Acts of Kindness

 In preparing Aid for the playground at school we had lots of talks about playground social etiquette.  How to ask someone to play.  How to make sure it's not just your game you always want to play.  How to walk away from fights if possible (this one came up earlier then I thought it would). And how to try to include people that don't have anyone to play with.  I have to admit that this last one had two purposes.  One, that I obviously want my children to be people who care about other people's feelings.  But two, I am always worried about the friend situation.  I figured that if he turned out to be the one on the playground that no one was playing with then he could perhaps find another kid that no one was playing with and then he wouldn't be alone.  And if my years have taught me anything it's that one good friend is worth a thousand not so good ones.

Tonight before bed Aid told me he had something to tell me.  I braced myself.  (I think this will be my immediate response every time I hear these words.)

"Mom, today I saw a kid on the playground that wasn't playing with anybody.  He looked sad.  He's in another kindergarten class.  I think he's five because he's smaller then me.  So I did what you told me to do.  I asked him if he wanted to play with me and my friends."

(Me tearing up.) "What did he say?"

"He said no.  But he looked sad."

So we talked about asking him again, because maybe he wasn't sure if you meant it....or maybe he's shy. Or maybe he didn't understand what game you were playing, etc.

"Ok mama. Everyone needs a friend. Even a little guy littler then me."

(Me still tearing up)

"That's right buddy. Everyone needs a friend."

Amongst all the things that I am doing wrong, clearly some things are also going very right.

Dribble Drabble

Aid and Grant each have their strengths.  Aid is creative, sweet, smart, inquisitive and imaginative.  Grant is funny, stubborn, forgiving, playful, and athletic.

Very athletic.

The kid is a natural.  He jumps, he flips, he kicks, and he dribbles.

Aid has been religiously practicing his basketball dribbling skills.  He has been very determined.  He is making some progress.  But if I'm being honest I have to try not to giggle when he's doing it.  It looks a little painful.  Tonight he was showing off his newly practiced skills to Grant...who then asked if he could have a turn... 

And then killed it.  He was Globe Trotting  all over the house.  For good measure he threw in, "You just gotta practice Aid!"

Nothing like having your 3 year old brother school you on the court.

Grant's Final Stand

We are going through a stage with Grant (courtesy of Aid's previous stage) of finicky eating.  Mimicking his brother, it is almost 100% certain that when I tell him what is for dinner he will yell, "I don't like that yucky food!"

Tonight it came again.

"Mom, what's for dinner?"

"Turkey burgers and sweet potato french fries!"

"Yuck! I don't like that food!"

Bob:  "Go apologize to your mother, she works hard to make us all dinner."

Grant marches into the kitchen... says in his nicest cutest little voice:

"Mommy.  I'm really sorry. But I don't like the food you make.  Can I have a treat?"

"Uh...no Gant.  You may not have a treat."

In a final act of rebellion he firmly states:

"Well, fine then.  If I do not get a treat then I. am. taking. my. underwear. off!!!"

Ok little dude. You gotta do what you gotta do I guess.