Cincinnati Weekend

August 26, 2013 The Gathering Site

It is SO nice to grab a couple more weekends in Cincinnati before the season starts up again. This weekend was packed and perfect.

After a Saturday morning play date, we swapped with Pappa at Coffee Emporium - then I headed off to a fantastic Underground Tour with a friend ending at the Taste of Belgium. Our evening was filled with excellent Indian food from Dusmesh and large train tracks, dump trucks and cranes.

Sunday we woke up at dawn (literally) and I ran the Erlanger Friendship 5k - which was an incredible feat. My first run after having Soren, completely unprepared - was able to run the entire race and even finished 3rd in my division. We came home, I caught a quick nap, we all showered up and headed to Eli's BBQ - SO.... GOOD! We went around 4, so the wait wasn't as long as usual. There was Rhinegeist on tap and Dojo Gelato in tow. Soren and I dropped Pappa off at work, and headed out to the park to round out our evening.

Perfect.

Faber, Mazlish and the Sears

August 23, 2013 The Gathering Site

So far, great books. I have utilized the Sears for many things. Breastfeeding, infant care, attachment parenting, vaccines - even Soren's birth. This is the first book I have actually purchased by the Sear duo. It's wonderful. Non-judgemental and in line with our personal beliefs.

Did you know 'grabbing is a common aggressive behavior in toddlers and young preschoolers'? You did, right? So did I. But I never took the time to relate that as 'model behavior'. Not when other children grab - when I do. I think, in the moment - I kept him from putting that penny in his mouth, I kept a mess of water and broken glass from making it to the floor or keeping Soren from breaking my eye glasses.

I may have prevented those things, but I didn't respect my 'little grabber'.

'Grabbing a prized object from a child for whatever reason is not socially appropriate.' page 37. Model behavior.

My new favorite authors, Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish have written How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk . It's not just a book of advice based on clinical experiences and references. It's full of role playing exercises, homework and interactive worksheets.

And I thought the Sears understood me?! This book heartily portrays the type of parent I want to be for Soren. Even the type of partner I'd like to be for Rick. This is about choosing our words well, respectfully and honoring another's need to express and be heard.

'It is when our words are infused with our real feelings of empathy that they speak directly to a child's heart'.

Cousins

August 20, 2013 The Gathering Site

They just know. It's interesting to observe, really. Soren and Avery don't see each other often, maybe 2-3 times a year. Of course we prepare them for one another 'Soren - are you ready to see your cousin Avery??' 'Avery, are you ready to play with cousin Soren??'. Just like you would for playdates and outings. But for some reason - when these two get to see each other, it's as if they know - that they are cousins.

Their interactions with other kids are always different. I'm told Avery plays a shy - keeps to herself, parallel play, and Soren is a bit quiet but quickly turns into the clown. I'm not implying Soren didn't act the clown or they didn't parallel play, but they did instantly interact.

Avery was super excited and started pulling Soren around to see all her toys and showing him how EVERYTHING works (she's almost exactly a year older, took on the big kid role!). And Soren was quick to follow asking questions and examining her every move.

It was different. Maybe that is a better way to put it. In the best way. Like you could see the warmth and love between them even though the depth of that word they have yet to really comprehend. It was something special. I miss her already and her little sister. And so does Soren.

Every morning we were there, Soren would wake up asking 'Where's Avery?'. I would tell him she was still sleeping in her room. He would go in, climb up on her bed and wish her a good morning. Avery would then instruct me to make them oatmeal and orange juice as they began a day of play. Our sweet little blondies. He asked me yesterday morning, our first day back in Cincinnati 'Where's Avery??'. My heart melted.

31/52

August 5, 2013 The Gathering Site

'A portrait a week of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013'

I had a smidge of time off before the craziness of this past weekend - more on that later! Had a great picnic with my dudes in the park. It was perfect.