Lately, LL has been in a PJ phase. He comes home from Tae Kwon Do and changes into his PJ's because he just wants 'to be comphiny' (aka comfy). It can be 4 o'clock in the afternoon and he'll be outside riding his bike in his pajamas. It's totally fine with me, heck some days I wish I could do the same! Some kids wear rain boots with capes everywhere, he's just putting his own spin on it.
Today, however, I was faced with my biggest parenting struggle to date. My husband left for school yesterday, and the kids and I are on our own for a couple of weeks. Usually when Daddy is home, after church we stop at this cupcakery along the way and pick up a treat to have when we get home. In an attempt to maintain some normalcy in my husband's absence we made our weekly trip to the cupcakery after Lucas woke from his nap.
However, by this time of the day, LL has already changed into his pajamas and is insisting on going to the store in his Christmas pajamas, flip flops and sunglasses. I had to literally fight every instinct I had to allow this boy to go wearing his desired outfit. Truly, in the grand scheme of life, what does it matter right? I figured there is special parking reserved just for patrons of the cupcakery just right outside - We would be in and out, it would be harmless. So I let him go in his crazy outfit despite my OCD tendencies to have him dressed properly.
Well much to my chagrin, all the parking happened to be taken just outside the shop and we had to walk through the entire shopping center with him in bright red, flannel pajamas with snowflakes all over them with his flip flops and cool guy shades. I died each time some one snickered or did a double-take. I know it's not that big of a deal and no one probably thought anything of it but it was definitely my biggest struggle ever. Even bigger than potty training, and if you are a reader of my blog you know how I feel about potty training! Oh well, we all survived and we didn't see anyone we know...I did however, find myself almost wishing for the super cape and rain galoshes.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
The Wise Man
In primary, there is this song, "The Wise Man and the Foolish Man". It's cute and has a lot of fun hand motions. It's one of this year's primary songs for the annual program and LL has been trying to learn the words. They go:
The wise man built his house upon the rock
The wise man built his house upon the rock
The wise man built his house upon the rock
and the rains came tumbling down.
The rain came down and the floods came up
The rain came down and the floods came up
The rain came down and the floods came up
and the house on the rock stood still
The foolish man built his house upon the sand
The foolish man built his house upon the sand
The foolish man built his house upon the sand
and the rains came tumbling down.
The rain came down and the floods came up
The rain came down and the floods came up
The rain came down and the floods came up
and the house on the sand washed away!
This afternoon LL came to me and asked if we could practice the song with its motions. After we sang, imagine my surprise when he asked, 'Mom, what does 'upon' mean?' After a quick explanation he hit me with, "Mom, how do you build a house on a rock?" and "What kind of rock is it?" "How does the house stand on this rock?" "Is it a real house or a pretend house?" "Can we go inside?" "Why did the foolish man build a house on the sand?" "Why isn't it a good idea to build a house on the sand, Momma?"
I was amused at his extent of thought and how much he had obviously been thinking about this song. Despite any other problems LL may have or may struggle with, thinking is not one of them. He always is trying to understand the world around him. I'm glad that to him there is something to be learned from everything, like this song, for example. They're not just mindless words filling up space inside of a melody. However, while this little conversation was amusing to me, there are days when the endless barrage of questioning gets a little tiring. A mother's work is never done, I guess! LOL
The wise man built his house upon the rock
The wise man built his house upon the rock
The wise man built his house upon the rock
and the rains came tumbling down.
The rain came down and the floods came up
The rain came down and the floods came up
The rain came down and the floods came up
and the house on the rock stood still
The foolish man built his house upon the sand
The foolish man built his house upon the sand
The foolish man built his house upon the sand
and the rains came tumbling down.
The rain came down and the floods came up
The rain came down and the floods came up
The rain came down and the floods came up
and the house on the sand washed away!
This afternoon LL came to me and asked if we could practice the song with its motions. After we sang, imagine my surprise when he asked, 'Mom, what does 'upon' mean?' After a quick explanation he hit me with, "Mom, how do you build a house on a rock?" and "What kind of rock is it?" "How does the house stand on this rock?" "Is it a real house or a pretend house?" "Can we go inside?" "Why did the foolish man build a house on the sand?" "Why isn't it a good idea to build a house on the sand, Momma?"
