My youngest child taught me many things but one lesson in particular has come in handy with grandchildren. I was reminded of it when I read a piece of parenting advice recently. Summer days are long and older toddlers who have mostly given up napping need to be employed and exhausted daily or no one …
Can God Read?
“G-O-D, God,” read Thomas. It’s the first sight word I taught him, and why not? It’s the most important word to know, for him and for you and for me. It’s the beginning of understanding everything. Origin of man and the universe? God. Giver of life? God. Sustainer, Creator, Provider, Author, Purpose-Giver, Indwelling Spirit. The …
God’s Body Building
Thomas was still too young for Legos. He thought the game was emptying the bucket. As soon as the crashing noise ended, he was on to something new. I called his attention back to the tower I was building but when he swatted it, it stayed put. What fun is a tower that can’t be …
Valley of Blessing
I first met my daughter standing by a stop sign on Hardin Road in a misting rain. Although we’d never met, I put my arm around her and asked if she was alright. I knew a little about her from my son. I’d heard them talking on the phone. He met her at work and …
Saving Siri
“Mumble-mumble-mumble wock,” mimicked Thomas, copycatting Amelia yet again. He thinks it’s funny to repeat what he thinks he hears. Younger by almost a year, she speaks very well but he’s made a game of echoing her baby talk and she picks up the phrase and they repeat it over and over laughing all the while. …
Redirect
I planted toddler tomatoes today. My daddy started them for me and I potted them in planters in the magic spot from last year. In the few days it took me to get them repotted, they tangled themselves into a knot, much like my grandchildren when left unsupervised for half a minute to make their …
Caught Off Guard
“We won’t melt,” I said to my daughter as the sprinkling rain came. The overcast sky had been threatening all day but we’d finally pulled our chairs outside along with the sand box and the water table. Thomas’s front was already soaked from play so we sat, half an hour or more, in the drizzle, …
Best Advice My Mom Ever Gave Me- Part 1
“Let’s get a Frosty!” said Jacob for the second day in a row as he climbed into the car at the elementary school. “Not today, buddy,” I said. “But why not?” he whined. “We’ve had our after school treat for this week,” I reminded him, “plus I don’t have any cash.” “Just use that plastic …
How Full Are You?
“You’ll never finish that!” My brother in law’s words sounded like a challenge. I was trying a new pizza and though it was personal sized, it was loaded. The toppings were piled higher than the crust and by the first bite, I knew I wouldn’t be taking any home. Loaded with veggies and spiced with …
There’s No Place Like Home
Traveling with small children is always an adventure. We pack up our entire house to make our home away from home as familiar as possible. We try to stick to familiar routines. We save and splurge to provide memory making opportunities. This week, my girls and I loaded up the kids to visit my sister’s …
A Fitting Reply 