Trouble Maker and Tae Kwon Do

When I became pregnant with my first child I knew I wanted a boy.
I wanted to be a soccer, football, baseball, any type of sport mom.
I wanted my Saturdays to be full of going out to games and cheering on my pride and joy!
However life is fairly funny as I have come to find out.
My oldest 'Trouble Maker' doesn't like playing sports.
I have put him in everything I swear!
Nothing has really grabbed his attention I guess you could say.
On a whim I asked him if he wanted to take a Tae Kwon Do class that our city offered at the beginning of the Summer.
I was shocked when he was excited about it!!!
I was surprised to find out that Tae Kwon Do is MUCH more than just kicking and punching around.
Trouble Maker has taken to it like a uhhhh I don't know what a good analogy would be.
So instead of sitting on the side of a soccer field, I sit in a Dojang.
Watching my lil mister doing kicks, blocks, and punches.

This past Saturday I watched him move up his first belt.
I am just so proud of him!
You will have to excuse the poor picture quality.  I let my 4 year take pictures while I was video taping for the SSG since he is on TDY.

Getting ready to start testing...  He was REALLY nervous!

Breaking his very first board!

VICTORY!!!!

Getting his NEW belt!

It is funny how life gives you something you didn't expect.

I never expected martial arts as something I would enjoy.

My Wishes

 As my boys are getting older I wonder.

I wonder what kind of men they will be.

I wonder if I am teaching them right from wrong.

I wonder if they will be happy.

Here are a few wishes I have for them.

 I wish they will know that family is always there for you.

That they know the bond of brothers is something that should never be broken.

When their father and I are gone that is who they will have.

 I wish they will know that the possibilities for them are endless.

The world is theirs for the taking.

And they should never say 'I am not good enough for that'

 I wish they never lose their fearlessness.

That they should always take a risk.

You never know if it that risk will turn out to be the best decision of their life.

 I wish they know how much their father and I love them.

That we have given our all to them.

I wish when they grow up they will say 'Thank you for all you did'

I wish they know whatever road they take I will always be proud of them.

They are our joy.

The reason we work so hard.

Kids and Manners UGH!

Source

 I remember when I was little.

There was a woman, Mrs. Reed, who lived a few doors down from my dad.

I used to play in her house, and her back yard.

Some of my fondest memories of my childhood are in the company of that dear sweet lady.

Mrs. Reed had invited myself and my dad over for dinner one night.

She gave me a brief lesson on manners.

I still remember the words today.

A few pointers that she gave me are:

• You never say you don't like the food.
• Even if you don't like what they have prepared, eat it.
• Never spit food out onto your plate.
• You do not start eating until everyone has been served.

Really great advice that has helped me into my adult life.
A week ago my little family was invited over to a friend's house for dinner.
Remembering the advice of Mrs. Reed I gave my oldest son a run down of how to act.
Thinking that I was prepared to at least have my oldest son behave we went to dinner.
Oh how I was wrong.
I won't give you all of the brutal details.
Just the one that has stuck out.
The kids were getting drinks for their dinner.
'Trouble Maker' looks in the fridge with the other kids.
Out of no where says,
'OH, I can't have apple juice, it gives me diaherra'
*FACEPALM*
Then he proceeds to repeat himself two or three times!!!!

We all had a good laugh about it.

I guess I forgot to cover that,

You don't talk about your bathroom business while in some one's house.

There is only two more days to enter my GIVEAWAY!

Have you entered yet?

{Picky Eaters}

I never knew I was a picky eater until I met my husband. 

I will eat almost anything. 

But my husband pointed out to me that while I DO eat a variety of food.  

It has to be cooked a certain way. I don't know why either.  

My parents fixed me dinner and if I didn't eat it.... 

I went hungry for the night.

This has transferred to my children.  

They have to be the PICKIEST eaters in the history of the human race!!!

They won't eat most meals we fix them.  

And I just don't have the heart to let them go hungry.

So like any normal mom I search for new ideas to fix my kids.  

Cause honestly chicken nuggets, hot dogs, and peanut butter jelly time gets OLD!!!

So while searching the O mighty Pinterest I found a link to 13 Toddler Lunch Ideas.

Hopeful I went to the link... and was stunned at their ideas.  

And not in a good way...

Pita, jelly sandwich.... alright, my kids would look at this and wonder if I was on crack.

 Chicken salad sandwich with a dill pickle on the side...  Ya that looks good (for my lunch maybe)

Set out a bunch of sandwich making ingredients and let your kids make their own.  That might work but I doubt it.
Okay so I am not COMPLETELY hating on the article.  They did have a couple of good ideas.
 

 Making mini pizzas.  Yes my kids would like to eat that.
 

 Pepperidge farm fish shaped bread.
So some were decent, some I just shook my head.  

One day I will get my kids to eat better food.  

Any ideas???

Something that makes me smile...

My sweet little boy Connor....

He gets me to smile everytime!

(yes those are my shoes from yesterday...)