Going On A Bear Hunt

Caiden and a few of his classmates performed for the parents at a meeting that we had last night. This video is a bit long, but I just had to share it. Caiden seemed to be a bit quiet throughout this song, but the actions that they do at the end are hilarious. I just love that these kids can show so much confidence on stage.

Caiden, I am so proud of you. You bring so many smiles to me and your daddy each day. Thank you for being our son!

Where does your dad work?

There are no pictures to go with this story, but you will be glad for that.... I promise!

Yesterday, Scott went to volunteer at Caiden's school. We are participating in a program called 'Books for Bikes'. The child who has the most logged time of having their parents come read will win a bike. We are looking forward to earning it for Caiden at the next parent meeting. (I think we have it in the bag.)

Scott went to the school in his USPHS uniform and so all the kids were curious about his lapel pins, his ribbons and his rank pins... basically everything that was shiny on his uniform.

The teacher asked Caiden, "Where does your dad work?

His reply was, "He works at his work."...

"Yes, but where is his work?"...

"At work by my house."...

"Does he work at the hospital," she finally asked.

"His work is at the hospital, but the hospital is where I went when I smashed my peepee... (the teachers eyes were looking a bit shocked, and Caiden was covering himself). The toilet lid slammed down on it...hard!"

The teachers eyes were WIDE now and all she could say was, "WOW, that must have hurt."

Luckily, he didn't get into the graphic details of the discoloration and the swelling and the icepacks that he begged for. I think his teacher would have passed out.

Kids crack me up, they say what they want to say when they want to say it.

I feel bad that the 'hospital' is tied only to trauma for Caiden. I guess it makes sense, though, because he has had to endure some pretty painful tests (kidney problems), blood draws and lots of shots.

See, I told you that you would be glad there weren't any pictures!

Sunshine and Bike Rides

What a treat it has been to have 60 degree weather in January. Caiden has been enjoying getting out in the sunshine and fresh air. He has been working on learning to ride his big boy bike and isn't quite sure if it fun or not. Hopefully he can keep his positive attitude and be training wheel free by summer time. We spent two hours outside practicing braking and not tipping over. He has mastered the stopping part. I have a feeling that I will have tire skid marks on my side walk in no time.

Sugar

While we were at the store last night we passed by the mini-marshmallows. Caiden asked if we could get a bag. I said yes because it is hot cocoa season and you need mini-marshmallows for that, right? Well Caiden was so excited about them and kept smelling the bag. He said, "Mom, you have to smell these, they have such a strong smell." And they did too. They smelled sweet and marshmallowey. (Not really a word, I know!)

So we bought the marshmallows and we started driving home. He asked if he could have a few. I gave him about 8. After he had eaten them, a few minutes passed. He asked, "Mom, can I have some more sugar?" "More Sugar?"

OK, talk about guilt! I guess I knew they were made out of just sugar, but to have him ask like that made me feel totally guilty. Who gives their child straight sugar? It was humbling and funny at the same time. Caiden sure has a way of keeping me grounded.

Little Buddies

I never wanted a pet but this little cat just fits in as part of our family. We rescued him after seeing him being starved and having a gash on his face. His eye was very damaged and we thought that he was probably blind. After a few months of care, food, and shelter he is all but perfect. His damaged eye doesn't react to light the same way as the other side but he can still see out of it. He and Caiden have an interesting relationship. The cat sometimes sees Caiden as large prey and pops out of hiding to pounce at him. Caiden returns the favor by screaming really loud and scaring the cat away. Caiden's favorite thing to do is shine the laser pointer so that Link can chase it. They love to play together and it is fun to see Caiden sharing in the responsibility of owning a pet.

Our Guard Cat

We made a cat house from an old toy chest. I had just turned away after I had finished cleaning and changing the linens in it when I heard something in the box. I turned to see who was in the box and what I saw was a surprise. Caiden was peeking out and all I could do was laugh. I am so glad it was clean.

No, But I Thought About It

We are learning more about the mind of Caiden everyday.

Here is a conversation that we had after school.

• Caiden- "Mom, Layla needs to be moved."
• Mom- "Why? Was she being mean to you again?"
• Caiden- "Yeah, She kept flipping me in the leg....... I was thinking about punching her in the eye!"
• Mom- "So did you?"
• Caiden- "No, but I thought about it."
• Mom- "So what did you do?"
• Caiden- "I flipped her back, but she still needs to be moved."

(Layla is a little girl in his class that is mean to the other kids. She is a cute little girl but has a bit to much spunk. For her own protection, I think I will have her moved... TOMORROW!)

I have to say that I was proud in a weird way. He didn't punch her even though he wanted to.

That's not a helicopter mom it's a bi-plane

As Caiden and I were driving home from school today I noticed something flying in the sky. We see a lot of life flight helicopters that are often flying around. I was driving and so I couldn't get a good look at what I had just seen. I asked Caiden "Is that a helicopter?" He said "No mom, it's a bi-plane." There was a look on my face of confusion and I asked being totally serious, "What is a bi-plane?" "It has two wings and a spinney thingy (propeller), that's what makes it a bi-plane." "Ok, how do you know what a bi-plane is?" "It is from playing my 'Smart Boys' game." (I'd say it's a smart boy game for sure.)

I had to stop and look to see if it was indeed a plane instead of a helicopter and he was right. I had to go look up bi-plane on Wikipedia just so I would know what a bi-plane was.

He keeps inspiring me to learn each and every day. What a smart and clever boy.

-Wholesome Media-

Some people think that what their children watch on T.V. doesn't shape them for good or for bad. Those people need to have an experience like the one Caiden shared with me this morning.

Caiden was playing with the cat and he said, "Mom, Link wants to be a boy like me, and I want to be a cat." I told him that I love him as a little boy and that I wouldn't want him to be different in any way because I think he is too special.

He was quiet for a minute and then looked up at me and said, "It's because God made me special and he loves me very much." He then told the cat that he (the cat) can't be a boy and that he is special because God made him too. He then ran to the back door opened it up and yelled up to the sky, "God, thank you for making me special and for loving me.... and the cat Link!"

I have heard that saying literally a hundred times and have thought about the profound impact that it could have on society if everyone could realize that truth.

Leave it to my four year old to testify to me that he knows God, and that God loves him.

I hope my son will remember how special he is and that he has potential for greatness.

Thank you to "Big Idea" for producing 'VeggieTales.' The messages contained are truly pearls of great price.

As Larry the Cucumber would say,

"Now Remember, God Made You Special And He Loves You Very Much!"

A Caidenism- Funny Shoes

We love footie pajamas. We think they are the best way to keep Caiden warm since he likes to kick his blankets off sometimes. After his shower the other day, Scott was helping Caiden get dressed. The pajamas went on fine but the feet part weren't on quite right. They resembled the pictures above.

Caiden looked down and said "I have funny feet." Scott asked"What do you mean?" "I look like Santa's Elk."

Scott thought about it for a minute and without correction brought Caiden in to show me. Scott asked him again. "What kind of shoes do you have?" "ELK shoes."

I just cracked up, "Oh, you mean ELF shoes?" "Yeah, the kind Santa's Elks wear."

We just laugh and laugh at the crazy things he says. What a silly boy.