Manners

We have been working a lot with manners lately, and it makes my day when I see you two put them to action...and I especially love it when others notice! If there is ever something I want people to know about you guys is that you are kind, helpful and well mannered. A stranger won't be able to tell if you know all your shapes or can count to 100. However, they will notice what character you have by your actions.

There are some specific MANNERS I hope to instill in you two while you care to learn or still want to listen to me:

-be helpful- don't just sit there or stand and wait for someone to finish...help them, hold the door, pick things up, stay after to help, when you are done with anything look for ways to help others. In the future I hope you are cutting grass and pulling weeds for others, setting up for events, visiting the nursing homes and soup kitchens. I hope you find experiences to help the less fortunate; that is the only way you will understand how you are truly blessed. 

-be kind compliment others, notice things about people, make others feel welcome, include everyone, ask them about their day, listen to them. It takes a lot less energy to be kind than to be mean or angry at someone. Be the nicest person you know and of course treat others as you want to be treated. 

-be generous- share... you have been blessed with a lot. When you do so, there will always be more. 

-be thankful and appreciate the little stuff- in my opinion, you are spoiled. I truly believe you guys could do without most of your toys. You would rather play outside, sing, dance or have an adventure or an outing with others instead of "something."

Of course you love your Popsicle s, TV time, carousel rides, and Shinese...but what you crave is time with your family. Even though we don't live near any of our family you are fortunate to have had lots of quality time with them on visits. I can't tell you the number of times you have woken up and asked when do I see _______ ?You love each and every one of them...and I know in our prayers at night you are thankful for them.
-be polite and know how to have fun- hopefully when you are eating with your friends at school or at someone's house for dinner you are polite and use your please and thank-yous. When someone makes you something...be sure to thank them and compliment them on their efforts! Always try new things and don't whine if you don't like something. When it comes to eating with friends...I hope that you have fun and enjoy polite and funny conversations. Be the first to pick up at your table and ALWAYS pick up after yourself. No one should ever be able to tell you ate there:)

(I didn't expect you to try mussels...but because you did, I had to try one for the first time) but you totally used your manners especially when the other kids were doing "potty talk" at the table.

I have a few more manners to work on before we get you ready for school...but if you manage to do any of these, I'll be one proud mom!