PRESCHOOL

After MONTHS of asking "Am I going to skuwl?", we finally enrolled Dempsey in preschool at Hillcrest (where Sawyer did preschool).

Today is his first day. These are the photos I got. 1: at home before leaving, 2: a shot of his "jet pack", 3: in this class.

Mark 1 & 2

This morning I told the boys, "When I finish doing the dishes we're going to read Scripture."

I grabbed my Bible and we three sat on the couch to read and listen. I explained to Dempsey that what we were reading from was the very Bible his videos talk about. They have watched all of the What's in the Bible episodes and love them.

When I told him we were going to read the Bible he commented "Hey, like Grampa and Sawyer do." Melted my heart.

We commenced reading Mark 1. We were able to discuss baptism, driving out evil spirits, and healing leprosy.

I stopped here, thinking one chapter was a fair amount to start with. I was right as far as Dempsey was concerned. Sawyer wanted to keep reading.

Sawyer and I continued through Mark 2. We talked about Jesus healing a paralytic, fasting, and the righteous compared to "sinners".

Sawyer said, "I love these stories."

I love that he loves learning about Jesus!!

Sayings from Today

I braided my hair after shower. Dempsey sees it and exclaims "I LOVE YOUR HAIR, MOM! It's really cool." 💙

I put Demps in Sawyer's SW VBS costume. He says to me, "I think I don't love this."

Hilarious

After Dempsey finished his dinner of pizza, he got up from the table with a big grin on his face as he leisurely stepped toward the kitchen in a backwards fashion.

Jake called him on it and said "Where you goin'?" Picture it said all drawn out and with a cheeky grin. Dempsey responded with a bigger grin.

As Dempsey moved toward the kitchen, nearing the pony wall, he said, smiling, "Oohhhh, I was going to the.... playroom." He then took three steps down the hall in the direction of the playroom, turned round, and ran into the kitchen.

Jake and I both belly laughed!

That kid is hilarious! See, we knew he wanted the chocolates that were in the kitchen but the fact that he thought to use misdirection really tickled us. It was one of those times where you wished you were videotaping all of life from all angles because it was classic.

A few moments later he came back out, hands on hips, grin on his face, and as he stood in the kitchen doorway said something along the lines of "Where are they?"

I told him they were on the counter. Jake told him he would need his chair. Dempsey grabbed his chair to go harvest his two chocolates for dessert.

This is the result.

This is Love

Sawyer reached as far as his arm would reach so that he could give me this thoughtful note.

"I love you, Mommy."

On the back were two hearts by Sawyer and a green contribution from Dempsey. I assume it is a line of healing and love.

Sawyer said, "I want you to have this so you feel happy because being happy will make you feel better."

Such tender hearts! I am BLESSED!

Reading Time

Sawyer is reading to Dempsey from The Jesus Storybook Bible. They decided on the story about Jesus being tempted in the desert.

Sawyer: Dempsey, do you see the snake?!
Dempsey: Yeah!
Sawyer: Do you know who the snake is?
Dempsey: No.
Sawyer: Say satan.
Dempsey: Satan.
Sawyer: Do you remember at Granny and Granddad's house, the God guy and the Bad guy?
Dempsey: Yeah.
Sawyer: The snake, he's the bad guy.
Dempsey: Ooohhh.

I love brotherly conversations. It warms my heart to hear and watch Sawyer teach Dempsey. Dempsey just eats it up, too.

Brave Boys

I am so proud of my boys! They handle fear and scary situations with grace and better composition than most adults.

I know a lot of that is due to WHO they are but I am going to assume some credit for this.

Why?

Because I heeded some wisdom from my mom and applied it to my children.

My mom always used to say it was important and good to "front load" kids with information. Information about what was coming. Warning them of pain that was coming, sensations that were new/ strange to them. Expressing my expectations of behavior and character.

Why is this a wise method? Simply because it builds trust.

Trust? Yes, trust.

Imagine someone telling you "It will be fine" or "It's not going to hurt" or my personal fave "There's nothing to worry about." As if one person has any clue as to what the other MIGHT be feeling in any given situation.

So, apply any of those phrases to a situation of getting a tooth pulled. Instead of preparing the child for what was to come people lie to them. That doesn't build trust.

Not me. Not my husband. We have always given what other adults think is too much information.

Examples from Kenagyville are as follows:
Dempsey getting a stitch on his forehead. I told him there would be pain. It WILL hurt for a little while and then all better. I explained the needle and suture process. He cried, a little bit. He was prepared. He held so still and took deep breaths. I was impressed!

Sawyer getting his first tooth extracted. I explained what was going to happen. When what I explained actually happened, he was confident and prepared. We built trust.

Dempsey getting his head stapled. Sawyer getting his head glued. Dempsey getting drops in his eye. Sawyer having his hearing tested.

Moral of the story- don't treat children as if they are dumb. Equip them with knowledge and prepare them for REALITY. It works. Not only does it work, it also makes the medical pros go "wow... I've never had a kid this calm..." :-)