Chickatees Boutique » doing good

Perception is Everything

Cayce — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 02:20:19 +0000

Yesterday, my sweet friend and neighbor bought me a pair of jeans. It’s a long story but basically she had on some really stylish, comfortable, expensive looking jeans. When I complimented them she told me that she bought them at Target in the CLEARANCE section. I buy clothes at Target often, for me and the boys, but jeans? So, after all my gushing over her savvy purchase she was at Target and checked the rack and bought a pair she thought were my size and brought them to me $12.48 people!!! Crazy! I was so happy last night that because of her generosity I received a new pair of jeans. I wasn’t sure they would fit because they are junior sizes (which I haven’t worn in years) so I tried them on in the kitchen. The boys were in the family room oblivious I thought. And all of a sudden Ford shouted “I see your underwear….and your skinny legs” I wanted to throw my arms around his neck and thank him for the compliment. Then I started wondering where he heard that. So, I asked him. He told me a boy in his class said to him one day that he has skinny legs (which he does) and when I asked Ford what he said in return he said “i told him to stop saying that”.

Isn’t it funny that what I would view as a compliment some kindergartener said to my son to try and tease him?

Cole’s Birthday was Monday – he turned two. And literally overnight he hit the terrible’s. He doesn’t want to share any of his new toys with his big brother, who has always shared everything with him. His favorite word is no and he has a new mad face that he makes whenever he doesn’t get his way. He and Ford have been fighting a lot. Cole gets mad and hits Ford – often. Ford has not taken it well and his behavior has regressed at times to that of a 2 year old rather than the mature 5 3/4 year old that he is. I sat him down tonight and talked to him about the fact that there is a reason people call it the “terrible twos”. I was choosing my words carefully and thinking as I spoke and I said “I am completely…” I paused and was going to say aware (of how difficult it is to be patient) but before I could get there Ford said “nice”. I loved this REAL compliment from my son. I can’t believe with the way I act around here sometimes that he thinks I am completely nice!

Lastly, one of the presents Cole received for his Birthday (from my very sweet neighbor I mentioned above) is this really cool swiss toy called the bilibo. It is very simple and for ages 2-7. Ford keeps wanting to play with it when Cole isn’t. But as soon as Ford sits in it, Cole is on top of him screaming “mine”. The funny thing is I am not sure why but Ford thinks it is called “bimbo”. He said “Cole won’t let me sit on his bimbo”. Pretty hard not to laugh but I just correct him hoping the correct term will stick soon.

Grace and Giving

Cayce — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 03:04:17 +0000

Every day that goes by, I am more amazed and interested in the relationship between boys and their fathers. I am the oldest of 3 girls, and my father had 3 sisters and a dad who died when he was 13. My point is, my dad is very “manly”, into sports, gambling, fishing, you name it. But somehow, he raised three daughters, and I never knew until now that he was missing out on something.

I LOVE my boys (you might think, you don’t have to say it, we know) but I mean, really, I wouldn’t want it any other way. But as my 5 year old grows up, each day I realize the he is a mystery to me. More and more every day. So his baby brother I cradle, I cling to, I don’t care when he wants to wear my bracelet or hold my purse. Soon, he too, will want to be JUST like his Daddy. Which is a whole different post – I mean, who am I kidding? A few years from now I have it made!

The point of this post is to tell you about my sweet Ford (the 5 year old). We feel like our kids are spoiled most of the time, and that we just give too much. But isn’t this the way now?? Tonight we had some sort of plumbing issue (a drain pipe burst or something?) after baths. Daddy isn’t home but when we came downstairs we saw water everywhere. To top it off, while we were on vacation last week our dishwasher decided to completely break down (it is a top of the line Bosch, only 2 years old) so I have water sitting in it unable to drain and a BUNCH of dishes to handwash. the repair people will be here Thursday. Figures. Anyway, I had to put Cole (the baby, as long as I can call him that) to bed so I asked Ford if he wanted to play WII or watch TV and he told me he would rather help me with the dishes.

Astonished is what I felt. I told him not to worry, I would get it but he said, “no mommy, I want to help” He dried all of the dishes I had handwashed and helped put them away. He also put buckets and towels down on the kitchen floor where the ceiling was leaking. I really did nothing to prompt this. I was bewildered, and touched. Then I remembered. He is his own person, but I am teaching him good. He does get his thoughtfulness from me, his helpfulness, and wanting to just do the right thing. From me, his dad, school, church, grandparents, friends and everyone around him. It isn’t me, it is Ford, good all the way through. But I had something to do with it and it made me feel proud. It made me understand why my dad used to look at me out of the blue and say “pumpkin, I am so proud of you” In my head I asked Why? But now I know, because I am a part of him – he helped to make me. And we may feel like we aren’t doing our best, or we could be different, but when your children are in the picture, and they shine – you do have something to do with it, and YOU as the parent should feel proud.

NOW – enough mushiness, buy a shirt, will you?