Folding, and Refolding ... and yet again Refolding

Isaac is your typical oldest child, he loves to please and help you any way possible. Yesterday I was folding and putting away laundry. Usually Isaac doesn't pay much attention to me so I fold and go about my own thing. While hanging clothes in the closet I heard a little, "hmm,huh" behind me. Isaac had grabbed a handful of the folded clothes and was handing them to me to hang up. I smiled and took them, thanking him for being so helpful. Little did I know that this would encourage him more. As I work on refolding those clothes, he comes in with an armful and drops them at my feet. Now I have to re-sort and refold.

As a preemptive strike, I grab his hand and say, "Thank you, but can you help Mama fold these instead?". He watches for a second and apparently thinks 'Mom's got this!' and goes out to the remainder of the folded clothes to 'refold' them for Mama. Ahhhh.... What can you do except smile!

Here's a couple of pictures from the Children's Museum when we went with friends:


Adults should have fun too!



I think I may die the day my son is truly 'motorized'!



Shannon and Mackenzie Baker ... they've begun to think of Isaac as their 'number 5'! ;0)




This kid moves too fast to get a front view! Ahhhh...

Happy Endings!

Isaac absolutely loves the movie Wizard of Oz. I first began showing short clips of it in order to get him to sit still so I could cut his nails. Soon he was 'grooving' to the music and laughing at the silly characters ... except the Wicked Witch of the West. The apprehension was visible and he'd curl up holding his blanket and sit still as a stone until she went away.

It is for that reason that Kent and I have never shown him the ending. We get to the Emerald City, the Lion sings his song about being king of the forest and CUT!!! It sounds silly, but how does one introduce the concept that there is good and evil in the world. More than that, how do you teach it and still nurture the childlike faith in God/goodness.

Our Family Home Evening lessons have focus on that a little. Isaac was captivated as we told him the stories of David and Goliath, Moses and the Egyptians and parting the Red Sea. These were the things I remembered as a child helping me to understand that there is evil, but that good in the end (even if it is only in the eternities) will always triumph. While the Wizard of Oz is by no means on the same level, it would be the first visual (beyond just pictures) of that eternal battle. So we gave him a prep talk and 'binkified and blankified' him for the worst of it and I was surprised how well he took it all.

The dearest part of all was to see the soft heart in my son when Dorothy said goodbye to all her friends from Oz. He actually shed tears silently. How I pray his heart will forever remain that tender and sweet no matter what life brings.

Intangible Treasures

Last night Kent and I had the opportunity to go to a 'high-flyin' restaurant for the company holiday/farewell party. It's called Mastro's, apparently one of 3 found in the USA, Beverly Hills being one of the other locations. I was dying to know the cost of our meal since everything was ala carte, but apparently rich people don't worry about these things because it was never shown on the menu.

It was a rather fascinating and 'exotic' experience for me. I'm your classical cheap Asian ... the one that looks at the list of prices first and then chooses the dinner based on what falls into my range. I have difficulty fathoming why anyone would spend a week's budget on a single meal. But there we were, among those who were use to such lifestyle.

Yes pharmacy earns well and for those who are single, it seems to afford an endless list of fun in travel, eating and clothing. I had such difficulty relating to the women there who were my age that spent time shopping for the highest in fashion and shoes, let alone the best places for brunch. It was like watching the Hollywood lifestyle on 'reality TV'!

For a very brief moment I wondered if I were in their position how different life would be. But the memory of a chubby hand reaching around my neck to pull me close for a butterfly kiss made all the thoughts of fancy food, clothes, and trips pale in comparison. While I may never be able to explain to them the joy found in mothering a sticky, noisy little boy to those women, I know that feeling to be more tangible and worthwhile than all the careless freedoms of the world.

Here's my dear heart playing with curlers!



Of course his stuff animals must mimic Mama too!

Gymboree

I miss the parks we had in Houston, they were so toddler friendly and gave countless outlets for a very active little boy. It's been a struggle here to find activities that are best suited for Isaac and I've been a little sad as he's become more introverted. He shyly watches the older kids from the sidelines, tries climbing on equipment much too large for him and gets frustrated easily. I've also been worried because as the summer hits, there won't be the cool temperatures to go outside and run around, so when I hit upon Gymboree the other day, it was a blessing. They have a one time 'lifetime' membership fee of $35 that they're waving right now. That gives us two 2hr sessions a week on a toddler friendly indoor play gym. Additional classes are optional. We went this morning for our free session today and I was thrilled to see the active, happy little boy come back. He ran, climbed, jumped and swung on everything in hand's reach. The best part was he was laughing loudly for everyone to hear. You just can't resist a smile like his!



I love the little belly!





Going in is always soooo much easier ....



....than getting out!

19mm and Growing Strong

I went to the doctor yesterday and was relieved to see the ultrasound and the 'little one' at 19mm and growing strong. It's always a wonder to see the fluttering heartbeat. Babies, no matter how they come, are always a miracle. To think that 19mm can cause so much physical discomfort is amazing too! ;0) Ahh... I've forgotten soooo much!