Halloween 2011

Levi loved Halloween last night! His costume was a do-it-yourself train engineer. All aboard!

 

He got the swing of trick-or-treating by the 3rd house or so. We stopped after about 10 houses and headed back to Grams & Paps’ house to hand out candy. I think he loved handing it out more than getting it! He was very generous to the older kids and teens, but when a preschool or younger child came up, he’d eye them suspiciously and refuse to give them candy. Bryan said while we were trick or treating, and I was back at the house to retrieve a jacket for Levi, they were stopped in a driveway and another toddler stole some candy from Levi’s bag. That must explain the competitive stare he gave all the little ones later!

When he’d see a group of trick-or-treaters heading up the hill he’d squeal, “TREATERS!” and run over to the bowl to dig out a huge fistful of candy. A lot of the older kids, girls especially, thought he was adorable and for the most part everyone was really patient with him slowly giving out the candy. If someone didn’t say trick-or-treat, he’d hold the candy real close to his body until they said it. Then after dropping the candy in, if they didn’t say thank you he’d say it for them! If they did say thank you, he’d say, “WELCOME! BYE!” Now get off my lawn!

A house several streets over was blasting loud club music. Between trick-or-treaters, Levi and I danced on the sidewalk. Then at one point someone shot off fireworks, so he loved that, too. He got to try three different types of candy (kit-kat, sweet tarts and a sucker) and loved the pumpkin seeds I roasted.

We watched some Charlie Brown when the chill crept into our bones and headed home sometime around 10:00. He kicked me out of his room after bedtime stories were over and was asleep within minutes. So much for a sugar rush!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween!

Empathy

Levi had a lesson in empathy last night. He's been nomming on Burberry's nose again. Earlier in the evening I told him if I caught him chewing on Burberry again, I'd have to take Burberry away and he wouldn't be able to go to bed with him.

Bedtime arrived and we were reading stories in bed. He started to nom on his nose. I made a big deal that Burberry was Crying because his Nose Hurt and it made him Sad. I took Burberry away, hugging him close and talking to him as if I was consoling him: "I know it Hurts. I'm so Sorry, but Levi doesn't understand that he is making you Sad by Hurting his Nose." I then put Burberry on a high shelf and said, "Burberry doesn't want to sleep with you tonight. He Hurts."

Well, that really did it. Levi started wailing, and crocodile tears trickled out. He stretched out his arms, shouting, "Burbreeee! Burbreeee! In! In!" I said, "You want Burberry to Sleep with you, Tucked In with your Blanket?" He hiccuped and nodded. I asked if he could be Nice and Gentle to Burberry and not bite his Nose because it Hurts. He stretched out his arms again so I gave him Burberry.

He hugged him, gentle touched his head and then pointed to Burberry's nose. "Hurt." Pointed to his own eyes, "Sad." Lying down, Burberry tight in his arms, "Bed."

I'm by no means under an illusion that "that's that" and the problem is resolved. But I think, hope, it'll be easier to remind him in the future how serious the infraction is. Empathy sure is a hard lesson.

Manners

 

A few days ago we were at Barnes & Noble at the Thomas train table. It’s a fairly regular thing we do because it’s “free” (aside from the occasional bargain book one of us finds and buys) and it’s great entertainment/socialization for Levi. This particular night, there was a girl around the age of seven or so at the table when we arrived. She was being louder and rowdier than Levi (though I didn’t think she was too out of control - her mom kept trying to reign her in because of Levi’s presence), and they were both having a good time.

At one point she banged two trains together and one went flying off the table. Levi scurried off to retrieve it and brought it back to her. She took it and went back to playing. He stood there, head tilted, considering her actions for a moment. Then he sidled over to her so he could peer at her inches from her face. Making eye contact he signed and said, “Thank you” and turned back to his trains to play.

He sure told her! Now I just need to tell him that it is not, in fact, polite to point out the rudeness of others.

My Maw-Maw

 

As many of you know, my Maw-maw passed away Sunday April 17, 2011. My dad was with her at the hospice. She let him know it was time, and he called my mom, my uncle and her best friend. They were all there. She held on to say good-bye. My uncle was the last to get there. Once he arrived, he held her hand, told her it was okay to go. So she did. This makes me so unbelievably happy: she didn’t get to say good-bye when my Paw-paw died. I know it was important for her to provide it for her family.

She was a spirited woman, to put it lightly, and stubborn and opinionated. It was her wish to “die today, be in the ground tomorrow.” My mom pulled it off. Maw-maw took her place by Paw-paw by 4:45 the next day. She would have fumed at the fuss. We had flowers - my mom said she has been picking flowers for her Mama for as long as she can remember and she’ll be damned if she doesn’t do it now. A Lot of people were there and my sister said to me that if she could, Maw-maw would be stern,” Git the hell out of here!” My dad said that’s why they’re here - we all knew exactly where we stood with her. :-)

My uncle bared his soul. The man has a mental disorder, is flawed and has made awful choices in his life. But I saw his humanity and he is a good person at heart. I’m so very glad to have witnessed it.

I’m amazed at the support of this small community. It was a 20 minute drive from the home to the grave and nearly every car pulled to the side of the road on the four lane highway. A man stopped mowing his lawn to remove his hat. A teenager on his motorbike removed his helmet. Two mayors, one current, of her town were among the pallbearers. She meant a lot to this town and her absence will be a tough wound for some time.

Thank you all for your support and condolences. There are tough moments ahead for my mother, so keep her in your prayers for strength.

A Sleeping Kitty

There is a kitty sleeping in his kitty bed next to my chair. He is snoring lightly.

He sounds like Levi.

I'm suddenly feeling very drowsy and could use some snuggles. I wonder if Kiybu would object to my climbing into his bed with him?