Tonight I've come full circle as a parent. The whole family went to the new Wal Mart near our house to pick up some groceries while there we stopped by the toy department. While there Mom spotted the present she wanted to get for Alyce's birthday, a pink castle. Before Alyce could see what Mom was looking at I took her down an isle so she wouldn't see it. The next time we saw Mom there was a box in the cart covered by a jacket. We finished our shopping putting other items in the cart and Alyce didn't have a clue that her birthday present was mere feet away. When it was time to pay I took Alyce out to the car while Mom finished paying and loaded up the car.
When I was kid my parents would do the same for my brother and I. We would be at Target, point something out to our parents, and then they would tell us to take a walk while they bought it and put it in the car. As kids, like Alyce, we didn't know what was going on. Later in life we knew what was going on but the fact that my parents still went to the effort showed that they cared. Now here I am, full circle, a parent, and doing the same thing for my kid that my parents did for me.
Showing posts with label Parenting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parenting. Show all posts
Monday, October 5, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Fair Parade
As written earlier, later on Sunday the family went to my hometown to see its fair parade. On the way to the parade Alyce feel asleep in the car about five minutes before we parked. Mom and I thought she needed the nap so Mom loaded up the stroller with the folding chairs, baby bag, and Luke then pushed it all up a hill to the parade route while I carried Alyce. In my opinion there is nothing cuter than a child that has fallen asleep on their parent's shoulder. I don't get to enjoy that very much as Alyce always wants to see what is going on and rarely ever takes a nap while out in public. Sadly, I had to wake Alyce up from her slumber.
I woke Alyce up because the parade had started and I didn't want her to sleep through the entire thing. I figured the police cars, color guard, and motor cycles would have been enough to wake her but I was wrong; she slept right through. Once I nudged Alyce awake she was wide awake and ready to go. She was generally interested in all of the floats going by and even waved to a few of them with my encouragement. This parade also held a new surprise for her, candy. We gave Alyce a bag and she and I moved to the front of the spectators to await the surgery goodness that was sure to come. When the first person dropped some candy into her bag Alyce didn't really know what to think about it. She looked at the candy, at me, and then Mom not really sure what to do with it. After a few handfuls we moved back to where Mom was feeding Luke. We gave Alyce a tootsie roll from her bag of booty and a second. Alyce did continue to ask for more candy but we kept her to two. Her disappointment didn't last though as Alyce received another prize.
I don't think we were even close to the front row but a representative of a float for the local hospital seeked us out and gave Alyce a multicolor full size plastic slinky. The parade could have ended at that point and Alyce wouldn't have minded. She stretched, bounced, and swung her new toy all over creation. Her toy time experience was enhanced because she was riding on my shoulders and six feet of slinky stretchiness is much more fun than two. I enjoyed having Alyce on my shoulders. It is one of those things that only dads get to do. Before we even had Alyce I would see other dads hoist their kids on high and I knew that being a dad was for me.
As the parade drug on for 2+ hours eventually we closed up shop and met Grandma or as Alyce likes to call her (last name omitted) Grams for dinner. We weren't able to see Grandma earlier as she was managing her own float in the parade. By time time we met for dinner it was coming up on 8:00. Alyce, bless her heart was a trooper. She had an action packed day, limited naps, large gaps between meals, and didn't complain a bit. Mom and I really enjoyed our day with her and days like these are why we became parents.
I woke Alyce up because the parade had started and I didn't want her to sleep through the entire thing. I figured the police cars, color guard, and motor cycles would have been enough to wake her but I was wrong; she slept right through. Once I nudged Alyce awake she was wide awake and ready to go. She was generally interested in all of the floats going by and even waved to a few of them with my encouragement. This parade also held a new surprise for her, candy. We gave Alyce a bag and she and I moved to the front of the spectators to await the surgery goodness that was sure to come. When the first person dropped some candy into her bag Alyce didn't really know what to think about it. She looked at the candy, at me, and then Mom not really sure what to do with it. After a few handfuls we moved back to where Mom was feeding Luke. We gave Alyce a tootsie roll from her bag of booty and a second. Alyce did continue to ask for more candy but we kept her to two. Her disappointment didn't last though as Alyce received another prize.
I don't think we were even close to the front row but a representative of a float for the local hospital seeked us out and gave Alyce a multicolor full size plastic slinky. The parade could have ended at that point and Alyce wouldn't have minded. She stretched, bounced, and swung her new toy all over creation. Her toy time experience was enhanced because she was riding on my shoulders and six feet of slinky stretchiness is much more fun than two. I enjoyed having Alyce on my shoulders. It is one of those things that only dads get to do. Before we even had Alyce I would see other dads hoist their kids on high and I knew that being a dad was for me.As the parade drug on for 2+ hours eventually we closed up shop and met Grandma or as Alyce likes to call her (last name omitted) Grams for dinner. We weren't able to see Grandma earlier as she was managing her own float in the parade. By time time we met for dinner it was coming up on 8:00. Alyce, bless her heart was a trooper. She had an action packed day, limited naps, large gaps between meals, and didn't complain a bit. Mom and I really enjoyed our day with her and days like these are why we became parents.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Possession is Nine-Tenths of the Law
A very funny thing happened last week. We were out at a local restaurant with the whole family plus Grams. Mom ordered her meal and substituted her fries for a salad. When Mom does this she usually steals a few fries from Alyce's plate because how can anyone resist those golden brown sticks of salty goodness? Mom isn't denying Alyce anything as she never finishes her food except for her milk, water, or juice. This time was different. Mom reached over like always and took a few of Alyce's fries with Alyce looking on. Alyce then burst into tears. Between her sobs and with the biggest frown she can make she said "Mommy took my fries" over and over again. Can something be both heart wrenching and hilarious at the same time? Mom ended up giving Alyce back her fries apologizing for not asking permission then proceeded to reach over and have a few of mine. Hmph.
It is great seeing Alyce develop the concepts of possession. Every day there is something new she shows us that she has learned. It must be pretty exciting / scary learning so much so quickly. And for the record Alyce didn't finish her fries.
It is great seeing Alyce develop the concepts of possession. Every day there is something new she shows us that she has learned. It must be pretty exciting / scary learning so much so quickly. And for the record Alyce didn't finish her fries.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
