Cry for Attention

Wednesday, Jonah was apparently in dire need of some major TLC. In the morning, he scrubbed the mirror with soap and flooded the sink with soapy water. Around lunch time, he made a swimming pool out of the sandbox and rolled around in the mud until he was covered head to toe (he included one of his best buddies, Christian, on this one and they both had to be stripped down to their underwear while I scrubbed and washed their clothes). In the early evening, he did this:

*Please note that Jonah's shirt appropriately says "Mr Messy"

Only the picture doesn't quite capture the entire mural on the playroom walls....it even included a precious quilt I have hanging on the wall from Africa as well as several toys. After each of these events, before I had time to get upset, he was already bawling and promising "I will obey the rules next time, mom". What do you do to a kid that already knows he did something wrong and punishes himself, filling in your lines? I confirmed the wrong-doing and then sat down and HUGGED him for a long time. (Mom, does this bring back memories from about 20 years ago? I don't think you ever had to send me to my room....I made sure I was punished before you had to.) :)

And you ask, where was Jonah's mother in all of this? She was working hard at the recent daily routine....feeding or trying to get a fussy baby to sleep for even 10 minutes straight before waking up again.

Looks like we will need to have some regular Mommy/Jonah date nights! Last Saturday, I took Jonah out on a date to rock climb at The Quarry in his Spiderman costume (yep, with the mask on and everything). We went to dinner together, got some ice cream and even bought new Spiderman PJs. We had a BLAST (wish I had pics of Spidey rock climbing!) and I had one very happy kid on my hands. As a mom, I don't think there is anything more rewarding than a happy child.....and anything more heart-wrenching than to see them aching for your time and attention.

So, here's to you, Jonah-bud - its you and me tonight kiddo!