When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice, safe playpen. When they’re finished, I climb out.
Erma Bombeck
Just when you think you’ve got this parenting thing down… MELTDOWN!
Last night we were taught the hard way that Time Out wasn’t going to cut it anymore. At least the way we were doing it. HoneyBear had a great nap yesterday afternoon so I didn’t even see it coming.
At exactly 9pm the arms began flailing and sh threw her body down, “NO BEDDY!’
Huh? Beddy? Huh?
When Daddy tried picking her up with a stern “Bed time!” She KICKED!
Again, Huh?
“TIME OUT!” I said in a loud voice.
You see, Ninja and I live with my parents. Disciplining is difficult at any time but in front of your parents in their house is even harder. We have her old highchair in her bedroom, as the “time out” chair. It used to be in the dining/livingroom, but why should my parents have to listen to her meltdowns in the evening?
Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t an everyday thing. Maybe that is the problem. Maybe we don’t have enough practice at this whole discipline thing. She is a relatively good kid with great manners and an ability to be rational. She is also headstrong and defiant lol.
Last night, it was a struggle for Ninja to get her into the chair. Once she was buckled in she proceeded to jump the chair across the floor! All this time I was feeding the baby and Daddy was “handling” the situation. 5 minutes of the banging and screaming and I went in there. I knelt down in front of her and asked what she was doing.
“MEH!” she said defiantly.
I took her out and marched her into her bed. Grabbed Ninja and walked out. She got up screaming but I stood at the door and wouldn’t let her out. When she kicked the door, I opened it and took her back to bed. I explained to her that I loved her but we DO NOT HIT and we DO NOT KICK! We will NOT be going to gymnastics in the morning if this behavior continued. All the while I had my arm around her. It worked. She crawled into bed seemingly calm and said sorry. I think I gave her an out without “giving in”.
Then I went back to our bedroom and Ninja was there NOT happy. I apparently came in and took over. My nerves were shot from the whole tantrum and his justified concern turned into a full blown argument. Remember my parents are just down the hall while all this is unfolding!
Of course Ninja and I are a team and a strong one at that, so in the end we agreed that we needed a new tactic for disciplining HoneyBear and that no matter what we stand together. Success by midnight. Now THAT is what I call a night!
Today however, is a new day!
Valentine Cookies
COOKIES
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup icing sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup icing sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
In a large bowl combine butter with sugar, eggs, vanilla extract; beat using a standing mixer on high speed until light and fluffy.
Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours.
In another bowl combine the flour with baking powder,
cinnamon, baking soda and salt; gradually stir into the butter mixture until well blended.Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours.
Set oven to 400°F.
Line cookie sheets with parchment paper (do not grease cookie sheets).
On a very lightly floured surface roll out the dough into about 1/4-inch thickness.
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| HoneyBear helping with the tough part 🙂 |
Cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters.
Place cookies on cookie sheet.
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| HoneyBear loves her shoes, crowns & castles so they HAVE to be included! |
Bake 7 minutes.
Remove cookies to wire racks to cool completely before icing.
FROSTING
2 cups sifted icing sugar
1 tablespoon milk (adding in more if needed for proper spreading consistency)
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Gel food coloring
In a mixing bowl mix the icing sugar with milk, start with 1-2 tablespoons, I like to keep my icing a little thicker so we can ice them with knives. It is less messy too 🙂
Beat in corn syrup and vanilla extract until the icing is smooth and glossy.
Divide into separate bowls and add colours!
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| Daddy & HoneyBear working hard at decorating |
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| “Look Mommy!” |
HoneyBear also really wanted cupcakes. . Do you watch 2 Broke Girls? I’m like Max, the secret to my homemade cupcakes is that they are homemade by Duncan Hines. I hate to admit it but the box is just better than my homemade cupcakes, so I used the Red Velvet box in honor of Valentine’s Day!
I didn’t have enough butter in the house for buttercream though. Marshmallow frosting it is then.
Marshmallow Frosting
I put 3 egg whites and ¾ cup of sugar into a medium glass bowl over a simmering pot of water. I whisked it until the sugar dissolved and the whites were getting hit. Quickly put the bowl into another bowl that has an ice bath.
On medium-high beat the whites until you see “sand” ripples. Then I separated the frosting and added cocoa powder to one and vanilla to the other.
Some sprinkles and Voila… Cupcakes!
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| Mmmmm quick and Delicious! |
