Back to School

Island Boy went back to school today after a summer that was full of good things but still managed to be fleeting.

We rode on trains and planes and rental cars and shuttle buses, trolley cars and merry-go-rounds and boats and scooters, bikes and trikes and swings and slides, noodle boats and noodles and shoulders and orcas. We threw rocks in lakes and oceans and streams. We hiked mountains and forests and urban sidewalks. We fed goats and cows and antelope and yaks and even seagulls. We ate ice cream and more ice cream and more ice cream and cones. We ate tomatoes and beans and berries (blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries) and grapes fresh from the vines and sweet corn from the cob so many times. We made pies and ice cream again and again and shared them with friends who loved to dig in.

We visited family. We visited friends. We visited state fairs and aquariums.

We scribbled, we read, we sang and we laughed. We played in the sand and the rocks and the dirt. We jumped into foam pits and bounced on trampolines, slithered through tunnels and soared high on swings. We watched otters and sea lions and seals and octopus and jellies and sharks. We waved at the scuba divers waving at us.

The list of things we still want to do grows longer and longer, but we're back at school now so some things will simply wait.

Of all of the things we did with our days, perhaps I'm most proud of the most lazy days. All summer long we had such a ball and still we made time for nothing at all.

Prom

"Dad, can you help me find my airplane?", Island Boy asked.

The question seemed innocent enough, but something wasn't right. He's not yet four, right? And he's already calling his daddy, "Dad"?? When did that happen??

It wasn't exactly overnight, but it seems like it. I'm not sure when that particular transition is supposed to happen, but doesn't it seem like that is a little bit more grown-up thing to be calling Daddy? Shouldn't we get just a few more years of "Daddy" and "Mommy"??

I do understand, at least intellectually (even if I'm not yet ready to accept this sort of thing emotionally), that this is only the beginning and that prom is right around the corner - car keys and all.

Brace yourself, Dad! We're in for a wild ride.

Cuddle up!

Here's proof that it pays to dote! Children that are doted upon may grow up to be happier adults according to this article.

Sure, it's not proof positive and there are lots of other factors that shape us, but now you have one more good excuse to cuddle your kids.

Independence Day

Island Boy has been interested in reading for a long time. I am still convinced he had never seen a book before we met him and that concerned me for a while. At this point; however, any concerns about that are long gone.

He's been reading along with us for quite a while now - often saying the words with us or finishing a sentence for us. Last night he insisted on reading to us and he read entire books to us.

Yes, books! Plural. Start to finish. He knows the words.

No, he didn't *really* read them, but he's getting there and it is delightful.

Media Access

I've been vigilant in my quest to limit my children's access to media. As far as I know, Island Boy didn't watch any television before the age of two (in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations).

Since turning two, his television viewing has been largely restricted to what may be on when we visit a friend or relative's home with a few exceptions. Most of these rare exceptions have been made by Island Boy's Daddy and all for good reason. For example, "It's the World Cup!", might be something you would hear in our house in recent days.

As for me, the only time I can think of that I've voluntarily allowed my children to sit in front of the television is to watch...drumroll please!!...our wedding video. It's true. Instead of the grand plans we had for celebrating our anniversary, we spent the day at home with a sick little boy. And what's a mother to do with a sick little boy on her anniversary? I even let our daughter have a peek when she wasn't busy doing her thing.

Who knew just how entertaining a wedding video could be to a little boy?? He wanted to watch it over and over again. This is one time when I folded completely. It is difficult to say who enjoyed it more.

Yellow Belt

Island Boy earned his yellow belt today. I will be the first to admit that it was touch and go for a while - in fact really for much of the time. Would he earn it?

We knew he could do it, but would he?? Island Boy has been impressive at his kicks, punches and blocks - when he actually does his kicks, punches and blocks. So often there are better things to try or to think about (e.g. hmm...I feel like doing half moon pose! or hey, I think I'll do a forward roll! or the ever popular, "I'm thirsty!").

It's not an easy thing for a young gentleman of any single-digit age to remain focused for any length of time and since that is the primary requirement for earning belts at this stage, it was a challenge. A big challenge.

Still, somehow Island Boy pulled through and earned his yellow belt and we're very, very proud of him.

Chemically Enhanced

This article is pretty frightening. Chemicals on floors and other eating surfaces are not a good thing to have in your home if you have young children. No surprise there really, but for some reason we need to be reminded to get the chemicals off of our eating surfaces (yes, like it or not floors are eating surfaces when you have youngin's!) and out of our children's hands.

The article contains a number of easy hints about how to do clean up your act. Fortunately, it's really not all that hard (or expensive) to clean your home with natural ingredients and give your children non-toxic things to play with.