The man in the household is missing, as mentioned below, but somehow Kid noticed and became a substitute man.
This guy has been blowing me away this year. I am not sure if six is the new awesome or what, but he is an outstanding child.
Helpful, loving, enthusiastic, obedient. He blesses me so much.
He has been willing to lend a hand with just about anything. He's at an age where he notices what is going on around and will set his needs aside until others are cared for. He's special. That kid.
Last night, I had promised him a game of Yahtzee. He had asked all afternoon and into dinner time. I was a *tad* frustrated when he asked for the third time. I had him to explain to me why it wouldn't work at that exact moment (which is a common thing in this household, rather than saying "wait" or "not yet", I make sure they see the current chaos as I do!).
He mentioned the babies needing their jammies on, the table still having dinner on it, and the pillows on the floor from their cave they had made. Then I went into the babies room to dress them and get them down for the night.
As I came out of the room, I saw a six-year-old going on fifteen. My heart lept with great joy. I saw my future, the air was clear. The birds were chirping, and I felt as I did in my youth!
(A little dramatic, but those of you in my situation would understand).
Without my asking, in the fifteen minutes I was away, he had delegated jobs to the two littler ones and was wiping my empty table clean. Their jammies were on, pillows picked up, teeth brushed, dishes put in the sink, condiments put away, floor swept, high chairs clean and they were doing it happily. That kid.
And it came to me that within a short amount of time, my little tribe will not have as many needs, that they will have the ability to do such tasks without my guidance or explanation. That these things will be expected. And that I may just leave the kitchen every evening to come back to a clean one.
And it all started with him, my substitute man of the house.
Helpful, loving, enthusiastic, obedient. He blesses me so much.
He has been willing to lend a hand with just about anything. He's at an age where he notices what is going on around and will set his needs aside until others are cared for. He's special. That kid.
Last night, I had promised him a game of Yahtzee. He had asked all afternoon and into dinner time. I was a *tad* frustrated when he asked for the third time. I had him to explain to me why it wouldn't work at that exact moment (which is a common thing in this household, rather than saying "wait" or "not yet", I make sure they see the current chaos as I do!).
He mentioned the babies needing their jammies on, the table still having dinner on it, and the pillows on the floor from their cave they had made. Then I went into the babies room to dress them and get them down for the night.
As I came out of the room, I saw a six-year-old going on fifteen. My heart lept with great joy. I saw my future, the air was clear. The birds were chirping, and I felt as I did in my youth!
(A little dramatic, but those of you in my situation would understand).
Without my asking, in the fifteen minutes I was away, he had delegated jobs to the two littler ones and was wiping my empty table clean. Their jammies were on, pillows picked up, teeth brushed, dishes put in the sink, condiments put away, floor swept, high chairs clean and they were doing it happily. That kid.
And it came to me that within a short amount of time, my little tribe will not have as many needs, that they will have the ability to do such tasks without my guidance or explanation. That these things will be expected. And that I may just leave the kitchen every evening to come back to a clean one.
And it all started with him, my substitute man of the house.