The last few weeks, Jayce has been going to summer school. Actually, I wouldn't call it summer school--most people don't shell out $175 (with 50% discount) for their kid to go to summer school. It was a day camp type thing for kids that need a little more "challenge" in their school work. Jayce had to have written verification from his teacher that he was a TAG student and could handle the work.
His classes were his pick. He took 2 classes--a science class and a "Physics with K'NEX class". The second being his favorite. He learned how to build bridges, towers, cars and how changing even one tiny piece can affect the performance of your project. At least that's what he was supposed to learn.
Today was his last day and they had a "Parent Day" where we could go and collect his work and see all that he built. We had told Jayce at the beginning of the sessions that he would NOT be the smartest one in the class, unlike normal school. And we were right. You should have seen these projects these 3rd, 4th graders built! Amazing! You could see all the work that went into them and as we walked over to Jayce's stuff, we could hear the kids explaining to their parents why they built them the way they did and what they learned. Then we saw Jayce's stuff.
Now, we have never purposefully compared our kids to any other kids, in a negative way. But it was hard not to today. His things were sadly, lacking. When we asked if he followed along in class and did the assignments, he said he had but it was more fun to try and build a car, which was not part of the class and therefore we didn't get to see that.
I walked out of there disappointed in him, not that what he did was "bad" but that he didn't try to follow the teacher's suggestions. I KNOW he could have done what the other kids did, I KNOW he could have built an elaborate tower with swings and flashing lights. But was I disappointed because he missed out on a great opportunity to learn something or was I disappointed because from the outside, he looked different?
Our pastor said once to not tell your kids "I am disappointed in you" but tell them "You broke a rule" or "That's not allowed" etc. His reasoning is our children can't help how WE FEEL about them, they can only control what THEY DO. And that makes sense.
I came so close today to telling Jayce I was disappointed but I held my tongue.
Tonight, as I was talking to him at bed time, he said that maybe next year, he'll take that class again and maybe then he'll be smart enough to build like the other kids.
So, here I was disappointed that he didn't live up to MY expectations and he was beating himself up these last 3 wks, and convinced himself he couldn't do what those other kids were doing.
I was so glad I didn't go with my first reaction, seeing his projects in that classroom. I don't want to be the one to crush him and make him feel bad about himself. What kind of mom would I be.
He did say he had a ton of fun in this summer program and he wants to do it again next year. Which, at 9 yrs. old, isn't that the point?
Plus, now that I think about it--what if he had asked me to help him build one of those elaborate thingys? I would have been in deep trouble!! I don't think they make towers one big, long piece (like Jarrett and Jeven's towers, where they just stack blocks and then Godzilla them). Nope, don't think that would have impressed anyone.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
Potpourri
I have been putting off posting, not because I haven't anything to write about but because I have too much. And these last few days, I have been extremely grumpy, for the only reason that I am female. It is highly unfair that once a month, we (at least I) turn into monsters. I turn into a mother that is too bothered by her children and a wife that takes all of life's sorrows out on her husband. I can't control it, I can only wait, along with my innocent victims, until the storm passes. So, I have avoided posting because I was afraid it would turn into griping and whining.
I wanted to post about our trip to the zoo. It was extremely fun but so much work! We went with my parents so technically, we were at a 1:1 ratio, but still. But the kids enjoyed all the animals, the best parts were when they got to witness nature at it's best--animals peeing. They all thought it was hilarious. And I suspect their dad did too! Must be a man thing....
I wanted to post about almost losing my son in the pond. THAT was extremely not fun. We had been bribing Jarrett that if he went poop in the potty, we would take him fishing and it finally happened. We left Jeven with my mom and took the other 3 kids to a pond down off the freeway. It was brushy and buggy and muddy. Judd and I would separate, go into little "cut outs" and Josie and Jayce would go back and forth between us while Jarrett would stay with his dad. We both were just trying to get a fish on so Jarrett could reel it in. We made it about 1/2 way around the pond, when all of the sudden Jarrett was gone. I mean GONE. Judd took off back down the trail where we had come from, I went ahead to make sure he didn't go past us. I finally decide there was no way he went past so I went after Judd. I am running up this trail and I meet about 10 people, coming my way. I am crying and yelling out his name and these people say: "He's back there". I ask: "Does his Dad have him?" and they say "no, but he'll find him". These people had seen my 3yr. old baby boy, wandering around a pond, crying and didn't stop him. I couldn't believe it!! Needless to say, Judd got him back and all was well. But during that lifetime that Jarrett was lost, time stood still and my world fell down around me. Hard to believe that can happen in a blink of an eye, and it only takes approx. 2 minutes. We ended up not catching any fish and just going home.
