Dear God,

You know your child is growing up when his prayers are no longer rhyming poems but words straight from his precious little heart.

Caleb prayer tonight:

Dear God,
Thank you for my food.
Thank you for mommies and daddies.
Thank you for health.
Thank you for all my stuff.
Amen

Happy Father's Day, Daddy

At church, Caleb made a card for Paul. The Father's Day card was a cut out of a hand and on the hand was written "I will give my dad a hand in ________." Caleb told the teacher to write "Basketball." Caleb gave Paul his card as soon as we picked him up from class and was very proud. After reading it, I tried to explain to Caleb that giving Daddy a "hand" meant to help him in some way. Caleb responded, "I know, Daddy needs me to help him play basketball like Michael Jordon!"

Silly mommy, Caleb knew exactly what it meant!

Play Your Best Game

Most children have one imaginary friend. My son has a whole team. Every night, Baron Davis, Monta Ellis, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan are in our home playing basketball with my son. Most nights it's just practice but some nights it's a game. He'll put one of his two jerseys on, switching between his Warriors jersey (Daddy's team) and his Lakers jersey (Grandpa's team) and huddle with his teammates.

"Don't forget to play defense....post up....pass the ball....rebound....remember to just play your best game"

Then the buzzer goes off (Caleb making a horn sound with his mouth) and the game begins. He'll dribble, pump fake and shoot a jumper or drive to the hole with a layup. You may think I'm exaggerating but this 4 year old has got skillz! His favorite move right now is the slam dunk - with his tongue sticking out, of course.


I wondered if I should be concerned about his obsession with basketball but then I realized how special this was. If he can take this imagination, energy, discipline and passion with him throughout life he'll always play his best game whatever that may be.

The Stand-Off

Caleb is a very picky eater. We've tried sticker charts, treats, hiding the veggies. Lately, what has seemed to work is allowing Caleb to have a popsicle or yogurt for dessert as an award for eating all his dinner. Even with the reward, every night seems like a battle but this night in particular there was a stand off in our home.

It began as a regular night, Caleb dawdling and finding every excuse to not eat. At his wits end Paul told Caleb that he was not leaving the table until he ate. Not phased, Caleb sat quietly. It escalated. "Caleb, you're not eating dessert if you don't eat your dinner." Caleb crossed his arms and continued his protest. Then Paul, being the mature adult, grabs a popsicle and begins eating it infront of Caleb! Caleb glares at him as if to say, "I know what you are doing and it's not going to work!" Caleb sat at the dinner table for over an hour and never took one bite.

We might start calling him Gandhi.

Caleb has been asking for a "big boy" bed for a few months now. He was still sleeping in his crib. I know, I know, a four year old shouldn't be sleeping in a crib. I hate to admit it but I liked to still be able to cage him up. We were lucky because he never tried to climb out.

Well, we finally bought him a bed this past weekend. He was very, very excited. We took him to the store and he picked out his own "Cars" sheets, which to my dismay do not match his "Thomas the Train" decorated room! I'll get over it.

What may take me alittle longer to get over is that he's a big boy! When he was in his crib he always had to call for me when he had to go potty. I'd come over (at whatever dreadful time it was) and take him out of the crib and help him use the potty. Now that he has a bed he can go to the potty on his own. I still wake up because I can hear him getting out of bed, making his way to the bathroom (we still have the monitor on). But I have to lay in bed and fight the urge to go help him. I lie there listening to his every move, saddened by the fact that my baby no longer needs my help.

The second night he slept in his bed, he woke and went to the potty. Once he climbed back into bed, I could hear him wimpering. I immediately ran over there to see what the problem was. I asked him what was wrong and he said, "I just need a hug." I gave him a hug and then we both went to bed. He must also be saddened by our big change. I'd like to think that he misses my nightly visits and well, I know he still needs me....if only for a hug.

Sometimes Caleb says the most logical things which remind us how a 3 year old thinks...logical.

The other night Paul told Caleb to eat his carrots because carrots help you to see better.

Caleb's response: "But Daddy, I can see fine."

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Caleb and I were practicing subtracting so I put my hand up and asked him, "If you have 5 fingers and take away one what do you get?"

Caleb's response: "Four, but why would you take your finger away!?!"

Negotiating with a 3 year old

Now I know you are not supposed to negotiate with your child but for kicks one night I tried to strike up a deal with Caleb. I asked him if we could trade jobs - he washes the dishes and I would pick up his toys. Here's how the negotiations went:

Mommy: Caleb, why don't you wash dishes and I will pick up your toys.

Caleb: But, Mommy, I am too small.

Mommy: Are you sure you can't wash the dishes?

Caleb: (pauses and thinks) I know Mommy, why don't you pick up my toys and I will play with my trains! That sounds like a good deal!

LOL. If I can't win a negotiation with my toddler how am I ever going to close deals on the job!!!