Learning Address

Today, in school, Daniel talked about our address and our house. When I arrived home from work, Daniel was eager to show me his work. The paper on the fridge listed our address written in crayon. I asked Daniel if he knew our address. I walked him through the number and then asked, "What circle do we live in?"

I should have known. Daniel ran into the front room, pointed into the circle, and said, "That one!"

Evening Prayer

On Tuesday nights, Julie rehearses with the Salt Lake Symphony so she's gone until well after the kids are in bed. Last night, when I was getting the kids to bed, I watched Daniel growing up right before my eyes.

The night before, Megan had refused to say the bedtime prayer. Having learned this trick already, I asked if she would pray the next night and she agreed (because it meant she did not have to do it right then). So last night, I reminded her of her commitment and she stated, as she always does, that she needs help. I now employed another trick we've learned--to ask her who she want to help her (a crying fit is the alternative if we just assign a helper). Seeing her options were limited since Julie wasn't home, Megan appointed Daniel to help her.

Now Megan does a pretty good job with a prayer and usually only needs prompting to finish. Daniel has seen us coach her before many times. But I wondered how he would handle this because his usual approach when he wants to "help" Megan is to do it for her or yell at her until she does it his way (a useless activity that only increases the overall volume in our home). So I said nothing to Megan or Daniel and motioned that it was time to say the prayer.

I kept my eyes open to observe and I got a treat. Megan said a wonderful prayer and Daniel remained completely silent until Megan gave her usual, "eh?" that signals she's lost and needs some help. Daniel gently suggested a couple of phrases, even turning the grammar of the sentence around so that when Megan reversed it, it would sound correct. Then, instead of saying, "in the name of . . ." to prompt the end of the prayer, he whispered, "Finish it."

I nearly cried. My 4 year-old had just acted with the wisdom of a parent more seasoned than I in a leadership position to which he had been appointed with no advance notice whatsoever. Wow!

Double Delight

As some of you may know, Julie got her second piano in June so that she can teach more effectively in her studio. In addition to making her studio more appealing to current and potential students, this has opened up the possibility of 4 hand, 2 piano duets. While I don't have nearly the skill that Julie does, I enjoy playing with her. But it was simply wonderful last Saturday when my parents came over. While watching Utah demolish Utah State (sorry, Aggie fans), Julie and my mom played a number of duets. The effect was a joy no matter what room you were in. It was a great night, all the way around.

We finally broke down and bought Megan a bike that would fit her. She's been riding around on a little tricycle which was outgrown. She loved that bike, but when she tried to go forward the wheel would turn but would take her no where. We are hoping that now we can go around the block in less than an hour.

Fall

When asked what my favorite season is, I would quickly respond with Spring. I have always enjoyed spring. The warmer weather, the blossoms on the tree and in the flower beds, as well as the smell of these blossoms that fill the air. The last few years I've really enjoyed the Fall and am beginning to think that maybe Fall is now becoming an additional favorite season. I can't quite put my finger on exactly why. Maybe it's the weather becoming cooler, or the leaves changing color, or the evening becoming shorter, or even the smell of Fall. Maybe it's the idea of football games where the family gets together and pigs out on all the yummy food and treats while watching the game. Or conference where all the family gets together and pigs out on yummy food and treats......or maybe it doesn't matter what the occasion as long as there is yummy food and treats to pig out on. I probably eat more in Fall then I do any other season. The Fall makes me crave these things. What is your favorite season and why?

School

What an exciting time school can be. Daniel is in his 2nd year of preschool. He has absolutely loved every minute of it. I myself have loved every minute of it. Even if it is only 4 hours a week. Daniel is always eager to attend. This morning I woke up and found Daniel all ready for school. He was dressed with shoes and backpack on. He had even remembered it was show & tell today. He had already packed is show & tell item. About every 20 minutes he is asking if it's time for school. I tell him that he won't be going to school until after lunch. His easy solution: "Let's eat lunch." (It's 9:00 and he just finished breakfast about 30 minutes previous.) I love hearing the things that he learned and the fun time he had with his friends. Daniel is so easy-going. New things are never hard for him to adjust to. I was a little worried last year with his first day of school. Not Daniel. He waved good-bye and marched right into the school. And was so excited to return the next time. I look forward to the day when Megan gets to attend school at the same time Daniel is at school. I, however, have my doubts about it being so easy going with Megan. Megan is quite the opposite of Daniel.

Anger Management

It's interesting to see how each child handles anger management. Watching Daniel and Megan handle their anger is just comical. Dear sweet Megan.....if something doesn't go quite the way she wanted it to, she growls/roars at it. As if that will make the dishwasher open, or her underwear magically cover her bum the right way.

And then there's Daniel. If you ask him to do something he doesn't want to do, he will angrily go do it while shouting back at you, "I won't ever eat dinner again." The comical thing about his comment is that whatever was asked of him had absolutely nothing to do with dinner. He apparently doesn't realize by saying this, he is only punishing himself and not me. Of course after making this comment he becomes fearful about actually not being able to eat dinner.