Ashtyn is almost 4 now and is very in touch with her intuition and her spirit. An example of this is that she is often reading peoples faces and commenting on how they must be feeling inside...happy, sad, angry, worried, playful, etc. She does this a lot with her family, but also at the mall with perfect strangers. It can almost be embarrassing if she comments too loud.
That being said I've been trying to channel that energy into helping her control her emotions in a positive way. I'm sure it's common for 4 year old kids to throw fits over little things. Whats probably uncommon is parents talking their kids through their emotions and the kid "getting it".
Last week when she threw a fit over not wanting to go to bed, I calmed her enough to ask, "What does it feel like inside your heart when you get mad and cry like this?" With a bit more prompting she said, "Bad inside". I then let her know that no one in the world can make her happy of sad, that God gave her alone that control. "What that means Ashtyn, is that right now, you can choose to be happy." She then said, "I can't do that, it's too hard"! I knew she was getting it...amazing!
Anyways, over the next five minutes I watched her "choose" to be happy with her circumstances...having to listen to mommy and daddy...and go to bed. When I left her room, she had the most peaceful smile on her face. It was a new look that I had not noticed before. It was the look of a little girl who just realized she had an important super power that she could now use for her benefit. (OK, I'm probably reading into it a bit).
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
The wonder of it all
Easter has got to be one of the most wonderful times of the year. Especially when you have little daughters.
My oldest is starting to understand the significance of the holiday aside from candy and bunnies...both of which she is still very excited over.
The little one is at that age where she is completely filled with wonder with every new experience that comes her way. The look in her eyes when you set a beautiful basket in front of her that is filled with candy and toys...pure joy!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
The Old Tree
My daughters are in love with this imaginary character that I've created named The Old Tree.
I don't remember when, where, or how I started telling them these stories in a funny old voice as the old tree. The fact is that now they pretty much prefer spending time with him more than they do with me. It is the funniest thing. They will ask me questions, and if I don't use the right voice, they are all over it. "I was talking to the old tree, daddy". I hear that often.
My wife was out last night and when she got home she asked, "Did you play with the girls...or did the old tree?" I laughed because she was right, daddy was only in the mix about 50% of the time.
To make things even more fun, I have about 10 other "characters" that I do, and they all have different voices. It is hard to keep up, but the girls absolutely love it.
I don't remember when, where, or how I started telling them these stories in a funny old voice as the old tree. The fact is that now they pretty much prefer spending time with him more than they do with me. It is the funniest thing. They will ask me questions, and if I don't use the right voice, they are all over it. "I was talking to the old tree, daddy". I hear that often.
My wife was out last night and when she got home she asked, "Did you play with the girls...or did the old tree?" I laughed because she was right, daddy was only in the mix about 50% of the time.
To make things even more fun, I have about 10 other "characters" that I do, and they all have different voices. It is hard to keep up, but the girls absolutely love it.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Pow Pow Power Wheels
It's cool to get to live through your kids, right? When Ashtyn was just over 24 months I decided she needed the Power Wheels that I never had. It was one of the best days ever. You should have seen the smile on MY face. My little girl was just not as excited though. I basically had to convince her at Toys R Us that she NEEDED wheels. She did like to sit in her new toy, but the driving part she was just not ready for. I was disappointed all summer because all she could do was go in a circle.
My investment finally paid off this weekend. Nice weather and she was cruising the avenue with her little sis. She can actually navigate rights and lefts. I am so proud.
My investment finally paid off this weekend. Nice weather and she was cruising the avenue with her little sis. She can actually navigate rights and lefts. I am so proud.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Dodgeball
My youngest just threw a ball at me and hit me in the head...and I couldn't be happier!
Me and the girls got up early today. We had limited time before church. Our mission started at Walmart. We bought every plush softball size ball that we could find in the toy section. As we looked around I explained to the girls the finer points of dodgeball.
Ashtyn was skeptical at first..."This isn't a game." Skepticism was quickly replaced with squeals of joy as her, mom, Emersyn, and me ran around the house lobing potshots at each other. Good times. We need more ammo though. Emersyn's B-day is soon. May I suggest Nerf products!
Me and the girls got up early today. We had limited time before church. Our mission started at Walmart. We bought every plush softball size ball that we could find in the toy section. As we looked around I explained to the girls the finer points of dodgeball.
Ashtyn was skeptical at first..."This isn't a game." Skepticism was quickly replaced with squeals of joy as her, mom, Emersyn, and me ran around the house lobing potshots at each other. Good times. We need more ammo though. Emersyn's B-day is soon. May I suggest Nerf products!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Baby Names...
Check out the poll and cast your vote! Not that it will matter in the end, but it will still be fun! Also, leave a comment here for your suggestions for Middle Names!!! Ashtyn GREER and Emersyn MARIE, and since we are only two parents, we are out of our own middle names to use! :)
Friday, March 14, 2008
Type A Personality
My kids can stress me out. Shocking, you know? Playing with them is awesome, but they just want it to go on forever. And my kids don't just want to plan Lego's, they have me putting on full scale theatrical productions. Exhausting!
I caught a break today though. I found out that my oldest daughter loves a new game called, "Help Daddy Clean The Garage." We had fun, and got alot done. It's obvious we both have Type A personalities. We were having some of our greatest fun ever...being productive. It was a beautiful thing.
