goats

Dylan,

You used your VIP status at Uncle Marc's Farm to get hands-on access to the baby goats who were just 2.5 hours old.


Dad

leading

Dylan,
Often, people don't lead because they're afraid no one will follow.
People who do lead usually think they know the right way to go.

Try not to worry about what other people will or won't do. Stay focused on where you think you ought to be going, and get there. If others follow, you're a leader.


Dad

bubble wrap

Dylan,

GG sent you an envelope today containing nothing but bubble wrap --the giant kind-- and you loved it.




Dad

little milestone #3,714

Dylan,

You pointed out that you've learned to go potty without pulling your pants all the way down to your ankles.


Dad

plant yogurt

Dylan,

You're a big fan of yogurt, though I'm not sure you've tasted any flavors except plain and vanilla.

You used to eat a fair amount of Fage (pronounced fah-hey), but that high-quality Greek stuff is pretty pricey. Mom even taught you to recognize the 2% (for you) from the 0% (for her).

After a while, she switched you to vanilla --now your strong preference-- and you learned to distinguish it by the image of a flower atop a bunch of vanilla beans on the container.

You love to eat your "plant yogurt" right out of the container.


Dad

family game night

Dylan,

All week you look forward to Family Game Night. Mom instigated it a couple months ago and it's been a highlight of your week -- something you really look forward to -- ever since.

We have FGN on Wednesdays since you're already clean from a post-swimming lesson shower and won't need a bath. We usually play a couple of the board games you enjoy, like "Hi-Ho Cherry-O", "Cariboo", or "I Can Do That" (also known as "Trick-a-Ma-Stick"). Other times we assemble puzzles or build with Lincoln Logs. You always have a really great time.

You anticipate it all week, frequently asking "Is it Family Game Night tonight?" On Tuesday nights when I ask you what tomorrow is, you say "Tomorrow is Wednesday. Tomorrow is Family Game Night!". It usually comes up again Wednesday morning on the way to school and the anticipation in your voice always makes me smile.

We have one rule: You have to finish dinner first. Doesn't seem to hard, does it? It doesn't even mean you have to eat everything that's been served to you (although that's usually true of your veggies). It just means you have to decide that you're done eating.

Yet invariably -- and absolutely inexplicably -- Wednesday night finds you sitting at the table, distractedly picking at your food, barely responding to our encouragement to finish up so we can get started with FGN. You'll insist that you're not done yet, then sit without taking an actual bite for 10 minutes. You'll cry and insist you want to eat more if we take your plate away, but it's clearly not hunger keeping you there.

We've canceled FGN because dinner has dragged on too long -- much to your dismayed disapprobation. We've even gone in the other room and started playing games without you. It's frustrating, in part because we look forward to it too, but also because it's ridiculous for us to badger and cajole you into an evening of fun and games.

I keep hoping next week will be easier.


Dad