"My Africa Shirt"

The other morning when Melke crawled into bed to try to wake me up and get me out of bed (which is not an easy task), I asked him a few questions. Maybe I needed some more time before I had to become vertical in the world, but really I just love talking to this cute boy that is always so excited and full of joy.

What's your favorite color? "Blue"
What's your favorite thing to eat?  "Breakfast"
What's your favorite thing to play?  "Toys"
What's you favorite toy?  "Cars"
What's your favorite thing to wear? "My Africa Shirt"

Perfect time to post pictures of Melkamu in his Ethiopia shirt. This year he was very excited to put on his shirt in preparation for the Genna Celebration we attended a few weeks ago.  I posted these pictures on Facebook a few weeks ago, but they are here for the Grandma's that don't have Facebook, and who have very patiently been telling me I need to update my blog.

Lessons

We have been waiting for the boy to be over 3 years old to take swim lessons. I have mentioned this in my posts before. For most classes, once the child is over 3 the parents no longer have to participate actively in the class (swim lessons, soccer, gymnastics, what have you).  I actively participate with my child for all (most) of the time that we are together, so I kind of want to take him to a class, sit on the side lines, and watch. No mamma management required (during the class).

Melkamu started swim lessons two weeks ago. The first lesson caused me some concern, but in the second lesson he was a pro. The first lesson, although he was super excited, he was super nervous too. When asked to put his ear in the water, he was out of that pool so fast and on the side lines in my arms in a millisecond. That happened three times during a 30 minute lesson - oh boy. The lesson also included me squatting next to the pool a few times, as well, so my presence was well known.

The funny thing is, that kid actually does not appear to have a fear of the water or a understanding that he would sink to the bottom without his parents holding him up. He flies down the big slides a billion times and into the water, splashes, and plays during playtime in the pool with mom and dad. He is always trying to convince us to let him go down the slide by himself or to not catch him at the bottom of the slide - "Wait over there mamma!" Pointing to the other side of the pool. No, I don't think you understand, you can't swim.

The second swim lesson was amazing! He was completely different. He was in the pool the whole time. He was dipping his ears into the water without a second thought - "To listen to his fishy", blowing bubbles during "Motorboat, Motorboat", and splashing his face with water with no worries. His teacher had him (and all the kids) floating on their backs with head and ears in the water. It was amazing. All he could talk about afterward is how much fun he had and that he wanted to do swim lessons again.

I am hopeful that he continues to enjoy the lessons, working through his fears, and trusting his teacher, while I sit on the side lines proudly watching and waving.

Blue

Finally the blue toes he's been asking for.

Keeping Busy

We have had Melke in a few activities over the last few months. In January and February, he took gymnastics at the local community center. He loved going and had fun walking on balance beams, and climbing up stuff and jumping off, and swinging on bars.

 

 
Then in the spring he took indoor soccer. It was mostly playing red light green light, jumping through a hula hoop, and building towers out of soccer balls and orange cones. His favorite part of soccer, I think, was playing with the parachute at the end of each session.



























It seems like a great idea to have your kid in activities, but for most when they are under three, a parent has to be out there participating too. And that is exhausting! Managing my whirlwind, convincing him to participate "correctly", wait in line nicely, talking him into doing the activity at hand instead of running off to do his own thing, well, it's just a lot of work and turns out not to be so fun for a Saturday or Sunday morning. After gymnastics class, I would always be exhausted and feel like a frazzled mama.  While I was out doing soccer, Daniel would say I looked miserable. Perhaps, I need to readjust my expectations. I am never sure if we expect too much from the kid, or if we don't insist on enough....


The boy enjoys all the activity and people, and I'm sure it's all a valuable learning experience. We are thinking about swim lessons next. But it will definitely be in the Fall, after the boy turns three...when mamma or dadda aren't required to actively join in on all the fun!

It's been awhile...

And although I am not sure anyone actually reads the blog, when I don't blog for awhile I do get a complaint here and there, so I guess someone is checking it out.

Life had been busy, and my iPhone is very distracting. I am hardly ever on the computer anymore, except for work. But, I found this app to Blog easily from the phone, so perhaps that will motivate some more blogging.

A couple pictures for now, from this afternoon. I was very skeptical about this. I had to watch them go up and down the sidewalk before I could approve this happening. Daniel got lectured, while I scowled at him seriously: stay on the sidewalks, go slow, don't go fast down hill, don't hit any bumps, GO SLOW.

The boy could not have been more excited. He loved it! They made it to the park and back without any problems.

Hmmm...

I was in the kitchen this morning doing dishes, while Melkamu was in the other room eating some yogurt. When I went to check on him this is what I found....

Ringing in the New Year

The first pictures of 2012. Melkamu helping his grandma make greens for our little celebration...greens for prosperity and black eyed peas for good luck. A tradition in our house on New Year's day for the past 4 years or so.






Hoping for a year of full of prosperity and good luck!