Forest of the Plains

Jacob has started crying every time a toy leaves his grasp. Never mind that he could pick the toy up with minimal effort – he prefers that someone else would pick it up and place it in his hand. And he would much rather scream until someone does what he wants instead of getting the toy himself. Since Jacob often does a 180-degree turn in his crib at night, we do not just hand him a toy. His body is able to move wherever he wants it to go.

This morning Jacob dropped a toy. His hand could reach it, but his fingers needed to move just right to pick it up. He screamed for the 3 minutes it took him to figure out how to get the toy. (At which point he promptly stopped screaming and started licking the toy.) I followed up with a “You got the toy! Good job!”

Then I read Entries In Life where he referenced an article on recent research about self-esteem. This is a long article, but definitely worth the time it takes to read!

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I really had to laugh at the part where they discuss everyone getting an award or trophy, no matter how well they did at an event. John and I recently were going through some of my childhood papers. We found some ribbons for placing 5th or 6th in Field Day events (there were five or six in each activity group). We also found some awards that were handed out at the end of the year. There were some general awards for achievement in various academic subjects. But, the best awards were for “Participation in Games Night” and “Cafeteria”.

Honestly. I have an award signed by the head cook and the principal that says:
“Terah Yoder has participated creditably in all activities and has put forth maximum effort and diligence in Cafeteria. In recognition of this accomplishment, this certificate is granted on this 27th day of May 1988.”

The best part is that I hated the cafeteria food and I always packed my lunch! I think that I may have received this award because I (along with all other fifth graders) helped serve seconds.

Just like the article says, kids can smell stupid or empty praise a mile away and it means nothing to them.

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I know a lot of people who have been praised for being “smart” and I wonder if these research findings hold true for them. I was always labeled as “smart” but when I reached 7th grade and started needing to study, my grades went down. I never developed good study skills, but instead choose classes and a major where I could succeed without them. Just like those “smart” kids who choose the easy puzzles. Very interesting stuff!

My hair is very thick, and while it's mostly straight, there are also curly hairs. And I tend to be picky. Because of this, it's so hard to find someone who can cut my hair decently. Each time I find someone I like, they get out of the hair business.

When we moved to Kansas I was met with a dilemma. You can actually get your hair cut for $14.00 in the small towns! So, do I get an okay-but-not-outstanding haircut for $14, or do I drive 60 miles to get a truly good haircut for $60? I choose the $14 option.

This morning I had my first hair cut in three months. My hair was so wild that it's a wonder my hair didn't just take off and fly on its own. This morning I also went to a new salon that is closer to our new house. I gave the nice lady some basic directions and sat back to watch if she would pass my tests.

Test #1: Thick Hair Freak Out
Do they panic when they realize just how much hair is really on my head and then spend the rest of the haircut talking very quickly about how thick my hair is? This is so annoying! Luckily, they passed this test!

Test #2: Washing Hair
Thick hair needs to be cut wet. While the rubbing of my scalp would have given my mom a migraine, it was fine for me. And this is the first Kansas haircut I've had where it was just assumed that my hair should be washed at the start. Finally!

Test #3: Choice of Thinning Tool, and How It Is Used
There are two ways to thin hair: a razor and thinning scissors. If the thinning scissors are used incorrectly, you get a tiny mohawk down the middle of your scalp when the hair starts to grow back. You should use the razor to thin at least the top hair, and then the scissors can be used for additional thinning on the lower hair. This is the first Kansas haircut I've had where thinning was done correctly without me saying anything! Yea!

All this and it still only cost $14.00! What a deal! The only drawback is the cheesy name of the place, but even I can handle that if it means getting a truly good haircut!

Thanks, Lynn from Mane Street Salon!

Chocolate is a varied thing. Although I say that I love chocolate, really I only love specific kinds of chocolate. I like good-or-excellent-quality milk chocolate, medium-quality dark chocolate, and only eat white chocolate when I'm desperate for sugar. (As an aside, white chocolate is generally not considered to be chocolate because it does not contain chocolate liquor. See this.)

It's really interesting to ask people about chocolate. It seems that everyone has an opinion! I had a friend in college who did not like chocolate and did not drink coffee. I just never quite understood that part of her!

Anyway, this Valentine's Day I liked all the chocolate that I received. I had dark chocolate M&Ms for breakfast, Hershey's Kisses for lunch, Wilbur Buds for supper, and My New Favorite Chocolate Product* (see below) for dessert and bedtime snack. And there was even more chocolate left over for the next day!

The inspiration for this post is Emily's Chocolate Covered Mixed Berries. The box they came in made me happy, so I went to check out the Emily's website. I think this site's FAQ is the best FAQ I have ever read! Just the FAQ makes me want to go out and buy their chocolate. Also, the Chocolate Covered Mixed Berries were really good – so good that John and I paid close attention to how much the other person ate because we didn't want to be shorted!

*Disclaimer: Just relax - of course nothing would ever overtake Cadbury Crème Eggs! I'm glad that Valentine's Day is over so that we can get down to the business of Easter Candy!

Our church now has a website. Check it out here!

Jacob started eating rice cereal this weekend. He loves it and I can't quite get over it. You see, infant cereal looks like instant mashed potato flakes. With each bite that I spoon into his happy face I think, "This is like giving him instant mashed potatoes. I'm so sorry Jacob. I wish there was another way." It's like I'm torturing him, except he doesn't know it.

On the other hand, if he enjoys this stuff, maybe he won't follow my example of being a picky eater?

Jacob recently received a Deluxe Gum Soother for ages "3 months Plus" as a gift. I was reading the product information on the back, wondering if the Soother was filled with water or something else. Here is what the back said:

"Before first use, wash in hot soapy water, then rinse. DO NOT PUT IN DISHWASHER. HAND WASH BEFORE EACH USE. Cool in domestic refridgerator only. Do not place in the freezer compartment. Wire cutters are required to remove the cable ties."

Wire cutters and cable ties?!?

I'm still looking for a job. Maybe Fisher-Price would hire me to proof read their packaging!

I just got a phone call:

"Um, this is Joe from DHL and I'm trying to find your house."
"Where are you now?"
"I'm at ..."
"Oh! So, go north, right up the hill. We're on - "
"Is it the yellow house?"
"Yes"
"Well, I was there and it looked like someone tried to go up the driveway but couldn't."
"Oh! Just follow the tire tracks and drive on the field instead of the driveway."
"Okay, I'll be right there."