Today, Amelia had a field trip to The Court which is a care facility for elderly people with Alzheimer's. They kids went with their Easter baskets and the residents gave them candy. The kids had made them cards as well and handed those out to them. Well, the first time around the circle Emery was in her stroller and not to into it.
After one trip around the circle Amelia decided she wanted to play, so I took Emery out of her stroller and we went walking. She had a tiny chicky cloth bag from Easter last year that she was carrying. She would walk up to a resident and sign "please". Then, wait for them to put the candy in her bag, or she would take it and put it in her bag herself. She would sign "thank you" laugh and clap at herself and move onto the next resident. Did I mention her bag was drapped over her arm like a purse? All her doing. Anyway, at the end of that round her bag was overflowing.
She knew we had made it back to the beginning of the circle so she started rummaging around in her bag for candy. All of the candy was chocolate and half melted so like any good mother I took the bag and candy away from her. She pitched the biggest fit to date in her 15 month exsitence. The fit included her running away from me toward the residents because they were going to save her- HA.
I finally got her calmed down and gave her back her empty bag. One important note: the residents were giving the kids candy from cute polka dot Easter paper bags. Well, smarty pants spied one next to a sweet lady and immediately went over to her. She picked up the paper bag and handed it to the women and held up her bag with a look on her face that said, "Fill 'er up lady." The lady put the paper bag on the ground and tried to pick Emery up. Emery refused, picked up the paper bag and handed it to the lady again. Again, the same face, "Fill it up now!"
So I asked the nice lady if she would give Emery some candy, so for about 5 minutes the lady would give her a peice, she'd put it in her bag and hold out her hand again for more. Another full bag of candy. I won't even go into what happened when I took that bag away and put her back in the stroller to leave, let's just say I'm missing some hair :)
But, I was just amazed that she picked up on what was happening so quickly and that she didn't just dive into the bag herself, but "asked" the sweet lady to give her some. The residents loved having the kids and the kids loved it as well. Now if only I'd remembered my camera.....
1 comment:
I absolutely love reading stories that happen with you and your girls, Erin! It really is amazing how kids quickly pick up on things. And how sweet that Emery was signing please and thank you- that is precious! I'll bet your heart was just melting. And I'm so proud of you for sticking to your guns and giving her back the empty bag and letting her throw a fit and do her thing of being upset. I'm so bad about that- I hate to have my kids scream and throw themselves on the ground when I tell them no, so there are times when I deviate from my original plan if they're loud enough. I know that's not helping them though, so I am now getting courage from you to stick with the plan and don't deviate! I truly want you to know that you're an inspiration to me on so many levels, Erin. In your faith, your friendship, your motherhood, your discipline, your wifeness (I totally know that's not a word- but wasn't sure how to say that! he he!), your integrity, and your confidence in who God made you to be. I am so grateful to have you as a friend, and I just love you!
Love,
Lisa
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