Life's Lessons from Joseph

Joe is a holy man, keeping his focus on the Advent Season.  Whenever everyone seems to be too busy with day-to-day activities and not focused on the true meaning behind Christmas, Joseph is here to remind us. He will leave the room where everyone else is, waddle over to the kitchen table, position the chair just right & climb up to the center of the table.  There he will remain, with his attention on the Advent Wreath that Jacob made at school...until someone finds him.  Thank you, Joseph for keeping our eyes on the Excitement and Anticipation of the Advent Season.

Being a combination of the Leier and the Russell family, Joseph definitely got the "I like to talk" gene.  He sees everyone else carrying around a phone, or whatever that box thing is, so Joesph likes to do the same.  Whenever he sees a phone, lying around, he assumes the position and begins to walk with purpose around the house in conversation about his very important daily details. Thank you, Joseph for reminding us to stay in touch with those who are not near.

Joseph likes to make his own decisions.  I have tried to sit down with him and read one of our favorite books:  "Boom Boom, Beep Beep, Roar!" by David Diehl, but his attention is not there.  He wants to read only if it's his idea, not his mother's.  Thus, caught on camera, here is Joe reading his book to me.  Thank you Joseph, for teaching us that reading for the sake of reading is what matters.

Since Joseph is my "Co-Pilot," going all over the place with me, he certainly is able to pick up on a few things that I do.  Whenever it's cleaning time, which is a daily occurrence with boys who like to throw crumbs on the floor, Joseph likes to help.  I suppose in his eyes, I just like to carry those things around the house, banging everything in sight?? Thank you, Joseph, for reminding me that it's ALWAYS time to sweep the floor.  Otherwise, you will eat anything that I leave behind.

Keeping the house tidy is always challenging when my helper enjoys chasing the vacuum instead of pushing it.  Thank you, Joseph for showing me that there is fun in vacuuming.

From the size of both of my boys, one would see that they LOVE TO EAT!   When it's time for Joseph to eat, however, he knows it and he reminds me.  Nothing comes in between him and his food...not even his Momma!  He will abandon me, "our" chores, our playtime, and head to the room where the magic happens.  In the kitchen, he'll break through the "child-proof" lock, find a spot on the floor, and grab a bite to eat.  He will safely organize all of the jars of food on the floor until he finds something he can open:  Puffs!
Thank you, Joe, for reminding us that we must nourish our bodies quite often.

In keeping with the chores of the house, Joseph lives for laundry.  He enjoys helping me fold clothes, or take them out of the basket and make his own pile...but let's not split hairs here. 
Thank you, Joseph for showing me how to sort the laundry AFTER it's washed and folded.

 

When the Cat's away, the Mouse will play.  Joseph would rather play in his brother's room than in his own.  Leave the door open, and you will find Joe heading to Jacob's bed.  Instruct Joe to get off the bed, and he turns to get the farthest point from you.
Thank you, Joseph, for showing us that anything can be turned into a playground...if we simply use our imaginations!