On Thursday at Zoe's Daycare, the teachers take the kiddos outside to play in a "pool". The pool is just a tub of water that they can reach inside and splash around.
Well, yesterday, my little Zoe, in addition to splashing around, thought of a funner idea! She filled a plastic cup with the water from the tub, and systematically went to each child and promptly poured it over their heads! Laughing the whole time! And she would announce her accomplishment, too: "I got Sophie . . . I got Audrey . . . " The teachers said they couldn't tell her to stop because they were laughing so hard.
I don't know if I've had a prouder moment as a parent. My baby girl definitely has my sense of humor! She is just so much funny. She loves to smile, laugh, and make others laugh. So many smiles on my heart from this silly story!
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Friday, August 9, 2013
Helping Hand
I know it's not our great parenting, but I love how much Zoe wants to help us in whatever we are doing. If we're doing yard work, she's getting dirty. If we're doing laundry, she's in the pile of clothes. If we're cleaning house, she wants to have the duster.
The question is, how do we train her to CONTINUE to want to help us with these chores?
As any parent, we want to raise our child to be a responsible adult. Which means we have to help her be a responsible little person, too. I'm sure the battles are coming, but right now, I'm enjoying our Little Helper. I love seeing the pride in her eyes as she cleans up after eating a meal. Or the look of accomplishment she has after she does her part in picking up her toys. It's some of the most satisfying moments I have as a dad. Truly love my little munchkin!
Zoe helping with laundry!
The question is, how do we train her to CONTINUE to want to help us with these chores?
As any parent, we want to raise our child to be a responsible adult. Which means we have to help her be a responsible little person, too. I'm sure the battles are coming, but right now, I'm enjoying our Little Helper. I love seeing the pride in her eyes as she cleans up after eating a meal. Or the look of accomplishment she has after she does her part in picking up her toys. It's some of the most satisfying moments I have as a dad. Truly love my little munchkin!
Zoe helping with laundry!
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Learning Curve
I'm really diggin' this Daddy thing. Don't get me wrong, that's not to say that I'm that great at it. Or that we don't have our moments. But now, at this stage of the game (and this may change day to day, who knows?) I love ALL the moments, good and bad.
The good moments are priceless. They are all smiles, laughs, and giggles. They're filled with squinted eyes, grins that won't recede, and hearts filled to the brim with warmth and love.
But I can honestly say that the bad moments (and with a 22-month-old, we do have them) are treasured. No, not necessarily in the moment; but, oh so close. These are the tantrums, the faux crying, the dirty looks, the broken record of "No's". It's the little pearl that appears after the struggle. It's through the not-so-pleasant times that the true learning is cashed in. It's like we can literally see her understanding what the fight was about. It's at those times that she is learning about her world. If the good times teach her that she is loved, cherished, and protected, then the ugly times teach her that despite her elevated sense of being, she doesn't rule the roost. And she doesn't have to dig that. And it's okay, because she is still loved and protected.
Sometimes, we can be having one of those knock down, drag out fights. And it can drag on and on. Yes, this girl is persistent! And I love that!!! I hope she never loses it. Truthfully! I hope she keeps her tenacity, her fight for what she wants in life. But sometimes, after one of those fights, I'm so battle-worn, the aches and bruises so intense, I don't realize that . . . I've won!!! I've won!!! She, despite her youthful energy, gave in because she knew I would not.
And that's when I feel the proudest. That's a life lesson. One that she'll be repeatedly quizzed on throughout her life. And the lesson for me: I can make sure she aces those quizzes if I don't falter, if I consistently remind her of her protective boundaries.
The good moments are priceless. They are all smiles, laughs, and giggles. They're filled with squinted eyes, grins that won't recede, and hearts filled to the brim with warmth and love.
But I can honestly say that the bad moments (and with a 22-month-old, we do have them) are treasured. No, not necessarily in the moment; but, oh so close. These are the tantrums, the faux crying, the dirty looks, the broken record of "No's". It's the little pearl that appears after the struggle. It's through the not-so-pleasant times that the true learning is cashed in. It's like we can literally see her understanding what the fight was about. It's at those times that she is learning about her world. If the good times teach her that she is loved, cherished, and protected, then the ugly times teach her that despite her elevated sense of being, she doesn't rule the roost. And she doesn't have to dig that. And it's okay, because she is still loved and protected.
Sometimes, we can be having one of those knock down, drag out fights. And it can drag on and on. Yes, this girl is persistent! And I love that!!! I hope she never loses it. Truthfully! I hope she keeps her tenacity, her fight for what she wants in life. But sometimes, after one of those fights, I'm so battle-worn, the aches and bruises so intense, I don't realize that . . . I've won!!! I've won!!! She, despite her youthful energy, gave in because she knew I would not.
And that's when I feel the proudest. That's a life lesson. One that she'll be repeatedly quizzed on throughout her life. And the lesson for me: I can make sure she aces those quizzes if I don't falter, if I consistently remind her of her protective boundaries.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Blog Say What
Well I'm new to this. Maybe I'll figure it out. Maybe I won't. Who knows? As a new parent (well, Zoe is almost 2, but I still feel new to the game) so many things rush through your mind, through your heart. You have so many questions. So few answers. You have so many battles, within and without. And your mind never shuts off.
That's why I thought doing a blog may help me sort things out a bit. Maybe it will serve as a reminder to how far I've come as a dad, and not how far short I am.
Either way, one day Zoe may be able to sit down and read her dad's mind. Literally. Not knowing what your parents think, or how they feel can be crushing to a child. Unfortunately it can also define the way they see themselves for many years. My hope is that putting things down in writing will help me to make sure I say things out loud.
One thing is for certain: Zoe will have lots of questions throughout the years. But one question that she should never entertain is how her daddy feels about her. She WILL know my affection and love for her. She will know that she inspires me to be a better me.
That's why I thought doing a blog may help me sort things out a bit. Maybe it will serve as a reminder to how far I've come as a dad, and not how far short I am.
Either way, one day Zoe may be able to sit down and read her dad's mind. Literally. Not knowing what your parents think, or how they feel can be crushing to a child. Unfortunately it can also define the way they see themselves for many years. My hope is that putting things down in writing will help me to make sure I say things out loud.
One thing is for certain: Zoe will have lots of questions throughout the years. But one question that she should never entertain is how her daddy feels about her. She WILL know my affection and love for her. She will know that she inspires me to be a better me.
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