SCREAMING HELPS

On his 4th time on the ride, Nicolas confidently decided not to scream on one of the Log Jam drops (screaming helps stop the stomach-dropping feeling). I complimented him on his bravery and asked him if he would also hold back on screaming on the last and highest drop.

Nicolas smilingly shook his head and said, "Dad, if I don't scream, I might fart."

SABINE'S COMPLETE NAME

My friend's niece looked at me and said, "I don't remember you. I have not seen you for a long time." I said the same thing and asked her for her name. She said, "My name is Sabine Campos." She followed up by asking, "But do you want to hear my long name?" I nodded in agreement. She then said, "Sabiiiiiiinnnnnne Campos!"

VALKURRY

Two-year old Miguel saw a book about Anne Frank and asked his mother, "Who is she?" To avoid the heavy topic of the cruelty of war and its effect on innocent people, his mother explained in the simplest possible way that Anne Frank lived in Amsterdam and was one of the Jews imprisoned by German soldiers.

Miguel gave a moment's pause as he scrunched his eyebrows together. Apparently in deep thought, he asked, "So Anne Frank lived in Hamster-dam? And the bad soldiers put her in jail because she spilled her Juice?"

Story from a friend who is currently in curry country, Singapore

HEART CARDS

ON OUR OWN

During bedtime, I always stay with the kids until they get to sleep. They always request for me to be with them and guard them. There have been times, though, that I wished they would fall asleep quickly so that I could go watch T.V. or dabble with the computer.
Tonight, as I dutifully went through the bedtime routine, Nicolas whispered, "Dad, can you leave the room?" I asked why. He continued, "We are going to try to sleep on our own." His brother Savion nodded in agreement.
As I left the bedroom, I felt glad to immediately have my time to watch T.V. This was instantly replaced with a bit of sadness, and this realization -- My little loved ones are growing up. They will be going on their own. I wondered, "What will be their next request for independence?"