Tricks And Talents

Okay-okay. I know that all babies spit and clap. I know that all three-year-olds sing clever little songs. I know that all five-year-olds learn to read and write. And that all seven-year-olds do things on purpose to annoy their piano teachers. These are not original tricks and talents. I know. But they have recently been acquired by MY kids. And I can't help but love, laugh, brag, and cheer them on at every stage of the game - no matter how unoriginal.

Because I know that years from now when Eliza spits I won't think it's so cute and I'll miss my baby. And years from now when Brigham's cute high-pitched voice disappears I'll miss all those little songs. And years from now when Isaac outgrows flying robots and magical cars, I'll miss dear Chitty. And years from now, when Clayton is a starving musician trying to eke out a career as a low-budget movie composer, I'll miss his tinkering at the piano.

So, with that said, here are some of our newest tricks and talents:

Eliza's Tricks:
- Clapping (and spitting) on demand.
- Undoing (and eating) my watch in 3 seconds flat.

Eliza is a full-fledged member of the entertainment committee now. She's a hoot! The boys jockey for her attention and, as you can see, it doesn't take a lot of coaxing to get her to clap, spit, scream, or giggle!

Eliza has become a watch-necklace-bracelet-ring klepto. Yup, she's definitely a girl with an eye for jewelry and fancy shoes. Her little fingers work like crazy! She can undo my watch or her shoes (or her diaper. or the doctors stethoscope. or our neighbors jangly necklace.) and have it in her mouth in 3 seconds flat! Now that's a trick!






Brigham's Tricks:
- Singing the Alphabet backwards.
- Pretending to be the family dog.

Brigham sang this for my sweet 80-year-old Visiting Teacher. I thought she'd like it but instead she shook her head disapprovingly and said, "Oh dear! What is the world coming to! Is that what kids are learning these days?"
I had to break it to her that yes, the world has finally come to this. The alphabet is now backwards.

My kids are really going through a dog phase. They want a dog. They beg for a dog. And when I tell them no, they pretend to be dogs. Brigham has been a dog for several days now and has single-handedly obliterated my "good table manners" training.

Isaac's Tricks:
- His enduring love for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
- Authoring his first book.

Here is Isaac reading the book he just authored. It's called Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. What? Someone already wrote that book? Shhhh. Don't tell Isaac.

I'm glad Chitty still resurfaces every now and again.

Clayton's Tricks:
- Procrastinating.
- Tinkering instead of practicing.

Here is Clayton's newest composition, "Space Adventure".
He discovered John Williams. Can you tell?

My Trick:
- Providing hours of FREE entertainment by introducing the kids to wire hangers and duct tape.

We learned about "simple machines" for Science Club last week. The kids made their own whirligig machines. Here they are in action.

Now really. . .
Aren't we all so clever?

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