So when I went up to tuck him into bed, I got a very pleasant surprise. He has indeed picked up the entire room and even made his bed. He NEVER makes his bed.
He smile up at me with pride and said, “See Mom, I did pick up my room and it is not filthy anymore. Do you think I did a good job?”
“Why, yes Hayden you did an great job.” I praised him.
He giggled with delight and said, “Can I have a treat now?”
What those kids won’t do for a piece of the candy. I seriously dread the day when it runs out.
Hayden was the first one up this morning so I pulled him into bed with me, wrapped my arms around him an held him close. As we snuggled together, I was brought back to when he was a new baby and he and I used to snuggle like this every morning. I began telling him about those mornings and as I spoke, he asked me to tell him more and more about what he was like as a baby.
I was really enjoying this walk down memory lane and this time with Hayden. It is not often that I get to snuggle and cuddle my now 5 year old son and I know that as he gets older and older this time will be almost non-existent. It was one of those perfect moments that every mother lives for.
When suddenly, Hayden bolted out of bed and began to walk out of the room.
“Hayden,” I questioned, “Where are you going? You don’t want to lay with Mommy anymore?”
“No,” he shrugged his shoulders, “I wanna play the computer.”
“Alright,” I sighed, just a little hurt that the computer was more appealing than snuggle time with me.
Then he stopped, turned around and got right into my face, “Don’t worry, Mom. I will always love you.”
And with that he ran away and all I could do was smile with my whole heart. “I will always love you too, my son.” I whispered.
We all were in the car after an family trip to the mall to experience some of the Christmas decorations. It was late, the kids were tired and hungry and Jeff and I were on our last nerve. The kids were yelling and screaming more than normal. It just got to be too much to take. Jeff lost it.
“EVERYONE QUIET! NOW!” He yelled over the kids.
The force in his voice, quieted the car for a blessed moment. But it was all too soon when Hayden spoke up.
“Um, Mom. Can I tell you something?” Hayden asked in a small quiet voice.
Before, I could answer him and tell him it was alright to speak nicely, Claire pipped in.
“Hiyen! Oo, shut yer mouth!”
Seriously, who teachers her this stuff? Certainly not me. 
Hayden is following in his father’s footsteps with a great love for all things electronic, especially video games. Jeff found some random game trailers online for Hayden to watch one evening much to Hayden’s joy and delight.
Hayden was impressed with all Jeff’s knowledge of a certain game and that Jeff had ‘beat up’ the game. So Hayden asked Jeff how he knew all that. Jeff being the lovely sarcastic parent he is said, “Well because I am awesome and I didn’t have a girl friend.”
A few minutes later, the movie switched to highlight a different game. Jeff had not played this one and knew very little about it. Hayden thought this was strange and questioned Jeff.
“Dad, how come you don’t know about this game? How come you didn’t beat up this game? Is it because you had a girl friend?”