I caught a break today though. I found out that my oldest daughter loves a new game called, "Help Daddy Clean The Garage." We had fun, and got alot done. It's obvious we both have Type A personalities. We were having some of our greatest fun ever...being productive. It was a beautiful thing.
Race Car Drivers
I tip my hat to the person who invented the grocery store carts that look like kids race cars. What an awesome idea!
I took my girls to the local grocery yesterday to get some things for my wife. I was excited to spend this time with them because I had just got home after 3 days out of town.
This little errand got unexpectedly better when the girls noticed a green "race car" cart. They literally flipped out in their excitement to "drive". It has like heaven on earth to see their glow and hear their giggles. I purposely got lost in the store a couple of times just to savor the moment with them a bit longer.
This is exactly why I avoid bringing the girls gifts when I am away. This run to the store proves that the best gift I could have given them was taking them to the store with me instead of simply picking some things up on my way home. In the long run these girls will hopefully value the time and experiences over the ninja turtles.
I took my girls to the local grocery yesterday to get some things for my wife. I was excited to spend this time with them because I had just got home after 3 days out of town.
This little errand got unexpectedly better when the girls noticed a green "race car" cart. They literally flipped out in their excitement to "drive". It has like heaven on earth to see their glow and hear their giggles. I purposely got lost in the store a couple of times just to savor the moment with them a bit longer.
This is exactly why I avoid bringing the girls gifts when I am away. This run to the store proves that the best gift I could have given them was taking them to the store with me instead of simply picking some things up on my way home. In the long run these girls will hopefully value the time and experiences over the ninja turtles.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Little Kisses
It's getting really hard to talk my almost 2 year old into giving me a kiss.
First reaction is usually a straight-up "NO"
If I'm lucky and she's feeling like a love bug, she will ever so slightly offer me her cheek and allow me to kiss her.
The big score is becoming rare, and I can only get a real kiss with cute little lips by following this plan: If and when she offers the cheek, I tickle her belly and say, "No, with lips...with lips" and sometimes the tickling makes her let put her guard down just long enough that she forgets her defenses and kisses her daddy.
It is always worth the dance!
First reaction is usually a straight-up "NO"
If I'm lucky and she's feeling like a love bug, she will ever so slightly offer me her cheek and allow me to kiss her.
The big score is becoming rare, and I can only get a real kiss with cute little lips by following this plan: If and when she offers the cheek, I tickle her belly and say, "No, with lips...with lips" and sometimes the tickling makes her let put her guard down just long enough that she forgets her defenses and kisses her daddy.
It is always worth the dance!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Story Time
My daughters are in love with stories. Are all kids like that?
I can sit them in a rocking chair and make up exciting adventures about bears, trees, and bumble bees and engage them almost indefinitely. They never tire of the stories, I get tired of making them up, and that is how they always end. I'm thinking about doing a marathon and just tell a story for as long as they will listen. I bet they will go for well over an hour. Maybe more. I will let you know.
I can sit them in a rocking chair and make up exciting adventures about bears, trees, and bumble bees and engage them almost indefinitely. They never tire of the stories, I get tired of making them up, and that is how they always end. I'm thinking about doing a marathon and just tell a story for as long as they will listen. I bet they will go for well over an hour. Maybe more. I will let you know.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Silly Parents
I've recently fallen in love with Blogging. No one cares except the people that love me, but that is OK! I've been writing about personal stuff and business stuff up to now.
This Saturday I was playing with my girls while my wife was at a retreat. My 22 month old got very excited and fell head first from a over sized chair in our living room. There was a horrible thud and I was frozen in panic. This was the first time I can remember the feeling of air being sucked out of my lungs. I freaked out and held her tight and called my wife to let her know I was taking her to the ER.
Then a funny thing awoke me from my stupor. The little one laughed. My wife was still on the phone and heard it, I think. I looked down and my 3 1/2 year old is holding Emer's little foot. It must have tickled her quite a bit. She immediately stopped her sobbing. My over attention and panic was probably augmenting her tears.
Anyways, I hung up with my wife after assuring all was well now. My oldest daughter looked up at me and said, "Silly Daddy, Emer is OK, she just fell on her head." We prayed and thanked God for safety, fun, family, and love. And now I get to have fun reflecting on all the silly and crazy stuff about being a parent.
This Saturday I was playing with my girls while my wife was at a retreat. My 22 month old got very excited and fell head first from a over sized chair in our living room. There was a horrible thud and I was frozen in panic. This was the first time I can remember the feeling of air being sucked out of my lungs. I freaked out and held her tight and called my wife to let her know I was taking her to the ER.
Then a funny thing awoke me from my stupor. The little one laughed. My wife was still on the phone and heard it, I think. I looked down and my 3 1/2 year old is holding Emer's little foot. It must have tickled her quite a bit. She immediately stopped her sobbing. My over attention and panic was probably augmenting her tears.
Anyways, I hung up with my wife after assuring all was well now. My oldest daughter looked up at me and said, "Silly Daddy, Emer is OK, she just fell on her head." We prayed and thanked God for safety, fun, family, and love. And now I get to have fun reflecting on all the silly and crazy stuff about being a parent.
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