happiness – Page 7 – Writes for all Mommies

children, happiness, kids, life in pictures, mommyhood, motherhood, parenting

Around the World

16/04/2011 WFAM

T.Puzzle’s school hosted their annual ‘International Night’. Each classroom had a national theme and had food to represent this theme.

All week the boys were excited for this event. T.Puzzle kept asking Mad Dog if he was going to come and have ‘Chinese food with us?’ about twice a day. Full Speed was looking forward to hanging out at his old stomping grounds and playing on the slides and outdoor equipment. Of course, he was all about the food, too.

211495721606[1] — The boys decorate our entry for Mad Dog to welcome him home in anticipation of our attendance of International Night.

I looked forward to the event because the boys were beside themselves with anticipation. I also had some reservations. It’s crowded, hot, chaotic and extremely noisy. This is hard for me when my preference is solitude, moderate temperatures with a cool breeze thrown in, complete organization and extreme quiet. The cards were stacked against me.

By the time it was done, my nervous system was on overdrive teetering on the brink of a total meltdown. Even Mad Dog had reached his limit.

The boys however seemed to gain energy from the more people, food and ‘countries’ we visited. They even insisted on playing outside the school for as long as we would allow.

The ride home was no different. Mad Dog and I sat in near catatonic silence while T.Puzzle and Full Speed amped up their antics in the back.

I guess that’s part of parenting. You do things that are out of your comfort zone and nine times out of ten you end up having a good time. Watching your kids have a blast makes anything feel like a success. Even if you need a nap afterwards.

children, gratitude, happiness, humor, kids, mommyhood, motherhood, parenting

Role Models

14/04/2011 WFAM

Lately I’ve noticed that T.Puzzle has taken a genuine interest in learning to read. He is also attempting to write letters and numbers. He is highly motivated because he wants to do everything his big brother is doing.

As long as he seems happy to learn these skills, I’m happy to help teach them to him. In this instance having Full Speed as a role model for reading and writing success is a positive influence on T.Puzzle.

On the opposite end of siblings-as-role-models spectrum brings to mind a story my Mom told me many years ago. My older sister simply refused to learn how to tie her shoes (for the record, she has since learned and is quite successful at it). When my Mom asked her how she planned on getting them tied she replied she would wait until I was a little older and I could tie them for her.

Lucky me.

As you can see, there are pluses and minuses to having an older sibling.

children, gratitude, happiness, humor, kids, life in pictures, mommyhood, motherhood, parenting

A Dinosaur and a Prayer

05/04/2011 WFAM

All week long the boys tried to convince me that Mad Dog needed to see the Dino Alive! exhibit at the zoo. They were convinced he was most certainly experiencing sleepless nights until he witnessed the wonders of animatronic dinosaurs with his own eyes.

We started out our Sunday with a cloudless sky, hope in our hearts and our zoo membership card in the car console.

I told Mad Dog to be prepared. He was going to need to carry T.Puzzle throughout the wandering path of hidden dinosaurs. I told him by the end of our last visit, T.Puzzle had his arms and legs locked on me in a death grip, Full Speed was cowering behind me and all that stood between me and the gigantic T-Rex was my steely resolve.

This outing was a little different. Both boys insisted on walking on their own through the maze of trees and roaring reptiles. Full Speed compensated his fear by staying true to his name. He would dart as fast as he could away from any sense of danger.

T.Puzzle, well, he coped in another way. He chose prayer. He clasped his hands tightly together as he willed his feet to keep moving. A step here, a step there and a prayer right here.

[wpvideo BzdGaxQ5]

He kept his hands clasped like that through our entire dinosaur adventure.

Cutest four year old ever.

gratitude, happiness, kids, mommyhood, motherhood, parenting, self-discovery

Kick in the Pants

31/03/2011 WFAM

At the gym this morning as I was waiting for a class to start, I watched a fellow gym goer chase down her very active toddler son. He darted into a room he didn’t belong and she had no choice but to follow.

She was exasperated and embarrassed.

Two ‘E’ words I have come to know and love over the course of raising my boys.

I said to her, “He reminds me so much of my boys. I know exactly how you feel.”

She smiled blandly at me, squared her shoulders and finally overtook her little one by sheer force.

Looked like a typical Thursday morning to me.

Another member said, “So your boys were like that at that age?”

“Yes. In fact my older one was about 100 times more active than that. This kid is more my younger one’s speed.”

“Isn’t it great?,” she asked.

I looked at her and paused. She was older, closer to a grandmother’s age than my own so she clearly had some experience to back up this question.

My pause made her continue. “Wouldn’t you rather have kids full of life and personality than a kid who is dull and boring?”

And for the first time in my life it dawned on me that the answer to this question is a resounding ‘YES!

So remember that when you are about to lose it.

Or more likely, when you are beating yourself up over some behavioral misdeed of your perfectly normal, perfectly acceptable offspring.

Spirited kids are the ones who kick life in the pants.

I’ll take two please and hold the boring!

children, gratitude, happiness, kids, mommyhood, motherhood, parenting

Cheeseburgers and Miracles

24/03/201126/03/2011 WFAM

A while back I mentioned how Mad Dog and I were amazed at the substantial overall improvement of the boys’ behavior. This improvement is most notable when on public outings or surrounded by a large group.

We attended a neighborhood cookout and our friend and host commented that she noticed a dramatic difference in them as well.

For example, neither had to sit in time-out for anything.

Not one time.

I couldn’t believe it.

Neither tried to tackle, maim, bite or wreak generalized havoc on each other or the rest of the kids in attendance.

Mad Dog and I actually got to sit back, relax and engage in adult conversation.

All over cheeseburgers, good company and a lovely March evening.

I do believe in miracles.