Everyone needs a vacation

Over the past month WA has been exhibiting dramatic "3 yr old little boy" behavior. For those of you blessed with only girls or pre-2 yr old boys, let me enlighten a bit...

A 3 yr old little boys love to:
1. jump
2. run
3. not listen
4. play "fight" or play "superheros"...which generally involves running, shoving, pushing or actual thumping others on the head, neck, back or chest
5. throw toys
6. do all of the above especially when told not to

As a result, we had been getting plenty of frown faces on his daily sheet. His teachers put either smileys or frowns to denote good or bad days. Actually a really smart idea because the kids can look and see, with a visual aid, if they had a good day or a bad one. While the behavior is generally worse at daycare, sometimes his listening ears do not exist at home either. These make for loooong weeks.

Since WA is blessed with a great set of (now local) grandparents, his grandmother offered to take him for a few days. I'm not sure if she was showing me mercy or if she truly missed WA! WA ended up spending two days in heaven. As I've blogged before, he gets completely spoiled when he is there (as he should!). This time he came back with a healthy appreciation for Frosted Flakes (or the Tiger cereal as he calls it). He even tried to con me in to a box, but I told him it was a special treat for Grandma's...and thankfully he bought it.

It reminds me of a story about my niece. When my Mom was alive, KF would go to visit my parents. My parent's special treat du jour was chocolate ice cream. KF would gorge and then go through withdrawal once home. On one occasion she woke up after returning and insisted "I WAAAANT ICEEEE CREEEEEEAM!". It was breakfast and my brother and sister-in-law had to talk her down from the ledge. Just goes to show you how great spoiling is for the grandparents and how not great it can be for the parents:).

So back to WA....after having spent a couple days at my in-laws he came back completely refreshed. Like a new kid. He was listening and being his sweet self. Had great days at school with plenty of smiley faces. This got me thinking...do we not give our kids enough credit? Maybe everyone just needs a little vacation now and then. Right?!?