My boy is growing up...

A few things have happened lately that make me realize that Hayden is growing up...

*The other day we went to McDonald's to play (and eat) with Candy, Ethan and Ella. I went and got the boys a Happy Meal and came back to let Candy go get Ethan and Ella their Happy Meals.

She came back almost immediately because the line was really long and she had seen some things behind the counter that turned her off. She said they would just eat when they got home and Ethan was heartbroken because he knew that meant no Happy Meal toy (what is it about those cheap toys, anyway). I mentioned to Hayden that Ethan really wanted a Happy Meal toy and if he didn't want his then he could give it Ethan. He got right up and handed the toy to Ethan and said, "Here, Ethan" in a sweet voice. My heart was so happy to see him sharing without me having to force him.

*Last night we were at DiGi and GrandDad's house visiting with my grandmother (Sugie), my brother (Uncle Scott) and sister-in-law (Aunt Bridget) . After dinner the whole family went for a walk. Hayden was running a we were in a cul de sac so he wasn't running off but he was running on concrete around and around and around. Chad told him to stop running because he was about to fall and skin his knees. He kept doing it anyway and even looked at Chad to see what his reaction was...Chad was just watching him (disappointed). Within a few minutes, Hayden was on his knees screaming. DiGi and GrandDad took him inside and doctored his knees and we left shortly after. We had been in the van a little while when Hayden said, "Sorry, Daddy." Chad asked him what for. He said, "For not listening, Daddy, I should have stopped running like you asked me to."

After thinking about it, this is how our relationship is with God...he tells us no, we do it anyway, and after we have been hurt we apologize for not listening.

I was talking to him while he was in bed last night and told him what a big boy it is to say that he was wrong to Chad. He said, "Yeah, God letted me think about it."

I am thankful for the lessons I learn...especially the ones from my 4 year old.

Parker's idea of swimming lessons...

I got out the little pool for him to play in and he is loving it. He has been in there every day this week! He has all his animals out there and sets them up and gets them wet and just plays by himself.

You might be wondering why he is naked...he just doesn't like to wear a swimsuit so I didn't make him. When he is an adult and hanging out at the nudist colony, you will know where this came from :).

My little Jellyfish...

Yep, not a tadpole anymore but a jellyfish!!!

BEFORE:

"I don't wanna get in the swimming pool!"

AFTER:

"Okay, Caleb, I'll jump in and swim to the other side!"

Wow, swimming lessons have been quite the experience. We have been taking them for the last few months at Red River Scuba on Shed Road. Overall, it has been a good experience but it started out rocky with us having lessons cancelled and instuctor changes (not too good for a business).


I almost got a refund and quit the whole place but I am so happy we stayed because we ended up for the last 6 weeks with a GREAT instructor. His name is Caleb and he was so good with Hayden. Hayden liked him too because he would twirl him around in the swimming pool and throw him in the air.


Hayden has learned how to swim but I would never trust him alone in the pool. He has years to go before that would happen! Some more pictures...


Caleb trying to get Hayden to float. We're still working on that!


Alot of our swimming experience was like this...Hayden talking to Caleb about what he was wanting to do. "Caleb, if I swim to there will you spin me?" "You want me to kick like this, Caleb?"


Hayden swimming!!!


"Take a picture of me going under water, Mommy!"

We are so thankful to have been able to take one on one swimming lessons. This has opened up a whole new area of fun for us!

Hot Pot...

Last night, I had a conversation with Parker that went something like this...

Parker: Wanna Hot Pot.
Me: A Hot Pot?
Parker: No, a Hot Pot.
Me: A Hot Pot?
Parker: No, Mommy, a Hot Pot (starting to look distressed).
Me: Go tell Daddy what you want.
Parker: Daddy, wanna Hot Pot.
Chad: You want a Hot Pot?
Parker: Noooooo, a Hot Pot!
Chad: Oh, you want a Pop Tart?
Parker: Yes, a Hot Pot!

I knew exactly what he wanted because I know his language but it was funny when I said it back wrong to him. In his mind he was saying Pop-Tart and I was saying Hot Pot.

I can remember my mom always telling a story on my brother, Scott, when he was around Parker's age that was similar to this. She would ask him his name and he would say "Stott" and she would say "Stott?". He would say "No, Stott!" I have always loved that story and now I have one of my own to tell.

Who doesn't?

Yesterday Hayden and Parker were watching Spiderman 2 and this girl in the movie was crying. Parker said, "Girl crying. She need Jesus."

I don't know where he got that phrase from because, while I think it, I don't say it very much. Precious!

The truth about me...

according to my 4 year old.

All questions were asked by Hayden's preschool teacher, Ms. Stephanie.

How old is your Mom? 60
When your Mom the prettiest? When she is going to a wedding.
What does your Mom like to make? Cookies
What does your Mom say? "I love you."
When is your Mom funny? When she tells me jokes.
What does you like about your Mom? That I love her.
What do you want to tell your Mom? I love her.
Where does your Mom work? The church
What does she do at work? She sings
What do you like to play with you Mom? Legos

I even learned some things :).

What's your name?

After a trip to Walmart I ran through Captain D's and got a Dr. Pepper. Hayden asked me if a Dr. Pepper would make me strong and healthy and I told him no that it wasn't very healthy.

Fastforward three hours...

I am hanging up some things on the walls in the house (post painting) and he is "helping" me get the level and a screw here and there. So, I move on to hang up something else and this is how the conversation went from there:

Hayden: Mommy, let me know if you need any help because you know I am really strong.
Me: (kind of busy and half listening) I know you are so strong.
Hayden: But, Mommy, you are not strong because you had that Diet Coke (he calls all soda that for some reason).
Me: Yeah?
Hayden: You shouldn't of had that Diet Coke because it wouldn't give you strong muscles like I have.
Me: I know, baby, I should have drank water.
Hayden: Yep, God was saying (then silence)...
Hayden: What's your name (perplexed)?
Me: Angela.
Hayden: Oh, yeah, God was saying 'Angela you shouldn't drink that Diet Coke because it is not healthy for you.'

I thought it was so cute that he couldn't remember my name. He just knew God wouldn't be calling me "Mommy." Love that boy!!!