Kid pride
Last weekend was the 4th bday party for mtgat's male offspring. We went to a Chuck-E-Cheese-like arcade that was MUCH cooler than the real house of mouse. The kids got SCADS of tickets and Ben chose, with his share, to get a bag of marbles, as he's been All About Marbles lately. He carefully chose the ones that were more blue than green-glass because everything must be blue.
When presents were being opened, Ben was suddenly crying and upset and inconsolable. I had no idea why. After a bit, it became clear that he wanted to give the marbles as a present. I pointed out that those were for him to keep. He cried and clung to me and said, no, no, he got them FOR a present to give away. I asked him repeatedly if he didn't want to keep them and he was insistent. As I got up to go out to get them from the car, he ran to the top of the stairs at the house to curl up and cry quietly.
I had him come with me and we got the marbles out of the car, wrapped them in a white bag, and he gave them to the birthday boy. He was totally happy then. It was just SO sweet--his fervent desire to give something he could have kept because he thought it would make someone happy.
Then at t-giving, Ben took along a little smiley-bowl of Corn Flakes since Husband's family has munchies set out before dinner. When we got back up to Nana's condo from her community restaurant (lovely food), Ben noticed that his little container was still full and started crying. Neither I nor anyone else had realized that he'd meant for the dry cereal to be for the family, and he was near-inconsolable for a few moments that no one had eaten and appreciated his offering. Once we explained that no one knew it was for them and got a few folks to have a bit, he calmed down and was happy again. He was so proud of his effort and so crushed when it didn't work. Poor kid.
But what a sweet and generous spirit, you know?
When presents were being opened, Ben was suddenly crying and upset and inconsolable. I had no idea why. After a bit, it became clear that he wanted to give the marbles as a present. I pointed out that those were for him to keep. He cried and clung to me and said, no, no, he got them FOR a present to give away. I asked him repeatedly if he didn't want to keep them and he was insistent. As I got up to go out to get them from the car, he ran to the top of the stairs at the house to curl up and cry quietly.
I had him come with me and we got the marbles out of the car, wrapped them in a white bag, and he gave them to the birthday boy. He was totally happy then. It was just SO sweet--his fervent desire to give something he could have kept because he thought it would make someone happy.
Then at t-giving, Ben took along a little smiley-bowl of Corn Flakes since Husband's family has munchies set out before dinner. When we got back up to Nana's condo from her community restaurant (lovely food), Ben noticed that his little container was still full and started crying. Neither I nor anyone else had realized that he'd meant for the dry cereal to be for the family, and he was near-inconsolable for a few moments that no one had eaten and appreciated his offering. Once we explained that no one knew it was for them and got a few folks to have a bit, he calmed down and was happy again. He was so proud of his effort and so crushed when it didn't work. Poor kid.
But what a sweet and generous spirit, you know?