Sharing a few photos from a January drive up Mt Hood in recognition of the “blizzard” I drove through on the way to work this morning. OK, not quite a blizzard. It was more like someone was playing a sick joke on all the schoolkids who have been waiting months for a snow day.
Me: “Hey guys, it’s snowing!”
Thomas: (Grunts) “I already know…”
Samuel: (Runs to the window) “Where?” (Sees snow) “Oh…”
My kids have become incredibly blase about the whole thing.
We skipped swimming lessons on Saturday morning so Thomas could recover from a cold. Instead, we stayed inside all day while the rain bucketed down outside between short bursts of sunshine. Good thing the boys decided to play well together which likely saved my sanity.
At one point, Samuel asked me to help him build a “house”. He put down the floor and I helped a little with the walls before Thomas jumped in with ideas for a roof and other architectural details. (Wooden blocks = best TOY ever)
Then I noticed that they started lining up their assorted action figures.
(Side note on action figures. It seems we started with one or two and now have an army of Wookies, Jedis, Stormtroopers, Ninjas, a full set of Wiggles and, of course, a wide variety of Superheroes. I’m not sure how they multiplied so quickly.)
Of course, I was curious. Was this a line for weapons? Wise words from Yoda? Some secret Star Wars/Superhero clubhouse?
No, this was a line for the Popcorn stand. Fantastic!
And as each action figure asked for, and received, their popcorn (using “please”), they would be moved out of the way and the other figures would move forward one space in the line.
It was a tedious process but no one left empty handed. I had no idea popcorn was so popular with the small and plastic.
A couple of months ago, Samuel decided that, each night, he would like to read a few books to himself before going to sleep. Of course Kei and I read to the kids every night before bed, but this is just one of many ways in which Samuel is trying to assert his three year old independence.
It began with reading in the dark until we told him it wasn’t good for his eyes. So Samuel moved to the other side of the room to read by the glow of his night light. After a while we caught on to this little trick and decided that we really should provide him with a safe way to read that won’t contribute to the genetic disposition he already has for bad eyesight (our kids don’t have the best odds for 20/20 vision).
Finally, we bought him his own reading lamp and, let’s just say, it’s opened up a whole new world – one that has been ending at 9 or 10pm on some painfully long drawn out nights. He’s been cranky and unbearably difficult to get out of bed in the morning, but at least he’s picking up some essential (pre)pre-k reading skills in the meantime.
Not that I can complain too much. I have vivid childhood memories of being told time and time again to turn off my light and go to sleep. Samuel and I are alike in many ways.
But I digress. The primary goal of this post is share five of our favorite children’s books. The ones that are inspiring and entertaining a three year old and a six year old – not to mention their parents.
1. Stuck by Oliver Jeffers
I’ve mentioned this one before but it’s worth repeating. Stuck is an incredibly imaginative book that made Thomas laugh out loud the first time we read it together – and also the second time and the 20th time. I adore Oliver Jeffers and the book’s tag line ” a story about trying to solve a problem by throwing things at it”.
One catch with this book is that it doesn’t seem to be widely available for purchase here in the US. Even Amazon ships from the UK.
2. Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy
Finally, a book about Superheroes who are not affiliated with DC or Marvel. As much as I admire my boys’ dedication to Superman and his friends, I truly appreciate a book that encourages them to use their imagination and transform themselves into superheroes using what’s around them.
3. The Three Questions by Jon J Muth
Based on a story by Leo Tolsty with a very “zen” approach to problem solving. The most interesting thing about this book is how each of the boys can translate it based on their individual levels of maturity.
4. Art and Max by David Wiesner
This book relies mainly on the illustrations to tell the story – and what wonderful illustrations they are. Such a wonderfully creative story for all children, regardless of age.
5. Predator Showdown by Scholastic
It does pain me a little to put this book on the list because I wasn’t exactly thrilled when Kei bought it at the school book fair. But I have to admit that it is interesting and fun to read with Thomas given his current obsession with animals. On each two page spread they pit one predator against another, comparing things like speed, brains and strength and declaring a winner. It’s written in such a way that it has to be read by putting on the voice of a dramatic television announcer “THIS WEEK ON PREDATOR SHOWDOWN.. SHOWDOWN…showdown…” Of course I recommend it particularly for six year old boys.
