The Lord of the Rings

After finishing her homework, my daughter asked if she could watch just a bit of The Lord of the Rings. I hesitated because there are some violent scenes and mature themes in the movie. At the same time, the movie addresses virtues such as friendship, courage, and love. Because of this (and because my wife had warned me that denying too much to our kids could cause them to do exactly the opposite in later years), I decided to let my daughter watch the "good" parts of the movie. She saw the first part of the movie discussing the Shire, the home of the Hobbits. This is an enchanting, scenic part of the movie showing a gentle people living in small dwellings within green fields.

Brain Quest

As my daughter practiced her violin, I wondered what to do with my young son now that he could not play with her sister. My wife suggested going through some Brain Quest cards with him, so I did. My son enjoyed the cards immensely and was disappointed when I said we had to start cleaning up for nighttime. Brain Quest consists of a set of cards with age-appropriate questions that tests youngsters on various topics. Answers are provided on the card after the questions card. This is a wonderful way to keep young kids occupied. We're keeping them handy for the next opportune moment.

Speaker and Listener

I tried to explain to my son what I was doing when I faxed a sheet of paper. He asked me what was happening. I said I sent the same sheet of paper to another office far from our house. I tried to explain that the fax was like a telephone, but instead of talking and sending our voices over the lines, we were sending sheets of paper. I am not sure he fully understood.

If not, it would be easy to say the reason was because he is just a young kid who lacks the maturity to understand. But is the listener at fault? Could the speaker instead be at fault? I, as the speaker, perhaps might need to be more clear in my explanation. Perhaps the problem is with the speaker rather than the listener. As speakers (and writers), we should always keep this in mind.

Sounding Out

We adults take for granted our ability to look at a word and pronounce it. We forget that this is an ability learned through years of practice. I was reminded of this when I showed my four-year-old some word flashcards (Readiness cards by School Zone). He sounded out each letter of the word, put the sounds together, and then pronounced the word. He did this for the words "left," "wet," "full," and others. It seems like a slow process when a child does this, but I was actually quite amazed because it shows how flexible and adaptable our brains are. We can create symbols (letters and words), assign meaning to them, memorize them, and use them to communicate with one another at a high information-transfer level to discuss poetry, philosophy, theology, and other fields of knowledge. But all this begins with a child sounding out letters.

Strawberries

Grandpa and grandma brought over strawberries for the kids and the kids could not get enough of them. They were very large, very red, and very sweet. My wife told me strawberries have a lot of vitamin C, and I thought this was a good thing because the kids have colds and the vitamin C should benefit them. The kids kept asking for more, but I had to limit their amount because too much of anything is not good.

Modern Business

I read from a Curious George book for tonight's bedtime story. There is a whole series of these books. There are also Curious George videos and cartoons. In fact, there is a Curious George film and video game. Such widespread commercialization is probably true of many kids' characters (e.g., Dora the Explorer, Cliff the Big Red Dog, Elmo, etc.). This should not be too surprising in an age characterized by sophisticated advertising, the prominence of Madison Avenue, and a global media. But that sense of innocence is lost when a seemingly simple childhood character turns out to be part of a conglomerate business entity.

Signing

My four-year-old son's preschool had its Spring Concert today. The parents saw a simple show where the preschoolers sang a lot of fun songs. One part I liked was when the kids sang while signing. It was interesting watching the kids communicate the song orally (through their voices) and visually (through their hands). Sign language is another method of communication. It makes sense for humans to have alternative methods of communicating because we are social creatures with a great need to express ourselves. We have to interact with others in society and if one way is blocked, then we will find another way.

Language

When I observe my kids learning to speak and write as they grow older, I am reminded of the importance of language for humans. Language allows humans to express their needs and wants, to work together toward a common goal, and to record and transmit information across generations. There is a debate as to whether people are born with the biological hardware to learn languages or whether they learn languages starting from a clean slate. Either way, the fact that we can learn languages is itself interesting.

The other day, my wife went to her "kickboxing" class, and my son asked his older sister, "Is mommy going to kick a box?" I said no, she was not, and that she was instead going to a class that teaches people how to do exercises called "kickboxing." Slowly, through trial and error at times, we learn a language.

Sausages

In my quest to eat healthy but interesting food, I cooked up some Trader Joe's Mango Chicken Sausage for dinner. The package information said the sausages did not contain MSG or gluten and involved minimal processing. The sausages were very tasty. My son liked the taste.

I like Trader Joe's because it sells healthier food. To me, it seems difficult to stay in business selling healthy food when so much of the public desires less healthy processed food. Consider, for example, all the people who eat at fast food restaurants and how well these restaurants do even in difficult economic times. Thus, I respect these healthy food stores that allow us to make healthier decisions.

Simple Remedy

My kids are under the weather and not feeling well. There are plenty of medication available including kids' Motrin, Tylenol, and a host of other over-the-counter cold and flu relief items. But one non-drug item I like is the BeKool soft gel sheets that adhere to a child's forehead to cool the child. The gel draws heat away from the child to help ease a fever. Of course, if medicine is needed, then medicine should be given. But it is good to also have non-drug alternative treatments.

