Learning the hard way

And, I don't know if it is harder on Mom or Kevin.

Kevin has a weird OCD attachement to his jammies.  If we are at home he HAS to be wearing them. If he is NOT wearing them he is BEGGING to put them on.

On days we are just staying home instead of fighting about it all day, I'll just let him wear them all day.

At nap time, he WILL NOT GO TO SLEEP until we have put his jammies on him.

He will even go so far as to BEG you to give him a NAP so that he can put his jammies back on.

We've been having some behavior problems (2 year old behavior problems) but problems we need to take care of now so that my now 2 year old will have friends when he is 5, 10, and 15.

It is really hard to find a consequence that affects Kevin.  Most things you can take away he doesn't care. We've tried spankings, he has the spank me 50 times I don't care attitude. We've tried time-outs, he has the I don't care I love time out attitude. So finally. we started grounding him from milk.  Then he developed the, I don't care take away my milk attitude. (HE LOVES MILK!)

Then we were back at square one. 

My Mom gave me the idea to take away his jammies...

AND I DID IT!

This morning. 

The taking away part wasn't bad. I was fed up with him and I know that this temper tantrum screaming, throwing, yelling, kicking thing has to stop... so that didn't bother me.

But tonight, putting him to bed (he's always sweetest at bedtime)

when he asked where his jammies were, I almost gave in.

But... I STOOD my ground.

and I'm proud.

I talked to him about why he couldn't wear his jammies to bed. I helped him find some sweat pants and a nice comfy shirt to sleep in and we talked about how fun it would be to be putting on his Thomas jammies, and that if he could be good ALL Day tomorrow he could have them back.

He said, 'Ok, I sowwy Mom!'

(I almost gave in again!)

I feel guilty. But, someday he'll thank me! RIGHT? (Well, I keep telling myself that!)

Anyway--

I thought I'd finally post the last of our pictures from when my family was here.

Turns out we didn't get to play much :(

But it also turns out--

WE NEVER WOULD HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU!

We are so grateful and humbled by the help and love our families always show to us.

Mom, Dad, Tyrel, Blake, Jordin

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.

If you want to see more... BETTER... pictures of start to finish, check out my Dad's blog and this one too!

All torn off and ready to put down tar paper.

Yes, this kid worked too... HARD! Pictures don't show it though!

The first few rows of shingles!

Lunch break... this was hilarious.

No big deal, he's riding a kids tractor...

check out the bent axle on the left tire

We were laughing so hard.

Thanks for entertaining ty. 

Kevin watching Silly Uncle Tyrel.

Julia was also entertained!

The missionaries came to help on the 3rd day. It was so nice to have some fresh blood and excited, motivated, little workers. We were so grateful!  They helped out a TON!

and for whatever reason (I guess i was burned out) I never got a final picture. You'll just have to believe me...IT LOOKS TONS BETTER!!

Proof we did play a bit.

Here is Blake jumping off the diving board!

Thanks again family. We love love love you and owe you tons and tons!

XOXO