>3 (Love that Becky)

Time to Make a Blog Book

It's February 17, 2011 and I'm awaiting a new Soriano-Bilal any day. I saw an ad for a service that turns your blog into a book. Since the World According to Sekani will be changing drastically with a sibling, it's time to capture his early years on paper. My baby is growing up...

Many Birthday Celebrations...many wishes to make...

Thank you Nama Jane for making birthday treat #1 with me. I love you. Thank you Kylie for helping me celebrate.

Love,

Sekani

Alamo Square Park Party and Donut Pyramid!!!

Birthday at School

At Sekani's preschool, the teachers facilitate a beautiful birthday ceremony. It begins with a story from the parent/s about the birthday child as a baby. We shared the story of Sekani learning sign language. He then walked around the circle, holding a candle, stopping in front of each classmate as they said a wish.

I hope your birthday lasts forever.

I'm glad you were born.

I love you. Happy Birthday.

The circle concluded with a jump over a red rope; one side is 4 and the other side is 5.

Grandma Rosie with her Great Grandchildren

Sekani was intrigued by Great Grandma's fur. He says, "Grandma, you look like a cat."

I help him out a bit by saying, "Do you mean Grandma looks pretty in her coat that looks like a cat?"

"Yeah. It's soft like a cat."

Ring Bearer, er, Pillow Holder

Sekani and Cousin Essau carry the pillow down the aisle for Marc and Lexie's wedding at St. Augustine's in Washington, DC.

LEGOLAND

Good times!

Valentines Day in LA

Winter swim! Sekani and buddy, Zion, get the sunscreen spray down before spending the day in the water. Much love Watts.

San Luis Obispo

After playing in the river, Sekani treks up the hill and starts running, away from us. I yell to him to stop running which he usually does, but he kept running, barefoot. When I finally catch up to him (perturbed and winded), I ask, "Why didn't you stop?" He replies, "Because this place makes me want to run."

HELPING HAITI

How do 4 and 5 year olds wrap their minds around events like the earthquake in Haiti? In Sekani's class, the conversation began like this:

On Monday, after hearing a story about a Hippo that was stranded on a sandbar by a tsunami, the children asked, “What’s a tsunami?” I wasn’t able to finish my sentence, “A tsunami is when there is a big earthquake in the bottom of the…” when the class became very excited, “There was a big earthquake in Haiti!” they exclaimed. Yesterday, Chiara brought in a letter and some coins from her piggy bank to send to Haiti. Today we reflected on the things children can do to help the people of Haiti and why they need help.

Anaiya said, “They don’t have clothes, we could make clothes.

Max said, “Their food got smashed.”

Ethan said, “I want them to feel better.”

David said, “A ginormous jet could get stuff to them.”

Wynant said, “We are a very rich country, and it’s very likely that they have earthquakes.” Haiti is a very poor country and their houses aren’t as strong as ours.”

Johnnie Lee said, “They need some food and drink to make them healthy.”

Aydin said, “The soldiers are there to help the people.

Max said, My dad could help make wood houses.”

Griffin said, “You could give away your baby toys.”

Isiah said, “We could drop boxes from a plane and the toys could come out.”

Izzie said, “We could sell some food because they don’t have it.”

We all decided to have a bake sale to raise money for Haiti.

Smarties and Duds...

Last year was the first year Sekani trick-o-treated and I got away with calling the candy pieces, "counters." We simply opened the candy, counted them, then made a candy sculpture. At 4.5, I didn't think that plan would fly again, but as Halloween approached he mentioned that he was going to make a train with his sugar bounty. Sweet!!! Upon our return from the streets, he was allowed to eat 2 pieces (he chose Smarties and Milk Duds) and then he went to town and created a park with gumball baths, Almond Joy cars, and licorice swings. I think this tradition is a keeper.

A Happy Halloween...

To my surprise, October 31st unfolded as a really nice day. ("Nice" at this point in life means relaxing and without hurry or fuss.) Sekani woke up and proclaimed that he wanted to go to a museum. Mo and I looked at each other and agreed that it was a perfect day to visit King Tutenkamen at the DeYoung. So, Sekani jumped into his Sonic X superhero costume, I loaded the car with our laundry, and we were off to our ancient Egyptian adventure. Following the museum we hung out at the laundromat, and grabbed a bite to eat at the Beach Chalet overlooking Ocean Beach. Before we knew it, the clock struck and it was time to meet up with friends and trick-o-treat on Fair Oaks. On our way back to our car, Sekani sang and we smiled recognizing that it was truly a happy Halloween.

My Baby Turns 4

We celebrated Sekani's birthday at Soundroots School of Modern Music. Upon entering the school, a sign hanging on the shelf stocked with shiny instruments reads, "Please Touch." 

The kids had a rockin good time with music teacher Dominic leading games, inspiring dance moves, and tapping into everyone's inner rock star. Just keep those old records off the shelf...

Me Like Cupcakes

The moment they were all waiting for...

Rocket Man

Friends gathered around for the dance party to begin. Rocket Man preparing for dance-off.

Gift Mania

Thank you everyone for the thoughtful gifts. They have come at the right time since Sekani has dropped his nap and can now have "quiet time" with the new slew of toys. I'd like to point out the handmade peg board from Lucas. Brilliant. Sekani waits so patiently for me until I'm done playing with it.

Squeaky Clean

Lately my windows and chairs have been squeaky clean. Sekani has entered into my little helper stage. With no prompt from me, he will suddenly commune with the housecleaning fairies and grab our Seventh Generation All Purpose squirt bottle, paper towels and busy himself for 30 minutes. I learned to swap the paper towels for cloth towels after finding a mound of half used damp ones lying next to the empty cardboard roll. Waste or uninterrupted creative flow? I chalked the sacrificial paper towel roll to child exploration and chore training. I love this stage.