I wanted to post about deciding to take better care of myself. Seems all of the sudden, now that I am not pregnant or breastfeeding, my body finally belongs to me again and I don't want it!! It's too big and too old. If I knew then what I know now...I would have worn more sunscreen (wrinkles) and drank more water (too much soda nowadays). I have set out to eat healthier, not necessarily diet, and move around more and seek out more "me" time. It is a hard thing to do! My kids and husband have always came first, then when I am on the verge of a nervous breakdown, I will go and take care of me. But I am finding when I am happier, my family is happier.
I wanted to post about how tight financially things are right now. More so than normal. I go grocery shopping weekly and prices will go up in just that short amount of time. And always on the things we need. Weird. I think most people would be surprised what I spend on groceries, for a family of our size. I have been told by financial counselors, it is about 1/2 of what is considered normal. It's hard to tighten that belt any tighter! And , while I am thinking about it, why does it cost more to eat healthier?
Like I said, I had alot to talk about. Our summer is going by fast already. The kids come inside every night, covered from head to toe with dirt and stickiness from ice cream and tired from playing with all their friends. Just like kids should be every summer! Life for them is going so slow but as their mommy, it could slow down, just a tad.
I wanted to post about our trip to the zoo. It was extremely fun but so much work! We went with my parents so technically, we were at a 1:1 ratio, but still. But the kids enjoyed all the animals, the best parts were when they got to witness nature at it's best--animals peeing. They all thought it was hilarious. And I suspect their dad did too! Must be a man thing....
I wanted to post about almost losing my son in the pond. THAT was extremely not fun. We had been bribing Jarrett that if he went poop in the potty, we would take him fishing and it finally happened. We left Jeven with my mom and took the other 3 kids to a pond down off the freeway. It was brushy and buggy and muddy. Judd and I would separate, go into little "cut outs" and Josie and Jayce would go back and forth between us while Jarrett would stay with his dad. We both were just trying to get a fish on so Jarrett could reel it in. We made it about 1/2 way around the pond, when all of the sudden Jarrett was gone. I mean GONE. Judd took off back down the trail where we had come from, I went ahead to make sure he didn't go past us. I finally decide there was no way he went past so I went after Judd. I am running up this trail and I meet about 10 people, coming my way. I am crying and yelling out his name and these people say: "He's back there". I ask: "Does his Dad have him?" and they say "no, but he'll find him". These people had seen my 3yr. old baby boy, wandering around a pond, crying and didn't stop him. I couldn't believe it!! Needless to say, Judd got him back and all was well. But during that lifetime that Jarrett was lost, time stood still and my world fell down around me. Hard to believe that can happen in a blink of an eye, and it only takes approx. 2 minutes. We ended up not catching any fish and just going home.
I wanted to post about deciding to take better care of myself. Seems all of the sudden, now that I am not pregnant or breastfeeding, my body finally belongs to me again and I don't want it!! It's too big and too old. If I knew then what I know now...I would have worn more sunscreen (wrinkles) and drank more water (too much soda nowadays). I have set out to eat healthier, not necessarily diet, and move around more and seek out more "me" time. It is a hard thing to do! My kids and husband have always came first, then when I am on the verge of a nervous breakdown, I will go and take care of me. But I am finding when I am happier, my family is happier.
I wanted to post about how tight financially things are right now. More so than normal. I go grocery shopping weekly and prices will go up in just that short amount of time. And always on the things we need. Weird. I think most people would be surprised what I spend on groceries, for a family of our size. I have been told by financial counselors, it is about 1/2 of what is considered normal. It's hard to tighten that belt any tighter! And , while I am thinking about it, why does it cost more to eat healthier?
Like I said, I had alot to talk about. Our summer is going by fast already. The kids come inside every night, covered from head to toe with dirt and stickiness from ice cream and tired from playing with all their friends. Just like kids should be every summer! Life for them is going so slow but as their mommy, it could slow down, just a tad.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Cuteness overload
Warning: it's gonna get a little sappy so prepare yourselves!
My kids are cute. Really, I am not just saying that. And they are funny! Like really funny--they understand a good joke. And they say the funniest things. Even Jayce who is old and wise in all his 9 yrs. ( according to Jayce himself).
