and only for about 10 minutes.  And on the third day nothing not a sound or a question, just went right to sleep.  So I think it's safe to say that we are a binky free household!! Our youngest doesn't take one, she's our resident thumb sucker and well that's a big step we will tackle some other time. 

Now its on to potty training. I'll be sure to share some tips and war stories about that when we are done.

God Bless!

The Christmas Tree

We just recently put up our Christmas tree.  Which I was supper excited for and dreading all at the same time.  We have two small children one is going to be three in February and the other will be one in January.  So you can see where it would be a little stressful with one. 

They just can't seem to keep their hands off of the tree.  The ornaments are just baby magnets and the toddler just wants to redecorate the tree 24/7.  I've gotten to the point where I wanted to take it down or I have gotten mad at them for touching it. They are little and they can't help it, but at the same time it's a little frustrating.

Then it hit me, like a big smack in the face.  Christmas isn't all about the tree. In fact that's the last thing it's about.  It shouldn't matter if the tree is perfect,  if the ornaments are in the right spot and if the tree skirt is straight.  If we are having fun, loving one another, and making memories that will last so much longer than the tree being up that's all that matters. If my toddler wants to move all the ornaments to one side she can, it makes it unique, it makes it our tree, and it makes our memories.  

So if your tree has been rearranged more times you can count, and your tree skirt has been worn as a skirt. Thing are going well for you. Tresure those memories and share the stories later.

God Bless.