Good Job!

As I watched Tiger Woods sink a birdie putt (before his most recent surgery) to thunderous applause and as I applauded my son for putting the blue square in the square hole, I fantasized about how awesome it would be for most of us to receive applause on a daily basis for doing our jobs well.

Can you imagine?

Mommy, great job on the laundry! Really nice creases!

Glen, great job on that expense report! You really attached those receipts well!!

Don't worry...I'm not suggesting that these "accomplishments" are even in the same universe as what Tiger or our babies do. I'm just saying...it's a nice fantasy, isn't it?

The Easy Way to Have a Baby

Some of you may recall my post describing a comment I received about how adopting is an easy way to have a baby. It's difficult for me to imagine that such naivety is widespread, but maybe I'm just being naive.

Just in case there is any doubt in your mind or in the minds of any of your acquaintances, read this article and imagine that you've been waiting for months or even years to bring your baby home. Then imagine that just when you're feeling certain that it won't be much longer - that you'll certainly have your baby home by summer or at the very least by Christmas - just imagine that that is when you learn that the country you've been waiting for has shut their program down indefinitely. Imagine what an easy way to have a baby that must be.

Here's the thing:

There is no easy way to have a baby.
But, once your little one is home (however he or she gets there)...
that's when you find that somehow it was all worthwhile.

Primevil Preschool

The whole preschool scene has driven me to the edge. That's right, I'm considering Waldkindergärten. Those Germans know a thing or two about Kindergarten, so perhaps they're on to something in sending their children out into the forest to learn about whatever it is one learns about in preschool. And they're not the only ones espousing the benefits of this particular style of learning.

If I simply send Island Boy out into the forest to explore for a few months he's bound to return with a mind prepared for the rigors of elementary school and life in general, right? If nothing else, it sounds like I could avoid the entire process of applying years in advance and hoping we are selected for admission to the preschool of our choice (and by "our choice" I of course mean "my choice") .

Come to think of it forests are rather scarce here in West Los Angeles so there's probably a waiting list to get into those, too!

Pool Party

It's a bit dreary here in "sunny" Southern California today with unseasonal and very unusual thundershowers rolling through last night and cool temperatures and drizzle today. What better time to share this photo of the recent birthday party of one of Island Boy's best buddies?!

Doesn't this picture just make you want to be 1 or 2 or 3 again? Well at least go dip your feet in a pool for a bit and let yourself feel like you are! Happy Birthday again, N!

Mirror Mirror

It's becoming increasingly dangerous to do anything without thinking about it if you're within sight or earshot of Island Boy.

Say, for example, you happened to be on the phone and you found yourself mindlessly picking lint off your pants while you chatted. You could reasonably expect Island Boy to join you in short order in picking lint, imaginary or real, off of said pants.

If instead (or in addition) you found yourself holding your lower back as you pondered your younger days, you can count on this little guy to remind you of how you look when you're doing that - even the next day when you're no longer doing that - as he toddles along gingerly, hand placed firmly on his lower back.

Putting some lip balm on while driving? Expect to hear some lip-smacking from the back seat.

We're having so much fun watching our little boy soaking up the world around him and we're learning a lot about ourselves in the process. Yikes!!

Music

We attended a new music class a few weeks ago. Since no one else showed up it turned out to be a private session and Island Boy and I had 2 music teachers all to ourselves!

Our little sweetheart was fascinated with the instruments and, as always, he couldn't help but move to the beat. He loves music!

While the entire class was fun and interesting, the best part was the Grand Finale of a live piano rendition of Pachelbel's Canon accompanied by the magical bubble machine. The look on Island Boy's face during those few moments is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. Seriously. I nearly cried. I hope I never forget it.

(No, I don't have a picture except in my mind. As much as I wanted one, I didn't want to break the magical spell trying to get one.)

He Shoots! He Scores!!

We were recently enjoying some play time at a local gym when one of the staff members rolled out a tiny basketball hoop and a bunch of balls.

I cannot tell you how surprised I was to see my son walk over, pick up a ball and dunk it!! As far as I know he had never before seen a hoop in person, so I was amazed that he knew what to do and actually did it on the first try.

Of course, Island Boy isn't the tallest guy on the block, so we're hoping he doesn't get too accustomed to this business of "dunking". It is nice to dream, but I'm fairly certain he won't be breaking any of Yao Ming's records anytime soon. Right now though, the boy can dunk!!