Choices

I like to talk to both boys about what they did during the day at school and daycare. I try to be really specific and get them to think about how they felt, what they ate, who they played with and what their favorite part of the day was. Tonight, Liam was telling me about playing "Red Light, Green Light" at recess. He said it was a different kind of game than we usually play at home and then his eyes got really sad and teary.

"I didn't get a turn," he said quietly.

I asked him why he didn't get a turn and he explained that this was a game where one person turns around and you have to run towards them. When they turn to face you, you have to stop. And the kids who were winning were sneaking further ahead when the teacher wasn't looking.

"So, you didn't get a turn because you were following the rules and not cheating?" I asked.

He said yes and then I got teary. Here is this sweet boy, following the rules because he knows it is the right thing to do, and learning the hard way that by doing so he might miss out on something that looks like fun. It was a great teachable moment that I couldn't have dreamed up myself. We talked about how sometimes doing the right thing is really hard because it seems like it's not very fun, but that it feels good to know that you made the right choice and can be happy with yourself. I told him I was so proud of him, and then he started to look proud of himself, too.

Outdoorsmen

 

Eyewear

Max is IN LOVE with these crab goggles! He wears them EVERYWHERE. If they are not on his actual eyes, they are up on his head like this!

And, just to switch it up, some shades for the bathtub!

I Never Win Anything!

We have a "Kudos Award" at work to recognize employees going above and beyond and doing good things. I won it for August! My supervisor thanked me for always coming in to work with a positive attitude. That was awesome because I really strive to always be positive and spread a little joy at work. We have a very stressful job, and it's easy to become negative and crabby quickly. It was nice to be recognized for something I work really hard at! And now Aaron and I can plan a date night at 1951 restaurant sometime with the gift certificate I received!

Boulder Boy

Auntie Kimmy took this adorable picture of Maxwell on our hike to LaSalle Falls.

He's quite the outdoorsman!

Sand Lake Hike

 

 

 

 

I went on a long walk early one morning on our trip up north.
It turned into a much loooooonger walk than I'd planned...
5 miles long! I got some great pictures that morning, though, and felt great
when I got back. Then the boys informed me we were going on a hike...
a two mile hike to a waterfall! My feet are still sore... :)

School Days

First day of school!
Max is in preschool at his daycare and Liam is in kindergarten!
(and Liam told me that he was "practicing crossing his eyes" in this picture!)

Liam was very teary and kept coming back to give me hugs and tell me he would miss me!
As we walked out of the school, Max kept wiping his eyes and saying "I miss Liam..."