I'm a Bit of a Pushover

I'm a bit of a pushover when it comes to some things my kids want. At least in the morning. I'm a big believer in making sure everyone does their best to get off to a good start in the morning.

I believe in having a good breakfast, taking daily vitamins and avoiding things that cause conflict. I take Kallsen and Parker to school most days. And I try to get them fed, their teeth brushed and out the door without a lot drama. And hopefully without either one of them breaking down and crying.

It started a few weeks ago, maybe longer, that Parker wanted to bring some beep beeps (matchbox cars) with him to school. He doesn't bring them in school he brings them to school. This has become a daily occurrence.

Sometimes Parker will decide that he wants to bring something other than Beep Beeps, like a flashlight or a Dora book. Other times he just wants his blanky. Last week he brought to school one day his Fisher Price Farm. And the next day one of those collapsible carry cases that won't stay collapsed.

The thing is...they go to school with me each day but I don't pick them up. Sara Beth does. And this stuff they bring to school stays in my car. And my car now holds more toys than their toy box holds.

And then this morning Kallsen decides he wants to bring something to school. His pillow and a sleeping bad (unrolled) and I ended up getting him out the door without the sleeping bag and pillow. And then half way to school he is asking where is his pillow? And that's when the tears start.

It took a bit to calm him down once getting to school. But I think he'll make it.

Jesus Savior Wash Away All That Has Been Wrong Today

Those are the opening words of the prayer my parents taught me growing up. Those are the words that I taught my three sons tonight. Because they needed to be taught those words. And because I needed to be reminded that they are children. And that they do things that children sometimes do and no matter how good of a job we do as parents…at two years old they don’t always know better.

I hope tomorrow they wake up with today’s problems behind them. I hope that they wake up knowing that biting is something we don’t do. I hope I wake up tomorrow with the teeth marks in my arm not as a reminder of what one of my children did but what it gave me the opportunity to teach.

Flu Bug

After a rough January I was hoping the February would be a little bit easier. Now both my wife and my youngest have the flu. They both ended up last night at Urgent Care. And both have the flu.

Parker goes back and forth from feeling a little better to not feeling well at all and Sara Beth is just achy all over.

Maybe March will bring good health to our family.

On the good…we’ve reach are medical deductible already this year.

How Soon We (I) Forget

It wasn't too long ago that I was feeling bad because my boys didn't want Daddy's help while getting dressed. They would say, "I can do it!" with all the in confidence the world. I was sad. My boys were growing up.

Now I hear, "I need help Daddy!" when it is time to get dressed in the morning. And I wonder what happened to the confidence?

Then I wonder…why do I let this annoy me? I enjoy being there to help them with these type things…then I realize part of it comes from wanting to see them grow and wondering…why aren’t they able or wanting to do it for themselves?

In the end I know my boys will grow up confident and strong with a good head on their shoulders. And I really do need to enjoy all the little changes along with the big changes. I think the fact they ask Daddy for help is they like being with Daddy. And while their independence is important I do enjoy it when they depend on me…even for things I know they can and have done for themselves.

Big Boy Underwear II

Parker went all day today with Big Boy Underwear and no accidents! This was his first time going all day with no accidents. Which means were one day closer to no having the pull up/diaper expense. And that would be great.

When Parker got home he wanted to tell me and he thought we should high five on the news. A big day for Parker.

Adam

Big Boy Underwear

Parker has moved up to Big Boy Underwear. No more pull ups (except at night) and he is excited to let everyone know.

He still struggles with remembering to go to the bathroom when fun things are going on...so a lot of reminders are how we handle things now. If you even suggest a pull up he gets upset and his feelings get hurt.

My last little one isn't so little anymore.

But sometimes you can go back. Last night Parker claimed he was sick. Sick enough that the only cure was going to sleep in Mommy and Daddy's bed. He says that is the only thing that would cure his sickness. Mommy and Daddy's bed. And the other cure for his illness, letting Daddy snuggle with him.

Two of them

Yesterday afternoon when I was headed back to the house after a long day away taking care of odds and ends I found that we needed some things. So a run to the grocery store was in order. While talking to my wife on the phone about what we needed I heard Parker, my youngest son, in the background. He was not having the best day. So I said to my wife,"Why don't I stop by the house and take Parker with me to the store?"

I thought maybe what he needed was some one on one time...which is something he gets very little of with his Daddy. So I was able to pick him up at the house without his brothers (and that is no easy task) finding out and off to the store we went.

Well Parker was noticable happy to be going somewhere with just him and his Daddy. At the same time you coud tell the Parker was tired and a bit cranky. And when a child of 2 is on the edge of a tantrun you just want to get through with out a tantrum. And that is the real art. Making decisions based on our needs and getting Parker through with him feeling we've done what was in his best interest.

Everything we need to pick up Parker declared, "We need two of 'em!" So everytime I grabbed just one item he decided we needed two.

How do you think I did?