More Proof You Love Your Sister

Elsa's first ride in her new seat, and your first ride in the middle sitting next to her.  You told us, "Dee Dee hold hangs.  Hold Elsiebuggy's hang!".

It was so precious and we felt such pride in you.  Thanks for being a kind and doting big brother more than you are a pest to her.

DDD September 9

Daniel really enjoyed a morning trip to a tractor parade and a caboose
this morning!

Pride and Disappointment

Dear son,

Today you disappointed me several times. You had five meltdowns before noon.  Crying, wailing, moaning, whining, saying "hey hey no waaaaaaaaaaaaaay!" (which is against the rules), and refusing to go where you needed to.  You had a rough morning.  They were rough on me, too.  I felt sorry for you that you couldn't cope not getting your way and that I couldn't find ways to compromise.

But you did something that made me really proud to be your mum today.  You cleaned up toys in the nursery when we needed to leave church, and none of the other (older!) children did this.  You picked up all the trucks and cars and lined them nicely on the shelf. I told you I was proud of you for being obedient and helpful and you LIT UP.  It was a special time for you.

The last four months have been chock full of difficult times for you since you have to do things you don't want to do, but you do have MANY more good times than bad.  You really do.  And there are whole spans of time - like six hours - where you are sweet and agreeable and obedient and funny.  When you are tired, hungry, annoyed by your sister, and prevented from going outside or brushing your teeth or pretending to drive the car or forced to sit when you don't want to - its bad news.

Its the times when you are so good that I realize... hey, he's actually only a rough pill every now and then and I appreciate you.

We are proud of you, son, and even when you disappoint us momentarily, there are so many times of redemption.  You apologize, you seem to understand when we talk to you about the consequences of negative behaviors, and you do try hard.  And no matter what you do or how you act, we do still love you and we always will love you.  Even if we are not proud of your actions, we still love you in that moment.  Its our job to show you Christ's love that is not dependent on performance or obedience... just to model a love that keeps loving and keeps hoping.

Love
Your mama

DDD September 8

No, he's not potty trained. Not YET. But if he can say, "Pook in the
diaper! Not in potty!" he is probably old enough, right?

He does love that he has Woody Yahooboy, Buzz, Dondald Duck, and Hot
Diggity Bicky Mouse un-ies, so perhaps diapering days are almost
over!!

EE for September 7

Continued from the DDD for today...

DDD for September 7

(This photo is part one of the series, look for EE next!)

Decorating Your Ramp

These are the photos from when you decorated the ramp your dad helped you to make.  You really only wanted to use the color blue, but you found several blue markers to use. They were slightly different shades of blue. You also used a pink crayon for another design.

You spent most of the time coloring on the nails and only a little time decorating the rest of the ramp. It took you less than five minutes to decorate, so I think you enjoyed the building and playing part more than the art project part.

 You were so proud of your work and that you got to use the workbench for the project.

DDD and EE for September 6

They are so sweet together. And for the record, it was Daniel's idea
to smooch Elsie since she was feeling sickly.

Playing RAMP

We'd been constructing ramps out of various materials in the house, but this past week your dad helped you to make a real ramp with his building materials in the garage.  You helped to cut and nail the ramp parts.  Then you played and played with your cars.  

You call this game: RAMP!

Trip to Haid Grandparents

Daniel,
I don't want to forget how proud and confident you looked when you got into your paternal grandparents' Jeep on Saturday afternoon to spend two nights at their home.
"Dee Dee Backy Pop Zekey houf", you said.
 I asked if Elsie was going or if either of your parents were going.  Each time you replied, "No! Dee Dee go!".
Such a big smile.

You had a very good time and when you came home, you told us about throwing rocks in the river (your words!) and their dog Homer's intestine trouble ("Homie Toot!!").  You also sang some type of polka music song that Grandma Becky taught you.  Polka Rah, Polka Rey (that's what you do, anyway).

You were so sad to leave them that you cried buckets of tears.  This happens when you leave both sets of grandparents' homes.  It takes you awhile to warm to the idea of big changes, just like it does for me.  When Daddy told you about riding your tricycle (popscicle) and seeing your sister, you brightened and stopped your tears.  You came home happily and gave both your sister and your mother big kisses.

We missed you, but we sure had a quieter home and less jokes with out you!
love ya
Mama Bethany

DDD Sept 5

On this day he didn't want to take off his fish PJ shirt, and he was
totally stuck on playing with this screw-block toy he called "peesa
wood screw baba". It was a funny day.

DDD September 4

Summer isn't over yet - still time for baby pool!

DDD September 3

"Mommy, I cheese!"
(He calls cameras cheese.)

DDD September 2

I can't imagine how many hours Daniel spent this summer in the water,
transfering liquid from one container to another. He did it every
day, multiple times per day, and it never got old!

Common phrase...

"Dee Dee do it!"
and similarly,
"Dee Dee do it self" (myself).

Sometimes, its followed by

"Mommy... halp.  Mama Bethany, help Dee Dee."
(but not that often!)

I hope I am teaching him confidence and self efficacy and independence, and I am aware that I want to do more things for him than probably actually NEED to do.

Daily Dose of Daniel for September 1

Daniel has been helping his father wash the Jeep. He really likes to
spray the wheels.