I thought I would note some of the things I can recall from just the last few days. You may think they aren't that great and maybe perhaps they are "you had to be there" moments, but I want to remember them.
Jayce: He and his dad use "manly shampoo" while me and the little kids use different stuff. Jayce informed me the day after I had spent 2 hours and millions of dollars at the store, that we were out of manly shampoo. I told him to use mine, "it's the stuff in the orange bottle". That was several days ago. This morning he gets out of the shower and says " That CARCASS shampoo doesn't work very good." I said "WHAT?" Again he says something about the CARCASS shampoo. We go back and forth, me trying to determine that he indeed is using the stuff in the orange bottle and him being very determined that he was using CARCASS shampoo. We go into the bathroom and he points and says "that stuff". It was my CARESS body scrub!! First we had a good laugh that it was not carcass and then we realized that all week he'd been washing his hair with body scrub!
Josie: She and Jayce were playing outside and they were getting a little rough. She was kicking him and hitting him and he was pretending to be mortally wounded. She got a little too close to his groin area and he told her to not hit or kick boys "there". She said "I didn't kick your ankles!".
Jarrett: Comes in from outside, where the grass was getting a little wild, and asked for the scissors. I tell him no, of course, then it occurs to me to ask "why do you want the scissors?"
"To cut the grass!" Jarrett says.
"To cut the grass!" Jarrett says.
Jeven was walking around being a chicken the other day and I had to change his poopy pants, Jarrett walks by and says "EWWW!! Chicken poop!!".
Jeven: Jeven doesn't really tell jokes or get sayings mixed up. He just does this:
and this:
which is to say he just goes thru each and every day looking extremely cute and loveable!
Which is fun in itself.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Oh how things change!
A long time ago, when I first started my parenting journey,( in other words, when Jayce was a newborn) I worried about EVERYTHING. You know what I mean, right?
You check to make sure they are still breathing, you analyze their poops, and you worry every time someone holds your precious little baby.
I remember when Jayce was less than a month old, my husband's aunt was holding him and she had on a glittery sweatshirt and I seriously gave myself a headache thinking of how Jayce was going to get a piece of glitter in his mouth, choke and die. All because I let Aunt XX hold the baby!
Or the first time they get sick and you call the doctor every hour to give them an update. Because they are anxiously awaiting to know if your baby has come thru his bout of constipation ok.
Or the first time you clean up puke. The real puke, not the baby spit up stuff but VOMIT. And you either A) puke yourself because it is so gross or B) dig thru it trying to figure out what they ate that made them sick. (by the way, I am choice A).
Then you have another baby and you still check if they are still breathing, but only if you wake up, unlike setting the alarm like before with the first baby. You are a little more experienced and more confident in your skills.
Well, just imagine what it's like when you have 4 children.
The other day, we were getting ready to go somewhere and I came into the living room to see Jeven eating part of my plant, mixed in with some dirt. And what do I say?
"JEVEN!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?? WE HAVE TO GO!! I WILL GET YOU A SNACK IN THE VAN!!"
Can you believe that? Of course, I already knew the plant wasn't poisonous and I figure if he wants to eat dirt, that's his problem.
Today, I found some puke on Josie's bed, not a lot but some. So, I proceed to sniff each child until I find the culprit (Jeven, of course) and I seriously debated on whether or not to change his clothes!! There wasn't much vomit, and I was planning on giving him a bath after nap time.
But it got me thinking, have I gotten lazier or better at judging what is worth freaking out about?
We all know too many parents that have lost a baby, or doesn't have one they desperately want.
I like to think I am better at finding more important things to freak out about. Like blood. Or back talking.
BTW--I did change Jeven's shirt. I thought "I wouldn't want to sleep in a shirt with even a little puke on it".
See, I have matured.
You check to make sure they are still breathing, you analyze their poops, and you worry every time someone holds your precious little baby.
I remember when Jayce was less than a month old, my husband's aunt was holding him and she had on a glittery sweatshirt and I seriously gave myself a headache thinking of how Jayce was going to get a piece of glitter in his mouth, choke and die. All because I let Aunt XX hold the baby!
Or the first time they get sick and you call the doctor every hour to give them an update. Because they are anxiously awaiting to know if your baby has come thru his bout of constipation ok.
Or the first time you clean up puke. The real puke, not the baby spit up stuff but VOMIT. And you either A) puke yourself because it is so gross or B) dig thru it trying to figure out what they ate that made them sick. (by the way, I am choice A).
