Play-Learn-Grow-Repeat

From Friday Mom – Erin:
We learned this week that Charlotte will be moving up to the older infant classroom at the start of the year. We were thrilled to hear it. We like the room she is in at the moment, but the next classroom up is where Rory started at the center, and we have a warm place in our hearts for the teachers in that room as well.

There has been some turnover in one of the three teacher positions, but the other two teachers are the same ones that we there when Rory was an infant. They are a warm, loving group, and I know Charlotte will thrive in her new environment.

It’s hard to believe that she is already ten months old. We have had so much going on the last few months, I feel like I barely even had time to blink. Cliche, I know. But so very true. Our little girl is pulling up and trying to stand on her own. She’ll be running after her brother in no time and these baby days will be long gone.

I try not to dwell on the fleeting nature of it all, and aim, instead, to embrace her excitement on the new experiences. But there are definitely days where I wish I could bottle up the new baby smell and warm cuddly embraces of this waning infant days.

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Around the holidays, most people think about what they are thankful for. I really try to remember to give thanks all year long, but it’s easy to forget when life gets busy. This month, I’m doing a weekly “thankful” post highlighting something I’m thankful for.

To start the month off, I’m writing about an experience I had this summer that taught me to think about big picture and not let little things get to me. I’m very lucky to have been blessed with two healthy children.

This summer, the boys and I had a play date with my childhood friend and her children. Her son, Ayden, was diagnosed with Leukemia two years ago at the age of two. He woke up one morning with what his mom thought was pink eye, and after two hours at the doctors office he was rushed to the hospital for more testing. Upon learning the results, Ayden’s parents were completely heartbroken. They wondered how it was possible, what they had done “wrong,” and ordered more tests to be sure. In one day, their world was turned upside down.

Over the last two years, Ayden has battled many, many sessions of chemo and radiation, shots, transfusions, nights in the hospital/ER and numerous bouts of illnesses. He missed lots of playtime because he can’t be exposed to germs. His parents wake him up several times a night to give him medicine. Ayden has some weeks that are better than others. When his levels are where they should be, he can get out and enjoy the world. Ayden’s parents are strong people. They always see the bright side of things and hope that one day, Ayden be in remission. I commend them for their strength and positivity in this situation.

On the day of our play date, Ayden was like any other typical four year old. He did well, and all his levels were good. He was able to get out of the house and do things with other people. Ayden was laughing, playing ball, and teaching the big kids how to sail a pirate ship. I sat there and watched him. It was amazing that he didn’t let this cancer get him down. Seeing your child ill isn’t easy. I dread when my kids tell me their throat or stomach hurts. I feel terrible when my child coughs all night long. Ayden has put things in perspective for me. My children are both healthy kids and I’m SO thankful for that. I pray daily for Ayden to get better and I pray for his family to keep their strength through this whole battle. I’m hugging my kids extra tight and hoping tomorrow, and every day after, good health remains.

From Monday Mom – Neetika:
Haley was so excited for Halloween. Our little Wonder Woman had been talking about Halloween since literally the last Halloween. The costume she would choose was a debate that dominated our conversations on and off for the last twelve months. I have a very specific strategy for actually procuring a costume. Once the sales the start, the very moment Haley says she’s going to be a character that is not a Disney princess, I pounce. I order the costume that day. I have nothing against princesses, but I have indulged her plenty for the last four years!

Naturally, we dressed Hudson up as Superman to complete the DC Comics theme. I saw a lot of Supermen around the neighborhood, but Hudson was definitely the most adorable. I was hesitant to even taking him out for Trick-or-Treating. It was a bit cold. It’s so crowded around here and he’d just be in the stroller, not actually receiving candy. Plus, I’d had him in his costume at Haley’s school parade the day before, so lots of people had already “oohed and aahed” over him.

In the end, in the spirit of getting into the spirit, we elected to go out as a family. Within half an hour, Hudson was out like a light. The crowds didn’t bother him or perhaps even lulled him into a deeper sleep. I was happy with the way the holiday turned out.

Until—that is—the next day. Hudson woke up pretty congested. He was still in his usual happy spirits, but definitely now has a full-blown cold. He might not have gotten it from the crowds or the weather, but it certainly couldn’t have helped things. So often, in wanting to give my kids the fun experiences they deserve to have as children, I put a lot of pressure on myself. I don’t necessarily think I did the wrong thing last weekend. But it was a good reminder to keep things in perspective. After all, my kids have a lot of fun! And some of our best moments as a family are spent being really silly in our living room, in our pajamas. No special costumes or spectators necessary.