As usual, celebrations at Ron and Debbie's this year. Dinnertime came with the usual semi-reluctance to eat. But then Todd's ears perked up when Grandpa mentioned apple pie. His mouth watered at the sight. Looking at his half-finished plate of turkey, potatoes and spinach, he declared that he was full. The following conversation ensued:
Todd: I'm full! (clearly wanting pie)
Mom: Oh well, if you're full then I guess you're too full to eat pie.
Todd: (mulls it over) I'm hungry!
Mom: Oh good, if you're hungry, then you can eat more dinner.
Todd: I'm... a little bit hungry, a little bit full!
When he did finish his dinner and delved into his pie with gusto, he devoured it so quickly that it wasn't long before he was looking at his last bite on the plate. At which point he looked at me and said: "I'm not full yet. After I eat this bite, I will be full!"
At the end of the night, as we were getting ready to say our goodbyes to the family, Uncle Ron tried joking about with Todd, claiming he had slaved away all day to get Thanksgiving dinner ready.
It was clear, though, that Todd had observed Aunt Debbie bustling about in the kitchen all day while Uncle Ron sat outside, for he was quick to correct Uncle Ron (albeit speaking to Daddy):
"Uncle Ron didn't do anything! Aunt Debbie did everything!"
School progress report
This afternoon, Allan and I dutifully reported to Todd's school to meet with his teacher and discuss how he has been doing in class. She handed us his report card-- all good marks so far!
She went on to explain that he was starting to come out of his shell a bit. He answers questions in class, and plays nicely with the other kids. One of my chief worries (besides the social aspect) was the fact that he has a short attention span and tends to let his mind wander when he should be paying attention. According to his teacher, he doesn't do that so often at school. He does at times, but not more than is normal for most little kids. For the most part, he listens and follows instructions. That was a big relief to hear.
We were also regaled with an anecdote about a recent day during chapel-- a bit hazy on the background, but apparently the kids were talking about being scared at night-- and Todd raised his hand. When called upon to speak, he piped up with his little bit of advice:
"When I say my prayers at night, I'm not afraid anymore!"
Doubly pleasing to hear because not only is he participating in school, but he sees the value of saying his prayers :-D
She went on to explain that he was starting to come out of his shell a bit. He answers questions in class, and plays nicely with the other kids. One of my chief worries (besides the social aspect) was the fact that he has a short attention span and tends to let his mind wander when he should be paying attention. According to his teacher, he doesn't do that so often at school. He does at times, but not more than is normal for most little kids. For the most part, he listens and follows instructions. That was a big relief to hear.
We were also regaled with an anecdote about a recent day during chapel-- a bit hazy on the background, but apparently the kids were talking about being scared at night-- and Todd raised his hand. When called upon to speak, he piped up with his little bit of advice:
"When I say my prayers at night, I'm not afraid anymore!"
Doubly pleasing to hear because not only is he participating in school, but he sees the value of saying his prayers :-D
Snuggle time
The everyday routine is pretty standard. Bedtime is mostly Mommy's domain: brushing teeth, reading stories, saying prayers, and snuggling until Todd falls asleep (most of the time, Mommy zonks out, too!)
Tonight, however, Todd decided he wanted something different. He is currently in the midst of wishing to do everything with the parent of the same gender. A boy has to sit next to him in the car, a boy has to shower him, a boy has to... etc...
So it came as no surprise that at bedtime today, Todd declared: "I never get to snuggle with Daddy after stories and prayer!"
Since Daddy gets to snuggle with him in the morning, I pointed out that nighttime was my turn: "But what about me? Then I'll never get to snuggle with you!"
Todd's solution?
"You can snuggle with DADDY at night (after I go to sleep)!"
Tonight, however, Todd decided he wanted something different. He is currently in the midst of wishing to do everything with the parent of the same gender. A boy has to sit next to him in the car, a boy has to shower him, a boy has to... etc...
So it came as no surprise that at bedtime today, Todd declared: "I never get to snuggle with Daddy after stories and prayer!"
Since Daddy gets to snuggle with him in the morning, I pointed out that nighttime was my turn: "But what about me? Then I'll never get to snuggle with you!"
Todd's solution?
"You can snuggle with DADDY at night (after I go to sleep)!"
Let's make a deal
Todd proves that he isn't as gullible as you might think:
Daddy and Todd were having fun and got into a pseudo-discussions about languages, mostly about Todd picking up his Chinese again when he returns to Oma and Opa's house for winter break, Daddy's wish to learn more languages, and Todd's curiosity about German.
So Daddy tried to strike his son a deal:
"You teach me Chinese and I'll teach you German."
Todd wasn't about to be fooled, however:
"But... you don't speak German!!"
Daddy and Todd were having fun and got into a pseudo-discussions about languages, mostly about Todd picking up his Chinese again when he returns to Oma and Opa's house for winter break, Daddy's wish to learn more languages, and Todd's curiosity about German.
So Daddy tried to strike his son a deal:
"You teach me Chinese and I'll teach you German."
Todd wasn't about to be fooled, however:
"But... you don't speak German!!"
