Two short months ago, drop-offs were a nightmare. I had no idea what to try and little hope my little man would be one of the quiet, well-behaved munchkins getting folders and their name card to put in the basket and then calmly walking to the carpet.
Now I grant you, he's far from flawless in his execution. Dropping Dylan off at Headstart today, he was telling me his belly hurt. But as we pulled up, we were stuck behind the ATA bus for his classmates and an employee who works in the same building waiting for access to the parking lot. Someone behind him didn't understand they could go around, so we ended up in a five-car traffic jam on a narrow street. As we are waiting, one of Dylan's classmates begins holding up the already tenuous process of getting the line of kids into the building. He is moved from the middle of the line to the end with the teacher. Still struggling, they try to use logic, pointing to the cars and explaining they need to get into the spot where the gaggle of kids is currently located. Failing with logic, the teacher employs the next logical method - pick him up and away the line goes into school.
I told Dylan one of his classmates was having a rough day, and suddenly the repeated "My belly hurts. My belly REALLY hurts." ceases in the back seat. Suddenly he wants to see who is having a bad day. We park the truck and go into the building, following another classmate and adult. We go into the room and I accidentally almost knock over this classmate, who thirty seconds in has had enough school for the day and is fighting to get back out. The teacher is once again employing logic. Again, fail. This little boy's mom opts to take him home. The other little boy is already on the carpet with the other kids.
Dylan demands I take his jacket off, takes care of his folder and then the hesitation starts. But this morning, distraction works and there is no screaming, minimal disagreement and Harper and I are out the door.
Compared to his classmates, Dylan is the quiet and well-behaved one.
My gratitude for this realization knows no bounds.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Another day for Gratitude
First day back to school after Thanksgiving break for Dylan and Lilly. Minimal issues getting everyone up and off to their respective learning environments.
Meanwhile, we are low on staples, like bread and butter (and Ironman fruit snacks!), so it's a trip to Walmart for Harper and myself. She is excited to pick out the cart and go speed walking through the store. As we go, I realize I am grateful today for many reasons.
1. Shopping is much easier with only one munchkin in the cart. She can't reach much and we move at my pace rather than the pace of dragging feet and arguments.
2. In deference to all those ads and commercials, I keep up a running commentary as we zoom through the store. As we hit the juice aisle, Harper disagrees with something I said.
"No, no no" she tells me in a calm, matter-of-fact tone.
"But yes, yes, yes" I say back as we head for mid-aisle. the conversation repeats... and repeats.
A heavy-set man perusing juice selections at the end begins chuckling, and somehow I do not imagine it is at the crazy cartoon character on the Hawaiian Punch. I could be wrong.
3. We finally get everything on the list (+10 or so), and we enter the checkout lane behind a thin man with a baseball cap and long, semi-scraggly beard. Harper begins her cheerful babble, noting the "cookie!" as well as sharing her opinions on who knows what else in her own unique dialect. The man in front of us turns and smiles in appreciation.
These are the people I am thankful are in the store at the same time as myself. They are the ones who know how to enjoy life, can appreciate the entertaining moments and even discover them amidst potentially annoying situations. I realize some people don't enjoy children. I am extremely grateful not to be one of those people and enjoy running into others that are not of that mindset as well.
Yes, my kids have their screaming terror-wish-I-could-disappear-in-a-hole-and-die-of-embarrassment- moments, but they are still gifts. On Monday, we had tons of fun sled riding and playing on the swingset in the snow. Today, Harper and I got through a shopping trip sans meltdowns AND had two people smile and enjoy our presence.
I cherish these moments.
Meanwhile, we are low on staples, like bread and butter (and Ironman fruit snacks!), so it's a trip to Walmart for Harper and myself. She is excited to pick out the cart and go speed walking through the store. As we go, I realize I am grateful today for many reasons.
1. Shopping is much easier with only one munchkin in the cart. She can't reach much and we move at my pace rather than the pace of dragging feet and arguments.
2. In deference to all those ads and commercials, I keep up a running commentary as we zoom through the store. As we hit the juice aisle, Harper disagrees with something I said.
"No, no no" she tells me in a calm, matter-of-fact tone.
"But yes, yes, yes" I say back as we head for mid-aisle. the conversation repeats... and repeats.
A heavy-set man perusing juice selections at the end begins chuckling, and somehow I do not imagine it is at the crazy cartoon character on the Hawaiian Punch. I could be wrong.
3. We finally get everything on the list (+10 or so), and we enter the checkout lane behind a thin man with a baseball cap and long, semi-scraggly beard. Harper begins her cheerful babble, noting the "cookie!" as well as sharing her opinions on who knows what else in her own unique dialect. The man in front of us turns and smiles in appreciation.
These are the people I am thankful are in the store at the same time as myself. They are the ones who know how to enjoy life, can appreciate the entertaining moments and even discover them amidst potentially annoying situations. I realize some people don't enjoy children. I am extremely grateful not to be one of those people and enjoy running into others that are not of that mindset as well.
Yes, my kids have their screaming terror-wish-I-could-disappear-in-a-hole-and-die-of-embarrassment- moments, but they are still gifts. On Monday, we had tons of fun sled riding and playing on the swingset in the snow. Today, Harper and I got through a shopping trip sans meltdowns AND had two people smile and enjoy our presence.
I cherish these moments.
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