I got quite a few responses to this post. Apparently Jacob's video was a hit! I am right there with the rest of you though, I like to watch it over and over, it makes me smile.
Ryan toddled over the other day though and asked what all the fuss was about, and I explained to him that Jacob was in a video clapping and saying "Yay!" and that it was making lots of people happy. Ryan then said, "So what?", told me to grab the video camera - QUICK - then threw down his sippee cup, and this happened:
Well, maybe it happen exactly like that, but this video is pretty darn cute! I was thinking it would be fun to play Jacob's and Ryan's at the same time - if that doesn't put a smile on your face, I don't know what will!
Lately Jacob really seems to understand that people applaud for accomplishments. He has taken to clapping several times a day for his own accomplishments - of which there are many, I will have you know.
He claps every time he sings through the ABC Song, (he knows 20 of the 26 letters now).
He claps every time he successfully balances a clothes hanger on his tricycle handle, (I don't know why, but he thinks it is fascinating).
He claps after he helps me read through books he knows by heart.
Today he clapped when I asked him where his Daddy is and he said "Boat!"
And this afternoon when he learned how to turn on the hose? You guessed it - he clapped.
He claps for other people too though. For instance, he has a musical turtle that sings a song about numbers, and he likes it when I sing along every time he presses the button. My work does not go unrewarded either, each time I finish singing, he enthusiastically claps for me, even if he makes me sing 20 times in a row!
I started thinking, wouldn't it be funny if every time adults accomplished something - even as simple as making dinner, or filling the car with gas - we started applauding for ourselves? Afterall, it does feel very good to receive praise for your work. Who knows, it may even solve the world's problems.
Since it isn't socially acceptable yet, for adults to do so, I am including this video, so every time you believe you deserve some applause, you can watch it to get your fix!
