Piece Be With You

Thought some of readers here might also enjoy this post on my ministry blog.  Blessings!  :)

Piece be with you

A Curious Perspective

Yesterday I was fortunate enough to go spend the morning helping at Woodson Kindergarten Center.  KSMQ was doing an Explore the Outdoors activity day.  I spent the first hour and half or so helping children make bird feeders with honey and birdseed.  During that time, Curious George wasn't feeling so well and needed to go home before visiting classrooms.  Not wanting the children to be disappointed, I offered to don the big furry costume and walk class to class.  If you are ever feeling short on hi 5's or hugs, put on a big furry costume and patrol the halls of a kindergarten center.

One of the classrooms I was able to visit, was my son's.  It is challenging to see through the mesh of George's mouth, but I know the smiles and hugs I got from Sam were genuine.

After school that day, I asked Sam how the day was.  "Lame.  It was all lame."

"Aw, come on Sam.  I saw you having fun and smiling.  You must have like something you did today."

"Nope.  It was all lame."

"What about George?  Did he visit your classroom? I bet that was fun."

"Nope, lame."

"Wait a second.  I happen to know for a fact that you were smiling, giving Curious George hi 5's, hugs and fist bumps."

"You don't know that, you weren't there."

"Oh, but I was.  You were just so busy being buddies with George, that you didn't notice me."

"Were not."

"Was too.  I even know where you sat for the class picture."

"Where?"

"Right in front of Curious George, next to his foot."

"Well, mom, I was just acting that because you should keep your enemies close.  Duh."

Why I Try To Say Yes

When kids are little, they often want to do whatever Mom does. We moms must have a real nack for making the mundane look exciting! Sometimes all that "help" can be overwhelming and it's tempting to just do things yourself. But taking a little extra time now to let little ones help can pay big dividends later because they will learn the skills and they are more likely to be willing helpers later if they have been allowed and praised for helping. That's why tonight I let my well meaning 11 year old male dinner tonight (even if it may have been faster to do it myself).  I also let my 2 and 6 year olds "clean"the floors. I will thank myself someday when dinner is on the table and my floors are clean. And even if that dream never becomes a reality, maybe a future spouse can harvest these seeds.

It's a New Day

It amuses (and annoys) me that I have to remain my older boys daily to tackle care of personal hygiene issues while at the same time Sam seems to be a little overzealous about some aspects. He changes his underwear everytime he gets dressed,including pajamas.

"Sam, why do you need to change your underwear at night? You change them in the morning."

"It's already a new day on the otherside of the world,obviously.so I need new underwear."

Hard to debate with that kind of logic.

Multiple Times

As we were preparing to leave daycare the other day, I packed some of Sam's things together knowing he is likely to forget something. I can't count the number of times we have left shoes, boots,  blankets or other important items behind. I was a little surprised when he asked where his gloves were since that is an easily forgotten thing.

"I already put them in your backpack, Sam. "

"Why would you do that," he asked.

"Because I've met you before."

"Of course you have,we've met multiple times."

And so it Begins

Here is an actual text conversation with 10 year old Ray.

Done
               Be there soon.  Sam is in the bathroom.
Did not need the bathroom part, or the big text.
               Be there as soon as Sam is done wiping his butt, washing his hands and ready to go.  Theo
               already went potty.  I need to go, but I will wait.
               How's that for too much info/big text? ;)
Did not need that, again.

So what is the first thing he says when we pull up?  "What took you so long?!?"  I tried to tell him. Oh, let the embarrassing of the tween begin!  I've been practicing my whole life for this ;)