Super Summer Stuff!

Over the past few weeks, I have done a lot of writing for my counseling training. Consequently, I haven’t felt like posting on here for a while because it seemed like too much work. I didn’t have any fun ideas of what to write about. But then I was reading my friend’s blog, Got Crackers? They had a post titled: Things We’ve Never Done… But Want To. That reminded me of how much I enjoy making such lists, so I decided to share with you a list I have been forming of things I want to (or wish I could) do this summer. So here ya go!

~ Go to camp (I’m going to Lamoka in 2 and a half weeks!)

~ Go to Darien Lake or Fantasy Island (two amusement parks near-ish us)

~ Visit botanical gardens

~ Spend a day at the zoo

~ Have a picnic

~ Hike at Letchworth State Park

~ Go to Niagara Falls

~ Go whitewater rafting at Letchworth

~ Fully enjoy the county fair in August (normally we only go for a couple hours and don’t get to see or do much)

~ Go horseback riding… and maybe actually go faster than a sloooow walk! :)

~ Go to the Corning Museum of Glass again before I turn 18 and have to pay to get in

~ Have my graduation/18^th birthday party! Woo-hoo!

~ Go to parade on July 4^th

~ And let's not forget fireworks!

Hopefully I will be able to do at least a few things from this list. And I can wish for the rest. :) What fun adventures do you hope to have this summer?

Babysitting 101

Babysitting - a word commonly understood to mean a girl coming over to watch children while their parents are away for a time. If you're anything like me, you love this word, because it means an opportunity to play with kids and make money at the same time. :) I have babysat various kids since I was 14, and as I've gained experience, I've learned a few things that make a big difference in how well these adventures go. So, my fellow babysitting friends, I hope these tips help you!

1) Know the family. It really makes a difference if you know how the parents interact with the kids. What does mom do when there's a minor crisis? You know, the kid where someone bumps their head, scrapes their knee, calls their sibling a name, or drops their ice cream. Do they get a big "Awww, poor you, you sweet little suffering angel," or do they get a big, "You're fine, get over it"? Wat "fixes" it in the child's mind? A kiss for the boo-boo or a band-aid? What is typical restitution for conflict - an apology, time-out, no dessert? (By the way, spanking is NEVER a good idea unless the parents have specifically instructed you to do so.) Knowing how momma deals with these things will help you know what works best in these situations. Also, what's a big deal and what isn't? You may have your own views on parenting, but you're NOT the parent here. You do want to have a good influence when possible, but don't try to enforce your ideas. If it's not a big deal to the parent, don't make it a big deal to you.

2) Be the authority. It comes a surprise - especially to young babysitters - to find out that they are the authority in this situation. If the child misbehaves, you don't have to beg, plead, and coerce them to stop. You tell them to stop. Now, authority doesn't mean evil dictator - you don't get angry, raise your voice, show your power, or even count to three. You simply let them know their behavior is not okay and tell them to stop. If they don't, use small and peaceable means of enforcing it (like I said, know what mom does and it will help!).

3) Take time to NOT play with them. This sounds like a weird idea, I know. But the kids need to know that you aren't at their disposal 100% of the time. You may enjoy playing with them nonstop for a couple of hours, but if you ever have to babysit for a long time, it will be too much for you. So bring along a book, a craft/project, a journal, or something of that sort. At an appropriate time, let them know that you are going to go do ______ now, so they can play on their own/with each other until you're done. Even if it's just 15 minutes, it's good for them and good for you.

4) Be the leader. Often it helps if you decide what to do, instead of asking what they want to do. You don't always have to do this, but if they are fretful, indecisive, or you have several kids that all want to do something different, just cheerfully say, "We're going to do _______ now!" And lead them in it. More often than not, they'll jump right in and enjoy it.

5) Do something special. This is a great way to be a fun, favorite babysitter. Whether you're the babysitter who brings the crafts (that's me!) or bakes with them, or brings a treat, a movie, a book, play a certain game, or something different every time, it's super fun to be, well, fun! You'll love the way they look forward to you babysitting. :)

Happy babysitting! And happy Saturday :)

Happy Holidays... in September!

Happy September everyone! It is official fall in my book. :) So, did you know that (according to a website I found) September is:

• Classical Music Month
• Hispanic Heritage Month
• Fall Hat Month
• International Square Dancing Month
• National Blueberry Popsicle Month
• National Courtesy Month
• National Piano Month
• Chicken Month
• Baby Safety Month
• Little League Month
• Honey Month
• Self Improvement Month
• Better Breakfast Month 

So here is what I'm hoping to do this month:
~ Listen to some of the collection of classical music CD's I own
~ Write letters to my wonderful Hispanic friends in Arizona
~ Wear some cute, cozy hats (I do so like hats!!)
~ Re-read a lovely little book I have about etiquette, courtesy, and manners
~ Play piano, as always!! :) And listen to piano music - I have a couple of CD's of just piano music, too
~ Eat chicken! We have some in the fridge right now :)
~ Have honey in my tea (whenever I drink it, which isn't often) instead of sugar
~ Re-listen to all the Paul Washer sermons on my iPod, so as to grow spiritually, which is the best way to improve oneself
~ Eat healthy breakfasts more often

Yes, there are a few of those I'm skipping because I don't know how to celebrate them.

