Kindness Week Day 5/ Caleb and mama day!

On Wednesday we did our last kindness mission.  I wanted to do something for some animals since we missed helping the cats back at Second Chance Animal Shelter in TX.  So I found a shelter here in the area called Kitty Haven that rescues kittens and helps to find them permanent, loving homes.  They accept donations though a local animal hospital.  So I got to work in my sewing room making a bunch of cat nip pouch toys; and of course all of my cats came to assist.  We had to keep a couple due to them licking them and making them their own.

Caleb was very excited to bring the kitties their toys:

 

Then it was off for our Caleb and mama time.  We initially were going to play at the bouncy house place, but unknown to me, it was a day off of school for the local kids and the place was packed.  So we headed to the McDonald's that I had taken Clayton to the prior day thinking we might get lucky and it would be as quiet as the day before.  Great treat for Caleb, not so good for mama's waist line!

 

Luckily, it was indeed a quiet day and we were the only ones there for a good while.  I was having a pretty good headache day, so I went up in the play land with Caleb and we had some fun exploring and hanging out.

 

                                           
Then a little boy showed up and I became chopped meat!  Caleb is a super social guy and when he sees someone, they instantly become his new best friend.  So he left me in the play land, while he and his new friend took turns rescuing me and then hiding from the monster (also me).  It was a great day and I can't wait to have another day alone with him.

 

Kindness Week Day 4/ Clayton and Mama Day!

As is customary in our lives lately, things did not go according to plan last week. Thursday morning the boys decided to wake up at 2 in the morning and wouldn't go back to sleep. Considering I myself didn't get to bed until just after midnight myself. This made for a very sluggish mama for the rest of the day. On Friday, "A" wasn't able to come help us that day, so we were on our own, and I am just not that brave to take the boys out on adventures by myself yet.

So, little bit late but better late than never right? I decided why not make it even more special today and make it a Clayton and Mama day along with a day of kindness. So off we went to visit the Foster Care Resource Network in Tacoma (FCRN FB Page). As you can imagine, their cause is one that is dear to my heart. At one time we were those brand new foster parents who had nothing. The night the boys arrived we had one crib and a dresser. We had no toys, clothes or anything else required to raise babies. We were not sure prior to being placed, what age or gender of child we may welcome into our home, so it was almost impossible to prepare. This places assists parents just like us!

                                                       Clayton the very willing helper:

As a special treat, I took Clayton to McDonald's.  Upon pulling into the parking lot, I thought the poor kid was going to have an aneurysm.  He loves McDonald's, but since we got the ADHD diagnosis we made drastic changes to his diet and removing his beloved chicken nuggets was was of the changes made.  He must have really wanted it because instead of running off to play right away, he actually sat down and dug into his food.

Then it was time to play.  The place was pretty vacant today so Clayton requested that I join him.  So I grabbed my camera and followed him into the play land.  Actually, I more of squeezed my way into the play land, those openings are tiny!  He was such a gentleman, he offered his hand to help me up each level and waited until I was right behind him until he continued on to the next section. 

It was great to be able to have some one on one time with him.  To be able to sit and talk with him while he ate and really be able to listen to his answers, rather than being torn between two toddlers competing for my attention.  I watched him as he navigated through the play land and he was so excited to show me where each area went to.  A couple times we just stopped and hung out in whatever tube we found ourselves in.

Then it was time for mama to get out, other kids came to play and I am sure an adult in their play land would not be a welcome find.  So down the slide we went.  Mama first, so he could help give me a push to send me on my way.

That was our day.  Not to diminish what people with only one child go through, but man, this trip was easy and so much fun.  I could do a lot more days like this with only one child in tow!  I know Clayton may be too young to remember this day, but it will be etched in my memory.

Kindness Week- Day 3!

To continue with kindness week we decided to make some cookies (OK, I made the cookies after the boys were snug in their beds) and take them on post to the fire station and police department.  Normally we would head to the Army post given we are an Army family; however, since "A" is a Air Force wife, we headed to the McChord side of JBLM and visited the Airmen.

We started at the fire station.  I knew the boys were going to have fun, but still my guard was high and I must admit I was a little nervous.  We walked in and found a very nice gentleman that received the first Bag of cookies, courtesy of Caleb.  He took us to the Kitchen where there were a couple other Airmen and firefighters but most were taking a midaftenoon snooze.  So we left the cookies in the kitchen and followed him to the bay, where he offered to show us the engines!

The boys had a blast!  Just as we were getting ready to head out, the fire chief came out and offered them a ride in the fire truck.  How cool!  So back in the truck we went and the fireman took us all for a short ride around their perimeter. They sounded the horn and the siren and at the end, gave each boy their very own fireman's helmet.  It was not easy getting them to leave, but we managed to get them both back in the truck after giving our thanks and appreciation to everyone there.

Our next stop was the police station.  It was during lunch so the place was somewhat scarce, but we ended up meeting just enough friends (as Caleb called them) for the amount of cookie bags we had left.  Both Clayton and Caleb enjoyed traveling from office to office, meeting new friends and handing out cookies.

Our trip was not complete without a stop to view the airplanes, Caleb spotted them on the way to the fire department and had not forgot about them upon leaving.  I swear, for only having vision in one eye, that kid has vision like a hawk!  I loved this place; kept the boys entertained, unable to break anything and best of all free!  (Reminder to self, come back here often!)

Stay tuned for day 4!!

Kindness week- Day 2! (opps, we got a late start)

Monday, I was watching Ellen (who I just love!) and she stated that this week is Kindness week!  While I believe that we should all be kind to one another everyday, I thought it would be great to follow along and to each day, perform an act of kindness.  I wanted to involve the boys; both to give them an opportunity to get out of the house and have fun, but also to teach them the importance of doing for others.


So Monday afternoon our sitter "A" and I brainstormed and came up with our list for the week.  For day two (becasue we got a late start by just learning of this at the end of day one) we decided we would make some sticker bags and visit a local coffee shop that also has a children's play area on the other side.

So we headed out and Caleb was more than happy to hand out the bags to the other kids.  So happy in fact that this was the only picture I could get, he was just too fast for me.

Then it was time for playing.  This was a nervous time for me.  You see, just two weeks ago, Clayton was diagnosed with ADHD.  He was evaluated after we have been having some behavior and speech issues for the last couple months.  Caleb also has a very high level of energy for a 3 year old.  Playdates have recently been a thing of dread rather than fun and enjoyment.  However, this day started off well.  Caleb was excited to play all over the equipment.

Clayton suprised both "A" and I.  While he normally is not very sociable, he was very friendly with the other kids, shared the toys (for the most part) and no melt downs!

Then "it" happened.  the moment I dreaded, that I always dread when we are out.  Caleb touched something he shouldn't have and it broke, made a mess and upset a couple people.  I helped clean it up, disciplined him and offered to replace it.  We explained to him why we had to leave and then we did.  I didn't take the incident too well yesterday, emotionally this was just another blow to my fragile mom esteem.  While I feel they need to be held accountable for their actions, there is also reasons why they process things the way they do (besides being three year olds!).

So while enjoying a glass (or two-ish) of wine that night after they went to bed, I started getting busy in the kitchen by making a heap of cookies for our day 3 act of kindness.  All I have to say, is if you hear a certain fire dept. on post burned down or anything, we are moving out of state!