Last week, we had another funeral, and Chris was amazing, as always. Somehow, he knows exactly who needs the hugs and smiles the most. Our friend's granddaughter, who had lost her twin sister, was the recipient of multiple hugs, he even went up to her and pulled on her skirt for a little loving. Even just seeing Chris run around in circles, and play, laugh and smile, seemed to bring smiles to the family. I can see why, it brings me joy. It's funny, sometimes Chris can drive me really nutsy, pull my hair, jumping on my chest or belly, then he'll smile at me, or laugh, or say I Yum You Mommy (which is the newest adaptation of I Love You) and I melt. It really is a magical power.
Speaking of Chris's magic, he's just participating in all kinds of Disney moviesm he was a handsome prince this weekend. His best friend Bryn had a party for her 3rd birthday, and it was ALL Princesses. Chris was the only boy at the party, surrounded by no less than 10 girls ages 5 and under. He was in his element. You know, when he gets around girls, he enchants them, and they follow him, or chase him. At one point, he was being chased from the living room to kitchen by 4 or 5 young giggling shrieking girls. Hurt our ears. Another time, he was seated on the couch with 5 other young girls, he got up to move, and the whole harem disbanded. Bryn's parents knew Chris was going to be the only boy, so while all the girls did a craft of putting foam stickers on a tiara, Chris had a giant yellow crown. While all the girls got Princess stickers, Chris got Mickey Mouse. He was the only boy, and all the girls arrived in their princess costumes. Chris put on his crown, and came running up to us, yelling, "I a Pincess!" (I'm a princess!) Shortly thereafter, he stole his girlfriend Emily's light up Cinderella plastic slippers, put them on, and once again, traipsed through the house telling us he was a princess. Bryn was enchanted, and I hear tell, that today she told her mother that she LOVES Chris. I wish he would reciprocate, but my boy, he is fickle with his affections. One of our party favors was a CD of Disney music, mostly from the classic princess movies: Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty.... I put it on as soon as we left, telling him it was Princess Music. Honestly, I was just grateful for a break from Veggie Tales. For the first time, we got into the car Sunday morning, and he requested Princess Songs instead of Veggie Tales. However, later that day he was back to Veggie Tales music. He has not recovered from his great desire to be a princess, multiple times over the last couple days, he'll put his crown on, and tell us "I a Princess." PRINCE! Eric and I yell.
Speaking of VeggieTales, Chris and I popped in a new (well new to us) video, handed on from cousins Kaylee and Alexis, A Snoodles Tale. The pre-songs are my two favorites from the CDs that I have to hear everyday, "I want to Dance!" and "Sport Utility Vehicle." Yesterday we watched it for the first time, and it was great. The actual Snoodle's Tale is like Veggie Tales meets Dr. Seuss, with a snoodle meeting the great creator, Super Awesome. He's watching it as I type.
My sister in law says, "I'm not above bribing my children, I just call it rewards." I am finally seeing good use of this technique in my own family. I mentioned Chris's great affection for M&Ms (Ellems). We picked up a discount Halloween bag of M&M mini's and they thrill Chris to no end. This weekend, I got to hear of great stories of Chris's friends' Potty Training successes. We have not made much progress in this department of late. Since Chris's surgery, we had only had him successfully potty 4 times. This weekend, I was newly motivated. Eric read that if we try cheap diapers (we bought a $2.50 pack of Kroger generics) then Chris would be less comfortable and more compelled to go in the potty. So I tried. No work Saturday. Today however, I tried the cheapy dipes, and kept asking him every hour if he wanted to poo or pee in the potty. He would say no. He wanted M&Ms for lunch, and I told him they are for boys that go poo poo or pee pee in the potty. He told me he wanted to go Poo Poo Potty. And so he did. I was so proud, we called Daddy, got a sticker, and by gum, Ate those M&Ms. Once before naps, then I talked him into it again once shortly before Daddy got home. The second session didn't actually stop dangling, required a little assistance, but Chris still got his sticker and M&Ms. I think he could care less about the stickers, but he's thrilled about the M&Ms. He even lets me work his colors and counting while he eats them. I tell you his color recitation has vastly improved, well, those colors that are available in M&M packets. So, yeah, I'm bribing with candy, but twice in one day, that's downright historic!
Speaking of skillful colors. My big boy had a big week in Preschool. Tuesday was Brown Day. Chris wore some brown sweats, and he was happy to do so, then they did Finger Paintings with Chocolate Pudding. Once again, the miracle workers at the preschool got Chris to participate in Finger Painting. I don't know how they do it, but they are Gifted. Then Thursday was School Picture Day. I couldn't believe that my boy was so big and grown up as to having his school picture taken. I am so proud of him. First pictures, then Poo Poo Potty! We can't wait to see what's next!