“Is it really a family night out?” Share your views regarding children under age 5 attending formal events such as funerals, concerts, weddings, even church services. We hope that those of you who have “tried and true” tips and tricks up your sleeve will share those as well.
When it comes to bringing our kids places, we really have to decide if it is appropriate. Our kids are WILD! They can be very crazy at times. Sometimes doing something as simple as going out to eat at a restaurant can be quite the experience. Now that they are getting a little older, it's starting to get easier and they are starting to behave better. However, we've had our share of horrible experiences. We've found that if we want to go out to eat as a family, the best places to go are places that have a more relaxed atmosphere. We try to stay away from the "nicer" restaurants when the whole crew comes along.
As for weddings and funerals, that's another story. Most weddings I've been to have been LDS weddings where children are only allowed to go to the reception. My kids have been to tons and tons of receptions. We've had both good and bad experiences there. I'm not sure wether or not I have any tips on the matter, but I do try to bring things with me that will keep them occupied and not bored. I find that when they start to get bored they start to act up. I'm not sure that my kids have ever been to a funeral, and for that I'm grateful.
For a long time, and even sometimes still we struggle with church, specifically sacrament meeting. For some reason, they seem to get the giggles, wiggles, grouchiness, tired, etc. etc. I've often wondered why I go to church just to walk the halls, but have realized that in time they will learn and hopefully realize that being at church is important.
We've just barely been able to go to the movies as a family and it is actually enjoyable. They will all sit there for the most part. Sometimes we have to take potty breaks, but it's mostly good.
I think as parents we need to know when it is or isn't appropriate to take our children to certain places and events. I've found that those without children seem to be the ones who are more impatient when they are around. However at the same time kids need to feel like they are able to be involved with things that are going on. Personally I've very rarely excluded my children from things. If they don't get the chance to experience and make mistakes, then they will never learn how the proper way to behave is.
My sister and neice got some turtles not too long ago. Their names are Ruby and Diamond. We were at my sisters house for a while visitng and the kids were so excited to play with the turtles. They were outside with them for a long time. They even tried to make them race. I thought they would be nervous to hold them but they weren't. Even 
J who is a little more shy and scared held them. S was not feeling very well, so he just stayed inside. I guess we'll have to go back and play with them again, so that he can enjoy them also.
lso feel that the kids haven't been as cranky. The cabin fever is going away!! It's so hard in the winter to keep them occupied without using the T.V. as the only source of entertainment. Yesterday I don't even think they asked to watch T.V. It was so wonderful! They just kept each other busy outside. I love it!! With the time change and the nice weather I completely lost track of what time it was. When 7:00 came around and we still hadn't had dinner, I thought I better call them in. 
then decided to put their bathing suits on and jump on the trampoline with a hose on underneath. Now, it was nice, but not that nice. They lasted just a few seconds in the water before they were back inside like little frozen icicles. 
had a couple skin tags cut off and an aging spot frozen off of his forehead. My SIL had 2 spots frozen off. I had a skin tag cut off and then I had some weird bump on my nose that was really bothering me. He numbed me and then burnt it off. Getting a shot in your nose is NOT a fun thing. It hurt pretty bad and made my eye just water and water. But, once that was over it wasn't too bad. I think skin stuff is pretty gross. I don't know if I could treat all that disgusting stuff all day long. But, I sure am grateful that I have a brother who can take care of all that fun stuff for us.
u-can-eat brazillian bbq. The meat there is fab. I signed up for the b-day club one time when I went there and they sent me a coupon in the mail for a free meal during the month of my birthday. All kids under the age of 7 eat free, which meant we only had to pay for DH and T. What a deal!! The kids all behaved so nice, which is usually a rare thing for when we go out to eat. And, they all ate a ton!! We had a great time.
d at it. He was very excited to get these and has already put them to good use. Then, we sang Happy Birthday and it was time to eat cake. Everyone only had a few bites because we were all so stuffed from dinner. 
idn't work I went and woke my mom up because I'd never been in labor before I had no idea what was going on. I went out to lay on the couch and almost immediately started throwing up. It was the worst I'd ever thrown up. I couldn't breathe because it was coming up so fast and even coming out my nose (aren't we all glad I added that detail?). DH got on the phone and called my poor doctor at home. He quickly told us to go to the hospital because I was probably passing kidney stones.
embranes. I don't know when, but eventually they broke my water. It took me 9 hours to finally get to a 2. I thought I was going to die. I wanted an epidural but was told because I was passing the stones also that I couldn't get one. 
T came into this world at 9:51 p.m., weighing 9 lb. 3 oz and was 22 inches long. He was a huge baby. He didn't look like a newborn. The doctor couldn't believe how big he was. But, he was a healthy boy with 10 chubby little fingers and toes and I couldn't have been happier.
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