The neat thing is that I have been wanting to do some of these things anyway! It is going to be a good month, I can tell already. And, each day there are special days to celebrate. You can look at them on this website. I love any opportunity there is to celebrate and have fun!

Part Three - Silver Springs

 Part three! This was my FAVORITE day of the vacation. We went to an animal park called Silver Springs which had lots of different animals in natural settings. the park was very well kept and extremely nice.

The front entrance :) The whole park was very pretty and the weather was absolutely perfect

Being eaten by an alligator? Oh yes :)

Pretty bird! He was mean though - he kept trying to bite me!

They had several animals shows where they brought animals out and had them perform for you. This bird could say all sorts of phrases and made us all laugh a lot!

Turtles sunning themselves on a log :) Cute, aren't they?

WE GOT TO HOLD A BABY ALLIGATOR!! He felt pretty cool. Don't worry, his mouth was fastened shut! My mom was really loving it, can you tell?

They gave tours in glass bottom boats. There were two routes and we got to go on both of them. Our captain on the first ride was very fun and informative, and the second had beautiful, clear water! Very cool :)

They also gave a jeep tour through another animal section with bears, llamas, emus, and other neat critters. We go to see emu eggs! And a zebra striped jeep? I think yes! :D

Isn't this the coolest carousel ever? I was bummer that i didn't get to ride it, but I did get lots of pictures :)

There were a TON of alligators!! They had literally hundreds. This was the biggest, and whoa, he was HUGE! I love how he's smiling for the picture.

White alligators are so cool. I had never seen one before. He looks like he's just a plastic model floating in the water, but they assured me that he was indeed real :)

Ahh, the beautiful palms and lovely, well-kept grounds. I loved being able to enjoy greenery and blue skies in April! NY is not very pretty in spring. God allowed us to go at the prefect time.

I got a souvenir - a soft, plush white tiger! He is so snuggly. I named him Libre, which is Spanish for free, because he is a free spirit. Haha!

Oh, I had so much fun that day. if I lived down there I would definitely get a membership so I could go more often. God's creation is so glorious and I am always refreshed when I get to spend a day enjoying the outdoors.

Florida pictures {Parte dos}

Well, time for post #2 about Florida! After a relaxing Thursday of just hanging out ans swimming, I visited my wonderful friend Katy and got to see her tiny, 2-day old baby boy Elijah! Oh, it was so precious. I spent the night with Katy and Jason's siblings (who are some of my best friends) and we had an amazing time together.

Finally!! Holding the darling baby boy <3

Such a cute, grumpy little face!

The next day my mom and Grandma and Zach came by to pick me up on the way to the beach. It was late in the day when we got there, but it turned out to be perfect because the crowd had diminished and the tide was high. I really loved how warm the water was, and how cool it felt to be hit my the waves and try to ride over them. Also, I especially enjoyed how soft and white the sand was - perfect for sculpting! I made a castle before we left. And I got to collect some shells. :)

On the way to the beach for the first time ever!!

Mom had SO much fun in the water - she stayed in longer than any of us!

Not a very pretty picture, but it did look nice in person :)

What a masterpiece! I had so much fun making it and I thought it looked pretty good.

You know how people always write their name and their lover's name in a heart in the sand? Well, I decided I would do that too! :) <3

And, a picture just before we left. It was starting to get dark, and it was very peaceful.

Just those two days were packed with many wonderful things, and that was just the beginning of the vacation! We made lots of memories to take home. :)

Cousins are spectacular :)

Hello my people friends! I am visiting my cousins right now, who are up from Virginia and staying at my Grandma's house. They are AMAZING!! We always have a blast when we get together. Last night my cousins Rachel and Bethany and I stayed up having girl talks and laughing ridiculously until almost 3 AM. Today has also been full of adventures. We went on a long, frigid walk (Just us girls - the guys wimped out ;) ), Bethany and I played piano together and painted extravagant designs on our nails, and all of us ate pizza and had fun times this afternoon. Tonight we are hoping to play some card games and maybe stay up late again, and then tomorrow we head home again. We never seem to be able to get enough of our time together - it is so wonderful! I am so thankful. All of the laughs, smiles, good conversations, fellowship, and fun do my heart good. :)