Even though I have been distracted and unable to blog recently, I assure you all, Aiden is up to his usual shenanigans...
Like playing around with his Daddy...
And baking cookies with his Grandma...
And of course, keepin Mommy smiling...
Friday, February 24, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Ladies Man
So it begins...
I took Aiden to pick out his Valentines for school this weekend, to my surprise he wasn't interested in Cars or Toy Story, he wanted the sports pack of Valentines. Even better, they come with cute little stick on tattoos and because they have nothing to do with Disney, they were super cheap.
While we were waiting in line to check out, Romeo strikes a little girl's interest with his tattoo Valentines, and before I know it she was fawning all over him, batting her eye lashes and asking if she could have one...
Almost bought him a pack of condoms...just kidding!
Anyway, we got home and he took a nice long nap. I was putting off doing the Valentines because I wanted him to be in a good mood when he signed 24 of them. Six o'clock rolled around and we started taking the Valentines out of the box...oh my lord...since when do you need an assembly line to put these things together?!?!
Do they realllllly think kids do all the work for this?? They must, because my fingers (which are relatively thin) are way to big to get these little tattoos in the tiny little slits in the cards.
Not only that but all the Valentines cards were attached to each other, so I had to separate them myself - and all of the 32 minuscule tattoos.
After 2 hours of relative cooperation from Aiden, they were all signed. Then I had the task of attaching the tiny tattoos and taping the heart shaped suckers to the inside.
Pre-made Valentines my ass....
They turned out good though and by Monday morning I was gearing up for his party.
When I got to Abiding Hope I was so happy to see Aiden's class projects hanging in the main hall! Their class is in the South wing so no one sees their displays but low and behold here was Aiden's "love bug" -- next to Brayden's of course...
Anyway, Brayden's mom was actually setting up the party so I went a little early to help her - cut pizza, do table cloths, etc. easy stuff.
Then we got to the Valentine's bags...trying to get one of each in each bag from each kid...I am sure there was an easier way to have done this, but we left it til the last second and it was difficult to say the least.
As per usual, the kids get their pizza party for lunch.
Then the typical activity is cookie decorating. Each kid gets a sugar cookie, a glob of frosting and some sprinkles. So each kid starts by eating their cookie, then they spoon feed themselves the frosting and are left with a plate of sprinkles. Then they go home.
Maybe it's time for a new party activity.
Once they were all wired up, I got to watch Aiden just around with his pals for a bit before I went back to work. I am really glad I keep making the time for these things.
Those giggles are the best Valentines.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Not So Happy Hoe-Down
Last night was Aiden's first ever school performance - their Annual Hoe-Down. All the classes worked on and performed hoe-down themed dances. I was apprehensive about this for a few reasons...
One, I had no idea what to expect because when you tell Aiden to dance, he typically responds with his booty-shakin number entitled "Do-Do-Dahhhh!"
Two, he's never done anything like this before and gets really overwhelmed in front of lots of people.
When his class filed into the gym, I immediately started to worry...
He had his head down, wouldn't look up, and clearly wanted nothing to do with any of it.
Right as the music started Grandma and Grandpa Deiker showed up and snagged a spot on the floor right next to Aiden, but things went from bad to worse...You can hear me in the back ground starting to panic and Uncle Erik saying, "Oh noooo."
I have a full video of his performance but for his sake I will just say, things didn't improve much. He didn't want to be there, he smiled a few times and sang along briefly but when everyone started clapping he broke down.
I was shaking for him. Standing behind a packed row of chairs I was coming unglued trying to figure out how to get to him. The people in front of me saw who I was and helped out, thank God! I was so proud of him for sticking it out up there though.
The older kids performed and there were a couple that were total class clowns. I was thinking to myself, "I wonder if I know their parents from class..." Sure enough, one of the moms from my parenting class asked, "Is the other class clown yours?" I felt bad saying no, that's all you....but it was hilarious.
Aiden's spirits were better once I got to dance with him and the whole thing was over - he took to rough housing with Uncle Erik in the gym.