Then you have another baby and you still check if they are still breathing, but only if you wake up, unlike setting the alarm like before with the first baby. You are a little more experienced and more confident in your skills.
Well, just imagine what it's like when you have 4 children.
The other day, we were getting ready to go somewhere and I came into the living room to see Jeven eating part of my plant, mixed in with some dirt. And what do I say?
"JEVEN!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?? WE HAVE TO GO!! I WILL GET YOU A SNACK IN THE VAN!!"
Can you believe that? Of course, I already knew the plant wasn't poisonous and I figure if he wants to eat dirt, that's his problem.
Today, I found some puke on Josie's bed, not a lot but some. So, I proceed to sniff each child until I find the culprit (Jeven, of course) and I seriously debated on whether or not to change his clothes!! There wasn't much vomit, and I was planning on giving him a bath after nap time.
But it got me thinking, have I gotten lazier or better at judging what is worth freaking out about?
We all know too many parents that have lost a baby, or doesn't have one they desperately want.
I like to think I am better at finding more important things to freak out about. Like blood. Or back talking.
BTW--I did change Jeven's shirt. I thought "I wouldn't want to sleep in a shirt with even a little puke on it".
See, I have matured.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
A day to forget
Jayce had his baseball practice last night. It only lasts for 1 1/2 hours. 90% of the time, when I sign him up for a sport, or sign any of the kids up for anything, I am on my own. Judd never really knows what time he gets off work, his day off rotates.
It is a huge pain in the butt to drag the other 3 kids to practices but I can't let the fact that I have 4 children keep Jayce from getting to do important stuff like play sports and make friends.
Usually I prepare fairly well and bring toys and snacks and so forth. Last night was just one huge downward spiral into the dumpster.
This is how practice went last night:
Park.
Let Jayce take our chair and go to the field that I think is literally 1/2 mile out.
I unload boys and Josie (who has NOT had a nap, after our late night Sunday night. This is KEY to story)
Josie has back pack that has a few toys and 2 water bottles in it. Plus usual diapers and stuff.
Jarrett falls on curb. Scrapes his knee pretty good. Get him calmed down.
Josie doesn't want to carry back pack. I tell her too bad. She starts screaming and throwing a fit. While I am whispering in her ear all the terrible things I am going to do to her (we are standing right in front of a soccer game) Jeven falls. Scrapes his knee.
It starts to rain.
I say forget it, we're going to the van.
Josie then starts screaming about THAT.
We haven't even left the parking lot.
But now I have three kids in the van, I can't even SEE Jayce and I just know he's wondering where we are and that when practice is over, he'll come to the van but leave our chair out there. I try calling Kim (sister in law who lives 5 miles from school where we are) to see if she can stop by on her way home, sit in the van while I run out to field but she won't answer.
Now, Jarrett and Josie both have to go potty. There is NO potty!!
I call Michelle who is at Safeway.(other SIL, who lives clear across town!) She says "No problem. I will be right there" ( she is awesome in a sticky situation).
Jarrett has peed his pants. I am not mad, he didn't really have a choice. I change him into the extra clothes that were in the evil back pack.
Josie is still crying that she has to GO!! I see a port-a-potty WAAAYYY out by Jayce's field. I tell her to hold on until Shelly gets here.
Jarrett pees his pants again.
I see Shelly pull in parking lot. Jarrett says he has to go again so I let him pee in the parking lot. I think he was trying to hold it and it just kept escaping, and he was trying so hard not to wet himself. When he finally peed on ground, he peed about a gallon.
I run Josie to potty.
I run out to get chair and tell Jayce what's going on.
Run back to van, tell Michelle thanks a ton and lock ourselves in the van until 6:30.
It is now 5:30.
Spending one whole hour in a minivan with 3 kids, no toys other than a couple balls and only 3 bags of fruit treats, not my idea of a good time.
The best part is that Jayce has practice again tonight!
It is a huge pain in the butt to drag the other 3 kids to practices but I can't let the fact that I have 4 children keep Jayce from getting to do important stuff like play sports and make friends.
Usually I prepare fairly well and bring toys and snacks and so forth. Last night was just one huge downward spiral into the dumpster.
This is how practice went last night:
Park.
Let Jayce take our chair and go to the field that I think is literally 1/2 mile out.
I unload boys and Josie (who has NOT had a nap, after our late night Sunday night. This is KEY to story)
Josie has back pack that has a few toys and 2 water bottles in it. Plus usual diapers and stuff.
