Church

Jared has never been a big fan of Sunday school. There were some unfortunate incidences in the nursery that has made him reluctant to embrace Sunday school. So, until recently Jared sat with us in the Sanctuary, a.k.a. "The big room." He now stays with us until the children's message and then goes to Sunday school. He LOVES the "thing around their neck guys." Today Jared demonstrated he knew all about it. He sang the hymn. Mark and I aren't sure what he was singing, but he was singing. Then he joined in for the prayer of confession. When it was time to "pass the peace" Jared promptly turned around and shook the hand of the guy behind us and told the guy "good morning."
As with everything we do, when we got home Jared wanted to play church. Luckily we have 4 "thing around their necks" to make our service complete. Jared wore a blanket so he could be the minster. He asked us to repeat him for the prayer. The first prayer said something about daughters and grandmothers, but we couldn't figure out the rest. Then it was time for another prayer, "Dear Jesus, thank you for our food...but we can't eat it in the big room anyway. Amen." Indeed.

Lies

As all parents do, we talk to Jared about telling the truth. There have been some obvious slips along the way. Take for example when the jumperoo was moved. Jared was positive Colton moved it. Today I heard Jared in the bathroom longer than necessary. I ask what he is doing, "nofin." He comes out of the bathroom, and I quickly assess his face...no makeup. However, his hair is crazy. So, I ask him what is in your hair? "Nofin." What did yo do to your hair? "Nofin." I don't point out to him I can see something in his hair and he smells like sweat pea. Not to mention the suds in his hair. I guess the hand soap was too appealing.
I decided not to mention the obvious lie. The itching the occurred when it dried seemed to be punishment enough.

The Adventures of Super Frog

I spend most of my days on Colton's shelf, silently making sure everything runs smoothly.


Today Jared decided I need to no longer soil myself, and he put me in a diaper. When he was all done, I was no longer just a frog, I was Super Frog.



I know I has special powers because mom found me in the crib. I must have flown there.



This is me flying


I sported my cape all day--even at the dance party.

So, how well do some punishments work?

Several weeks ago I reported on Jared's art project on the walls, toilet, and furniture. Overall I felt the punishment fit the crime, and lesson was learned. There have been a few gray areas that Jared has exploited. I walked into him gluing paper on the wall so he could write on it. It was, after all, following the rules of only writing on paper. When the topic allowed, Jared was reminded we only use paper for writing and coloring projects.

I wish this was a success story. It is not. Today Jared was playing "worker guy" fixing the dryer. He was busy with his tools. He reported there was lots of dust from all of his sawing. I mistakenly assumed he was just "fixing" the dryer. My work bag was on top of the dryer. It has Sharpies....

Kid's shoes

Shoe choices for kids today are as varied as all other choices. The variety is sure to appease everyone. Only about 1% are actual traditional "sneakers" with laces.
Up until November, Jared had no preference for shoes. So, I have always gotten a nice understated brown or blue shoe. Then he spotted firetruck shoes that lit up. His eyes lit up just as much. There was no chance we were leaving without these fire truck shoes. When he got home he spent the day hugging his fire truck shoes. They weren't the nice subtle shoes I was hoping for, but they brought him so much happiness.



Well, it was time for the fire truck shoes to drive off to the shoe graveyard. Back we go to the shoe store. Jared is very excited. He now knows the excitement of new shoes. It doesn't take long before Jared and I spot the shoe at the same time. He is so excited he an hardly contain himself. It take all my energy to pretend I am equally excited, all the while mentally cringing. I instantly know this will be the shoe we leave with:



So long to understated shoes.

What are they thinking?

This evening I noticed Jared had decided his stool was just not high enough. So, he made this




He was busy working on moving the clingers around. Yes, I realize the many consequences that could have happened as he stood on this contraption, but he was playing happily by himself. So, I did what any sane parent would do, let him be.

Well, the next thing I know I see him sitting on this contraption. However, something is not quite right. He had his pants and underwear down as if this were a toilet. What?#*! I ask him what he is doing, he replies he doesn't know. How do you not know what you are doing? Keep in mind, this is all as pictured. So he is sitting against the window at the front door. I know you are thinking i am overreacting, and that no one actually got mooned. True. But less than a minute after I discovered him, the pizza for dinner showed up.

What will he think up next?

My special Valentine

A bit of history about Jared: he hates cake. We have tried, he wants nothing to do with it.


Today was the big Valentine's party at daycare. Jared was all prepared and had signed/traced his name on his Valentine's. I personally am disappointed that Valentine's no longer have those cheapo white envelopes that you can hardly get the Valentine into. He had his treat, fruit snack. He was excited, although, he wasn't sure why.

At the end of the day Jared teacher stops me to tell me a story.

They had cupcakes. The teacher notices Jared's cupcake is gone. She knows he doesn't like it, but she also knows he always wants one like everyone else. So, she inquires, "Jared, did you throw away your cupcake?" He replies, "I gave it to Kelsey, she is my special Valentine."

Jared really became the master charmer. Give a gift, that is greatly appreciated, earns you points, and was of no sacrifice to you. Genius.