Here's the deal..

Okay so I have to admit that we have some things to work on here in our household.  It is no surprise that we have a crazy busy life but I do think that if I work toward these goals that I am setting for our family then maybe things will run a bit smoother.  The reason that I am blogging about this is because it will give me some accountability for the success of these goals.  Our 2 youngest boys, Gabe and Sebastian have very poor eating habits.  They are very very picky and both have the gag reflex, their menu is very limited. Every morning they both eat poptarts for breakfast, Gabe always having blueberry flavor and Sebastian always having the cookies and creme flavor.  For lunch they both have a sandwich, Gabe has PB & J and Sebastian has PB & Nutella.  For Dinner, Sebastian will have another sandwich and Gabe will have popcorn chicken.  These are their everyday meals.  Gabe likes to snack on a variety of things, cheese, crackers, chips, apples, and of course candy.  Sebastian only likes to snack on candy chocolate.  To top it off, they will not sit at the table for any of their meals.  In fact, mealtime around here is quite ridiculous!!!  Not only do they walk around while eating but for their lunch and dinner we have to literally feed them bite by bite while they are doing whatever they are doing.  Somehow along the way they have taken control over this situation and it is time we take it back!!!  First goal will be to have all meals at the table, once we successfully reach this goal then it will be time to introduce some new foods to them.  I am happy to report that they both ate their lunch at the table today.  It started out a bit rough with some resistance but I stayed strong and mellow at the same time and it was a success!  They both even took their plates to the sink when they were finished.  Yay!!  Of course, Abby is our little eater in which we have no problem with her, she asks (with gestures) to get in her high chair and will try and food.

Another thing that I would really like to work on is being consistent with their time outs and see if we can get them to listen better.  My kids all seem to have tempers and don't respond well to being told what to do.  Sebastian has the biggest temper and it seems as though Abby is trying to copy him and follow in his foot steps.  Scary!  Gabe just seems to be out of control, getting into everything just to simply make a mess and then he moves on.  I know that a lot of this stems from Gabe having Autism and him just being in his own little world but with a little time and patience I know he eventually understands things.  I just really really need to be more consistent.  So, with the 3 little kiddos I am going to try the "Super Nanny" time out technique.  Sebastian was the first one today to get the time out.  I put him in the chair and told him why I was putting him their.  He tried to get out of the chair several times and I just kept putting him back without saying anything.  After his 3 min were up, I told him he needed to say sorry to Abby (for hitting her) and give her kisses.  He did it!  A little bit later Abby had her first go at a time out as well for hitting Sebastian.  I just kept sitting her in the chair and told her "no hitting" and to give Sebastian kisses.  She did it too!

Another thing is CUT BACK ON TV TIME!!  We are so guilty for endless hours of television.  They love Sesame Street, Dora, Diego, Super Why!, Yo Gabba Gabba, and Toy Story.  I am so excited that the weather is getting warmer and they can play outside.  Today has been great, they watched Toy Story 2 and then an episode of Sesame Street.  I turned the TV off almost 4 hours ago and they have just been having fun playing.

Need to have the boys start helping clean up.  I need to remember that if they are capable of making these huge messes with their toys then they are capable of helping to clean them up too.  We will start singing the "Clean up" song again and have them help.

Finally, read bed time stories on a regular basis.  It always seems so busy and chaotic around here that somehow we forget to take a few extra min to read them a story.  Just seems hard sometimes because Gabe doesn't sit and pay attention, he kinda "checks out" for a bit and does his own thing.  When I say "checks out" I mean that it's as though no one else is around him and his mind just starts going, almost like he is watching his own show in his own head.

Okay so now that I have put this out there I am ready for the challenge!!
*meals to be eaten at table
*introduce new foods to Gabe & Sebastian
*be consistent with time outs
*cut back on TV time
*have kids help with clean up
*bed time stories

Oh my, I just remembered one of the most important family goals that needs to be done!!!
POTTY TRAINING!!!  I have 3 kids in diapers, atleast 2 of them need to get out of them ASAP!  Gabe is starting to get it, he will request to go pee pee in the potty on occasion, so I know he is finally grasping the concept.  Time for me to do some more following thru

There you have it, 7 Family Goals for the Almanza's!  Wish me luck!