The Tables Have Been Turned

I found a while back that reverse psychology worked pretty well on Hayden with things like smiling for pictures and getting hugs and kisses. But I never had any idea that my 3 year old would turn the tables on me. As I'm sitting on his bed having a talk with him about how he was acting, he points his finger at me and says "Mommy, don't you laugh. Don't you smile!" How could I not? My mommy cred was shot.

This last week has been filled to the brim with activities. We have also had my cousins staying with us and that means that Hayden has followed them around every step. It also means that he's not listening to me like he usually does. So last night he was hitting Lillie while she was sitting next to him in the back seat of the truck. He has learned to like her reactions because she is so animated and dramatic. So after a couple of warnings I pulled the truck over and spanked him. After a few tears he was back to picking on Lillie. When I told him to stop he said to me, "pull the truck over, Mommy. I want a spanking!" Again, I started laughing. Darn it! I'm ready for next week. There isn't much on the calender so hopefully some down time will help.

Move Over Jaden Smith... Here Comes Hayden!

Hayden started his TaeKwondo classes tonight. We took him yesterday for an initial session too see if he would like it and if he could follow directions well enough at his young age. The instructor felt like he would do well and said that he could start right away. So we washed his white uniform and headed off to class. It was so cute to see him learning to tie his belt. The pants legs and sleeves are a little long, but he will grow into it soon enough. I feel like this will be a positive step for him because they will be working on more than just the movements. They teach them discipline, manners (yes sir/no sir), stranger danger, make sure they memorize their address and home number and also talk with them about when it's appropriate to use 911.

His very first class seemed to go ok... at first. After about 15 minutes he was looking around and having a hard time staying in line. Focus is something we are going to have to work on a lot around the house. Several times his instructor had to call his name and redirect him to where he was supposed to be sitting. Many times I noticed that he was laying down on his stomach with his chin propped on his hands while he was waiting his turn in line. Many of the moms around us laughed at it all, but quickly reassured me that after about 3 classes or so I would see an improvement. They know because all their little ones did the same thing. Thank God! I can't wait to see what type of improvement he makes around the house with focus and manners, but I already feel I have great kid so any changes we see will be icing on the cake. I just want him to have fun and get a little energy out. If he likes it, I will LOVE it.

Learning to tie his belt

(daddy is going to have to teach me too)

Small class makes for better focus

The balance beam of the obstacle course

Weaving in and out of the cones

Getting ready to crawl through the tunnel

Bowing out of class

Showing off his sticker on his belt

(his first sticker was white)

Happy Birthday Hayden!

Hayden turned 3 two weeks ago! I can't believe it's been three years since we welcomed this sweet little boy into our lives. He has changed so much and has developed such a personality. He makes me laugh everyday. Some of his mannerisms are so funny. Like when he puts his hands on his hips when he is studying something. It makes me realize they watch us way more than we ever thought because he gets that from me! He's the kind of child who stands back and observes before he jumps into any new situation. He will probably be a people watcher like me. I can almost see the wheels turning inside his head. He's a thinker for sure! He talks with his hands and loves to tell everyone about his monster trucks, bulldozers and race cars! I absolutely love that child and can't remember life before him.

For his birthday I took cupcakes to his Mom's day out class. He was so excited to see me and was telling all his friends "mommy brought cupcakes!" I'm surprised they all ate their lunches, but they managed to clean up pretty good before they got their cupcakes!

Hayden and Miss Holli

We had his actual party at Kidsview Park. It was fun for the kids and not too hot since we had a covered pavilion. After changing the theme a couple of times we finally settled on a tractors party. He did, however, tell me the night before that he wanted a motorcycle party, but it was too late by then to change anything again!

Farmer Granny Pat

Farmer Suzi

Opening presents with Zoe and Sophie

Hot wheels from his cousins

Nicholas, Gabriel, Joseph and Sophia

Opening the scooter from Mommy and Daddy