Thursday, January 29, 2009

Sweet Alexander

Alexander is just so sweet.  

He made the transition a few months ago from sleeping in my arms with Avery to sleeping in his own bed by himself.  That was a pretty easy transition, but now he is working on the harder one of falling asleep by himself in his own bed after we say goodnight.  Until several months ago, we rocked him to sleep and then snuggled him to sleep.  Now, after books, prayers, and snuggles, we say "goodnight" and then see him in the morning. Sometimes, he requests more snuggling, but his ability to fall asleep on his own has been growing each month.  I know this pace must be shocking to most parents, but we are definitely into "attachment parenting" and have had four addresses in 2 years (more on that later) and this approach has been working for us.

Anyway, each night that he falls asleep by himself, he gets a "pillow present" in the morning (a sticker or a little piece of chocolate) to celebrate.   This week, his pillow present has been two *very* small pieces of chocolate.  Alexander LOVES chocolate and very rarely ever gets such a sugary treat.  So, it is a big deal.  And, each morning this week, he has chosen someone in our family to get the second piece.  This amazes me.  I have been giving him two pieces because they are so very small.  But, each time he gets them, his face just lights up with joy as he says, "I have two pieces!  You can have one too Mommy/Avery/Daddy!  Come sit down!  I'll open it for you!"  I tell him each morning that these chocolates are for him, that he can save them if he would like, but each morning he chooses to share with his loved ones.  I just love his generous heart.

While we were playing in the snow this weekend, Alexander had a really cool snowball maker that he was having so much fun using.  Kids around him showed a lot of interest in it and invariably, Alexander offered them a turn with it.  One time I was watching him offer another child a turn and he looked up at me and said, "I wanted to show him kindness and generosity". It just about melted my heart.   We talk a lot about how our actions can show others what is in our hearts, but this was the first time I saw him apply it in his own life.  I was very touched that he wanted to show these unfamiliar kids, who he will never see again, what is in his heart.  

And, finally, when Alexander was at the park yesterday, he and another boy were looking at and talking about a worm on the ground when the other little boy picked up the worm and ran off with it.  Alexander started waving his arms in the air and ran after him in a panic, but the older boy was faster and gained some distance before putting the worm on the ground and stomping on it.   When Alexander caught up to the boy, he shouted something firm at him, and then rescued the part of the worm that wasn't squished and gently put it in the grass.  They then ran off to play more in the park.  I loved how Alexander stood up to that older boy and tried to right a wrong and I loved how he was able to forgive/accept a difference in a playmate.  

He is just such a sweet, special boy.  

Winter vacation

Eric has been off this week and we are loving having him around.  We started his vacation with a three day trip to Tahoe that included skiiing, sledding, skating, snow playing, swimming, hot tubbing, gondola riding and hot chocolate drinking.  Usually, all in the same day.  We had a blast together.  Although we make it to Tahoe most available Saturdays, this was our first overnight trip.  It was a big success and we are planning to do it more often.  Having that extra day is just so much fun!   And having a room at a resort to have some down time, swim, hot tub, and eat is really valuable.  

This week the kids are back in school in the morning.  Eric and I have been having long, leisurely dates during this time.  We have had some great talks spanning everything from the children to politics to the economy to interesting articles read to personal philosophy and religion.  It is so wonderful to have uninterrupted time to talk and reconnect.  In the afternoons, Eric has been taking the children to the park to play and connect before dinner.  It has been wonderful for them to have so much time with Daddy during the week.  This weekend, Eric and I will head back to Tahoe for a weekend without the children.  It is just our second time away without the children and we are really looking forward to it.  Sometimes I think the anticipation is half the fun!