Visiting Some New Friends

As we are still working on getting past the sharing issues, it has helped my little girl to view others as 'friends' rather than as people who are trying to take her things. We had two new friend situations this last week. On Sunday, we had a regional conference for church, broadcast from Utah, where President Monson spoke about making sure no one feels left out or alone, and Elder Nelson spoke to the kids about following the prophet and doing what is right. There was a monitor set up in a classroom, and we got to watch in there with another family with small children close to Elise's age. At one point the little girl was eying Elise's quiet time books. Elise was on the verge of screaming that they were hers, but I suggested that she try to make a new friend, and pick a story to share with her new friend. She thought that was a good idea. She was even willing to share snacks later too. She told me later that day as we discussed the events at church, that she had made a new friend. I'm really glad that approach helped her not start screaming, but share instead.

The other event with new friends was on Monday evening. It was nice weather, so we took Elise to the park where there is a large pond and some ducks. She was incredibly excited. Daddy got to come with us, and we brought bread to feed the ducks. When we got out of the car, she started quacking. She could see the ducks, and she would yell, "QUACK!! HELLO!! QUACK!!" It was so funny. So, daddy and Elise sat on the bench and fed the ducks together. After a bit of practice she figured out how to tear the bread into small enough pieces for the birds to swallow them. They were very friendly. One even got brave enough to eat right out of her hand.......although she didn't know it was going to do that if she forgot to let go of the bread, so it kind of freaked her out, and she started throwing bread and pulling her hand back really quickly after that. She did great and had fun. Then, when the bread was all gone, she decided it would be ok to take a little walk. We started walking calmly along, until she saw the playground. Then she took off. She was so excited. She saw some kids playing on the climbing structure, and said, "Those my friends, let's go mama, let's play with them." We did. She got to climb all around, and go on the swings too. Then we walked around the pond, while she bounced and told us she was bouncing on her pogo stick. What a fun girl, and what a nice thing it is to be all together for an outdoor adventure in some nice weather!!!