Always thinking.

I'm beginning to think I should have made Connor's middle name "manipulate-the-situation"!! He is always coming up with an excuse to try to get out of things he doesn't want to do... and they are usually well thought out and I can see how they would seem to be logical, legitimate excuses to him.  I do have to give him credit for this... he is almost always respectful and calm in his arguments. At 4.5 years old, I'm amazed at how well thought out his words are. BUT, I'm still trying to learn how to respond to these arguments.  I want to teach him to just obey and to not have an argument for everything. I think it's important for him to be able to follow instructions without argument and with a good attitude. But, I also want him to feel free to voice his concerns to me.  In some situations it is clear cut to me that its not open for discussion and he needs to obey immediately. In other situations, its a little more gray and I think maybe we could have a discussion about it and come to an agreeable resolution.  These are hard lessons we are both still learning. He keeps me on my toes, for sure!

So, I have a couple of examples from today:

1. Last weekend, Connor and Dylan had their first t-ball game of the season (they're on the same team - PRECIOUS!).  A lot of our family came to watch them and after the game was over my mom (Mee-maw) surprised them with $5 each. Today I told them we could go to Walmart and they could pick out a toy to spend their $ on and then we could go to the Burger King playground and play for a while. When we arrived at Walmart I told them I wanted to go in through the seasonal entrance so I could look at flowers first. They were really enjoying it at first looking at all of the flowers and choosing their favorites. After a few minutes, Connor said, "Achoo, Achoo." (not sneezing... literally saying the word achoo) He continued, "Man, I must be allergic to these flowers. I guess we better go ahead to the toy section." I had to look at his face to see if he was smiling and just making a joke or if he seriously thought I just fell off the turnip truck and would just say, "oh, ok... let's get away from these flowers then!" No smile. He looked as serious as a heart attack. Well, of course, I had to call him on it... then he started laughing! He and Dylan both patiently waited for me to finish looking, then we went to the toy section. :)

2. So, off to BK we went. After they ate their lunch, we headed out to the playground. They played for a while, but then Connor said he was tired and wanted to sit for a while. (He really just wanted to play with his new toy.) I said, "OK, then get Dylan and let's go home.  If you're tired you should take a nap." He said, "Oh, well, I'm not THAT tired, just a little tired." So I said, "OK, then go play more. We are at a playground and its really nice outside. You should go play." So he did. After a while Sam was getting fussy so I told them it was time to go home for naps. Again, Connor said he wasn't tired enough for a nap. The whole time we were loading up to head home, he kept trying to negotiate... "What if I just lay down and look around my room?" and "OK, I'll take a nap, but only for 20 minutes." I said, "Connor, we're not negotiating. We're going home and taking a nap. Period." So, he was quiet for a while, but I know he was still thinking of how he could get out of this nap. When we were almost home, he said, "Hmmm. I am all sweaty. I better not lay down on my bed because my sheets will get all wet from my hair. I guess I'll just have to deal without a nap today." lol. I just smiled and said, "Well, you can sleep in my bed." He is now in my bed... taking a nap. :)

Oh, Connor - you are an amazing, sweet, and funny boy! You are constantly making me smile and laugh. You have a huge heart and a gentle spirit. And... you are ALWAYS THINKING! I love you! -Mom