KampKrug

Ben’s first “hike”!

Good morning, boys. It’s 7am and thankfully you’re still asleep after several mornings of early “ups”. I’ve had my coffee and am starting to feel human. It’s quiet here, as I listen to our neighbor water her plants (hopefully hitting ours, too!). I love this picture of you two from a few days ago. I wanted to write you a note to tell you how much I love you. (Sam is walking down the hall now!). This was Ben’s first little hike on the marsh trail. He loved following you, Sam. He also loved picking up rocks and taste-testing them (yuck!). The little guy is so determined to be a big guy that he walked about 1/2 mile – just 100 yards shy of making it all the way home. He didn’t want to get back in the stroller. I kept trying to offer him a ride, but he’d writhe and squirm and protest, wanting to get out again. He is so strong! So, now that you are both up and looking for me, I must quickly jot down your “latest” news. Sam, you just told me that someone said “You are the most cutest little boy!” I asked who, you said I don’t know. So I asked where you were at the time. You said “The marsh trail.” Nice, huh? You’re counting to 100 and getting that tricky transition from the 9 to the 10 just right (such as from 29 to 30 instead of “twenty-ten” which you were doing about a month ago). You can also count to 100 in 10s, and write the numbers correctly all the way up. The other day we were reading a story about dolphins and after I read that the mother dolphin is 8 ft long, and the baby (when born) is 3 ft long, I asked how much longer is the mother dolphin than the baby? You answered within, literally, 3 seconds “Five feet.” wow! You’re better at math than mom! I just read this link (http://www.pbs.org/parents/childdevelopmenttracker/four/mathematics.html) which I try to keep up on about every 6 months as you get older. I try to read what you “should” be doing and compare it to where you are. It helps me get creative and ask you things I may not think you’d be able to figure out. You are consistently in the “very few” category they describe who are able to do advanced things by the end of the age year, yet most times you can do it by mid-year. I always hope that keeping you home with me is not putting you behind, boring you, or otherwise bad for you. Sometimes I am reassured by reading these things – that miraculously you are able to continue learning and growing despite my shortcomings. I must find ways to stimulate you without being aware of it! We have been talking about Iran, elections, Obama, and bad guys lately. This is a big interest of yours. Who fights the bad guys, where are they, are there any in Hawaii (yes, they are in jail)… You see Marines on base training all the time, so this is a natural line of inquiry. And since you’ve traveled to Scotland, you are aware of world geography in a tangible way – like it would take a LOOOOONG time to get to Afghanistan, where the Marines go to fight the bad guys. We’re looking forward to traveling again to southern California to see Gramma and Richard, then maybe to Arizona to see Auntie Pam, Craig and some saguaro cacti!

Ben, my dear. You are a big walker who is even taking little jogging steps now! You’re saying doggie, bubble, cactus, hat, tractor - probably a dozen words now. I am sorry this note may be short, but you’ve had a year of long notes from mommy. This was Sam’s turn! I love you, my sweet, energetic guy. You are still making diaper changing a real nightmare, but the doctor says you may grow out of this by about 15 months. Ha! I hope so. (Yes, it’s that problematic that I actually brought it up at his 1-yr appt.) I’m coming, my Ben, with your milk already put into a cup for you! I’m coming, coming!