One, I had no idea what to expect because when you tell Aiden to dance, he typically responds with his booty-shakin number entitled "Do-Do-Dahhhh!"
Two, he's never done anything like this before and gets really overwhelmed in front of lots of people.
When his class filed into the gym, I immediately started to worry...
He had his head down, wouldn't look up, and clearly wanted nothing to do with any of it.
Right as the music started Grandma and Grandpa Deiker showed up and snagged a spot on the floor right next to Aiden, but things went from bad to worse...You can hear me in the back ground starting to panic and Uncle Erik saying, "Oh noooo."
I have a full video of his performance but for his sake I will just say, things didn't improve much. He didn't want to be there, he smiled a few times and sang along briefly but when everyone started clapping he broke down.
I was shaking for him. Standing behind a packed row of chairs I was coming unglued trying to figure out how to get to him. The people in front of me saw who I was and helped out, thank God! I was so proud of him for sticking it out up there though.
The older kids performed and there were a couple that were total class clowns. I was thinking to myself, "I wonder if I know their parents from class..." Sure enough, one of the moms from my parenting class asked, "Is the other class clown yours?" I felt bad saying no, that's all you....but it was hilarious.
Aiden's spirits were better once I got to dance with him and the whole thing was over - he took to rough housing with Uncle Erik in the gym.
Anyway, thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Deiker, Aunt Dana, Aunt B and Dave, Aunt Kelly and Uncle Erik for coming - these things mean a lot to Aiden.
Ps - When we got home and I showed Aiden the video of himself, he started doing the dance...funny kid.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Somebody's Hero
She's never pulled anybody from a burning building. She's never rocked Central Park to a half a million fans screaming out her name. She's never hit a shot to win the game.
She's never left her foot prints on the moon. She's never made a solo, hot-air balloon ride around the world. No, she is just your everyday, average girl.
But she's somebody's hero. A hero to her baby with the skinned up knee. A little kiss is all he needs. The keeper of the Cheerios, the voice that brings Snow White to life, bed time stories every night. And that smile lets her know, she's somebody's hero.
She gets a check every other week, she's a nine-to-fiver. But she's also a waiter, a cook and a taxi driver there at home until her boy is grown. Givin all her love to him is her life's ambition and when her baby moves on she sure will miss him. But not today, those are tears of joy running down her face.
She's somebody's hero. She gave him wings to leave the nest. It hurts to let your baby go but as he looks back into his mother's eyes, his smile lets her know. She's somebody's hero.
She's never left her foot prints on the moon. She's never made a solo, hot-air balloon ride around the world. No, she is just your everyday, average girl.
But she's somebody's hero. A hero to her baby with the skinned up knee. A little kiss is all he needs. The keeper of the Cheerios, the voice that brings Snow White to life, bed time stories every night. And that smile lets her know, she's somebody's hero.
She gets a check every other week, she's a nine-to-fiver. But she's also a waiter, a cook and a taxi driver there at home until her boy is grown. Givin all her love to him is her life's ambition and when her baby moves on she sure will miss him. But not today, those are tears of joy running down her face.
She's somebody's hero. She gave him wings to leave the nest. It hurts to let your baby go but as he looks back into his mother's eyes, his smile lets her know. She's somebody's hero.
Communicative Parenting
Last week in my Empowered Parenting class, we talked about how important it is to be on the same page and to be open with your co-parent. This week we talked about transferring that communication to your kids.
We read the bible passage about Moses and the burning bush which I was having a hard time with -- however, we worked through it as a group and this is what I learned:
When God wanted Moses' attention, he used something important. Then to engage him in a conversation, he used Moses' name. God gave Moses very clear instructions about how to approach "Remove your sandals for you are on holy ground." He expected Moses' respect and got it.