Jarrett falls on curb. Scrapes his knee pretty good. Get him calmed down.
Josie doesn't want to carry back pack. I tell her too bad. She starts screaming and throwing a fit. While I am whispering in her ear all the terrible things I am going to do to her (we are standing right in front of a soccer game) Jeven falls. Scrapes his knee.
It starts to rain.
I say forget it, we're going to the van.
Josie then starts screaming about THAT.
We haven't even left the parking lot.
But now I have three kids in the van, I can't even SEE Jayce and I just know he's wondering where we are and that when practice is over, he'll come to the van but leave our chair out there. I try calling Kim (sister in law who lives 5 miles from school where we are) to see if she can stop by on her way home, sit in the van while I run out to field but she won't answer.
Now, Jarrett and Josie both have to go potty. There is NO potty!!
I call Michelle who is at Safeway.(other SIL, who lives clear across town!) She says "No problem. I will be right there" ( she is awesome in a sticky situation).
Jarrett has peed his pants. I am not mad, he didn't really have a choice. I change him into the extra clothes that were in the evil back pack.
Josie is still crying that she has to GO!! I see a port-a-potty WAAAYYY out by Jayce's field. I tell her to hold on until Shelly gets here.
Jarrett pees his pants again.
I see Shelly pull in parking lot. Jarrett says he has to go again so I let him pee in the parking lot. I think he was trying to hold it and it just kept escaping, and he was trying so hard not to wet himself. When he finally peed on ground, he peed about a gallon.
I run Josie to potty.
I run out to get chair and tell Jayce what's going on.
Run back to van, tell Michelle thanks a ton and lock ourselves in the van until 6:30.
It is now 5:30.
Spending one whole hour in a minivan with 3 kids, no toys other than a couple balls and only 3 bags of fruit treats, not my idea of a good time.
The best part is that Jayce has practice again tonight!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Not much to say....
....but feel the need to say SOMETHING!
We are currently going thru an update on our house. We have lived here for 9 years but haven't really done any updating because we've always spent extra money on doctor and hospital bills.
We replace the carpet in living room and vinyl in kitchen and hallway with laminate flooring. During that process we found some dry rot and had to replace a wall. Or two. We are painting and replacing worn out doors and trim as we go. We have been working on it for about 3 wks. now and I am very thankful that we have this opportunity but also frustrated because it has meant me packing up 4 kids and being gone somewhere all day while work gets done. It has meant the kitchen table being in the living room (fun!). And getting behind on my everyday chores--laundry and dusting, etc.
But enough of that whining.
Summer is almost here!! Jayce had his first baseball practice of the season tonight and it went well. Alot of the same kids as last year.
Josie is done with preschool and all registered for kindergarten. She is very excited and it's going to be hard for her to wait all summer before she "gets to ride the bus with Jayce". Jayce is not as thrilled.
Jeven turned 2 last week. He is the same weight as Jarrett, his older brother. Just a tad shorter. I had to fill out a questionnaire that is an "Autism" screening. For some stupid reason he failed it!! Meaning that more testing is recommended. Now, I have been around autism and Jeven is not autistic!! The whole thing was based on I said "no, he doesn't always look where I'm pointing." What 2 yr. old does? My husband doesn't always pay enough attention to know where I'm pointing!!
Luckily, our ped. knows me and although it is his job to offer more testing, he was very o.k. with me refusing the test.
It left me feeling very frustrated with the whole system. It seems more and more kids are getting diagnosed with Autism and yes, it is real and families are suffering from it but maybe, perhaps some of these "Autistic kids" could benefit from more attention (positive) from Mom and Dad.
I will get off my soap box now!!
I will put some pics of our "remodel" on soon! Befores and afters. Just hoping I get to take the afters soon...
We are currently going thru an update on our house. We have lived here for 9 years but haven't really done any updating because we've always spent extra money on doctor and hospital bills.
We replace the carpet in living room and vinyl in kitchen and hallway with laminate flooring. During that process we found some dry rot and had to replace a wall. Or two. We are painting and replacing worn out doors and trim as we go. We have been working on it for about 3 wks. now and I am very thankful that we have this opportunity but also frustrated because it has meant me packing up 4 kids and being gone somewhere all day while work gets done. It has meant the kitchen table being in the living room (fun!). And getting behind on my everyday chores--laundry and dusting, etc.
But enough of that whining.
Summer is almost here!! Jayce had his first baseball practice of the season tonight and it went well. Alot of the same kids as last year.
