Teaching Moments - My Favourite Thing

This morning was a GREAT morning.  As we were getting ready for our family prayer, I had asked K to brush his teeth.  Well, this has been an ongoing struggle between the two of us.  I insist, he resists!  But as we sat down to pray Kent asked K to say the prayer.  K started and then realized that he had said prayer last night and got mad.

We told him gently, that yes, he was right, but because dad had asked him he needed to say the prayer.  This is how it went   (Picture an angry tone)

Dear Heavenly Father, (pause)
Thank you for this day (pause)
Please help my parents not to count anymore and not to restraint me anymore (pause)...

Then as he finished the prayer, he seemed to calm down and by the end had a normal tone of voice and finished the prayer appropriately.

I am so greatful for a Heavenly Father that gave me the calm demeanor and the words to teach my son.

I calmly told him that when we ask for things that are what we need Heavenly Father can answer our prayers, but when we ask for things that are not good for us, or are not what we need Heavenly Father cannot answer our prayers.

Then I told him that he was in complete control of whether or not mom and dad counted or restrained.  I put my one hand in a cupping motion on the table and said whenever K acts disrespectfully or violently, that mom and dad were required to "react" in a way that would keep him and us safe and then I set my other hand down on the table in cupping motion .  I told him that if he didn't act (and I lifted my one hand up) in the unsafe disrespectful way.... we wouldn't react by counting or putting him in a safety restraint and then I lifted my other hand up.

At first he was totally excited when I told him he was in complete control.... he said ... you mean like robots, I can control you!  Then after my explanation he goes, "Oh thats what you meant", like it was this annoying or disappointing thing.

The thing I liked the most was that he heard and understood.  Of course the next time he's angry..... he won't remember this conversation, but its a start!

Tahoe.... Ah Divine

Tahoe was divine this weekend.  We went up with another family and had one of the most relaxing fun time.  The best best best part.... it snowed!  Saturday night as we went to go to bed, we realized that we were getting the fat, wet snow coming down very fast.  All I can say is beautiful!  We turned all the lights out in the house and left the upper deck light on and stood at the wall of windows and just watched the beauty coming down amongst the big pine trees.  We even woke K up so that he could see it.

 

The whole reason that we went was so that we could install Kent's window that he made for the cabin.  The most awesome thing is that as you look at the window you just have to turn right and look out onto the balcony and see the real thing.... pine trees, huge pine cones and beautiful pine needles.  I am so proud of my hubby.  This window is awesome.

Special Olympics - Bowling

K started SO - bowling yesterday.  There were 90 some bowlers and first they practice, then they do two games and at the end - all the bowlers go to the next level of competition.  We have found out that our son doesn't like failing.  If he did not get a strike he would get mad and run away.  Now this is after the talk that we had before we even left.  You could see the stress, worry and anger on his face.

The coach on our two lanes was awesome.  Whenever, it was his turn, he would yell, I'm quitting, I'm not doing it and she would so okay, you don't have to, but someone has to roll the ball, do you want to do it or will I do it.  And then he would go and either do it or help her to do it.

After the first game we didn't make him bowl the second.  I wonder if we should try again next time in two weeks, or if we should find a sport that doesn't involve more than one person.  Both hubby and I are wondering and just shaking our heads on how to help teach him.

Yummmy

We went out for dinner tonight and I had the best fish sandwich that I have ever had.  The place is called Fins Market and its on the corner of Hazel and Madison....  It also sells fresh fish.  The sandwich I had is the Halibut and it was soft and tender and yummy.  K & K both had fish & chips.

You get what you get!

K has been home sick now for almost a week.... he's a little bored to say the least and he's tired of trying to cough up a lung.  However, that doesn't mean he gets to talk back to mom!  As I sent him to his chair, with an apology in order, I got "Sooorrrry" (insert imagined disdain & disgusted intonation).  With a quick word reminding him that is not the right way to say sorry.  I did get a new and much improved "Sorry" (insert imagined softened tone here).

As he turned to humbly (sarcasm) follow my loving direction I heard under his breath.... "but next time, you get what you get!"

Hardly able to control my quick smile and laughter, I resorted to the two word direction in a stern voice "Chair, Now!" because I swear if he hadn't left the room right then he would have totally seen me double over.

Hmmm now the question of the day would appear to be:  "I wonder where on earth he has heard that expression before?"  Could it be his kindergarten/first grade teacher who would say "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit".  Or his fourth grade teacher who also says "You get what you get" or perhaps maybe I may have on occassion used that term when serving dinner and was asked repeatedly "do I have to really eat that?"

The moral you ask?  You just never know when your words are going to be thrown back in your face.

Who Knew - Greatful for Underwear!

Who knew that I would be sooooo greatful for underwear!  I am, because if it weren't for underwear high school boys would be mooning everyone!

Driving to work today as I was stopped at an intersection, a boy on his way to school rode by on one of those bmx bikes, you know the ones, the ones they do tricks on.  He was standing up and pedalling and his pants were below his bum and if it wasn't for his gray underwear..... well it wouldn't have been pretty!

A Great Day!

Well 4th grade started on Tuesday and K had his first homework assignment ever that he needed the computer for!  He had to look up the State of California tree & animal.  Wednesday, he had to look up the State color.  He is revved that he gets to use the computer for homework!

This morning was the best and he had me stopping to think.  As we walked across the playground, he gave me a hug and I told him my usual "Have a good day today".  As I started to walk away.... he said

"Mom... I'm gonna have a GREAT Day today!"

I thought what a great idea, why just have a "good" day when you can have a "great" day. 

One of the teachers told me as I walked by his class lining up, that while other kids in the class were being "chaotic" he was doing his work and being really really good!.  Yup, that's my boy, he decided to have a great day!