This "tiny human" has been making a series of (almost non-stop) bad choices from the start to the finish of this very long day. To say I'm weary is putting it sensitively. :-) I keep telling myself it's most likely because Papa Bear has been gone for the week, but that is realistically a contributing factor only. Sometimes, we just have a lot built up in ourselves (from stress, chaos, changes, worries, growing pains, etc.) and we just make bad choices. This guy has an impressive record from just the past 12 hours! Drum roll, please...
- Poured his tea on the plants because it was "too hot and the plants like hot tea"
- Peed in a kitchen bowl (outside on the porch) and left it full of pee next to the sink because "it would be easier to clean"
- Poured his kefir onto the countertop and massaged his hands through it until it was thoroughly spread about because "it feels very nice and I like the smell"
- Put his banana peel(s - there were 2) and a half eaten banana behind the couch because "it is so far to the trashcan and I wanted to the house to smell good"
- Took all the pellets out of the pellet stove and put them on the floor because "they need to be cleaned"
- Dipped his toothbrush in the dog water and then brushed his teeth because "I don't want to waste water" (I suggested the toilet water as an alternative solution)
- Put my sunglasses on Aberdeen (who promptly ate them) because "the sun is too bright for her eyes"
- Poured his cup of milk on the plants because "plants like milk"
- Pulled all the school books out of the bookshelf (a. lot. of. books.) because he was "looking for a pen"
- Took all the sewing pins out of the my sewing bag because "I needed them". I'm sure we'll find them all again. In the bottoms of our feet.
- Took off Aberdeen's collar, twice, because "she's too hot and wants to be naked"
- Put Lochlan's clothes in the tub with Lochlan while he was bathing because "Lochlan wants cleaner clothes"
- Sprayed sunscreen all over the inside of my truck (All. Over.) because "it's really really hot outside"
- Ate a bowl full of ketchup because "it's much better without the hamburgers"
- Put Vitamin C powder in the bathwater because "it will be much healthier and make us all feel so much better"
- Cut the very nice legs off of his very nice pants because "they wanted to be shorts"
- Cleaned his bed frame. With his toothbrush. Because "it needed to be cleaned so much better and better"
- Started a dirt (flinging) fight with Paugie - twice - because he "needed to show Paugie how to fight like a man"
Ketlon, it has been a bumpy Friday in the decision department for my Mini Mac, but your spark is still bright. And, in spite of a few discouraging outbursts from Mama and whole handful of reminders, you are still full of joy and a bunch of determination. You told me tonight, "Mama, I want to do what is right... sometimes, I just don't know how." Bitty boy, I so completely get it. You want to do what is right and that puts you so far ahead in this game we call life.
Life is full(er) and we are so much richer because you're in it. I wouldn't trade one day of your bad choices for a day not filled with you. You are unbelievably determined and persuasive and you have reminded us each day of your life that size (or age) does not matter when it comes to how valid your perspective is.
You love with your whole heart and when you get up in the morning you are ready to embrace everything you can and must. When you got your new shoes yesterday, you took off at a full gallop around the house to show us that they not only worked for you, but that they could outperform any expectations we might have previously had.
You are strong, bold, and incredibly courageous. You are, also, still a tender, wee boy, with a sensitive heart and when you hurt everything inside of me cries.
You bring endless laughter to all of us, and everyone who meets you. Your brothers are laughing at your antics if they are not helping you pick up the latest mess from your most recent questionable decision.
When you met a dog and his master in the woods, the dog was a bit shy and unsure of you (and all your confidence). You knelt down and reassured the pup: "don't worry. We are not bank robbers." The dog must have been so relieved! He quickly warmed up to you and his master was chuckling, as well. :-)
When we met a small (harmless) snake on the road while riding, you were fascinated! Upon our return home, you told your brothers (who hadn't accompanied us on this ride), "We saw a King Cobra! We are heroes!" They were duly impressed, of course.
While galavanting about the Peaks, we heard a chainsaw in the distance. I jokingly told you it was a wild chainsaw and you, your brothers and cousins played "Beware the Wild Chain Saws" for another hour or so. Then, as we were getting ready to eat lunch, you looked worried and said, "we should eat lunch somewhere safe, or the wild chain saws will get us." It was only then that I realized you had taken the whole business quite literally. How terrified you must have been! Sweetest boy. In case you read this when you are a fully grown man, wild chainsaws do not actually exist.
When we were riding in the woods a couple days ago, you heard a cow in the distance and informed me (with some emphasis): "Wild hogs Mama! They are calling to each other to say that we are here and that they don't want to be dinner." So close to being right on, little buddy.
You are the sugar and spice to my pie.
You are the butter to my popcorn.
You are the rainbow to a rainy day.