I was amused at his extent of thought and how much he had obviously been thinking about this song. Despite any other problems LL may have or may struggle with, thinking is not one of them. He always is trying to understand the world around him. I'm glad that to him there is something to be learned from everything, like this song, for example. They're not just mindless words filling up space inside of a melody. However, while this little conversation was amusing to me, there are days when the endless barrage of questioning gets a little tiring. A mother's work is never done, I guess! LOL
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Lucas Now
Well my baby is already 14 months and he is well into toddlerhood. He has changed so much. When he was born, he had such a mellow air about him. He was so chill and always the observer. I used to watch him and think, 'What is this boy thinking?'. He is still the observer just now I know what he is thinking...'How did they do that?' and 'I bet I can do that'. He talks a lot and is quite the people person.
LL never spoke at this age, so to hear him beginning to talk now, is quite the treat. Then again, L2 does a lot of things that LL never did at this age. He says the following:
He's become quite the daredevil and even climbed up the slide backwards the other day at the park...you know the tall one that spirals? Yeah, he did that. Once he made it to the top, he then went down head first on his belly. He loves to be outside and will spend as much time as you let him out there.
He mimics his brother's tae kwon do kicks and does knuckles like a true man's man. He gives slobbery open mouth kisses and loves his hugs. He is such a sweetie despite being a hand full. His heart breaks when he gets reprimanded and makes you feel awful for having told him 'no'. Heaven forbid I ever have to spank his bottom.
He loves his binky and likes to walk around with one in his mouth and another in his hand so he can change them out periodically. Sometimes, he likes to try and stick both in at the same time.
He is our bundle of joy and we love having him.
LL never spoke at this age, so to hear him beginning to talk now, is quite the treat. Then again, L2 does a lot of things that LL never did at this age. He says the following:
- Dada (Dad)
- Daka (Dakota)
- Abe-a (Abuela)
- Car
- Cai (Caillou)
- ma (mas)
- agua
- all done
- hola
He's become quite the daredevil and even climbed up the slide backwards the other day at the park...you know the tall one that spirals? Yeah, he did that. Once he made it to the top, he then went down head first on his belly. He loves to be outside and will spend as much time as you let him out there.
He mimics his brother's tae kwon do kicks and does knuckles like a true man's man. He gives slobbery open mouth kisses and loves his hugs. He is such a sweetie despite being a hand full. His heart breaks when he gets reprimanded and makes you feel awful for having told him 'no'. Heaven forbid I ever have to spank his bottom.
He loves his binky and likes to walk around with one in his mouth and another in his hand so he can change them out periodically. Sometimes, he likes to try and stick both in at the same time.
He is our bundle of joy and we love having him.
Friday, January 27, 2012
LL's Yellow Belt
LL began taking Tae Kwon Do in late August. Just recently, he had his first belt test. I was so nervous, and even spoke with my husband that I thought it was a bad idea. I didn't think he was ready. I watch him at his lessons, he is a total space case. He is constantly in La-La-Land, rarely pays attention, and is often told more than once to do something. I haven't minded too much because of his age, I mean, what can you really expect of a 4 yr-old? However, my husband firmly went ahead, and signed him up for his test. I was a wreck. I was so worried how it would affect my little guy to go in there and undoubtedly fail.
The day of his exam, my husband took him to his test. Upon arrival, he realized my concern when he saw a stack of wood lined up against the wall and realized, our 4 yr-old was going to have to break it. I was at home waiting and worrying sick about my boy, wondering how sad would he be. I knew he would come home crying for sure. LL has this competitive factor about him. HE CANNOT LOSE...AT ANYTHING. If the Master failed him, it would crush him.
My husband finally called 2 hours later, and when I asked how did it go, all he said was, "We'll talk about it later". I almost started to cry. I literally felt sick from the nerves in my stomach as I waited for them to make the short 5 minute drive home. Well, imagine my surprise when an ecstatic boy comes running into the house holding a trophy! He passed his test, and he broke his board on the 2nd kick. The best in his group, by some margin. Relief washed through me as I jumped for joy (literally) and hugged my sweet little man tight.
Yesterday was his belt ceremony. He received a certificate, they ceremoniously folded his white belt, and then placed his new, yellow belt on his waist. I was thrilled to be there to watch him. I am so proud of him.