Seeing Seattle

A few day's worth of blogs are missing because of our family trip. My wife and I wanted a short vacation that was budget-conscious, so we chose a one-nighter at Seattle. The drive from the Portland metro area to Seattle is not too distant, taking only about three hours. We stayed at Silver Cloud Hotel next to Seattle University, arriving on a Friday night. The next day, the kids swam at the hotel pool. After lunch, we drove to Seattle Center where there are many enjoyable activities for kids and families. My wife wanted to first go up the Space Needle, but we did not because of the long lines and and cost (I think it would have costed our family of four over $50). Instead, we did the following:

1. We visited the Science Fiction Museum where we saw many interesting displays. I enjoyed it, but my daughter found it spooky.

2. We visited the Experience Music Project where we saw what I call the "tower of musical instruments." Then we went upstairs where the public could practice on various musical instruments. The kids had a fun time playing electric guitars, drum sets, and keyboards.

3. We finally went to the Amusement Park. The kids rode the rides, played games, and enjoyed all that an amusement park has to offer.

4. As adults, we can only take so much of amusement park fun, so we left for other sights. We drove to the Government Locks (about five miles from Seattle Center) where we saw boats get transferred from one part of the canal to another on the Lake Washington Ship Canal. Boats would enter the "lock" from one part of the canal, the lock would be closed, and then the water level in the lock would either be raised or lowered to match the water level on the other side so as to allow the boat to continue on.

5. Before heading back home to Oregon, we ate at Fishermen's Terminal. The seafood was great. We left for home on a full stomach and with a full day of activities to talk about. Overall, it was a wonderful short trip for the family.

Sense

Parents can develop a highly-refined sense of their children's well-being. For example, my son today seemed a bit sluggish and his cough seemed to worsen, so I called the hospital to make an appointment. The hospital did not seem that concerned with the symptoms, but I could sense that my son was getting sick. Sure enough, his symptoms later worsened and we had to get antibiotics for him.

Mentor

I found it amusing that as my daughter was practicing her violin, my son tried to copy her by picking up two plastic sticks and using them to simulate a violinist playing the violin with the bow. This shows the power of modeling, where my daughter is modeling violin playing for her younger brother. It shows the power of mentoring, where my daughter is essentially a mentor for her younger brother. It shows perhaps the power of copycatting where a person copies the acts of another. Basically, we can learn from others.

Giving

My son excitedly said to me I had to follow him because he had something to show me. I followed and he led me to a closet where he hid a gift he got for his sister's upcoming birthday. He told me the gift was a secret and that I could not reveal it to anyone. I told him I would keep it a secret. I was glad that he cared more about giving a gift to another person than about getting one for himself. As they say, "It is better to give than to receive." Hopefully, this perspective is one that my children retain as they grow up.

Checkers

My son wanted to play checkers, so I rummaged around in boxes of old toys and found an old checkerboard with checker pieces (minus a few). We played a few games and he quickly understood the basic rules of checkers. We played checkers until he had to go to grandma's house. After work when I came home, he wanted to play some more. I agreed because I would rather that he play checkers than watch television or play computer games all night. We played until it was bedtime. I wonder if he will quickly tire of checkers just like other games he has played. He might. If so, then we'll just move on to other constructive activities.

Easter

Knowing it would be a rainy day today (Easter Sunday), my wife earlier purchased plastic eggs to create our own family Easter egg hunt in the house. When we arrived home after Easter service and lunch, my son suggested having an Easter egg hunt at home. I thought he had read my mind. I told him to wait just a few minutes and then we would see if the Easter Bunny could help us, and all the while, my wife was hiding eggs throughout the house. Finally, we told the kids they could start the Easter egg hunt and off they ran throughout the house looking for all the eggs. We had a great time searching for the eggs and then talking about the true meaning of Easter.

Susan B. Anthony

Just before bedtime, I saw my daughter reading a book titled, "Susan B. Anthony: Fighter for Women's Rights" by Carol Ghiglieri (and illustrated by Antonio Castro). It is part of the Easy Reader Biographies series. I think this is a worthwhile series that brings to life for young people various significant figures in American history. I like it when my kids read, and I especially like books that directly relate to each of my two kids. The Susan B. Anthony book does directly relate to my daughter by talking about a signficant woman who overcame huge obstacles to make the laws protect all segments of society. My daughter, and others, could learn a lot from Susan B. Anthony.

Good Friday

My daughter and I attended a Good Friday church service tonight. It was a meaningful evening with singing, a short message, testimonies, and Communion. But I have been thinking about music and religion lately, and I began thinking about this issue again tonight because the evening service music included drums and electric guitars. There was also a violinist, but it appears to me that whenever music includes drums and electric guitars, that these musical instruments tend to overwhelm the other instruments. I wonder if drums and electric guitars potentially overwhelm other aspects of the religious service.

I am not saying electric guitars and drums should never be included in religious service music. But I wonder if these musical instruments lend themselves to reflection and meditation. I think one reflects and meditates best when the background environment is harmonious and slow-paced. Electric guitars and drums, however, are instruments that create louder sounds, produce sharper notes, and establish a faster tempo. These dynamics, I think, make it difficult for a person to hear that "still small voice" of God. Music that is loud, sharp, and fast-paced might overshadow everything else and leave little room for spiritual contemplation. But then again, maybe this is just a generational thing and I am showing my age.

