Update On Regular Life

Makana was so cute last night. She was sitting on the little potty seat (which you just place on top of the regular potty seat) and she had a Pippi Longstocking book in her hand. She was reading to me from the book calling out chapters according to whatever page she was on. (I don't mean reading the way most people mean it. I mean making up a story as she goes along. This and page turning and her interest are all part of learning to read. The most important thing is her interest and enjoyment.) If she didn't know the page number (which she called chapter), she'd ask and I'd tell her and on the story would go.

Meanwhile, Li was in the shower. He had just finished pooping and had wiped himself and there were no things from the bathroom in the hallway. The rugs, garbage basket, lotion, toothbrushes, book basket, etc were all in their normal places. The toilet paper was in it's place too. I was surprised he had not taken out the usual things and mentioned this to him so in a casual way while he was making a bath. He said that he wanted to start going to the bathroom the way we all go. I replied that he could do whatever he felt like at the time. Inside I was thinking about how exciting it is how people think about things internally and then make decisions reflecting their latest thoughts. How amazing! And Li is very much a thinker. He cares so much and really takes in things even though outwardly one wouldn't know that. He cares so much about fairness and kindness and generousity*. In the past, I sometimes wondered if I'd be wiping for alot longer. This would be fine to me, but I worried sometimes that he would always need us too and wondered how he would get on in the world if we weren't there to help. And I know that was a silly thought as he has wiped sometimes in the past few months, but not often and that most children do eventually want to wipe themselves as they get older. And if not, that would be a need Jim and I would help him with for as long as possible just like anything else.

* Katie is having a hard time with Li lately. She has been thinking that he is doing things on purpose when they are accidents. Then she says something or does something physical to Li (not usually physical, but the other night it was a kick!!) and that sets off Li and an argument or in the case of the other night, a brawl breaks out. Yikes! It took some protecting, lots of time, and talking to each of them and finally them with each other before things settled down. Then they were both very kind to each other the rest of the night. Just now I went into the living room because I heard Katie getting upset at Li for somehow causing her book to close. I asked Li if it was an accident and he said yes. Katie grew calmer and said she didn't realize that. All is okay now. Although I probably should get myself in the other room with them instead of being on the computer away from everyone. I feel a little guilty taking some time for myself on the computer. But I really want to check email and jot down some of our latest things happenning in our lives.

Makana just put her used breakfast/lunch plate in the kitchen sink all by herself. She cleans up after herself much of the time (and we don't ask her to, she just does it) - how nice for me as it makes it easier to finish cleaning. Li is beginning to put his dishes in the kitchen on the counter (with asking...but I am okay if he doesn't want to, but I figure it can't hurt to ask!). And Katie...well, she still gets up from the table and leaves her dishes and stuff there. She gets quickly involved in other things and has not much interest in doing clean up. We love her still! (As of course love is not dependent on how tidy one is!)

Li is really enjoying karate classes. Last night though, he was having so much fun playing with the Speno boys that he opted to do an extra lesson next week and skip it last night. So glad they all have so much fun together. And glad karate classes are offerred four times each week and you can pick and choose and change when you go. Li had been asking to go three times this week. I will have to chk on that as I am not sure that is okay or not. I think you can only go two times a week unless you are making up a class.