Avery has shown me in a couple of instances that he really places value on things people give him if he remembers the person those things are from. I learned a little about values from him too.
This particular instance caught my attention. I was helping him get dressed to go to a mother's day out morning. He attends a morning class where he socializes with other kiddos, makes crafts, eats a snack, plays outside and learns ABC's, bible stories, etc... Some mornings, he has a hard time allowing himself to leave me. I remind him that "Momma always comes back for you". I even drew a picture of a stick figure "momma" holding the hand of a stick figure "Avery" and allowed him to put it in his pocket. I told him, in an effort to help him be brave through the morning, that he could take the little pen and ink picture out of his pocket when he missed me to help him feel better and remind him that his momma is thinking about him.
It was at least a week later when I was picking him up again, he found the picture outside on the ground. At first, I thought he was stalling staring at the ground, but then I realized that he was excited to see the picture. It must have fallen out of his pocket the week before, and then stuck to the ground when it rained. He excitedly had me pick it up, and then he wanted to hold it the whole way home. We had his treasured picture in the car for about a week, in which he wanted to hold it if we went anywhere and then put it back in the car so he could have it next time.
To me, at first, it was a crumply stick figure picture. To him, it represented his momma's love. I was reminded how we powerfully shape our children's lives. Really, anything Avery owns has been given to him since he still has little control over his life. He treasured what I momentarily took for granted - his love for me and my love for him. I pray I give him the good and not the bad, and that I can teach him to make wise choices so that he will have positive experiences.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Springfield Gymnastics and Aquatics
Avery had a blast playing at the gym with Ethan, Ms. Jodee and mom!
Time Flies By
When I saw this picture of my son, it hit me how quickly he has already grown. As I reflect on when he was first born and what he can do now, it is quite amazing all he has overcome and accomplished in just three and a half years. My life has become much busier but also more purposeful because of my son and my husband.
For the Love of Books
Clint and I were raised to love reading. We hope to pass this down to our family. Avery is old enough now to enjoy understanding what the story is about rather than focusing only on the colorful pictures. Although it is a challenge to bring a confidently vocal and cute squirmy little boy into the quiet library, we try to make this as something our family regularly does.
Boisterous Boy-ness Stories
Guess who put their Lightning McQueen shoes in his mom’s shoes?
We are surprised at the foods Avery decides not to eat. Some examples include marshmallows, barbecue, french fries, noodles, chips, etc… At least he loves fruit.
We were putting a coffee filter in the coffee pot and Avery asked if it was for a big “monster cupcake”.
Avery has become a backseat driver. He knows his way around town pretty well and tries to tell us where to turn. If he was behind the wheel, he would choose to take us to “Donalds” (McDonalds) to play in the “tunnel” (playground slides). Since he hates going to Aldi’s, he whines when we turn onto a certain street, even though we have at least four more minutes before we arrive at the parking lot.
Since the weather has been nicer, we have taken walks around our block. Avery can now walk with us holding our hands rather than riding in his wagon. There is a house down our street that has two small dogs in their backyard. Avery has named them “Supercharger” and “Snot Rod”.
We’ve told Avery that a new “Cars” movie will come this summer. That has got him really excited since he has race cars constantly on the brain. Sometimes, when he sits on the potty, he will say “Ready, Set, Go!” to help him start the process.
What Happens When....
This is what happens when you have an active, bored toddler and it's too cold outside to burn off energy. Enjoy.
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