1. Get your kid's attention
2. Use their name - get on their level, use eye contact, a softer voice, a touch etc.
3. Give clear, concise instructions
4. If you expect respect, you will get it
We learned a really good acronym too: HEAR
H - Use Humility
When you Aiden is frustrated, I will tell him about how sometimes I get frustrated too. Everyone gets frustrated. It's ok, we will get through it together. When you show that you "get it" and that "you're on their side" kids will open up and ask for help.
E - Be Efficient
Give your kid a tool that they can use right away, since this is religious based, we immediately talked about praying as a tool. For Aiden, I mostly just want him to know that my assistance is always available.
A - Affirm
Always offer encouragement, but make sure it is honest. If Aiden does what I ask but maybe only half way - say he picks up his play-doh but doesn't wipe off the table, I can say, "Thank you for helping, it makes Mommy really happy, but do you think there are things we can do a little better?"
R- Respond
This goes back to the "anger interrupter" - don't react, instead, take a breath, then respond constructively. Not only when Aiden does something wrong but when he is in need. Last week at McDonald's a bigger, less well mannered child (can you tell this made me angry?) took his happy meal toy from him on the play ground. When Aiden came crying, I could feel my protective mother-lion kick in. But instead, I took Aiden to that little boy and together we asked, "Excuse me, is that my toy, maybe you took it by mistake?"
Of course the little boy denied it and then told his parents that Aiden "gave" it to him, so it wasn't the ideal result, but we calmly reacted to the situation together. Then Uncle Erik went and got him a new, cooler toy.
Anyway, a big piece of the HEAR thing, which Steve and I have always struggled with is remembering:
Kids don't think, talk, or reason like adults - often they don't learn to do so until they are 20+ years old.
Another sad/generational note arose in class last night - when we talked about toxic verbal weapons. So many parents in the class felt like their parents were extremely mean and hard on them, and the youth pastor even commented that in his teen-group at the church, he often hears kids say, "I wish I wasn't so hard on myself..." Unfortunately, they grow up to do this to themselves when parents use:
Sarcasm
Hurtful Teasing
Subtle Put-Downs
Play Historian
Project Failure
Fault Finding
Blaming
Belittlting
Broadcasting
Etc.
The biggest eye-opener for me was "Broadcasting" I am terrible...I constantly tell Steve about Aiden's mis-behavior when he is around and can hear me say, "SOMEBODY got in trouble at school for yelling today..."
We should deal with these things quietly when Aiden isn't around, when he knows he has been wrong, it's over and dealt with, he shouldn't have to relive it. I am his safe place and I vow to always be that.
I stayed longer after class to talk about Aiden's whining with Lori (leading the class) and she gave me a really good idea. Especially because of Aiden's speech barrier, he will get more and more frustrated. It's important to think of Aiden's emotions as a basket. When he can't effectively communicate - it's like his basket is already full. So when he gets frustrated and then I in turn get frustrated, he has no more room in his basket for listening and cooperating, so instead of telling him what he's doing wrong I will tell him simply how to correct it.
"When you can ask me in a respectful way for something reasonable, I will meet you with a reasonable response" -- When Aiden has a fit about not being picked up...Aiden, if you can ask me nicely for what you want I will be more than happy to do it.
It was kind of an overwhelming class but I took a lot away from it and Aiden and I are now using our new house rules:
We read the bible passage about Moses and the burning bush which I was having a hard time with -- however, we worked through it as a group and this is what I learned:
When God wanted Moses' attention, he used something important. Then to engage him in a conversation, he used Moses' name. God gave Moses very clear instructions about how to approach "Remove your sandals for you are on holy ground." He expected Moses' respect and got it.
1. Get your kid's attention
2. Use their name - get on their level, use eye contact, a softer voice, a touch etc.
3. Give clear, concise instructions
4. If you expect respect, you will get it
We learned a really good acronym too: HEAR
H - Use Humility
When you Aiden is frustrated, I will tell him about how sometimes I get frustrated too. Everyone gets frustrated. It's ok, we will get through it together. When you show that you "get it" and that "you're on their side" kids will open up and ask for help.
E - Be Efficient
Give your kid a tool that they can use right away, since this is religious based, we immediately talked about praying as a tool. For Aiden, I mostly just want him to know that my assistance is always available.
