Reading with Grandmama

Aaron has reading goals now that he has started Kindergarten, so Grandmama set aside some books on her bookshelf for Aaron's enjoyment. Grandmama was letting Aaron read to her tonight when Aaron started losing interest in the activity. He wanted Grandmama to read more and more of the pages, so Grandmama said she couldn't see the words, in order to make him read it instead. He jumped up and left the room. Grandmama said, "Are you going to the potty?" He replied, "No, I'm going to get your glasses!"

Incentive Chart Part 2

As Victoria had trouble with the incentive chart concept the first day, it's only fitting that Aaron have his moment to bemoan the reward program. They were sitting at breakfast this morning and Aaron had a small craft project going on next to his cereal bowl. What's new? He needed an item (scissors, probably) that Victoria had. Without him really asking for it, I overheard her sweetly say, "Here Aaron. You can have this." I immediately told her how nice it was that she was sharing, and for that sweet gesture she had earned a sharing heart to put on her chart. Aaron thought the heart was so cool, and he wanted one too. He had already grasped the concept that the good deed had to be done unprompted by me, so he suddenly turned to Vic and tried to give her something...something she didn't particularly need right then. I overheard, "Here Vic, you can have this."
"I don't want it."
"But I'm SHARING with you. Here, take it."
"I don't want it."
"Mommy, Vic won't let me share with her!!"
When it starts out like that, it's gonna be a long day.

Incentive Chart

Aaron and Victoria have new incentive charts to keep them on track with daily chores and good behavior. There are 8 things they must do during each day, and they can get extra incentives for good behavior items like sharing, using manners, and being helpful. On the morning that I introduced the charts, Aaron was thrilled to know he could earn a smiley face on his chart if I heard him using his manners. Ever the quick study, he was quite prompt in asking, "Mommy, may I please have something to drink?" I applauded the great use of manners and produced juice and a smiley face for his chart. Victoria, who was having a testy morning, to say the least, quickly shouted, "I want a smiley face!!!" Aaron leaned close to her and advised her to use manners. She responded in a huff, "I want a smiley face PUHLEEZE." The magic word was tainted with exhaustion at having to stoop to such a level, so I maintained my gaze into the pantry as I overheard Aaron instructing, "No, Vic! You have to use your manners and ask for something else." Her reply: "I want SOMETHING ELSE, PUHLEEZE." More whispered instruction from Aaron, "No, Vic!!! Ask for a juice box and use your manners." Victoria: "I want a juice box, and I used my manners!" Not quite, sweetie. Aaron prompted her this time with the entire correct request. Finally she caved, and sweetly asked, "May I have a juice box..." and then "PUH-LEEEEZE!" Close enough.

Loyalty of a Sister

I had taken the children to a local park one sunny summer afternoon to play.  Victoria was 3, Aaron 4.  Aaron was interested in the slide, where two older boys (probably age 6 or so) were playing.  The other boys were putting sand on the ladder of the slide, and when Aaron would try to climb, they would push the dirt onto his feet.  They weren't overly abusive, but I recall wanting to say something to them in an effort to relieve Aaron of the burden.  He obviously wasn't going to speak up for himself.  After about three rounds of sand distraction and bully-laughs from the other boys, Aaron decided playing on the slide wasn't worth all that after all.  One of the boys finally made an offending comment to him, and he just stood there, not sure what to say or do.  As I was just about to spring to my feet, Victoria came from out of nowhere, plopped herself in front of Aaron facing the other two boys, placed her fists on her little hips and hollered, "YOU LEAVE MY BROTHER ALONE!!" 

I love that girl!!