So there you have it, book recommendations courtesy of the Ishida boys and their parents, guaranteed to keep everyone entertained – provided you have good lighting.
I think, if you asked Thomas right now, he’d say being six is great. Take this weekend, for example.
Friday – came home from school with an unexpected report card that shows how great he is doing in both Japanese and English classes. His strengths are Math (which he loves) and speaking Japanese. We’re so proud.
Saturday – Thomas had just jumped in the pool for the beginning of his swimming lesson when he held out his hand to me containing a baby tooth – his first to fall out. I was a little relieved because he already had his big tooth growing up behind. Well, I was relieved after I was able to get past the grossness of being handed a bloody tooth. Earned another mother stripe.
Why does no one tell you that having a child may involve having to find a bag small enough to hold a teeny tiny bloody tooth so that narrowly missed being lost at the bottom of the pool? (thanks for the help, LeeAnn). I don’t even want to think about what would have happened if we’d lost it or, worse, if Thomas had swallowed it – which was apparently a close call. So here’s my tip for mothers of six year olds everywhere – bring a spare little plastic baggie or two wherever you go for the next couple of years.
And, in case you’re wondering, the tooth fairy’s going rate is $1.
Sunday – Just your everyday, ordinary birthday party at the movie theater to see STAR WARS EPISODE 1!!! Thomas tells us it was pretty awesome – particularly the pod racing part.
That’s one big weekend for one small boy. No wonder it was so hard to get him out of bed this morning.
I had the chance to spend some extra time with Thomas this weekend and was reminded of just how much I love this kid. Right now, Thomas:
Did I mention how much I love this kid?
This is what greets me almost every weekday at around 5:00pm.
As soon as our big red car is spotted driving into the parking lot, Samuel will drop whatever he is doing and race over to the fence to give me a big smile and a hello. Sometimes he’s so excited that he’ll jump up and down with excitement. Almost every day, he makes me give him a kiss and a hug through the bars before I say a brief goodbye so I can go through the building entrance to the playground.
It’s the best part of my day.
I think we’ve turned a corner with Samuel. It seems that as soon as he hit the 3 and a half mark he’s been more consistently happy, less combative and generally just easier to be around. It’s been a welcome change and just one more sign that my baby is growing up.
Of course if I call him my baby I am quickly reminded by Samuel yelling at me that “I am NOT a BABY!!”
I didn’t say he was an angel and that everything is perfect – just much, much better. 🙂
This year we decided to enroll Thomas in Karate lessons. The lessons fall during his after school program at 2:30pm so it has been difficult for me to get away on a Friday and watch him in action. Thankfully he has been very willing to show us his moves at home, but still it’s not quite the same as seeing him in full “Gi”, the official name for the white shirt and pants. (It’ short for “Karatagi” – I had to look that up).
One thing that was apparent as soon as I started taking photographs is how very small he is when you stand him next to a couple of 4th grade girls.
I supposed it’s a good thing he’s developing a few self defense moves if only to protect him from giants.
Thankfully there are some kids on his level.
Thomas has told us a few times that he wants to quit Karate. The problem is that it’s during his after school care time and going to Karate means that he misses out on snack time and outside time and basically anything-that’s-fun time.
It’s only once a week (although for 90 minutes) and I plan to keep encouraging him to stick with it for a few reasons:
Of course, the only thing that’s motivating Thomas right now is the promise of a yellow belt at his first belt test and a new fascination with Ninjas.
…not even Superheroes
The best part about having kids who are obsessed by superheroes right now? The ability to use it to selfishly manipulate them.
Need to go somewhere? Let’s use the “Bat car”. Time for bed? Time to use the “Bat Toothbrush.”
I’m sure they’ll catch on soon and the plan has it’s flaws (“I’m NOT BATMAN! I’m Superman!) but I’m determined to get as much mileage out of it as I can in the meantime.
Nicole Ishida Photography 