Date Night...

with JUDAH!!

One of the BEST things about having these date nights with my boys is getting to spend one on one time with them and seeing their personalities in a non competitive setting. Both Judah and Thomas are extremely competitive. They LOVE each other, truly, and they don't like to be apart from each other BUT they also fuss and fight a lot. I am constantly breaking up arguments or redirecting or trying to explain godly,appropriate behavior. It's so nice to have them interact with me in a calmer setting.

Today I asked Judah what he wanted to do and he wanted to do the same things Thomas did with me last Tuesday. He wanted to ride bikes in the park and go to the coffee shop and play games.
We did things a tad differently though because he also wanted to wade and play in the creek at Henderson Falls. I didn't want him, or me, all dirty when we went to eat so we ate and played games first and then headed over to the park afterwards.

We had a great time playing games at the coffee shop. We are both SUPER competitive. However, he is learning to lose graciously. It's not perfect but he's getting SOOOO much better. He doesn't tend to freak out anymore. I am learning as well because I'm having to model that it's just a game and I don't care (at the end anyway) but I really DO care. Sad isn't it? I don't even want to lose to a kid. hehe. Pitiful I tell you. Just pitiful.

Anyway, we both won and lost tonight. It was lots of fun. The food was GREAT too; especially the triple chocolate cheesecake. (Can anyone say heaven?!)

At the park we rode bikes for about 30 minutes, until Judah just couldn't focus anymore and I was worried that we were going to hit someone. Then he got into his suit and went into the creek. He was only playing a little bit here and there and I asked him what was wrong. He said that he wanted me to come in too. I told him that I didn't want to get really wet. He reminded me that I had told him I would maybe get my feet wet. I asked him if it was important to him that I get in with him. He said, "yes, it's important to me." So, I took off my shoes and socks and into the dirty creek I went. We walked down the other end of the creek near the tennis courts. I hadn't walked that way before. About 1/2way to the place where we turned around Judah saw a tennis ball in the water. He asked if we could get it but I said no and explained that wet balls don't work very well. Later we saw another one out of the water and we did pick that one up. That one was almost new. A little ways down we saw another nice looking one and we got that too. This started a little adventure and search for tennis balls. We walked around all the courts and ended up with a total of 6 balls. It was really fun and a bit nostalgic for me. My brother and I used to do that when we were young. It definitely brought back memories. It also reinforced that Judah has a great eye for finding things...just like I do.
We had to stop at Walmart...of course.
(I swear that I LIVE there some weeks. I think I'm going to start giving their address out as my own. Perhaps my phone number as well. Then they can just page me when I get a phone call. )
Anyway, we had to pick up teething medicine for Gideon. Then we headed home. As we were riding along with no music on (per Judah's request) he said, "Mom I liked EVERYTHING we did tonight. My favorite thing was looking for the balls." I told him that I really liked that part too and my favorite part was spending time with him. He really is a great kid. They all are. It's great to reconnect after a tough day like today. I didn't have many stellar mom moments today with the older two. I had more of the "I'm frustrated out of my mind with how to train you since NOTHING seems to be working" days today. (Just keepin it real.) Tonight was super though. I will leave you with a few Judahisms from tonight.

#1
As were were riding along he was reading A LOT of the signs. Some of them were BIG words that he just rattled off like it was CAT or something. At one point he asked me if what he had said was correct. When I replied that he had gotten it correct he said, "I'm awesome." It was really funny. I think I tell him that all the time in regards to reading. :):):) oops. :O
(I was floored though when he read off the Millikin sign with ease as we flew by it at 45 miles per hour.)

#2
We were just starting to ride bikes when he gave his feet a little burst of energy and shouted, "It's MONGOOSE RACER time!" Mongoose racer is written on his bike. That one was really cute.

There was another really good one but it's too late to remember it. Have a good night!
Blessings!-Angela :)

p.s. Check out the pic posts from today.