Funny Stories from the Boys

Alex: Alex was really excited for dinner. I gave him a scoop of pasta on his plate and he said to himself just as he was about to take a bite "Now thats what I'm talkin' about."

Aaron: We spent the day at Hawk Island Park yesterday where they have a lake you can swim in. Every hour the lifeguard calls out on his megaphone "Everyone in out of the water! Its time for the water safety check."

Aaron didn't hear him say this and so when I tried to coax him out of the water, he refused to come. Even when all one hundred kids were on the beach and waiting for Aaron to get out he still refused. I was getting anxious. Other moms were offering to go (fully clothed) into the water to get him. Finally the life guard walks over and asks him to get out. He still refused! The life guard tried to lead him by the arm and he wiggled out of his grip. The life guard picked him up by his arms and carried him to the beach. I was embarrassed.

Last night as I was tucking him into bed, I expressed my disappointment in his behavior and explained the whole situation like this. "Aaron, every once in a while the life guard has to say 'EVERYONE OUT OF THE WATER!' then after 5 minutes he yells 'EVERYONE BACK IN THE WATER!' Thats how it works."

To that Aaron said, with a big smile on his face, "Oh, now I get it - that makes sense!" He was relieved, like now he knew the whole story.

The words "Well Done"

"A little encouragement goes a long way."

Just finished watching Super Nanny after a particularly exhausting day. (I'm not sure why I would watch a show about children with behavior problems 5 minutes after getting my kids into bed)  This episode was the most extreme poor behavior I have ever seen. What I loved to see was how praise had an immediate affect on the children. 

So tomorrow I am going to structure the day so I have opportunities to encourage the boys. I realize that there are many ways I can busy myself during the day and give no encouraging words. I can't exactly encourage them while they are watching TV or if they are playing alone. 

I am just going to brainstorm a bit. Activities where I have opportunity to encourage:

• Doing a project at the table
• Cleaning (they love washing windows, vacuuming, washing floors)
• Cooking
• Puzzles and games
• Kids doing play-dough in the kitchen while I work
• Teach Aaron to dress himself
• Working on letters and numbers
• Get out the beginner reading material with Alex

These activities also can be the most frustrating, messy, requiring the most work. But if my Heavenly Father was peering through my window, I know he would love to see me using my agency to teach my children (and His) how to use their agency righteously. As I say "well done" to my children, He says "well done" to me.