hopscotch

Dylan,

We went for a walk this morning to mail some letters. On the way I learned that you've been introduced to hopscotch.



You found a strip of bricks to hop along.



And a place for me to play, too.

gutter talk

SO Big!

You started school this week. This picture makes me think it could have been kindergarten, but it's just preschool. Your school requires you to go 5 days a week. They have a two hour/day orientation for the first two weeks for all new students...to help the little guys get used to the new setting. The first day we arrived you walked down the alley-way with me, promptly dropped my hand and made your way to the play area. You never looked back.

There were kids clinging to parents, and parents clinging to kids, but I was empty-handed in just a matter of seconds. Because there were so many moms standing around, I asked the teacher if we were expected to stay. She said no, but just to let you know I was leaving and would be back to get you later. I knew you didn't need me to do it, but as a formality, I tracked you down and did just that. You gave me one of those, "Oh, you're still here?" looks, but happily gave me a hug before I was on my way. That was it, you were acclimatized.

When I went to pick you up just two hours later, you had a hard time understanding why I had come to get you so soon.

You're growing up fast.

Love, Mom

fever

Dylan,

You've had a low-grade fever the last couple of days. No other symptoms really, aside from some occasional lethargy and increased use of your "whiny voice".

Last night Mom and I stayed up past midnight watching the Olympics -- that Michael Phelps really is impressive. You got me up at six-oh-something this morning, asking for soy milk(!?)

You still felt hot all over. I got you some milk (a mixture of soy and cow's) and a small bowl of corn flakes. Then, contrary to your demand to sit with you at the table, I laid down on the couch in search of rest. A short time later, you climbed down off your chair and joined me on the couch -- having hardly touched your flakes -- where you tucked your head against my shoulder and we both slept for nearly an hour and a half.

Good times.


Dad

bear bedtime

Dylan,

We take your bears (well three of the four) and your warm blankets out of your crib at naptimes. It has lead to a tradition of putting the bears down for their own naps on the floor under the extra blankets before you climb into bed.

It's a great way to focus your attention and set your mood.

Today, Mom tells me that you picked up each bear from the floor one at a time and, cradling them in your arms, sang them the first verse of your night-night song before tucking them in.

To paraphrase something Papa Joe said long ago now, but that I think of often: "This child knows he's loved".

fly a kite

Dylan,

In a grocery store I passed by a small display of kites selling for $3.99 each. The idea of going kite-flying with you caught my imagination, but what really sealed the deal was the one kite featuring Thomas, the Tank Engine.

I tried for a while hiding the unopened kite from you, but you eventually came across it while rummaging through my closet. After that, I told you that we needed to wait for a windy day.

We waited and waited.

Several months later, we got our day. You didn't really fly it for all that long, but you did a great job, got a feel for it, and had a fun time.




Dad

belly bottom

D,

Sitting on the pot this evening before your bath, you were explaining to me -- while gesturing grandly -- the process of food going into your mouth and down to your tummy before the poop comes out of your "belly bottom".

A veritable Slim Goodbody*, you are.


Dad


*http://www.slimgoodbody.com/about