When I look around I see I have so much to be grateful.
When I listen to the noise I hear I have much to be grateful.
When I touch the mess I feel I have much to be grateful.
Because of you, my senses are heightened and I am forever grateful.
I give an eternal thank you for giving me a renewed feeling of life.
I didn't (really) know the world until I became your Mom.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Saturday, April 7, 2012
This year we chose to participate in our first community Easter Egg Hunt. We chose the church down the road as it is in our neighborhood. Daddy was unable to attend due to work, so we recruited GG as our Easter hand.
The front lawn was filled with eggs ready for 1-3 year old toddler hands to collect. As we waited the two of you were so patient. The parents were more competitive and planning the collection mission. The pastor announced it was time to begin, but requested parents not pickup eggs. Kaden, you went for the egg Mom suggested be your first pick- good listening! Ashton you and GG set out together. Once you saw egg into hand into basket you were in. It was package opening once you get stated you were on a gathering mission. You both did well.
You picked up three special prize eggs. You chose three special gifts from the prize table. Once it was time to go Kaden you wanted another! Thank goodness Auntie Larissa and Uncle Jake host an annual event.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Easter Bunny Interests
EASTER BUNNY! EATER BUNNY! COME OUT. COME OUT WHERE EVER YOU ARE…” Kaden is yelling through cupped hands in the middle of the mall. It appears the ole E.B. is on a break. Kaden continues yelling through his cupped hands around his mouth as he circles the area looking up and down and through the spring scene of flowers and trees.
“I’ve got a great idea!” he states. “Why don’t I sit right here and wait?” He hops up onto the bench where he has seen the Easter Bunny the three previous visits to the mall. He sits and waits. I am grateful the yelling and bunny hunt came to an end. Soon here comes the bunny and his helper. She obviously recognizes him from our last visit. She gives a big grin in my direction and the bunny waves to Kaden.
I inhale deeply and hope we don’t repeat the conversation from last week. Let me recap:
Where are all of your babies?” He asks the Easter Bunny. He looked all around. I explained he may not have any babies.
“Easter Bunny? Easter Bunny? Why are you not talking to me?!” He is becoming annoyed.
He curiously speaks, “I just wanna know where your pee-pee is.”
Wait. What? Did he just say…? Yes he did. I just heard him repeat himself.
The helper laughed out loud. The Easter Bunny who doesn’t speak utters a few audible noises.
I tell Kade we need to leave. I bring no attention to what he said. Kade agrees and waves goodbye. He yells back he mailed a letter to him the day before. Yes, we have ‘mailed’ several notes to Mr. Bunny.
On the way home Kade asks again why the Easter Bunny doesn’t have a pee-pee. He accepts my very simple explanation that all pee-pees are different. Like the girls (our dogs) we cannot see the Easter Bunny’s pee-pee. Thank goodness he was totally 100% okay with this justification.
Returning to our current day visit:
He just wanted to make sure he was getting the letters and wish him a Happy Easter.
This Easter story will become a family classic at all the Easter dinners to come!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
All Things Girl
Kaden you and I were shopping at one of my favorite children’s store (The Children’s Place). I was looking for Easter outfits for both you and Ashton. As I was looking around I noticed you snuck a couple rows towards the back. I walked down to see what caught your eye…
“Mama this sure is pretty!” As you extend your arm holding out an adorable shirt. “Oh my, it is, Kade.” The shirt is perfect for a three year old- girl. There you held up a perfect purple top with three dimensional flowers along the collar trailing down the side seam. I would have bought it in an instant if you were not a boy.
“Mama, is it okay if I stay here and yook?” I thought about it for a minute. I like you to be where I can easily see you. I compromised. “Do you think you could come up here near me and look at those items you have not seen?” Being your agreeable self you started back towards the front of the store with me.
You got sidetracked. Just like your Mama you stop in your track for all things shiny. “Mama, I want to stay here and look at these shoooooes.” You say the word shoes very dramatically. I suppose the collection of Mary Jane’s did deserve attention. There was a rack with silver, pink, red and black sparkle Mary Jane’s. Again, I would have popped a pair of each into our bag if appropriate for you to wear. Adorable.
I was near, so I left you to your worship.
I find what I am looking for and ask you to follow me to the register. I watch you as you are sitting on the floor carefully giving each shoe the once over. Touching and looking with awe. “Kade come along it is time to go. Let us check out. We can then go see the Easter Bunny, again!”
You come running and have a solemn look across your face.
