Bribery for preschoolers

Over the past few years I have tried different ways to motivate my kids to do my will without force. It can be a dangerous battle going toe to toe with a preschooler. They play dirty, and like it. But since Matt and I try to be kind and loving parents, sometimes a little bribery is just what is needed to accomplish our objectives. I thought I would share some of our tactics that seem to work with our kids. Who knows, maybe you can use them too.

Rainbow challenge night
This is a way that we have devised to get our kids to eat more veggies. I place all of the colors of the rainbow on their plate. When the plate is cleared, they get to have the final color: brown, which is usually a brownie or piece of chocolate. Here was last nights challange:
Red: cherry tomatoes, Orange: clementines, Yellow: summer squash, Green: english peas and cucumbers, Blue: blueberries, Purple: beets. We make a big deal when the kids complete their challange, giving high fives and other kudos.

Miller store
This idea came from two of my friends, Ginny Carson and Laurie Burlington. Every night before bed the kids look at their calendars. We talk about what we did today and what we will be doing tomorrow. If they made it through the day without getting a time out, they get a smiley face sticker on that day. On rare occasions I give a bonus smiley face for exceptional behavior. On the last day of the month is Miller Store. They get a token for every smiley face they had during the month. Miller store consists of various toys, games, candy, and seasonal items that they might like to have. Each item is given a numerical value and the kids have to use their tokens to buy them. Various price points are represented and high valued items may take more than one month to purchase. Here are some examples of June Miller store items: toy story bubble bath, a singing toothbrush, puzzles, glitter glue, swim goggles, sparklers, activity books, and fourth of july pajamas.

Garvin "the Moose" Miller at one week

In case you didn't know...

Garvin Alces Miller is named after my Grandmother Eddie Lou Garvin. Although she is still alive, she hasn't been living for quite some time. She loved children and was a great mother and grandmother and great grandmother! We plan on visiting her sometime in September when things calm down around here. She won't know who I am or who Garvin is, but she is still loved by so many. If she could remember, she would tell me that she loves me and Garvin too.

Garvin: up close and personal

Here is a picture of Garvin in his current, natural state. I have been around preschoolers for so long that I have forgotten how peaceful a newborn can be.

Garvin's first visits

Garvin met lots of friends and family while he was at the hospital.










He even got some long distance love, from those that couldn't be close.

Welcome to the world Garvin Alces Miller!

We welcomed our son, Garvin Alces Miller into the world on june 15 at 2:47 pm. He weighed in at 7 lbs. 13 oz. and 20.5 inches long. My c-section went well, and I stayed in the hospital for four days to recover. We are now at home. Garvin has his first trip to the pediatrician tomorrow. He seems to be doing great, but this is standard procedure, just to make sure. Baikal and Rybolt visited their new little brother the day after he was born. They took turns holding him and were very gentle. When we arrived home, the kids had planned a surprise birthday party for Garvin. They even made cupecakes with a zero candle for him. We all sang happy birthday and the kids helped blow out the candles. What a great family we have!

Erin was just taken back to the OR

It should be 30-45 minutes before the little guy is here....

We are at the Hospital!

Waiting for the anesthetist and OR availability. Should have new soon....

Baby blanket finished, what next?

Playdate with the Frilingos

We have really been enjoying our new yard. It makes having friends over so much fun. We recently had a playdate with the Frilingos boys. Fun was had by all!

More babies?

Baikal has informed me that she would like to have ten kids in our family. Two boys and eight girls. We'll see how she feels once her new brother arrives.

Goat farm!

With spring came our annual trip to Decimal Goat Farm.









Spring wouldn't be complete without a trip to Decimal Goat farm!

June already?

May flew by! There were so many things going on that I was too busy and too tired to blog. But now it is June and things have slowed down around here. For awhile, at least! Here are two of our current favorite past times:



Block building! The kids have really taken to making elaborate block structures out of their duplo blocks.



Porch swinging with Dad and the ipad. Our latest toy, an apple ipad, has become a regular feature here at the house. We all love to play games and watch shows on it.