Things change

It's amazing how much we fear change as adults and yet how much we change we expect our children to deal with. I knew that Jack would one day learn to deal with having head covered with water, but I never expected it to come so easily for him. Just weeks ago, he would freak out at the thought of getting his whole head wet while now he loves to dive underwater and swim. While at Oceans of Fun yesterday, he was so liberated to be able to take off his puddle jumper and do the kiddie area free from worry. We even explored the the beginning of coconut cove without it, but it got a bit deep for his above water swimming skills. He was also able to embrace the formerly terrible mushroom waterfall. While I have no pictures of Jack in one, I've included a web picture for your reference. We were also able to do his first tube slide together which he loved, but didn't like waiting in line for. He also tried the Lilly Pads, which worked out well because another little guy, his age and height went at the same time, so they each had a parent assisting.

In conclusion, remember that things change. Something you fear may not be as bad as you remember.

Marriage

I love attempting to explain things to Jack. I try to be honest and explain things to him in a way that he can handle. For instance, I found myself discussing uterus and birthing canals when I was asked how I was able to have two people in my body.

As we were driving home yesterday, Jack tells me that he wants to marry his dad. I explain to him that he is not allowed to marry a boy, but that I hoped that would change before he could get married. However, even I'd that did change you couldn't marry someone you are related too. This brought on interesting conversations about the fact that you should be able to marry whomever you love and that he thought he could get married at 9. So then, I had to explain that being married means that you are starting your own family and that you have to take care of your own needs by going to work. He absorbs it all and says "Okay, I'll marry Ms. Beth. That way I can live with Joe."

I hope that one day my sweet boy is able to marry someone who makes him happy and delights in his quirks!

The photo below is from my brother's wedding that happened this May.

Why I'm blogging again

I was recently taught by a friend how to subscribe to her blog. I now look forward to seeing her blog email come each day. So if each of you who want to subscribe to my blog, maybe I can provide that smile in your day too. There probably won't ever be anything major in here and most blogs will most likely be closer to a Facebook status update with a picture of Jack attached.

Swimming Pool Fun

Before Jack was born, Nick bought me this little pool so I could cool down in the summer. It never got used much as it took more work to maintain than I got enjoyment out of it. When Jack was littler we worried about him being safe with it in the back yard. Fast forward to last weekend, where we learned that Jack really enjoyed swimming underwater as long as he could touch the bottom. We decided to bring the pool back out and Jack has loved it. We had to take down two of his swings to make room, but we just modified to make a swinging bar for big splashes. It has been a godsend in this heat. I also read online that you could avoid all the expensive chemicals and instead just add 1/2 cup of plain bleach every day. We've had it up for 5 days and it seems to be working well so far! Here are some pics of Jack enjoying it! (Yes, those are lightsabers!)

An Excellent Young Man

Today, KU played Texas Tech.  Nick's Uncle Kevin had skybox tickets and I had originally thought that Jack would be spending all game with him up there.  However, it worked out that Kevin first wanted to take Nick up there.  Therefore, Jack and I went down and found a spot in the family zone.  We normally wouldn't set in this section, but we sat there because it was closer to the skyboxes.  After we had been sitting there for a moment, I spotted a woman wearing a cap that had "Barfield 19" on it.  You may remember from a previous post or youtube video that Jack really loves Isiah Barfield.  I tapped on her shoulder and asked her if she happened to know him.  She was his Grandma!   I told her how Jack was his biggest little fan and she said that we should meet her after the game and she would make sure that he got an autograph.  I thought she was just being nice, but she reminded me again when she saw Jack and I leaving for our refreshments.  We were lucky enough to all be allowed into the suite and didn't see her for the last quarter of the game.  However, after the game we went where she had told us to meet her and she recognized us right away.  We got to meet his entire family and I was really surprised by them.  They were an excellent group of people.  When we were leaving after about 10 minutes of photos, hugs, and knuckles, Isiah bent down and took off his bag tag.  So now Jack is the proud owner of a number 19 KU Athletics, bag tag.  You may have noticed the sad fact that Isiah is wearing a Oakland Raiders hat.  His dad said that he was wearing it because they had expressed some interest him playing for them.  While I would love him to play in the pros, I can not imagine having to cheer for a Raider.  Let's hope that some other team gets him in the draft first!

I am the Senate

It's funny how literal kids are, especially when they don't understand the context of the words. In Star Wars Episode 3, Mace Windu tells Palpatine that he will be tried by the Senate. He jumps and yells, "I am the Senate!" Even though Mace replies "Not yet.", Jack insist that his Palpatine character is named Senate. It makes me laugh every time he tells someone that.

Loving Preschool

Octopus Hat made in Motor Group

Jack had a great first two week.s He is learning the pledge and already has some of the words down. I was worried he would start to resist going when he realized how frequently it was, but he is loving it! I'm thankful to the people who convinced me to check into this program.  Today, he got to wear his swimsuit to school so that they could have fun in the water, including an inflatable water side and big ball sprinkler that splashed him in the face.  I have become very involved in the PTO.  I located prizes for his fall fundraiser, am going to assess first grader's on their site words, and am now the yearbook layout creator!