Boys after dinner playing funny games with their new toys. Reduse, reuse, recycle!

“Reduce, reuse, recycle! Learn your three Rs! Reduce, reuse, recycle – take care of this world of ours!” The Banana Slug String Band came to Sam’s school (where he’ll go in 5 months) and did a great concert about taking care of the earth. This dynamic group has been teaching kids about ecology through music for 25 years, and their concert today was supported by Jack and Kim Johnson’s Kokua Foundation. I was invited to attend by one of the staff – I’d offered to help her plan Earth Day this year and she mentioned this band was coming. I am so thankful that we were welcomed warmly despite not even being part of the school family yet. We had a great time.

After an early dinner of leftovers (Dave was in school tonight) we headed out to get three Ds – diapers, dog food and dessert. We had to visit the playground as well. The boys were doing silly things with these crazy toys we found – the bigger one I found with Ben while out running the other day (he found it, actually – “liddow ball-ball!”), and the smaller one Sam found while out jogging with me this morning! So they each had a suitably-sized yellow ball to play with today! How awesome! The toy fairy drops toys out of the sky for us – “…learn your three Rs!” We have no problem reusing toys. I like the ones we find the best – they are magical. Sam figured the big one would pull him off the ground while jogging so he could float. Sounds good to me!

On our way back from the base, I saw three Marines walking together. For some reason I wanted Sam to know the concept of a brotherhood among men. “Kinda like me and Ben, but maybe they love each other more?” Sam asked. Then I ventured into the notions of service (“I’m a good server. The best in Kailua. I bring lots of food to people who have no food.”) Well, I’m thinking of the people who serve their country or their church, helping people who have much less than we do. (“I send lots of peace to other countries, like Pakistan. Like broccoli, and mac and cheese to the kids in Pakistan.”) Right! We’re getting there. He is saving his money to help the kids in Pakistan. (“Lots of people have more money than we do.”) Yes. And those people sometimes have a hard time appreciating what they have because they can always buy more. And people who have less money sometimes appreciate what little they have very much. (“Like our trash toys. We just find our toys.”) Sweet boy was very very chatty on the way home in the truck. When we got home he threw a fit about not getting second dessert. Then a discussion about greediness ensued, only to finally figure out he was simply hungry after meager dinner followed by playground time. Poor mommy. Trying so hard and sometimes missing the mark!

I love you two boys!