A Long Time Waiting...

It's no secret that I occasionally grieve the reality that the baby years are finished {no more babies here}; I look at Harrison and find my head spinning at how quickly the time passes from infant to toddler; from toddler to boy.

It didn't take long to realize that I wanted to put him in martial arts program as soon as he was old enough. All of four days old, the lactation nurse at my breastfeeding support group suggested the book, "Raising Your Spirited Child" the title continues: A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, Energetic (i.e. Harrison).
That is when I knew that my one week old, I'm-not-going to-sleep-like-a-baby, son was Spirited and our adventure was only about to begin; and I knew that martial arts would help to instill in him, patience, respect, self control and confidence (the last being the least of this natural leader's concerns). 

The day finally came.

The Energizer Bunny, himself, couldn't keep up with the excitement Harrison emitted in the hours leading up to the class. And then to WAIT for the instructor? Absolute. Torture.

At last, they bowed in respect...

and the teaching began.

But as it is sometimes goes with a four-year-old, tiredness kicks in and a yawn takes over.

[I just yawn looking at him]

not for long though - quickly back to business...

I'm thinking he likes it.

As for Master Don, he may be rethinking his decision to teach martial arts to rambunctious four-year-olds...




Hosted by Cecily and Izzy 'N Emmy

WW - See my Knots!

He started Tae Kwon Do this week.

He tied his belt...and tied...and tied

"Did your mom tie this for you? Remember, mom is always right. Always."
...i didn't tie it...

A little "Lord of the Dance" here, Harrison.



More about Tae Kwon Do later.
More Wordless Wednesday here.

Legos Have Taken Over My Brain!

Harrison inherited a box load of legos - literally - from Big Brother a few months ago. I finally bought a container and organized them, sort of.

Suddenly he was busy for hours! Who knew it only took a box of random Legos to occupy that constantly ticking mind of his (well this and the unceasingly building with blocks). Heck, I would have pulled them out earlier!

After playing with the endless stream of Legos, I took a look at all the bits and pieces daily scattered acreoss the floor and decided it was time to put some of the sets together. I waded through the pile of  Lego booklets only to discover the only actually instruction books still left were for the sets that were obviously missing the most pieces, everything else was advertising. Bummer.


So I did the next best thing...

I went online! [I ♥ the internet!]

After looking at pictures of completed sets in the little "envy" booklets enclosed with every Lego set, Harrison and I were able to determine the set number. (I determined the number, he happily yelled, "That's the one!!" with each discovery.)

Minimal surfing produced instructions and part lists for several sets, so we I built this:

And this...

...and even this.

I can honestly say that I now have a personal relationship with Legos; I never dreamt that I would get to know Lego pieces so well.

Apparently, this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship...


Check out Slurping Life for more pictures - Straight Out Of the Camera.

Wordless Wednesday - It just takes a second..

To go from this....

to this...

One second. That's all it takes for a four-year-old.


...and back again.

Never a dull moment.


Wordless Wednesday here and here.

Do You Poop?

It was the only question he had for the T-Rex at the museum today.

So that's what he asked - in the microphone. To a puppet.

 Do you poop?

Love it.

Sabbat Shalom

Harrison jumped into bed with us this morning and started singing a song.

"That's a Shabbat song I learned" he announced.

"Today is Shabbat!" I responded.

"I know that", he answered.

He has always enjoyed Shabbat service at preschool; and takes it quite seriously. In fact, he's become well versed on Moses, Noah, Joshua and Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego - just to name a few.
(heck, I didn't learn about that last threesome until college!)




Maybe it's the singing and dancing with the Cantor that he likes best...

Or maybe it's the Torah stories that the Rabbi tells...not to mention his affection for the Rabbi; he whispers to me as I'm leaving, "Can I go hang out with the Rabbi for awhile?"

Nah, I think what he likes best is really the grape juice, Hallah and snacks he gets to eat after his Shabbat service!

Just kidding! (although that cheese is good stuff!)

Shabbat Shalom!

It's Only Just Begun..

This is the time that, as a mom, sometimes you just have to walk away. Harrison has gotten more and more comfortable on his scooter in the last couple weeks. He has some pretty incredible balance; enough to make me cringe on those tight turns.

Which eventually only leads to one thing....

Yup. That would be it. Caught in action!

"I'm okay!" he happily announces.

Then gets up and tells us, "Let me walk a moment, give me a moment."

But that doesn't take long and off he goes again.

That's when I walk away.

Daddy has it all under control.
...and if he doesn't - our insurance premiums are up to date.

Just Itching...

to get back to school.

(he really is itching his back - apparently he thinks he's a bear - could be worse.)

He put his backpack away and got down to business!

I'll miss you too...
Ah well, at least he loves school.

More [really] Wordless Wednesday here.