Pig roast
The night didn't go as smoothly as expected. Here are the pictures, and you'll notice a recurring theme of a particular facial expression missing from the usually-jolly Trey.
Trey pretending to drive a custom designed lawnmower. Most of our short evening was spent here. The mowers that didn't have their keys made him a bit angry.
This was the second of three bites of dinner he took. If you know Trey and his obsession with chicken nuggets, you know how odd this is.
I had been showing Trey last year's pictures of him riding the train, just to get him fired up for this year. And it worked - all he talked about once we got there was riding the train. Sat him in the seat, took the picture, conductor took off, Trey screamed and stood up, reaching for me to get him. No train ride.
Hayride time. Trey was utterly crushed that he had to sit in the wagon instead of riding on the actual tractor. Thirty seconds into a six-minute ride, he was shouting, "Get down! Get down!"
The obligatory grandparent-induced Dr. Pepper.
Yeah, not the best experience. We might have been there a little over an hour. A year makes one big difference.
Tonight also served as a reminder of something I'm confronted with every time I am solely responsible for my son. Trey and I do not do well in public together, just us. It is so shameful for me to admit this, but I cannot control him. He is just one kid, and he's very often too much for me. It never ends well. He's upset because I won't let him do anything, and I'm frustrated that he won't cooperate.
I have gone over and over in my head what the problem is. I'm not terribly energetic, and he is. I'm probably too controlling, not wanting him out of my sight (or grasp). This is a tough stage. Discipline is an area I still struggle with, and he is constantly testing his boundaries with me. The little sneak knows my weaknesses and senses my hesitation.
It does me no good to try to put on a front like I have it all together, which is how I used to be in all areas of life. Smile, everything is fine, I can handle whatever you throw at me. Now, this facade disappears even before we walk out the door. With parenthood, God provides a daily dose ofhumiliation humility, and an insanely intense need to depend on Him.
Lord, please make me a better mom for my son. Whether that means tightening the reigns on discipline, or letting go a little more. What a comfort it is to know that You are always in control, even and especially when I have lost all of mine. I need You.
Trey pretending to drive a custom designed lawnmower. Most of our short evening was spent here. The mowers that didn't have their keys made him a bit angry.
This was the second of three bites of dinner he took. If you know Trey and his obsession with chicken nuggets, you know how odd this is.
I had been showing Trey last year's pictures of him riding the train, just to get him fired up for this year. And it worked - all he talked about once we got there was riding the train. Sat him in the seat, took the picture, conductor took off, Trey screamed and stood up, reaching for me to get him. No train ride.
Hayride time. Trey was utterly crushed that he had to sit in the wagon instead of riding on the actual tractor. Thirty seconds into a six-minute ride, he was shouting, "Get down! Get down!"
The obligatory grandparent-induced Dr. Pepper.
Yeah, not the best experience. We might have been there a little over an hour. A year makes one big difference.
Tonight also served as a reminder of something I'm confronted with every time I am solely responsible for my son. Trey and I do not do well in public together, just us. It is so shameful for me to admit this, but I cannot control him. He is just one kid, and he's very often too much for me. It never ends well. He's upset because I won't let him do anything, and I'm frustrated that he won't cooperate.
I have gone over and over in my head what the problem is. I'm not terribly energetic, and he is. I'm probably too controlling, not wanting him out of my sight (or grasp). This is a tough stage. Discipline is an area I still struggle with, and he is constantly testing his boundaries with me. The little sneak knows my weaknesses and senses my hesitation.
It does me no good to try to put on a front like I have it all together, which is how I used to be in all areas of life. Smile, everything is fine, I can handle whatever you throw at me. Now, this facade disappears even before we walk out the door. With parenthood, God provides a daily dose of
Lord, please make me a better mom for my son. Whether that means tightening the reigns on discipline, or letting go a little more. What a comfort it is to know that You are always in control, even and especially when I have lost all of mine. I need You.
Comments
{hugs} to you! You are a great mom!