Since childhood, I've had a core set of truths:
*I love the smell of freshly cut grass.
*My favorite meal is pancakes.
*All colors pale in comparison to purple.
*I tend to see the glass half full.
*Depression is terrifying, for both adults and for children.
*Disney World really *is* the happiest place on Earth.
*I passionately fear losing people I love.
*I love my Granny.
*Poverty is scary, but those who live in it are *not*.
(I learned this upon visiting my friend Carrie in Elementary School....I saw her house was "different" than mine. It scared me. Her family, however, did not.)
*Mr. Rogers was the kindest man of his time.
*Art and music are a necessity, even for the very young.
*Learning to read should be a right, not a privilege.
And.....Most of all.......That, one day, I wanted children.
As I helped Audrey get dressed this morning and reminded Jack that he could *not* take his plastic sword to daycare, I was especially grateful that my most cherished childhood wish had come true. I am no longer a child. I am a 38 y/o woman. My "truths", however, are still there. Like a security blanket, I cling to them when my world changes. They are little gifts that I can open whenever I want. For that, I am grateful.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Exposure.
So I got the dreaded call today from the kids' childcare provider....."Um, I hate to tell you this, but Jack showed his penis to the kids in the naproom." Ruh roh. This action resulted him getting evicted from the naproom and having to sleep in a separate area. :( Hopefully, by Monday, he'll be reunited with his buddies and keep his pants on!
I have always taught the kids that their bodies are beautiful, so apparently Jack thought that *everyone* needed to see his *entire* body. I have to laugh, though...His lack of inhibition is pretty humorous and I love the freedom that 4 y/o's have. It is a beautiful thing to love your body and to be so inquisitive. After all, once you "expose" yourself as an adult, you get thrown in jail, right?
So, yet again, I will search for the right words to explain the necessity of modesty. Writing papers in graduate school, my writing and vocabulary were often stretched to the limit. 4 y/o's, however, bring a challenge that is MUCH more difficult than graduate school......And, guess what? I love it.
I have always taught the kids that their bodies are beautiful, so apparently Jack thought that *everyone* needed to see his *entire* body. I have to laugh, though...His lack of inhibition is pretty humorous and I love the freedom that 4 y/o's have. It is a beautiful thing to love your body and to be so inquisitive. After all, once you "expose" yourself as an adult, you get thrown in jail, right?
So, yet again, I will search for the right words to explain the necessity of modesty. Writing papers in graduate school, my writing and vocabulary were often stretched to the limit. 4 y/o's, however, bring a challenge that is MUCH more difficult than graduate school......And, guess what? I love it.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
2010.....Fresh Start!
O.K., so it's only been almost a YEAR since my last post. I'm trying to look at this entry as the beginning of my blogging streak. So, without a lot of catching up and apologies regarding my bad blogging, I'll get up to date.
*The kids are doing GREAT. I love having two 4 y/os. They are so fun and keep me grounded. Sometimes I can't believe that I was given this gift, but they remind me every day when they wake up and start another day. What an honor for me!
A few updates:
They now have their own rooms! This was bittersweet, but has been a good idea. They are quickly forming their own identities and it's nice for them to have their own "spot", just to think, play, and have their private time (also known as "time out" :)) Audrey's room is cotton candy pink (some would say Pepto pink...) with yellow accents and butterfly decor. She seems to love her new room. Now that she has a full-sized bed, she "tucks in" each of her 12 or 13 baby dolls each night. It can be a verrrrry long process! Recently, I heard her tell them: "Settle down, girls, Mama's right here.". I hope that means that she herself has heard that and has felt secure.
Jack's room has a bunk bed with Star Wars and Super Hero decor. We took covers of Super Hero comic books and framed them, and it looks great. He calls comic books "Joke Books" and checks them out from the library whenever we go. The sweetest thing, however, is that they still sleep together. Now, before bed, I'll hear them negotiating...."Should we sleep in your room or mine?"
They have discovered the world of "Playing Doctor".....Enough said!
They are a couple of Smarty Pants:
They know all of their upper and lowercase letters, as well as colors. Audrey freaked me out the other day when she pointed at a stop sign and said, "Look Mama! It's an octagon!"
O.K., enough Mama bragging. :)
There is so much more, which I will blog about in the next few days....For now, I'm off to the grocery store. Audrey informed me early this morning that one of her Baby Dolls (her favorite, which she has named "Red Baby".....Perfect name, since she has a red dress, right?) is having a birthday party tonight with party hats and homemade carrot cake applesauce muffins. So....I'm dusting off my Supermom cape and going to buy carrot cake mix. Would pre-made muffins be easier? HELL, YES! These moments will be fleeting, however, and I want to catch every one of them.
*The kids are doing GREAT. I love having two 4 y/os. They are so fun and keep me grounded. Sometimes I can't believe that I was given this gift, but they remind me every day when they wake up and start another day. What an honor for me!
A few updates:
They now have their own rooms! This was bittersweet, but has been a good idea. They are quickly forming their own identities and it's nice for them to have their own "spot", just to think, play, and have their private time (also known as "time out" :)) Audrey's room is cotton candy pink (some would say Pepto pink...) with yellow accents and butterfly decor. She seems to love her new room. Now that she has a full-sized bed, she "tucks in" each of her 12 or 13 baby dolls each night. It can be a verrrrry long process! Recently, I heard her tell them: "Settle down, girls, Mama's right here.". I hope that means that she herself has heard that and has felt secure.
Jack's room has a bunk bed with Star Wars and Super Hero decor. We took covers of Super Hero comic books and framed them, and it looks great. He calls comic books "Joke Books" and checks them out from the library whenever we go. The sweetest thing, however, is that they still sleep together. Now, before bed, I'll hear them negotiating...."Should we sleep in your room or mine?"
They have discovered the world of "Playing Doctor".....Enough said!
They are a couple of Smarty Pants:
They know all of their upper and lowercase letters, as well as colors. Audrey freaked me out the other day when she pointed at a stop sign and said, "Look Mama! It's an octagon!"
O.K., enough Mama bragging. :)
There is so much more, which I will blog about in the next few days....For now, I'm off to the grocery store. Audrey informed me early this morning that one of her Baby Dolls (her favorite, which she has named "Red Baby".....Perfect name, since she has a red dress, right?) is having a birthday party tonight with party hats and homemade carrot cake applesauce muffins. So....I'm dusting off my Supermom cape and going to buy carrot cake mix. Would pre-made muffins be easier? HELL, YES! These moments will be fleeting, however, and I want to catch every one of them.
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