A Party

I went to my son's preschool classroom to take photos of his classroom's Easter party. The kids played "find the Easter eggs" and had an Easter lunch consisting of juice, cheese sticks, gummy bears, a few bits of candy, and baby carrots. I was glad carrots and cheese sticks were included in the lunch menu. With kid parties, there tends to be an excessive amount of sweets and a reluctance to be viewed as the overly restrictive parent who doesn't let the kid eat the sweets during the party. In such situations, one solution is to establish conditions prior to the party by telling the child she or he can eat only a few sweets at the party. This does not always work, but over time, it does help a child learn to be responsible and accountable.

Outdoors

I let my son play outside today after he asked. I felt he (along with many other kids) needed to get outside more now that winter has passed and spring is here. The problem with outdoor play is the pollen for those with hay fever. Still, a kid needs room to run around and to experience the outdoors, even if the outdoors is the front yard.

Burritos

To once again attempt to get my kids to eat well at home, I tried to make dinner fun tonight by heating up pre-cooked ground meat (mixed with bits of vegetables) and flat-bread wraps. The kids spread the meat on organic Olive Oil Wrap to make their own burritos. The kids loved it. I also provided tomato soup to let the kids spread on their wraps similar to tomato sauce being spread on pizza dough. The kids ate up their first "burrito" and wanted more wraps, eventually eating up the entire package. They had so much fun I had to tell them to calm down and to focus on just eating.

The Future

During her violin lesson, my daughter had a question about the music. I asked if I could help. She said she had to write in the next note involving the difference between the tonic and dominant arpeggio. I realized I had no idea what she was asking about, none whatsoever, and I told my daughter I was sorry but I couldn't help her. I thought that perhaps this is the way it should be, that the daughter or son has more opportunities to learn more and to go further, that the previous generation sacrifices for the future generation, and that the next generation reaps the benefits provided by the prior generation.

Astronomy

During a car ride yesterday, my son began asking lots of astronomy questions. He asked how the sun burns. I tried to answer to the best of my abilities. I said the sun burns because of nuclear fusion, the pressures created by gravity, chemical processes, and physics. He asked how the planets formed. I said the planets formed due to the accretion of dust and matter, and that as the rocky balls got bigger, they acquired more gravity that then attracted more matter until the planets formed. He asked more questions until I could not keep up. But I am glad he and his sister are interested in astronomy. As a child, I loved reading about astronomy and looking at photos and pictures of stars, the solar system, and galaxies. We should every so often look up into the night sky and ponder the vastness and mysteries of the universe.

Egg Hunt

Today's "adventure" for the kids was doing an Easter egg (rock) hunt at the Rock, Gem, and Craft Show at Mt. Hood Community College sponsored by the Mt. Hood Rock Club. The main event for the kids was the Easter (Thunder) Egg & Rock Hunt where kids hunted for specialized rocks on the grass and tennis court. Some of the small rocks were in plastic eggs while bigger rocks were just out in the open. All the kids had a great time collecting rocks. This was a fun event. But it also taught the kids a few things about rocks and geology. After the hunt, we went inside the gym and saw all sorts of rocks and crafts displays. What caught my attention were the fossil rocks containing plant and leaf fossils. We had a great time, and at the end of the day, the kids collected a lot of interesting rocks.

Research

During this spring break period, my daughter is doing simple worksheets every now and then to add some academic work to her schedule. One worksheet dealt with sports and asked how many hockey players are in a hockey game. She did not know and asked if she could use the computer for research. I said yes because a kid should use a computer for research and not just for games. She researched online, found the answer, and completed the worksheet. My wife and I have drastically reduced the time the kids could play games on the computer, and replacing computer games with computer research seems like a very good move.

Rosa Parks

Just before bedtime, my daughter asked me about Rosa Parks and whether she broke the law. I said she did. Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1955 during the era of segregation. Montgomery segregation laws created white and black sections on buses, and if the white section was full, white passengers could take the seats of black passenger and force them to the back of the bus. Rosa Parks violated Montgomery law when she refused to give up her seat to a white passenger.

My daughter asked if Rosa Parks was wrong in breaking the law. I said no, she was not wrong because the law was wrong and not Rosa Park's actions. God's law is above a "bad" human-made law, and the segregation law was a "bad" human-made law, I explained. God made all of us as part of divine creation, and human-made law that is in conflict with God's plan is not a law that needs to be obeyed, I said. I was glad my daughter asked about this important aspect of U.S. history, and I hope she understands that "right" and "wrong" goes beyond the mere existence of a law and delves into the purpose of the law.

Blueberries

My wife and I try to provide fresh fruit for ourselves and the kids, but that is hard during the winter season, so frozen fruit it must be. It is a good thing my daughter likes frozen blueberries. She ate some Townsend Farm frozen blueberries for dinner and liked it a lot. They say blueberries is good food because of its high concentration of antioxidants. If so, I'm sure the antioxidants remain even when blueberries are frozen.