Josie is done with preschool and all registered for kindergarten. She is very excited and it's going to be hard for her to wait all summer before she "gets to ride the bus with Jayce". Jayce is not as thrilled.
Jeven turned 2 last week. He is the same weight as Jarrett, his older brother. Just a tad shorter. I had to fill out a questionnaire that is an "Autism" screening. For some stupid reason he failed it!! Meaning that more testing is recommended. Now, I have been around autism and Jeven is not autistic!! The whole thing was based on I said "no, he doesn't always look where I'm pointing." What 2 yr. old does? My husband doesn't always pay enough attention to know where I'm pointing!!
Luckily, our ped. knows me and although it is his job to offer more testing, he was very o.k. with me refusing the test.
It left me feeling very frustrated with the whole system. It seems more and more kids are getting diagnosed with Autism and yes, it is real and families are suffering from it but maybe, perhaps some of these "Autistic kids" could benefit from more attention (positive) from Mom and Dad.
I will get off my soap box now!!
I will put some pics of our "remodel" on soon! Befores and afters. Just hoping I get to take the afters soon...
Friday, May 9, 2008
I date my son.
Actually, I date all of my children.
Any good Pastor or marriage counselor will tell you how important it is to keep dating your spouse, even after you've been married for years. And even if you don't have children. That is a principle that Judd and I follow as much as possible. It is hard with 4 children and a job that doesn't give him regular days/hours off. But we do ok. More on that in a different post.
But, because I do have 4 children and they are still so young, most of my day is spent cleaning and "tending" to the little ones. And I admit, grudgingly, that I don't always listen when Jayce or Josie are telling me something. It is something that I swore I would never do, and to be honest, I have kept that promise up until the last year or so. But I find myself doing the "uh-huh" or "wow" but not really knowing what was said. I find EXTREMELY important to take my children, one at a time, with me, somewhere. Be it the grocery store, or just for a simple walk. Or alone in their rooms. I am always amazed at how different they are when their siblings aren't around. Josie is much better behaved, Jarrett talks very clearly and specifically, and Jeven seems like such a big boy.
That brings me to Jayce. With Jayce, I actually go to the trouble of planning a "date". I arrange for the others kids to be watched and we go somewhere somewhat special. The toy store, where we look at ONLY his likes. The video game store, where we can take our time and look at all the cool games. Or even to McD's where we sit INSIDE the restaurant (not in the van, driving down the road!) and we talk. Or I should say, he talks. And talks. About everything. His friends, GIRLS (yikes!) and what he wants to be when he grows up (ever changing). Again, I am amazed at what an awesome kid he is. Being the oldest, and also the typical oldest child, he does get put last sometimes. He doesn't always need the constant supervison, or constant nagging.
But I want to make sure these lines of communication stay open. It is my hope that even when he is 16 or 17 that he will still date his mom.
Any good Pastor or marriage counselor will tell you how important it is to keep dating your spouse, even after you've been married for years. And even if you don't have children. That is a principle that Judd and I follow as much as possible. It is hard with 4 children and a job that doesn't give him regular days/hours off. But we do ok. More on that in a different post.
But, because I do have 4 children and they are still so young, most of my day is spent cleaning and "tending" to the little ones. And I admit, grudgingly, that I don't always listen when Jayce or Josie are telling me something. It is something that I swore I would never do, and to be honest, I have kept that promise up until the last year or so. But I find myself doing the "uh-huh" or "wow" but not really knowing what was said. I find EXTREMELY important to take my children, one at a time, with me, somewhere. Be it the grocery store, or just for a simple walk. Or alone in their rooms. I am always amazed at how different they are when their siblings aren't around. Josie is much better behaved, Jarrett talks very clearly and specifically, and Jeven seems like such a big boy.
That brings me to Jayce. With Jayce, I actually go to the trouble of planning a "date". I arrange for the others kids to be watched and we go somewhere somewhat special. The toy store, where we look at ONLY his likes. The video game store, where we can take our time and look at all the cool games. Or even to McD's where we sit INSIDE the restaurant (not in the van, driving down the road!) and we talk. Or I should say, he talks. And talks. About everything. His friends, GIRLS (yikes!) and what he wants to be when he grows up (ever changing). Again, I am amazed at what an awesome kid he is. Being the oldest, and also the typical oldest child, he does get put last sometimes. He doesn't always need the constant supervison, or constant nagging.
But I want to make sure these lines of communication stay open. It is my hope that even when he is 16 or 17 that he will still date his mom.
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