Another Amazing Visit!

Mr Peter flew in for a visit with G! 

G's anticipation before-hand was Too Much.

Me teasing G: What if you don't remember what Mr Peter looks like?

G: Mom.  You know.  I've been dreaming about Mr Peter and I remember.

Me: Yes?

G: Yes.  He has a striped sweatshirt... and a beard... and a smile... and hair.

Return on Investment

The other night I was talking with G about his great choices of late.  I asked him what he thought made the difference for him.  He responded: “Well, Mr. Peter taught me, and I remembered.”

 

I'm so grateful for all Mr. Peter invested in this sweet boy.

 

Babysitters

Last week NewBabysitter #2 helped us.  During the week, G was punched in the eye and she didn’t see it. 

 

The previous week, NewBabysitter #1 helped us.  During the week, G broke my front window and she didn’t see it.

 

The previous year and a half, Mr. Peter helped us.  No issues.

 

Mr. Peter was always on time.  He worked hard to teach G - schooling, athletically, emotional control, etc.  Nothing significant was broken.  Every day he stayed and patiently reported his observations.

 

I'm not trying to say it's terrible now.  The young ladies are working.

 

But - we had it really good for a really long time. 

 

Just sayin.

 

 

Miracle

After a heart-wrenching good-bye to Mr. Peter, G spent the next day with a babysitter he hadn’t previously met, and then the following day with another new babysitter… and he had great behavior both days!  He’s talking about how sad he feels.  He’s using his tools to help himself through each day.

My child who cannot do transitions is doing well through this transition.  Praise God.

Sad

The last day of kindergarten, G sobbed – “I don’t want this to be my last day.  I don’t want to be a big man.  I don’t want….”  I’m forgetting his last point, but wanted to record the gist of his emotion.

 

Monday was Mr. Peter’s last day.  G held it together until the very end.  Then he couldn’t watch Peter leave.  He just sobbed and sobbed and sobbed.

 

So much sadness.

House of Sad

We're fully into transition mode.

Only 3 more days left of kindergarten.

Only 9 more days until Mr. Peter moves cross country.

There's a lot of Sad right now.

Mr. Peter

G's babysitter, Mr. Peter, is wonderful.  He really cares about G.  Saturday morning he woke up to join me for G's soccer game.  Sunday he and his sister went to church with us and then we all enjoyed coffee together. 

Last night G said, "I wish Mr. Peter was my brother."

And soon I'm going to have to tell him that Mr. Peter is leaving.  Moving many states away.

Sad.

Babysitter Trauma

Of all life's events, the WORST is looking for a new babysitter.

I know that "worst" might be an exaggeration, but not by much.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

- Must be completely reliable with excellent character.

- Must have strength for physical restraint when necessary.  And - must have superhuman self control for the same.

- Must have respect and affection for my child, spending time with him, consistently demonstrating care for him, regardless of the previous point.

- Must have patience and consistency.  And also creativity.

Babysitter will work many hours, for less-than-stellar pay.

Doesn't seem very likely, does it?

I remind myself that, against all odds, God brought us Amazing Mr. Jim, followed by Amazing Mr. Peter.  Both of them have been unbelievable gifts to us, Mr. Peter for the past 1 1/2 years. 

Does yet another miraculously Amazing babysitter exist?  Stay tuned.

Babysitter

Do you remember that G's previous babysitter, Ms L, quit early last December?

I'm not sure that I blogged about it.  In my journal, I wrote that I was "too overwhelmed to breathe."

That feeling lasted for one night, and then God brought me another babysitting prospect.

Mr. Peter (college student) - found the same night I started searching - seemed too good to be true, so I didn't even let myself believe it. 

This is his 6th week with us, so maybe I can start to accept it.

I can work.  G has fun, safe care.  In our home.  And I can afford it.  G asks for Mr. Peter on Saturdays, which seems to be a good sign.  Mr. Peter has worked around our school / surgery schedule.

It's been great.

AND

There's this other perk.

Seriously, this is our 6th week with Mr. Peter, and I'm just starting to believe that this may be for real.

Mr. Peter's mother has been bringing us dinner.  Once or twice a week.  Just to be nice.  No strings attached.  An example:

Uh - delicious - right?!

Oh, but don't forget dessert:

Because I usually make something like homemade strawberry cheesecake with every meal.  Riiiight.

Recap: Perfect babysitter + delicious dinners + 6 weeks to adjust = joy.