Photos of the Week: October 21

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“Children don’t say ‘I had a hard day, can we talk?’ They say, ‘Will you play with me?‘” – Lawrence Cohen

On Monday, four-year-old Mr. D didn’t want to go to pre-school. We got his eight-year-old sister to school and then I figured out that my long list of important work to do wasn’t in fact more important than helping him understand that we can do hard things. Especially when we anchor them to small treats. So we threw rocks into Greenlake instead. And then he happily went to school and I went to work but without that emotional hangover that comes with hard drop-offs.

Later, he told his sister, “You just have to throw rocks into the water and it makes big feelings come back to happy.”

One of the unexpected benefits of getting a real job is that I’ve had to employ my kids on the weekend to help me with my chores whereas I’d sneak them in during the school day before. The weekend before last we had “Oil change Saturday” and we went to Jiffy Lube, the gas station, and got a car wash. Funny enough – they loved it.

And this past week, we had “Seal the Grout Sunday” where they helped me seal the grout on the walls of my driveway that my parents helped me tile. When we went to my brother’s tugboat, Mr. D chipped in with the vacuuming. It’s quite possible I’m raising another generation that chooses projects as their love language.

Riding bikes to school.

We found the perfect climbing tree at Discovery Park and before I knew it, Miss O was almost out of sight. Thank goodness the young special forces dude with us had binoculars and a cute dog on the mission. Fortunately Miss O came back down before I had to call out the rest of the imaginary troops.

Mr Cooper adds to the number of people who move my glasses around here. Oh, and he moves mer-man as well. But he hasn’t found the magic to unlock the friendship with the cat yet, no matter what his puppy dog eyes say!

A leaf-frame provided the heart of the week. I can’t even remember what illustrious establishment had the sign of the week. Fortunately all the staff must have been untrained because I don’t recall any craziness.

Quote from Wednesday’s Child post I Had a Bad Day, Mom

36 thoughts on “Photos of the Week: October 21”

  1. I think the shot of Ms. O reaching the Icarus Zone is the most remarkable (and doubtless terrifying) thing. She is already walking in your shoes, Wynne. Try to keep the kids away from “Sweat Shop Tuesday.” Seriously, all my applause for your loving, inventive, and conscientious parenting!

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  2. My thought is similar to Dr. Stein’s! We’ve got a climber — wow! Apple? Tree? You and Miss O? Thanks for another bountiful roundup. Let me know if you crew is available for hire…and good luck with Coop’s fascination with your glasses! He is hilarious! 🤓

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  3. Such a great post Wynne. The puppy is getting so big, but as adorable as ever. You must be making the chores sound exciting with all the buy in you’re getting

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  7. Mr. D’s wisdom made me think of a quote from Forrest Gump. “Sometimes there just aren’t enough rocks”. I’m really glad, in his case, there were. And what a mindful parenting moment!

    Congrats(?) on the real job.

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    1. Oh, I didn’t remember that Forrest Gump quote – that’s a good one!

      And yes, the real job is good. After having my own business for more than 20 years, it’s an interesting but fruitful transition.

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  8. “It’s quite possible I’m raising another generation that chooses projects as their love language.” I love this! You are showing them that hard work doesn’t have to be unpleasant, not if the work is shared! Oh, and the tree climbing? Very cool!

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  9. I love the naming of the days. I will be borrowing that one. Thank you 😂 I also love Mr. D., wisdom “You just have to throw rocks into the water, and it makes big feelings come back to happy.” If you’re into holiday keepsakes I suggest this year a cute rock ornament, with that message written on a card.

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      1. You can thank my mother, for that idea. She has been gifting us Christmas ornaments with a note of what prompted her ornament choice since the year we were born. It has become a beautiful hilarious, emotional tradition. That many of us have implemented with our own families.

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  10. Oh I love that story with Mr D. You are raising such emotionally intelligent and resilient kids, Wynne. And so smart of you to get them to chip in with the chores at an early age. Builds great discipline.

    Hope you all enjoy what’s left of your weekend. The sun finally came out this morning!

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    1. I feel like I need to do a better job of getting them involved with ongoing chores. Because you’re right – it builds great discipline. Ah, always another thing to do. I should just say thanks for the compliment and move on.

      I hope you all enjoy the weekend too, Ab!

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  13. That’s wonderful that you are including and engaging your children in the daily ‘stuff’ that makes up life and living. I did the same with my boys from early on…..I taught them a lesson I was raised with…family works together. If it needs doing, we can all get it done and much faster. Granted, it’s sometimes faster with young ones to ‘do it myself’, but everyone has to start somewhere. If the towels are folded perfectly, if the bed still looks a touch messy, if not every inch of carpet gets vacuumed….it’s all part of the learning curve. Now that they are in their 20s, even they can see the difference between people who were raised like them, and others who weren’t. (they have both separately thanked me for this, and I am so grateful they still live with those standards) I love the light hearted feel you give the different projects, what a gift you are giving your children! 💞

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    1. I love this comment, Dawn. Because you are so right – it would be faster if I did it myself. And it takes energy to make it fun. But like you, I believe that it matters to teach them how and the confidence that they can do it too – from an early age. Thank you for this great story from your kids to encourage me! ❤ ❤ ❤

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