Sometimes it's hard being a parent

We had a pretty good day today. The morning went smoothly getting Ry off to school. I held Lana too long before getting in the shower and getting us all ready to go to lunch at Zupas in AF with my sistas! I wanted to get there a bit early so I could feed Lana. Instead we got there right on time but then we were late because we stayed in the car to feed Lana. Lunch was great and it was fun seeing Kacy and kids back in Utah. I miss her when they are in Australia. I sure do hope my family will all live in close proximity our entire lives! Amy wasn't able to come to lunch...

Asher and I had to have a talk yesterday about being honest. After Jack left Asher was supposed to clean up. He told me his room was clean. I told him to double check and make sure it was all picked up before I checked it. He came back downstairs and told me it was clean. A bit later I went to check and was disappointed to see it was a mess! I got Asher into his room and we had a talk after which he cleaned his room. Well, today Asher asked for ice cream. I agreed, but after dinner. We had tacos so it wasn't a terrible dinner, but Asher said he wasn't hungry. (At least he ate his carrots) I asked him if he was going to be hungry for ice cream and he said no. I told him several times Ry and Tyce would be eating ice cream and he would not get any. "I don't care. I don't want ice cream" he told me. Okay. Well, when it came time for ice cream he started crying and asked if he could have another chance to eat his taco then have ice cream. I reluctantly agreed. Halfway through he asked if he could be done. No, I told him to eat all of his taco. I went upstairs to get something and he called up asking if he could throw his plate away. I asked him to keep it on the table so I could see how much he ate. I went downstairs to see it completely empty and he said "I ate my taco, can I have ice cream now?" I saw taco meat on the floor by the trash can and sure enough, there sat the rest of his taco in the garbage. I dished up ice cream for Ry and Tyce and pulled Asher into the other room. I reminded him of our talk yesterday about telling the truth and I told him I couldn't give him any ice cream because he lied to me and did not eat his taco. "But sometimes I just forget to tell you" We went over honesty again and the importance of it, I told him how sad it makes me when he lies and I asked him how he felt at that moment. "Sad" (maybe because he knew he wasn't getting any ice cream!) I said I was sorry and sad for him that he wouldn't be able to eat ice cream with us but I know he can make better choices and tell me the truth. He hung his head low, said "ok" and quietly walked upstairs to his room. I sat down with Tyce and Ry and did not enjoy my ice cream very much. It's hard being a parent and enforcing rules and trying to find the right way to teach these important life principles.