Is this time-out or a jumping party?

All right, so it has been one of those days. I think I spent the majority of my day hauling the girls in and out of time-out. It seems to be really effective! They are turning into monkeys and they think it is ok/fun to crawl onto the counter and destroy everything on top. The other day I was drying my hair and Brayden came in and said, "Mom, Dani has a knife." Sure enough, I walked out to the kitchen and she was sitting criss-cross applesauce with the biggest butcher knife we have in her lap. I felt like the best mom ever! Any suggestions?? I have completely moved the stools away and laid them on the floor, which they now stand on, and crawl in and out of. AND.... they get behind the couch and do some rearranging of the blinds and cords (which is super scary)! I am going to have to build a blockade!

As you can see, time-out has turned into a playing/jumping festival. Any other discipline suggestions other than time-out? I am really trying to refrain from beating them.

Just kidding! :)

What happened to my sweet baby boy?

Today was Brayden's first day of his second year of preschool! We were all very excited. He has a new teacher this year, because Ms. Mary retired. Ms. Jenny's new classroom is amazing! The best part for B is the "playground with a twisty slide." He was a little bit clingy when we first got there, but soon he was comfortable and refusing to wear his name tag. This seemed unusual to me, because he is usually a compliant little guy, especially at school! Last year he told me, "I never make bad choices at school, I am a good boy." Well this may be a different year all together....

When he woke up this morning his insisted on not wearing ANY of his new school clothes. The only "fancy" shirt he would wear was one that is two years old (and a little short). I was told he did a good job in school, thank goodness, but when he walked through the door when he got home he had an attitude! This is new to me.... even Kent noticed. He was rather demanding, which I did not take very well. We had a discussion on "tone of voice" (just like my kids at work). "Just because you say please, doesn't mean you are asking nicely." We'll see if it makes a difference. I hope my sweet baby boy returns tomorrow!