Zane has gotten pretty good at not answering questions when confronted. He will try and beat around the bush or say “I dunno...” Squeezing toothpaste all over the bathroom is not something you forget, so Wes and I will say “Yes or No?” and make him fess up. The other day, Zane asked me if I could get him a pillow pet and followed it by…“Yes or Yes sir?” Ha. Good try buddy. I think Santa will fall for your desperate pleadings though.
Speaking of those desperate pleadings…I told Zane we weren’t buying a pillow pet, but we can ask Santa for it. He responds…“You said that last time and Santa didn’t bring it. He never ever will. Everyone has a pillow pet…Jaxon, Ryan, Austen…everyone in the whole entire world but me.” I almost felt sorry for him…
Zane is very good at catching me when I’m losing patience and when I start saying “Shush” or “get out/go away/leave me alone” etc. He will say “mommy, you shouldn’t say that. Its not nice...” I really want to tell him “It’s not nice to annoy your mom either…” but I look at his innocent, sad, so dang cute little face, that I just have to hug him instead. It helps when his hugs are followed by “You’re the best mommy ever!” or "I love you the most...well not more than God though...!"
He is very good at thinking of other people. He drew pictures the other day and put them in envelopes. He asked me who’s mailboxes we should put them in. He was very excited. I need to provide more opportunities for him to get to follow through on his ideas and actually get to see people’s reactions, hugs, and thank you’s for the things he thinks of.
Dear Zane, You definitely like to push buttons and you never run low on “whine,” but you are so sweet, love learning, love helping, love giving, and love hugging. You are my little buddy and I love you very much!
Avery
Avery is the total opposite of me right now. I loved all sports and have been looking forward to watching her love it as much as I do, but his kid doesn’t want to do anything!
She has never cared about soccer; I’ve just bribed her to play. She is one that needs some confidence, and I thought she’d enjoy it after she understood how to play and got better. I’ve never pushed her to practice, just wanted her to have fun. 4 seasons later, she is still not wanting to do it. I'm done bribing.
She really liked hip hop jazz this summer, but no longer wants to go every week anymore. I told her I wasn’t going to pay if she wasn’t going to go. She said OK, she doesn’t want to do it…We dropped out.
She always loved gymnastics and I thought that was her thing. She was the most confident in it, but she told me last week she only wants to do it if she’s in her friend’s class. I tried to remind her how much she loved learning routines and going to little competitions (because she really did!) but she said “Well, I just like doing it at home and making up my own routines now...” If she wants to go down to a rec. class with a friend, I guess we'll do that. It's better than totally quitting.
After all these convo's I realized sports may not be her thing (Yes. I'm slow!). I ask her, Would you like to learn how to play the piano? “No, I already do that at GG’s.” Well, yes, but this way you can learn how to play actual songs!? “I just like making up my own songs…”
You love art! Would you like to take art lessons and paint? “I would like to paint, but I don’t want someone to tell me how to do it because I already know how…”
Hmm. She likes doing things, just doesn’t like people telling her what to do!? Maybe she’ll gain interest as she grows. I just want to get her (me) out of the house occasionally-get to know other girls, have fun, and gain confidence in herself and her abilities. Maybe she just wants to get better at painting fingernails at home... I think I can handle that...
Dear Avery, you have so much spunk with natural talent in so many areas. You are a big helper, love babysitting, and obey very well. I can't wait to find out what else you really love to do. I hope I will notice it, if it is something I'm not expecting. I love you my little sweet angel.