“Mama, sometimes I wish I were a girl…”
I crunch down putting my knees to the floor below us both. I set down our shopping bag. I reach out to hold you. I don’t want you to see my smile as I know you are having a serious moment. I always want you to share your feelings without fear of being embarrassed.
“Rardin Adam Kaden, if you were a girl you would no longer be my big boy. I wouldn’t have my special Mister. What would I do with out you?” I hug you a little tighter. You push me away. “No. No. No. I don’t want to be a girl just sometimes.”
Again, I pull you in holding back a chuckle. I give you a kiss on the top of your head and say, “Well, for now you are forever my guy. Let us not keep the Easter Bunny waiting.”
I guess there will always be Halloween and should you choose fraternity days…
“Mama this sure is pretty!” As you extend your arm holding out an adorable shirt. “Oh my, it is, Kade.” The shirt is perfect for a three year old- girl. There you held up a perfect purple top with three dimensional flowers along the collar trailing down the side seam. I would have bought it in an instant if you were not a boy.
“Mama, is it okay if I stay here and yook?” I thought about it for a minute. I like you to be where I can easily see you. I compromised. “Do you think you could come up here near me and look at those items you have not seen?” Being your agreeable self you started back towards the front of the store with me.
You got sidetracked. Just like your Mama you stop in your track for all things shiny. “Mama, I want to stay here and look at these shoooooes.” You say the word shoes very dramatically. I suppose the collection of Mary Jane’s did deserve attention. There was a rack with silver, pink, red and black sparkle Mary Jane’s. Again, I would have popped a pair of each into our bag if appropriate for you to wear. Adorable.
I was near, so I left you to your worship.
I find what I am looking for and ask you to follow me to the register. I watch you as you are sitting on the floor carefully giving each shoe the once over. Touching and looking with awe. “Kade come along it is time to go. Let us check out. We can then go see the Easter Bunny, again!”
You come running and have a solemn look across your face.
“Mama, sometimes I wish I were a girl…”
I crunch down putting my knees to the floor below us both. I set down our shopping bag. I reach out to hold you. I don’t want you to see my smile as I know you are having a serious moment. I always want you to share your feelings without fear of being embarrassed.
“Rardin Adam Kaden, if you were a girl you would no longer be my big boy. I wouldn’t have my special Mister. What would I do with out you?” I hug you a little tighter. You push me away. “No. No. No. I don’t want to be a girl just sometimes.”
Again, I pull you in holding back a chuckle. I give you a kiss on the top of your head and say, “Well, for now you are forever my guy. Let us not keep the Easter Bunny waiting.”
I guess there will always be Halloween and should you choose fraternity days…
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Mom Pride
Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter which fork you use. ~Emily Post
Boys, I applaud you. At the ages of two and three you have superior manners to most of my peers. Actually, you have superior manners to those of all ages. You hold a kindness making the world a much sweeter place. You give and not in order to receive. I am amazed that as toddlers you are both graceful and appreciative. This gives me “Mom Pride”.
Daddy and I strive to instill good manners to the both of you. Much like the mama’s and daddies of the south demanding children respectfully refer to elders with Mr. Mrs. or Miss we demand excellence in politesse. We have done so since your first words. I believe in the power of good manners.
Recently, I was given what I consider to be the highest of complements. The preschool teacher came looking for me. She wanted to give her recognition to Kaden’s manners. She shared that in 10 years of teaching she has never had a student (teaches 3-6 year olds) who is as polite and courteous. She shared he gives an automatic thank you for simple tasks to always remembering please when asking or making requests. She continued to tell me that he holds the door open and helps others in need. He is definitely the only child who uses the exchange of excuse me to pass through his classmates. He happily picks up after himself and offers praise to those who follow suit. In this moment I felt my heart grow.
Mom Pride.
Moms will boast with Mom Pride moments throughout their child’s life. I am fortunate to have a repetitive moment. I can honestly write: When we go out and about I will receive one (if not more) compliments on both of your good manners. I no longer have to remind either of you to ask with a please or be grateful with a thank you. Kaden, your toddler candor demands others remember their manners in your presence. You have no qualm asking a stranger to say please or question why they didn’t acknowledge your thanks with the proper “you are welcome’.
