Lessons Learned

Hung out with Miss M & Mister J last night. Mister J was having a rough day. Miss M had apparently had a delicious popsicle while Mister J was at climbing camp, eating what he described as, "the worst granola bar on earth." He had also thought he might get to ride bikes with his dad, but that didn't work out before I got there.

I had decided that we should go on a picnic. While we were going to get food for the picnic, Mister J was visibly upset. He kept snapping at Miss M, so I said, "Why are you being mean to Miss M? Are you really feeling sad instead?" He started crying and said yes, that he was just really disappointed and felt like no matter what he did, everything kept going wrong. I almost started crying right along with him. Instead, I told him I had been having the same feelings the past few years, and that I had started trying to not have expectations of how I think things should happen. He stopped crying and looked out the window for a bit, seriously considering what I had just said. He said, "But I don't know how to do that, Miss Jennifer." I almost started crying again and wanted to say, "I don't either, buddy." Instead, I just said, "Well, it takes practice."

While waiting for our pizza to be made for the picnic, I mentioned patience. Miss M's face lit up and she said, "That reminds me of the song temmmmmmmmptations" and broke into some song I've never heard. I explained to her that patience and temptation weren't the same word and gave her definitions and examples of both. She said (in a very sincere voice), "Oh, Miss Jennifer, tell me more stories like that!" I grinned.

After I carried Miss M to bed and was tucking Mister J in bed, I asked if his day had gotten better. He smiled and said yes. Then he asked what I would do if he caught a great white shark in the lake near my house. I'm realizing kids are the absolute best teachers. (Photo above of Mister J & Miss M eating Backyard Mint & Lemon Blueberry Ice Cream from Hot & Cold.)