How often do you hear, "Mom, Your the Greatest"! I hear it about twice a month, more from my son then my daughter, and more if I bake. I have thought about baking everyday, but I wouldn't want us to have to roll each other out the door. There are plenty of books out there to help us gage what makes someone a good Mom, I have read several, alright a few too many according to my daughter who thinks I should just spend time with them instead of the books. Well, thank you! Feedback!! I love it, that is what works for me, I like knowing what works and what doesn't. Reactions aren't always clear, I am sure many of a Mom has been disappointed in the fact that there wasn't an excited reaction or even a hug, am I right?
Alright, now when to get this amazing feedback; making communication a priority is something important to me. Some talk over meals, some have weekly meetings, some leave it up to a calendar. It is good to try different things and to have more than one time or way to communicate. Communication is a challenge for my family. Some of it is my fault, as one of the leaders(parents) in the family I know I need to take the lead and be consistent. Another issue is we don't all agree on much. So here are some of the things I have tried. I have tried to visit with each child before bed, although this isn't the best time for me, reason being is I become the cranky monster after eight o'clock. Plus if one child needs more time, then the other gets upset if their time is cut into, so, checking in on them at bedtime is nice and not locking in times helps, but this can't be the main format. Talking while driving somewhere is good neutral ground and they are a captive audience. I don't use this one too often, but it is very effective for sibling issues. I have read about talking over dinner, tried it, no not my family. Breakfast would be good, but not during the week that time is too rushed, Saturdays are relaxed, although we aren't all up at the same time, Sundays is a good day to come together and remind each other what we have for the week, and how we can help each other out as needed, and share feedback on how we are doing and what we want to do together. I tried this a couple years ago on Sunday evenings after dinner, and it was challenging to get the children to get involved, that is why I like the idea of doing it over a meal. Breakfast is short and children don't feel like the focus is all on them. Each family should set up what works best for their family.
Knowing there is more than one time during the week to talk is helpful for children, and for me as well. I will keep baking, helping with homework, checking on them, and trapping them in car, but I look forward to our Sunday breakfast time filled with a story, and planning the week. So there is some time after school, some time at bedtime, time on the weekends, and in between as needed. With all the feedback I am going to get I am surely going to hear about all things they like, and maybe a few more "Your the Greatest Mom Ever!"
The squirrels like to eat the food in the bird feeder. The birds are usually gone when they visit the feeder, but I figure It's time they had their own feeders. Especially now there is snow on the ground. The birds have already been by the feeder to see if there are any treats, so I put out some sunflower seeds for them to nibble. Now I need to set up something for the squirrels. 
Food options are plenty. Bags of dried corn are sold fairly cheap; $7-9 per 100 pound bag in some areas, may differ in other areas. Corn is still a popular treat for squirrels; want to add some variety, well use nuts. One person puts out something different every couple days using nuts in the shell, like peanuts, or walnuts, as well as seeds and fruit. 