Ashton you and your 'peas' and 'ank ewe' melts my heart. Your 'peas' has you showing off all of your teeth as you exaggerate the word stretching your mouth out from side to side. Your thank you comes automatically. You say thank you for actions or giving’s that as your mother I don't expect thanks. I will put on your shoes. I will carry you over a puddle. I will cut up your hot dog. This is my duty and yet you give your thanks. You are learning excuse me and need much fine tuning on keeping hands to ourselves! However, at the age of two you are ever so polite.
It gives me great delight to know this behavior continues outside of my presence. Our goal of repetitive reminding and teachings has formed life habits. A habit I firmly believe will carry you far throughout your lives. I do not doubt that over time you will become lax. I promise to continue reminding you as it will serve as my own reminder to follow the golden rule. Be nice. Have grace and kindness. Be sensitive to others and keep an awareness.
Please be forewarned, as you grow you will learn more etiquette than young boys would choose. Remember, my responsibility isn’t to raise men, but gentlemen who are good to their fellow people and community treating women as they expect their Mom to be treated. I take my responsibility seriously. After all, I expect you both to pass down these life habits to future generations… Do your part to make the world a nice place.
So far. So good. Mom Pride.
Boys, I applaud you. At the ages of two and three you have superior manners to most of my peers. Actually, you have superior manners to those of all ages. You hold a kindness making the world a much sweeter place. You give and not in order to receive. I am amazed that as toddlers you are both graceful and appreciative. This gives me “Mom Pride”.
Daddy and I strive to instill good manners to the both of you. Much like the mama’s and daddies of the south demanding children respectfully refer to elders with Mr. Mrs. or Miss we demand excellence in politesse. We have done so since your first words. I believe in the power of good manners.
Recently, I was given what I consider to be the highest of complements. The preschool teacher came looking for me. She wanted to give her recognition to Kaden’s manners. She shared that in 10 years of teaching she has never had a student (teaches 3-6 year olds) who is as polite and courteous. She shared he gives an automatic thank you for simple tasks to always remembering please when asking or making requests. She continued to tell me that he holds the door open and helps others in need. He is definitely the only child who uses the exchange of excuse me to pass through his classmates. He happily picks up after himself and offers praise to those who follow suit. In this moment I felt my heart grow.
Mom Pride.
Moms will boast with Mom Pride moments throughout their child’s life. I am fortunate to have a repetitive moment. I can honestly write: When we go out and about I will receive one (if not more) compliments on both of your good manners. I no longer have to remind either of you to ask with a please or be grateful with a thank you. Kaden, your toddler candor demands others remember their manners in your presence. You have no qualm asking a stranger to say please or question why they didn’t acknowledge your thanks with the proper “you are welcome’.
Ashton you and your 'peas' and 'ank ewe' melts my heart. Your 'peas' has you showing off all of your teeth as you exaggerate the word stretching your mouth out from side to side. Your thank you comes automatically. You say thank you for actions or giving’s that as your mother I don't expect thanks. I will put on your shoes. I will carry you over a puddle. I will cut up your hot dog. This is my duty and yet you give your thanks. You are learning excuse me and need much fine tuning on keeping hands to ourselves! However, at the age of two you are ever so polite.
It gives me great delight to know this behavior continues outside of my presence. Our goal of repetitive reminding and teachings has formed life habits. A habit I firmly believe will carry you far throughout your lives. I do not doubt that over time you will become lax. I promise to continue reminding you as it will serve as my own reminder to follow the golden rule. Be nice. Have grace and kindness. Be sensitive to others and keep an awareness.
Please be forewarned, as you grow you will learn more etiquette than young boys would choose. Remember, my responsibility isn’t to raise men, but gentlemen who are good to their fellow people and community treating women as they expect their Mom to be treated. I take my responsibility seriously. After all, I expect you both to pass down these life habits to future generations… Do your part to make the world a nice place.
So far. So good. Mom Pride.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Puppy Love
Babies and tots are much like puppies:
• If it is within reach chew it
• When the wee-wee pads are removed piddle will happen
• All food on the floor is fair game
• Boredom is equal to mischief
• New teeth tests aggressive behavior
• Will howl loudly when put to bed
• Without fail finds energy during Mom’s quiet time
• Time to return inside will run in the opposite direction
• Hear the word cookie and sits quietly
Enough said.
• If it is within reach chew it
• When the wee-wee pads are removed piddle will happen
• All food on the floor is fair game
• Boredom is equal to mischief
• New teeth tests aggressive behavior
• Will howl loudly when put to bed
• Without fail finds energy during Mom’s quiet time
• Time to return inside will run in the opposite direction
• Hear the word cookie and sits quietly
Enough said.
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