dressed

Dylan,

For what I think is the first time ever, you got up and dressed yourself from head to toe before Mom and I were even out of bed. You came marching into our room shortly after I turned off the alarm, and showed off your self-reliance. We were very impressed and appreciative.

The whole morning was easier (and earlier) because of it. I hope this becomes a habit, and fast.

Next up, we get you to make breakfast.


Dad

safekeeper

Dylan,

At lunch yesterday you leaned over and whispered in my ear. You said, "I love you and I'm keeping you safe from monsters and lions and tigers."

Thanks.


Dad

The Story of Quack

For Christmas my cousins sent us a gift which included the book "Make Way for Ducklings", placemats with the story's artwork, and a scruffy nubby little stuffed duck. You were totally enamored by the book, which is set in Boston, because as you exclaimed excitedly when I read it the first time "I've been there!". The book remains one of your favorites. You also immediately took the duck under your wing, and it became your necessary sleeping cuddly.

I was happy to have it replace any one of your bears, as the duck is much smaller and easier to pack for overnights and such. The best thing about the duck is that it had this worn and loved look from the get-go, like it's been with you since day one, and you treat him like he has. When I asked you what your Duck's name was, you barely hesitated..."Quack" you said. Quack is the last of the eight ducklings in the book, and you no doubt had decided this was the one and only. Now, every time I read the story and it names off all the ducklings, you give me this little look and wriggle with excitement because the book is talking about YOUR quack. And many a night as we're settling into bed, a slightly concerned "where's Quack?" escapes your lips as you try to re-locate your little friend amongst the entangled sheets.

Tonight, we were reading "The Tooth Book" and one of the pages shows a boy gobbling up a bunch of junk food. It sparked a conversation about how too much junk food can make your teeth sick, and give you a tummy ache. We've had this conversation many times before, but you were re-processing it again tonight, when you announced that if Quack got sick, you'd take him to a "duck doctor". You then proceeded to explain to me in more detail what you would do.

"If Quack was sick I would carry him in my arms out to the car (complete with demonstration of how Quack would be tucked under our right arm). I'd put him in the car, strap him in my car seat, get in my car and drive him to the Duck Doctor. Then I'd take him out of the car, carry him into the Duck Doctor (gesture again), and um, and um... and um... put him up on the table. Then the doctor would make a really tiny hole in him and he would go in and fix his tummy ache. Then I'd put tape over the hole and the hole would go away, and then quack would be all better."

Besides that little "and, um" section, this story flowed freely from your lips with pauses not to think up what was to come next, but where one would expect to hear them when listening to a story.

Your eloquent explanation of what you'd do in this scenario is the epitome of coalescence. I could almost see the bits and pieces of your past experiences, and guess at conversations you've had with other children and probably adults. There was something truly powerful about what you were saying. You weren't just making up a story, you were really walking through what you would do, telling it directly to me as it came to you. Is this early signs of complex problem solving...

Never under-estimate the capacity of a three year old.

Mom

swimming

Dylan,

Mom told me last week that you were able for the first time to take a breath while swimming on your own.

This week she sent this great pic of you jumping into the pool:



You're the blur in the middle, wearing black trunks and a blue shirt.


Dad

31 Flavors

Dylan,

I donated blood at work the other day and got a coupon for a free pint of ice cream (which, the coupon explained, in our state actually meant a 12 oz. container -- go figure) so I took you on your very first trip to the ice cream store.

I picked you up so you could see all the flavors. You gravitated toward the pink ones, but ultimately surprised me by choosing the chocolate fudge. It was a joy to watch you eat it.







Dad

hold my hand

Dylan,

I picked up a new management tool from one of your teachers.

When I'm getting frustrated with you for refusing or delaying after I've asked you to go do something, rather than escalate my tone of voice or threaten consequences, I just say "why don't you hold my hand and we'll walk there together".

Your combativeness dissipates in a heartbeat. You take my hand, walk to wherever, and usually take care of business.


Dad

race ya

Dylan,

You're a budding competitor. Any time we want to encourage you to complete a task more quickly -- such as getting dressed or putting on your shoes -- we just have to challenge you to a race.

"I'm gonna race you...", we say". "No! I'm gonna race you!" we hear back.

You almost always win.


Dad

note

Dylan,

You told Mom tonight that you wanted her to write you a note. She told you to go get your bath ready. Before you put your jammies on, you found a note waiting for you in your room:

Trains and airplanes and things that "go"
Are the toys you favor

You spend your free time building track
With your daddy or your neighbor

Tonight before you go to sleep
Before you hit the sack

We'll read the book you chose today
About Thomas and a crack in the track

So put on your jammies and brush your teeth
And meet me in your room

We'll climb in bed and rest ourheads
And read by the light of the moon

I love you

Mommy

Dad

hunger

Dylan,

After too many meals where we've worked way too hard encouraging you to eat your food, I'm thinking you lack a useful understanding of the ramifications of not getting enough. I suppose you can't very well be expected to understand it if you've never had to go without.

We've never sent you to bed without dinner. Maybe we ought to keep that option open.


Dad

tools

Dylan,

Buy high quality tools.

There's a pretty significant spread between the cost of the cheap tools and the quality ones, but a good tool -- properly cared for -- can last you forever.

And poor quality tools lead inevitably to poor quality results.

Thanks for listening.


Dad