Date Night and Birthdays

Last night was a very special night for me. Dekker and I went on a date, just he and I. Those opportunities are few and far between, so we tried to make the most of it. As soon as Brady got home, I went upstairs to get ready, and then I helped Dekker get ready.

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Laela couldn’t be left out of the pictures 🙂

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As we began our drive, I asked Dekker if he wanted music or if we should just have quiet. He requested music, as is common on our drives. I made it really quiet, though, and asked him what he was hungry for. He kind of mumbled something back, but I couldn’t understand it. I asked him to speak up, and he got quieter, as usual. Within minutes, he was cashed out. So I turned the music up a little and enjoyed the drive.

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I love my sleepy date <3 And yes, we were parked here.

I decided to take Dekker to Montanas. We so often to fast food, but this was an opportunity to go somewhere nicer. Plus, Montanas is loud and there is lots to watch. So I took this sleepy soul in to supper, just the two of us.

Sitting at the table, coloring on the brown paper and talking about school, made me think back to how relationship two-ish years ago. Things were SO different. I would NEVER have taken him out by myself. Not because I didn’t love his desperately, but because he was struggling SO hard post surgery, and could not be in public without screaming in terror (I kid you not) if anyone even looked in his direction, or Heaven forbid, greeted him. That uncontrollable, fearful scream, and the look that went with it are still fresh in my mind. You don’t know until you’ve had a kid who has been traumatized. I’ve had some people suggest that I am depressed, and that if I got some help, maybe that situation wouldn’t have been so hard for me. Let me tell you all that I am no stranger to counselling, and I will NEVER be ashamed to ask for help. THIS was devastating, beyond me being embarrassed that my kid was screaming in a store. It was just awful, for him, mostly. I was just so sad for him. But now, this boy is warm and funny and finding himself. Its amazing to see him so comfortable in his own skin, and figuring himself out. I was SO proud to walk into Montanas with him, hand in hand.

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After supper, we drove to Walmart and completed the exciting task of picking out all of his school supplies! I liked letting him be involved, and getting a say in small things, like the color of his scissors, indoor shoes, a water bottle for his lunch, etc. We also snagged a bag of pull ups for Laela, but that was our only non-kindergarten related purchase. Everything else was centred around him starting school. And SOON!

We got home around 8:00 and he went right to bed, but very happily. My heart was and continues to be very full. I sure do love that boy.

Today has been a fun day of celebrating birthdays! My mom and my sister in law, Grace, share a birthday, and that is today! Brady and I made cakes yesterday evening, so I frosted them this morning, with the help of these fine little specimens.

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While the morning rolled on, we kept on the potty training train (huh…) and had one good successful pee on the potty! Woot! This is my favorite part of potty training so far. Dekker has designated himself as the supervisor of Laela’s underwear choice.

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Dekker: So. Laela. We haaaave stripes and Olaf and Elsa and I don’t know who that girl is and…

Ack! I love them!

We threw a pull up on her for the afternoon, and headed over to my parents for birthday supper! We had pizza and chips and cucumber salad and cake! While it didn’t look even close to as pretty as I had hoped for, I’ll be tacky and say that it tasted pretty good! The kids played hard and got to stay out a bit later than usual, but when we got them home, they were definitely ready for bed.

Brady and I have been setting up some furniture to paint in the garage for a couple of days, and last night we got the first coat on almost all of it. Better get my butt out there and help him with the second one!! Just you wait, guys. Its all going to look SO good!