Eat your dinner

For the past few weeks we have been in a battle with Alexis over eating meals. She loves her snacks and treats. Even though I claim that chips are half good for you because they are made from a vegetable does not mean they substitute real good food. We put her on a diet. No more chips, crackers, cookies, candy, fruit snacks, I don't even buy them. It was a huge sacrifice for me since I love snacks. I was tired of her eating snacks all day then being too full for dinner. When it was time for bed she would cry "I'm hungry and my tummy hurts." I couldn't let her go to bed hungry so I would give her a piece of bread and some water...I laughed every time thinking goodness child you are happy to eat prison rations. But the 2 week stand off is finally over and she is eating her meals. I am not caving into the tantrums, the I'm too tireds, I'm ok's anymore. The few snacks we have are kept very carefully guarded and on high shelves and I am happy to say we succeeded. (maybe now she won't be so "tired" all the time!) I would be kidding though if I said she eats her meals without any complaints or reminders. I have to ask her through the whole meal to just keep eating and if you want a treat you will eat what I feel is enough, but she does eat it.

I have been having my own food aversions lately, mostly hamburger. I don't like the smell or taste of it. Maybe that will change when the baby comes, who knows. I don't really miss it though, it is harder if we go to fast food. I have been loving the mandarin oranges right now! Alexis and I eat 1 each a day and I am crediting that to our extreme good fortune of being healthy. Britt has a cold and has not been eating them so that is my scientific proof!

We have also been dealing with a very sassy girl. She keeps getting threatened with no presents for Christmas because only sweet girls get presents. It chills her out for a short time and then she is back to telling us to "stop it," or "Don't talk to me," and many others that get her in trouble. I need to find a better punishment since telling her to go to her room results in a slammed door and her yelling at me more. If I put her in time she yells at me more or runs away from me. If I ignore her then she just keeps right on being sassy. So I guess I will just keep trying new things and hope one of them has an effect because the naughty chair doesn't phase her. I tried to find a picture of her looking sassy but apparently she is a good actress in front of the camera because I didn't find any. I substituted this crying picture, because it was for no reason on our way to the ward Christmas party.