Blessings

As I prepare to host Thanksgiving at our house I want to also prepare my heart. I wish to be thankful every day, to be mindful of even the smallest blessings yet my focus (or lack thereof) is often misdirected. Today I am blessed by, and thankful for, this post at Lots of Scotts.

Wise Guy

Getting ready for school is always an adventure. While we make every effort to prepare the night before by choosing clothes, making sure jackets, mittens, hats and shoes are near the door to the garage, etc., there is inevitably a glitch that causes us to be perpetually late. Sometimes it is mommy hitting the snooze one too many times, sometimes it is a last minute (literally, when we're walking out the door) desperate need to use the potty (#2), sometimes it is just that one or more is moving v-e-r-y- s-l-o-w-l-y! Today, it was C blatantly ignoring requests that he take off his pajamas and get his clothes on. He was much too busy playing with his Hot Wheels "dirt bike" to be bothered with getting ready for school. After a 4th request that he put the dirt bike down and get dressed, I confiscated the prized possession. With all the 3 year old indignation he could muster, he wanted to know why I took his dirt bike...

C: WHY DID YOU TAKE MY DIRT BIKE???
Me: Because you are not listening to Mommy
C: Why?
Me: Your ears do not seem to be working this morning, maybe they broke while you were sleeping (said in a silly voice, trying to change the tone of this exchange)
C: (Pausing to think a a moment and then looking like a Cheshire Cat) YES! They are broken, they got broke when I was sleeping
Me: You'd better fix them right up
C: (With no hesitation) No. They are broken, I cannot fix them so I am not going to listen today!

I am being outsmarted by a 3 year old wise guy...ah, another day in the life!

Last Day At The Farm - This Season

Slacker Mom

More than the usual insanity, the last week and a half has been full of chaos. I will post about it all soon...check back for the scoop!

Accomplishment

A little conversation that took place outside on our deck yesterday afternoon...

C: Mommy, you know what I did at school today?
Me: What did you do at school today?
C: I wiped my butt ALL BY MYSELF - NOBODY HELPED ME (the caps are indicative a a very LOUD and excited voice)
Me: All by yourself? (pride mixed with shock and a little horror about what might still be in his underwear)
C: Yep, CHECK OUT MY BUTT!!! (said while simultaneously turning his rear end to face me - and the golfers on the 5th green - bending over, and dropping his pants and underwear to his ankles)

And several days before while riding in our car...
H to Me: Why aren't you smart?
Me: Uh, I'm smart
H: No, but why aren't you SUPER smart like us and Daddy?
Me: Hmm, maybe because I am so tired all the time
Long Pause
H: Mom, are you a little crazy?
Me: Probably so!
H: Yeah, me too

When we adults think of children there is a simple truth that we
ignore: childhood is not preparation for life; childhood is life. A child isn't getting ready to live; a child is living. No child will miss the zest and joy of living unless these are denied by adults who have convinced themselves that childhood is a period of preparation. How much heartache we would save ourselves if we would recognize children as partners with adults in the process of living, rather than always viewing them as apprentices. How much we could teach each other; we have the experience and they have the freshness. How full both our lives could be. John A. Taylor

Things To Consider

• What Every Parent Should Know
• (Un)Conditional Parenting

We shall not achieve any significant change in society until we focus not only on what it means to be a parent, but also on what it means to be a child. Doreen Goodman