Plane Lost and Found

Zeke got a little biplane for Christmas and a couple of weeks ago I realized we had no idea where it was. (Not surprising, because the pick-up-the-toys routine has disappeared in the past few months...) So I rallied my strength and did some picking up and some cleaning of places like under the couch and the space between couch and desk where Zeke likes to drop things. Still no plane.

Yesterday Zeke was playing by himself in the living room. When Aaron looked over to check on him, he told Zeke to show me what he had. The very plane I have been looking for! I asked Zeke where he found it, and he told me 'Up in the sky'.

Of course - where else would you look for a plane? (And the one place I hadn't checked.)

Bombarded by Parenting Propaganda

In the past 4 or so years I've read many pregnancy and parenting blogs, articles, and forums. Many of them, especially the forums, have contributors who think that whatever they did for their child is universally applicable. Occasionally I see 'This is what we did, and it worked for us, hope it helps' and I like those people - but alas they are the minority. Why can't we all just get along?

For example, we bought Zeke a new carseat last weekend. He was in desperate need of an upgrade, and this new seat is perfect for him. I was crawling the web looking for tips on taking carseats on airplanes, and found a mom who had similar age kids in a similar carseat. One of the responses to her question was 'I would never put my 3 year old in that carseat. My kids ride this other carseat.' Okay, well, good for you, thanks for sharing; but aren't we both trying to accomplish the same goal here (i.e., trying to keep our kids safe)?

And all that stuff you get as an expecting parent (okay, an expecting mom, expecting dads get left out when it comes to free stuff). Once you wade through the health advice and the advertising, you're left with parenting magazines that tell you you should nurse your baby because that's what 'good moms' do, along with pictures of smart, happy babies latched on. And there might be a few other articles (valuable or otherwise) in between. This time I flipped through the free stuff collection in the car and recycled it as soon as I got home. (It's aimed at first-time moms anyway, what's up with that?) Then I went and found the magazines I got when I was pregnant with Zeke and tossed them too. Not sure why I kept them for 3 years and 2 moves... My 3+ years of Zeke-parenting experience will be my first reference for caring for a new baby anyway.

The lesson I keep learning and keep reminding myself that I have already learned is that I should do what's best for us and our kids. It doesn't matter what someone else thinks or does.
And that 'good mom' I am constantly comparing myself to? In my moments of greatest clarity, I don't think she really exists.

Lessons Learned from Zeke

A little kid in a bathtub can soak a bathroom in a matter of seconds

There is a difference between being able to do something and willing to do something

Some things (like soaking the bathroom) are worth doing despite the consequences

The purpose for picking things up and putting them in a container is to dump them out again

Hearing 'I love you' is of course wonderful, but 'Thank you Mommy' is right there with it

Blowing bubbles, playing in the dirt, and looking at stars are fun every day

If you want to make friends, offer candy and high fives

Toys that bounce or roll are generally not a good choice for church

When you try to deviate from an established routine, your child will let you know you're doing it wrong

After being given consistent praise for a certain activity, feel free to praise yourself while doing it

When you forget your lines, your preschooler can supply them ('Ouch!... [mom, now you say] What happened?')

Train'd

Trains have become a greater part of Zeke's life since Christmas. It all started with Grandma's Christmas train, complete with hills, tunnel, lights, village, and boxcar full of M&M's.

When we went to visit Grandma on Christmas Day, Zeke spent most of his time with the train and the uncles and Grandpa who know how to make it go 'round and round'. Since then, he has asked many times to 'go Mama's house, play the train'.

And Zeke got his very own train set for Christmas as well.

We have since expanded his starter set with a bigger track, another engine, and a few cars (because, as Zeke says, 'Thomas needs to pull cars') and we play trains every day. His favorite parts are the bridge, tunnel, and when the trains go 'round and round' in a small circle.

Thanks to Zeke for thoroughly enjoying helping me write this post.