Wednesday, April 18, 2012

The Kids Are Alright


Ada is growing, and weaning herself from the bottle, too. She likes company, and will make a pitiful maaaaaa-ah! if she feels abandoned. Smart girl has us all trained to rush to her aid, whenever she calls!


Tasha is growing, too... bolder and stronger. She wants to play, and sample everything from pigtails to buttons. Just a taste and a nibble, then off to frolic with Ada. The two of them can run very fast, and then they halt, dance a jig, flip and turn, and maaaaaa-ah! for attention. Everything is a game and play, and a whole lot of fun. The kids are alright.


Max is balancing, and running, again. He seems to have made a complete recovery, after fracturing his tailbone. He had a very rough few weeks, but he's all smiles now. He's also balancing equations in chemistry, and he finds that challenging fun.

William the carpenter. After a whole semester of metals and welding, he has been learning construction skills with his dad. So, what's next? Sewing! He has been asking me about construction with fabrics, and what it takes to make this or that. Yesterday he asked for actual sewing lessons, and we began right away. He learned to thread the machine, how to cut fabric, and then he started piecing squares. After about an hour he stopped for a break, but when I returned from running errands he was at it again... and already has some small projects completed!


Here's the senior. Alex is smiling a lot these days, making plans, enjoying economics, government, and managing to get a handle on an intense physics program. Robotics is still a passion, and he has a few projects he tools around with. The biggest focus, for us all, is preparing for Maker Faire. He started a school club for Young Makers, and three classmates will be making the journey with us.


I don't think we'll bring the hovercraft to the Faire. Alex has plans to make the next one bigger. I vote for quieter! The leaf blower fills the shower curtain, which has holes cut out... the shower curtain inflates, and the daring test pilot rides a cushion of air. Bambi, with her dancer's strength and balance, does a great job of standing and riding across the pavement.


Now stand aside worthy adversary!

'Tis but a scratch!


A scratch? Your arm's off!

No it isn't. I've had worse.

I'm not sure which is the Black Knight, but Dean and Max are both battling with flesh wounds, and missing arms. No pansies, here!


Suki and Maria, and a very little game of Uno. Suki, back from the woods and art and music and martial arts and camping... a well deserved weekend at a festival, with Grant, where she could commune with nature and creative peeps. Seniors have a lot on their shoulders, decisions, plans. I think she's doing an admirable job of balancing responsibilities, and keeping her beautiful smile.


Maria filled her spring break with more laughter, growth, projects, learning, and living than anyone I know. And though it wasn't too easy rousing her on the first day back to school, she came home as enthused and eager as ever. "You know how we learned about emigration, and then about countries and flags and culture? Well, guess what? Now we are learning about animals and plants! We are real scientists, because we are learning about the world! It's great!" She tells us breathlessly, with a squeeeee!

The kids? They are alright... in fact, they are great.

12 comments:

judy in ky said...

The kids are adorable! Your whole family is so creative. No wonder Maria is happy and excited. I think she's learning as much at home as she is at school.

ArtyZen said...

This is such cheery news and such lovely photos - glad to see all is good. Axxx

test said...

I love it when I see William walk our street at a very fast clip, and Maria showing of the space where the new teeth will grow.
We love all your kids, they are great.

Miriam said...

They certainly ARE great - I always feel reassured about the state of the world when I read about the amazing young people in your life.

Kim said...

They are fantastic, your kids!

warren said...

Say, behind the knights...did I see a swallow? Was it an African or a European Swallow? I wonder what his speed was as he flew in? I mean I have always been curious about the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow...

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Thank you.
So are yours.

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Don't you wish the news and media would shine a brighter light on all children? I find so many wonderful children, doing wonderful things.

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Thank you, Michael.
((hugs))

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

It's fun emphasizing the cheery news and good times... it's good to take note. Thank you, Annie.

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Hello, Judy.
Sometimes I worry that school interferes with her education, which is why I am so happy for our holidays and weekends!
Thank you for your comments, and for all the good and creative things you do, too.