11.30.2008
Christmas Decorating
While at church this afternoon decorating for Christmas (yes, they put up no less than 14 trees!), my son saw some other kids running through the hall. They weren't up to anything, just being boys....and running. He turned to the lady he was helping and said, "That's not very mature of them." She later told me about it and I had a chuckle, because literally the moment before leaving our house, we had a talk with both kids about not running at church (because they have an inclination to), not being to loud (same inclination), and be helpful (inclination NOT to). We never said a word about mature behavior, but we did say we expect them to behave appropriately. Thankfully, they did.
11.23.2008
The horror of Alvin & the Chipmunks
My kids are highly entertained by the Alvin & the Chipmunks movie. They first saw it this summer at a kids movie series at a local theater and hooted and hollered in the aisles (especially my son, G). We found it shortly thereafter on DVD and bought it 'cause they enjoyed it so much and it was on sale. We thought it to be a harmless, entertaining, cute little flick for practically all ages; if not a bit silly and over the top. I was fondly reminded of my youth and time spent watching the Alvin & the Chipmunks cartoon.
Since then, they've watched it several times, always laughing, sometimes dancing, but recently quoting. "I'm waiting for the rinse cycle," is of course, a much-used Alvin quote. K's most recent choice of fine movie dialogue is: as she runs into the bathroom, slams the door, opens the door, sticks her head out and shouts, "Kiss my furry cheeks!".....now at first listen, I found it hilarious to hear those words coming from a 3 1/2 year old girl, and obviously she doesn't really get it. Upon hearing it a second, third and then fourth time, the humor was reduced significantly, followed quickly by the realization that she might someday say those words in public, or heaven help us at my husband's church! Now we talk about "appropriate" things to say, and the fact that those choice words are not "appropriate"....EVER!
Since then, they've watched it several times, always laughing, sometimes dancing, but recently quoting. "I'm waiting for the rinse cycle," is of course, a much-used Alvin quote. K's most recent choice of fine movie dialogue is: as she runs into the bathroom, slams the door, opens the door, sticks her head out and shouts, "Kiss my furry cheeks!".....now at first listen, I found it hilarious to hear those words coming from a 3 1/2 year old girl, and obviously she doesn't really get it. Upon hearing it a second, third and then fourth time, the humor was reduced significantly, followed quickly by the realization that she might someday say those words in public, or heaven help us at my husband's church! Now we talk about "appropriate" things to say, and the fact that those choice words are not "appropriate"....EVER!
11.21.2008
The Power of Mommy
I realized today just how much influence I have on my children. I know they both talk like me, use the same catch phrases, intonation, etc. I'm with them practically all the time, so they are bound to pick up some of my habits and idiosyncracies and imitate them. However, I was alerted to how even silent behaviors can be passed on with nary a thought.
I've always sorted my M&Ms by color before eating. Then I proceed to eat them color group by color group, starting with the group which has the fewest number and progressing upward. I don't know why, I just do. It's hardly even a conscious choice whether to sort or not....I just sort. I so rarely eat M&Ms I hadn't even thought of this in years. Today after lunch, I suggested to K that we have a little something sweet. The Halloween chocolate is hanging out in the fridge, begging to be eaten, so we both decide to have M&Ms. I start mine immediately, but she's still finishing her lunch, so her fun size bag has to wait.
I finish my M&Ms without a word, enjoying the sweet joy of candy-coated chocolate. K asks me to open her bag. I do and she pours them out on the table. Without a second thought, she starts sorting them....by color, and then, when she's finished sorting asks me which group is the smallest. I answer "blue" and she eats the blue. She again asks which group is the smallest. I suggest she try to figure it out, so she counts. "Red," she says, and eats them. This continues until the last M&M is gone.
Whether it is some sort of genetic quirk that she would have "inherited" this behavior or some sign of the non-stop "together time" we share, I came to have a greater understanding of the true power and influence there is in being a mommy. Of course we don't want our children repeating foul language or talking negatively about someone. Of course we want them to behave properly at all times (or at least when they are in public!). But do we comprehend the full scope of the influence we as parents have on our children? Do we react with too much anger? Do we shower them with enough hugs and kisses? Do we set the example by which we want them to live in every day-to-day interaction? It is an awesome responsibility, and one I hope I am reminded of every day.
I've always sorted my M&Ms by color before eating. Then I proceed to eat them color group by color group, starting with the group which has the fewest number and progressing upward. I don't know why, I just do. It's hardly even a conscious choice whether to sort or not....I just sort. I so rarely eat M&Ms I hadn't even thought of this in years. Today after lunch, I suggested to K that we have a little something sweet. The Halloween chocolate is hanging out in the fridge, begging to be eaten, so we both decide to have M&Ms. I start mine immediately, but she's still finishing her lunch, so her fun size bag has to wait.
I finish my M&Ms without a word, enjoying the sweet joy of candy-coated chocolate. K asks me to open her bag. I do and she pours them out on the table. Without a second thought, she starts sorting them....by color, and then, when she's finished sorting asks me which group is the smallest. I answer "blue" and she eats the blue. She again asks which group is the smallest. I suggest she try to figure it out, so she counts. "Red," she says, and eats them. This continues until the last M&M is gone.
Whether it is some sort of genetic quirk that she would have "inherited" this behavior or some sign of the non-stop "together time" we share, I came to have a greater understanding of the true power and influence there is in being a mommy. Of course we don't want our children repeating foul language or talking negatively about someone. Of course we want them to behave properly at all times (or at least when they are in public!). But do we comprehend the full scope of the influence we as parents have on our children? Do we react with too much anger? Do we shower them with enough hugs and kisses? Do we set the example by which we want them to live in every day-to-day interaction? It is an awesome responsibility, and one I hope I am reminded of every day.
11.20.2008
Barbie blues
K, my soon to be 4 year old, was playing with a "fashion model" Barbie in the van today. "Mommy, I wish I had brown eyes." I replied with, "K, God gave you beautiful blue eyes." "Mommy, I wish I had brown hair." I replied with, "K, God gave you beautiful blond hair." "Mommy, I wish I was as pretty as Barbie." I replied with, "K, you don't need to look like Barbie to be pretty, you are a beautiful little girl." I returned my focus to my driving and heard K say softly, "I want to look just like Barbie when I grow up." It made me a little sad to realize that at even such a young age, how quickly the innocence of simply wanting to play with dolls can morph into trying to measure up.
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