LL, I love you
The day of his exam, my husband took him to his test. Upon arrival, he realized my concern when he saw a stack of wood lined up against the wall and realized, our 4 yr-old was going to have to break it. I was at home waiting and worrying sick about my boy, wondering how sad would he be. I knew he would come home crying for sure. LL has this competitive factor about him. HE CANNOT LOSE...AT ANYTHING. If the Master failed him, it would crush him.
My husband finally called 2 hours later, and when I asked how did it go, all he said was, "We'll talk about it later". I almost started to cry. I literally felt sick from the nerves in my stomach as I waited for them to make the short 5 minute drive home. Well, imagine my surprise when an ecstatic boy comes running into the house holding a trophy! He passed his test, and he broke his board on the 2nd kick. The best in his group, by some margin. Relief washed through me as I jumped for joy (literally) and hugged my sweet little man tight.
Yesterday was his belt ceremony. He received a certificate, they ceremoniously folded his white belt, and then placed his new, yellow belt on his waist. I was thrilled to be there to watch him. I am so proud of him.
 |
| As he has his white belt folded away |
 |
| As the Master places his new belt on him |
 |
| With his Certificate and NEW BELT |
 |
| Here, him and his buddy pour over his certificate |
Friday, January 13, 2012
Dog-Gone Day
Today was a horrible day. This day made my heart hurt and I just can't shake it. I hit a dog today while driving. It died. I feel horrible. I've been blue all day. The worst part? I had the kids with me. I was driving down the road, and out of no where this dog runs out onto the road. I swerved to try and miss it, but it was impossible. I immediately made a u-turn, another car had already stopped. The dog was laying on the road, shivering in pain and struggling to breath. I can't explain how horrible I felt watching this dog suffer this way. It was a pit bull, and if you know me, you know I am deathly afraid of large dogs but I couldn't let me my fear keep me from helping this poor dog.
When I had gotten out of the car, I told Little Leonard he was to stay in his car seat. For once, he listened to me. He didn't even remove his seat belt as I sat on the side of the road with this dog. The lady who had stopped sent her son to the nearby houses to find the dog's owner since it had no identifying tags on its collar, he was unable to find anyone. So as the lady grabbed the collar to move this dog off the road, to rot away she commented, 'Well, she's dead now, there's nothing you can do for her' I realized I would not leave this dog this way.
I went to my car, grabbed a blanket and drove her to my veterinarian's office. I told Little Leonard he was not to look in the back, and he never did. We had a long discussion about why I was taking this animal to Dr. Hill. I explained Jesus taught us to love all his creatures, and by taking this dog, treating it with kindness and compassion, I was following his ways. He could tell I was distraught so he offered up his pearls of wisdom, 'Don't worry Mom, don't be sad, she's in heaven now.' I love that little guy. We've talked about heaven before, and he knows that's where his Abuelo is but this was different.
All day I have thought about this dog, and I know it's silly to let it affect me this way but I feel sad for the people who are missing their dog right now. I have questioned my actions all day. Should I have left her on the road in case they went looking for her? Did I over react? How did watching this happen and knowing there was a dead animal in the back of our car affect my child?
I know there was nothing I could do and I know this happens all the time but I still mourn for this poor dog and its family.
When I had gotten out of the car, I told Little Leonard he was to stay in his car seat. For once, he listened to me. He didn't even remove his seat belt as I sat on the side of the road with this dog. The lady who had stopped sent her son to the nearby houses to find the dog's owner since it had no identifying tags on its collar, he was unable to find anyone. So as the lady grabbed the collar to move this dog off the road, to rot away she commented, 'Well, she's dead now, there's nothing you can do for her' I realized I would not leave this dog this way.
I went to my car, grabbed a blanket and drove her to my veterinarian's office. I told Little Leonard he was not to look in the back, and he never did. We had a long discussion about why I was taking this animal to Dr. Hill. I explained Jesus taught us to love all his creatures, and by taking this dog, treating it with kindness and compassion, I was following his ways. He could tell I was distraught so he offered up his pearls of wisdom, 'Don't worry Mom, don't be sad, she's in heaven now.' I love that little guy. We've talked about heaven before, and he knows that's where his Abuelo is but this was different.
All day I have thought about this dog, and I know it's silly to let it affect me this way but I feel sad for the people who are missing their dog right now. I have questioned my actions all day. Should I have left her on the road in case they went looking for her? Did I over react? How did watching this happen and knowing there was a dead animal in the back of our car affect my child?
I know there was nothing I could do and I know this happens all the time but I still mourn for this poor dog and its family.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