A - Affirm
Always offer encouragement, but make sure it is honest. If Aiden does what I ask but maybe only half way - say he picks up his play-doh but doesn't wipe off the table, I can say, "Thank you for helping, it makes Mommy really happy, but do you think there are things we can do a little better?"
R- Respond
This goes back to the "anger interrupter" - don't react, instead, take a breath, then respond constructively. Not only when Aiden does something wrong but when he is in need. Last week at McDonald's a bigger, less well mannered child (can you tell this made me angry?) took his happy meal toy from him on the play ground. When Aiden came crying, I could feel my protective mother-lion kick in. But instead, I took Aiden to that little boy and together we asked, "Excuse me, is that my toy, maybe you took it by mistake?"
Of course the little boy denied it and then told his parents that Aiden "gave" it to him, so it wasn't the ideal result, but we calmly reacted to the situation together. Then Uncle Erik went and got him a new, cooler toy.
Anyway, a big piece of the HEAR thing, which Steve and I have always struggled with is remembering:
Kids don't think, talk, or reason like adults - often they don't learn to do so until they are 20+ years old.
Another sad/generational note arose in class last night - when we talked about toxic verbal weapons. So many parents in the class felt like their parents were extremely mean and hard on them, and the youth pastor even commented that in his teen-group at the church, he often hears kids say, "I wish I wasn't so hard on myself..." Unfortunately, they grow up to do this to themselves when parents use:
Sarcasm
Hurtful Teasing
Subtle Put-Downs
Play Historian
Project Failure
Fault Finding
Blaming
Belittlting
Broadcasting
Etc.
The biggest eye-opener for me was "Broadcasting" I am terrible...I constantly tell Steve about Aiden's mis-behavior when he is around and can hear me say, "SOMEBODY got in trouble at school for yelling today..."
We should deal with these things quietly when Aiden isn't around, when he knows he has been wrong, it's over and dealt with, he shouldn't have to relive it. I am his safe place and I vow to always be that.
I stayed longer after class to talk about Aiden's whining with Lori (leading the class) and she gave me a really good idea. Especially because of Aiden's speech barrier, he will get more and more frustrated. It's important to think of Aiden's emotions as a basket. When he can't effectively communicate - it's like his basket is already full. So when he gets frustrated and then I in turn get frustrated, he has no more room in his basket for listening and cooperating, so instead of telling him what he's doing wrong I will tell him simply how to correct it.
"When you can ask me in a respectful way for something reasonable, I will meet you with a reasonable response" -- When Aiden has a fit about not being picked up...Aiden, if you can ask me nicely for what you want I will be more than happy to do it.
It was kind of an overwhelming class but I took a lot away from it and Aiden and I are now using our new house rules:
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Every Day Is A Birthday
Yesterday was Aunt Dana's birthday. Since she and Aiden are very close, we went over to Glenn and Maria's for dinner and cake. Aiden's Uncle Erik is in town for a short while so he came with us also.
Aiden is really interested in birthdays - he loves cake, he loves ice cream, and he loves presents. So when it was time for Dana to blow out her candles he was concerned that he wouldn't be doing it himself.
Luckily, Grandma Deiker is a saint, and will light and re-light the candles for Aiden so that he can have a turn too.
I would like to title this next photo:
Who's Birthday Is It Anyway?
Who's Birthday Is It Anyway?
As Aiden seems to have forgotten....
Anyway, Aiden took a turn blowing out the candles,
then he proceeded to help Dana with opening her presents.
He was very happy for her to have received The Lion King - when he got it for his birthday, the first thing he said was "Dana, look Lion King!"
After presents, Grandma Deiker enlisted Uncle Erik's mighty military muscles to help with the ice cream
and Aiden helped himself to a buffet of toppings.
Of course he was so wired when we got home, I thought he would never go to bed but who am I to deny anyone sugar?
Happy Birthday to Dana, and a very merry un-birthday to us all.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
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