If At First You Don't Suceed

Dear Tyson,

There's a saying that if you don't already know by heart, you certainly will within the next few years. Daddy says it often:

If at first you don't succeed, try and try again.

 

It seems an easy sentiment, but it's something I still struggle with on a daily basis. I want to do it right, do it the best and do it first. The try and try again part is hard for me to embrace.  There is an inherent nature to give up when I'm not good at something. And, I'm pretty quick to throw in the towel if I can't do it perfectly the first time I try. Unfortunately for you, despite looking so much like you're Daddy, you seem to have inherited your personality from your Momma.  Type A, a bit obsessive, and perfectionists-you & me.

 

A few weeks ago, you started a skating class. Within minutes, it quickly became clear that you were far behind the other four boys in your class. They skated faster, looked more comfortable on the ice and knew skills that you hadn't even begun to grasp yet. My stomach twisted as I watched you struggle to keep up with the class and despite the smile I had plastered to my face I whispered to Daddy that maybe you weren't ready for this particular class yet.

 

 

 

You came off the ice on the first day a little flustered. The next week you quietly told me that your stomach gets a little upset before you go skating. As I watched the second class, I ached to pull you out of it. To protect you from feeling like you weren't good enough. To put you in a class where you would be the one who skated ahead of all the others instead of the one who fell behind. To stop your stomach from hurting before you got on the ice.  

 

But I didn't.  Despite knowing exactly why your stomach was upset,  I also knew it was good for you to learn that lesson up there. The one Daddy must have said to you at least one hundred times during your nine weeks of skating lessons.

 

If at first you don't succeed, try and try again.

 

 

 

That's what exactly what you did, Tyson.  Tried and tried again. Nine weeks of not giving up, not getting frustrated and working hard to succeed at what you couldn't do when you started the class. You practiced hard and hard work pays off.

 

 

On your last day of class, I proudly watched as you skated with the other boys. You could easily demonstrate all of the skills they could, but most importantly you  looked comfortable and happy on the ice doing so. Trying and trying again led to you successfully passing Skating 3.

 

I am so so proud of you, Tyson.

 

Thank you for teaching you old Mommy some new tricks.

 

Love,

 

Momma

 

PS: This peanut got on the ice for the first time on your last day of class. She has a lot to learn from you, buddy. Start with that lesson up there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Easter 2014

I forgot to take the kids to see the Easter Bunny this year. That's my story if they ask. I'm sticking to it.

In reality, the thought of spending $20 plus on a picture that would result in a screaming two year old and at least seven hundred questions from the four year old made my skin crawl. I don't know how the bunny gets around the world so fast. I'm not sure why he looks different than in person than he does on Hop. And, I have no idea how he knows that you want in your basket.

The Easter Bunny needs an instruction manual.

We DID manage to dye eggs, play one hundred rounds of hide the plastic eggs and make multiple Easter crafts. Who needs an overpriced pic with a bunny anyways?

Both kids loved dying eggs this year-the extra enthusiasm and competition over who had the prettiest egg led to many beautiful eggs and a slightly more colorful wood floor.

The bunny face masks we made were a hit for both the kids and me. Tyson cut out all the bunny whiskers and the ears-we're working on fine motor skills a lot lately, so, this art project was perfect practice.

And, look, they each have a picture with a bunny now!

On Easter Eve, we left out carrots and a note for the bunny. The night before note is quickly becoming one of my favorite parts of parenting and the Easter 2014 letter did not disappoint.  Tyson originally requested I write, "Give me some toys, Jesus Christ." After a quick refresher on Easter-at least he knew that Jesus was involved in the holiday somehow- he came up with this revision. Artwork completed on his own-proof of fine motor skills paying off!

 

Easter morning was filled with sounds of tiny feet running, small high squeals, and lots of laughing. The Easter Bunny hid eggs and baskets inside our house and then surprised the kids with a bike and scooter on our front porch.

 

The surprise, happiness and excitement in his eyes was easily worth the blood, sweat and tears we shed trying to help the bunny put the bike together.

This one liked her scooter, but LOVED her candy.

 

For those wondering, attempting to take Easter pictures AFTER the two year old has eaten all of her Easter candy is not a good idea.

We're all still coming down from our sugar high and happily packing away the plastic eggs until next year.

Mila's First Haircut

The little curl that trailed down her neck had been there since birth-soft, fine and wispy. For the last two years, it has wrapped tightly around my finger each night as I stroked her hair before bed. As time passed, the little curl grew even smaller. And softer and finer.

Last week we cut that little curl off.

It was time. And even though I knew it was time, I was worried there would be tears and apprehension.

After warming up to the idea of someone other than Mommy playing with her hair, Mila enjoyed her first trip to the salon. Of course, when it includes suckers and watching Frozen there's really not much for a two year old NOT to love.

She thinks her haircut is "Blue-ti-fow!"

And, despite the photographic evidence that proves otherwise, there were still a few tears of apprehension. I just didn't take a picture of myself tearing up at the first snip.