My playdate

Every Thursday Elliott is in school until 1:00 but Nolan gets out at 12:00. I didn't want to pay for late stay, so I pick him up and we try to go somewhere "special". Twice I have taken him to the park to eat a picnic together and then we play on the playground or I come up with something else. I would like to deceive you into thinking that this is an hour of bliss with my first born where we have deep discussions, laugh, and play, (because that's how I envisioned it when I first made this plan) but the reality is that both times we have done this his teacher has come to the car to tell me that he's had a rough day and would not do his work. Our "date" has consisted of me trying to get out of him why he won't do his work, lecturing on the importance of working hard, and him being completely distracted by the flies buzzing around his food. I mean- so distracted that he can't eat. Wow- I can feel my blood pressure rising as I type the words! So, it hasn't been ideal. This week I tried really hard to address the issue and then move on and enjoy our time. I came prepared with his soccer ball and my camera. Once I forced myself not to be frustrated with him we had a good time. He wanted to use my camera and it was fun to see him look at life through the lens.

These are the pictures Nolan took.

So the moral of this story is:

• life isn't always as blissful as you plan it to be
• my child might have focusing issues- or he might be a normal 4 year old. No idea, never done this before.
• maybe I should chuck the park idea and plan to eat inside
• parenting is the hardest thing I have ever done. Ever!!
• I love him to pieces and he'll be just fine!! :)