Visit to NJ over President's Day Weekend

I've been following the University of Alabama professor's murder case. You know, the neuroscientist who recently shot 6 of her colleagues during a staff meeting. Among her list of past misdeeds is an incident where she assaulted a woman in an IHOP. Said woman apparently took the last high chair in the joint. And I thought, ahhh, that's the difference between "normal" and "crazy" people. Normal people just think about punching someone in the head, while crazy people act on the impulse. Scary.

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It's been awhile since I've updated the blog. We've been on the go. Had a great visit in NJ with the family. The girls had a chance to bond with their cousins, Anna and Lilly. Chris got to enjoy his mom's spaghetti.

Playing cards...Anna, Lilly, and Alana. Anna and Lilly were very kind and patient allowing Lani to play with them.

Lilly

Arden & Cari in high chairs in Gramma Rose's tiny kitchen. We misplaced one of the bibs so Arden used a kitchen towel the entire visit. It worked like a charm.

Alana and Lilly looking matchy-matchy

Lilly, Arden, and Cari

Isn't this so precious? Lilly is wonderful, very loving with her little cousins.

Back at home and under the spell of the "The Wiggles". Arden is hooked! She will stand there for at least a half hour mesmerized.

This is what Cari looks like watching Barney. It doesn't show, but she loves Barney.

Lani looking quite sweet. We have been having issues with her (not sharing, crying jags, defiance). We think it is our fault. She sort of gets shunted aside by the twins' needs as well as our need to complete chores etc. The twins are increasingly mobile as well and get into everything she owns. We have decided, rather than be even stricter with her, to lavish her with attention, to stay calm and patient even in the face of bad behavior, and to continue encouraging good behavior. This strategy, combined with a responsibility/reward chart, seems to be helping her turn around the unwanted behavior.