NAUGHTY NAUGHTY NAUGHTY!!!

I am beyond frustraded with Jace right now.  I don't think I've ever met a more difficult child.  He has been SO NAUGHTY lately.  I don't know if it's all the upcoming changes or the excitement of Christmas but something has got to change.  We went to his school play last night and I was so embarressed at how he behaved.  He was the only one not singing or doing the actions to the songs and he kept talking to his neighbor and being silly and disruptive.  Every day after school I check his calendar to see if he got a stamp for that day or a remark letting me know that he was acting out in class.  I think he has gotten a good stamp 2 times this ENTIRE month.  I talk to him every day about it and he's says he's sorry and that he'll do better but the next day he comes home with the same remark "being silly and giggly in class" which means he had to sit by himself in the pod so he wouldn't be distracting to other kids.  At home he has been equally as bad:  constantly calling names, being negative/ unappreciative, and just plain being a brat.  He been arguing about everything ... and I am just plain sick of it.  The other day he made some snide remark to me and I sent him to his room and turned the song "I'm Gettin' Nothing for Christmas" on really loud so he would have to listen to it.  (I KNOW ... mean, huh).  I went in and talked to him and said I was really sorry but that I was pretty sure he was on the naughty list and it was going to be pretty sad Christmas morning when everyone but him woke up to presents.  I said I'd give him an extra hug that morning to help soften the blow.  He said he was sorry and we made a plan.  It's called "OPERATION NICE LIST".  He made a list of nice things he could do to get himself back on the 'nice' list. 

OPERATION NICE LIST

* Help dad with his homework.
* Teach Brooke how to make a snowflake out of paper.
* Not say bad words.
* Play a game with Brooke without making her cry.
* Read scriptures with mom.
* Say better personal prayers.
* Pay attention at school.
* Help dad remember to wash his hands after using the bathroom.  (This one cracked me up because Craig is overly cautious about clean hands and carries sanitizier wherever he goes.  I'm pretty sure he doesn't have a problem with this.)
*Write a special note to dad.
*Watch one of Brooke's movies with her so she's not alone.
* Tell mom about my day at school. 
* Look at a book with Brooke.
* Get a Brooke a pillow and blanket if she falls asleep on the floor.
* Be good in my church class.

The ones crossed out are ones that he has been working on.  The others still need attention.  After operations 'nice' list was started he was an absolute angel for 2 whole days.  and then it ended.  He has returned to being a scrooge and driving me crazy.  I've never been more tempted to call Santa and tell him to leave coal in Jace's stalking.   He got a good talking to last night so he better come home with a good mark on his school calendar today... or else!!!

On a brighter note.  Here are some of the fun activities that have been keeping us busy:

* Hot Cocoa in Snowman mugs and Christmas Stories!



* Making herds of Candy Cane Reindeer.

* Making Jingle Bell Bracelets and learning the song Jingle Bells.

* Painting Airplane Ornaments.



* Visiting Brooke's school for a fundraiser. 

The kids got to see Santa, make a sugar cookie, and have a cup of hot chocolate.



* Learning how to make Snowflakes out of paper.  They LOVED this one.

Both of their eyes would light up with excitement every time they would open the snowflake to see what they had created.  It was so fun.... and so easy. 



* Turning their room into a Winter Wonderland.

* More Christmas baking and cookie decorating!!

* Making mini decorations for their 'mini' Christmas trees.  Stars and candy canes.



* Finding Scottie and Oodles the elves every morning in all their crazy hiding places.

One time Scottie hid in the cookie jar and ate all the gingersnaps ... or wait .. maybe that was mom. lol

* Getting fatter and ready to pop .. guess I need to lay off the gingersnaps.

Mommy @ 38 1/2 weeks pregnant.

* Watching Jace perform in his school play:  How the Penguins Saved Christmas.

Jace was a very NAUGHTY penguin.

Hopefully you are all having a wonderful Christmas season and that your kids are being well behaved.  Okay ... I'm done venting.