In This Family, We Love.

Who would have ever guessed this sweet, innocent face would ever have to be corrected?!

This calm, sleepy, relaxed baby has turned into a rambunctious, full of energy, very busy (very healthy) eighteen month old. 

He isn't perfect.

There...I said it. And sometimes, he makes "bad choices".

He drops food off of his high chair.

He throws his toys when he gets mad. 

One time, he tripped and fell and got so frustrated he walked across the floor, picked up Cookie Monster, and threw him across the room (side note: He is really good at throwing things. I'm guessing he gets that from his quarterback papa). 

And sometimes...he just doesn't listen.

Most of these are rare, and I understand he is only eighteen months old, but he is never to young to learn the difference between a good choice and a bad choice.

And, I must admit, it can be quite comical to watch because he usually gets mad about really silly things, like not being able to open something or if his blocks fall over when he is stacking them. 

I'm not saying he has an anger problem because he is completely sweet 96% of the time...He is just a little boy who is trying to figure this world out. 

So, as his parents, we are doing our best in guiding him so he chooses a good, productive path.

With that, I give you this:

The Toy Hospital!

Whenever Landon throws a toy out of anger, it goes to the toy hospital. 

The idea is after he throws a toy, he has to pick it up, take it to the toy hospital, and the toy has to stay in the hospital for a whole day so it can heal and feel better. 

As of right now, I don't think he really cares. He usually puts the toy in, says, "Bye!" and toddles back into the living room. But, I'm hoping as he grows, he starts to understand that anger and violence is not the best choice, especially when it is at someone else's expense. 

When Landon was five months old, I wrote about him learning the idea that everything has value and an identity. You can read about that here! I like to think he is beginning to understand that in the Kleeberger family, we love and respect the people in the world and the idea of the Toy Hospital goes along with this. 

So Landon, your toys are your favorite things right now. Most of your friends are plastic batman cars and stuffed Sesame Street characters. But one day, you are going to have living, breathing friends and it is essential that you show them love. And even if someone is not your friend, you must still show them that same love. Practice with your toys now...and maybe someday, you will thank Papa and I for creating a toy hospital.