Being a child among them

After visiting with Faith, we had a enjoyable afternoon with my Dad in San Jose. We met at the park to play and chat. I remember being at the park a lot with my Dad when I was a little girl. I was always saying, "Daddy, watch what I can do!" and my Dad would give the most enthusiastic praise for my proud accomplishments. One thing that endeared me to my Dad was how he always wanted to do what we wanted to do. When we were little, it was going to the park and getting frozen yogurt. As we got older, we'd go to the movies and shopping. I always considered him to be fun. Consequently, I've always enjoyed being with him! I see the same thing with my kids.

My kids LOVE silliness. I'll admit, I'm still learning to be silly but David is a pro. I think half of my video clips are of him throwing them around, twirling them around, riding them on his back, tickling them and doing all sorts of things I would have never thought of, while they are hysterically laughing and saying, "can you do that again?".  One time Omega actually said, "I want to sit next to Daddy since he plays with us." The obvious implication was that I was boring, Dad was fun.

Janice let us borrow some DVD's called Character First. They are excellent resources for teaching character qualities. I knew that animal stories illustrated each character quality but I didn't know it would just be a guy talking. At first Omega and Orion were a bit disappointed that there were no pictures. However, as they guy was telling a story he said something that Omega found HILARIOUS and she just cracked up and from that point on, she begged to watch the DVD's. I've discovered that if kids see you be silly, you've won their heart.

While Connie and I talked, Grandpa endeared their hearts to him by playing with them.

Notice Connie joining in the fun. She is a ball of energy and life. Her vitality and vigor definitely serve as credentials for her unique health advice.

After the park we went to a tree job with my Dad. I used to work with him every so often as a groundsman (drag the cut tree branches to a pile so they are ready for the chipper).

Orion watched intensely, appreciating every moment of this loud machinery.

One of the fringe benefits of that tree job were these little swing chairs they had on their porch. We were able to have a fun moment together.

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"If they would gather the children close to them, and show that they love them, and would manifest an interest in all their efforts, and even in their sports, sometimes even being a child among them, they would make the children very happy and would gain their love and win their confidence. And the children would more quickly learn to respect and love the authority of their parents and teachers."  {Child Guidance 265}