Keeping My Word

As promised, I have returned now that the munchkins are in bed and I have some "Tana" time.

I have to share a cute story that happened just this evening but I have to share some background information first...

My oldest son, Royce (4), has really taken an interest in this trip. Earlier this year he dubbed my classroom "the rainforest." I don't really know why, it's not like I had my rainforest themed classroom as I plan to have next year or even tons of rainforest items strewn around it. But for the last two months of school, when I'd pick him up from his school, he'd ask, "Mom, are we going to the rainforest?" or as we'd pass my school or even one of the main roads heading towards it, I'd hear, "Hey, that's the way to the rainforest!" He even had a bag that he stored in my teacher cabinet that contained his "rainforest stuff" such as erasers (energy bars), pencils (for recording notes on the wildlife), an empty paper towel roll - remember I AM a kindergarten teacher and this is a priceless commodity (flashlight), a mesh-like bag that oranges came in - great for textures (mosquito net), etc. He actually came up with all of these creative uses on his own. Of course, he'd been watching me make purchases and store my supplies in a similar bag at home in our closet. The point of all this goes back to the earlier statement that Royce is very interested in my rainforest trip.


This evening, after an exceptionally challenging day with his behavior, I was actually secluding myself in my room for a few minutes of peaceful bliss (once my hubby arrived home to take over the parenting for a bit). Royce came in and said something to me, I can't remember exactly what it was but something about he just needed to get something. He headed into my closet as I asked him to please go play with Daddy as I got back to the show I was watching, not paying that much attention to what he was doing, trying to stay hidden in my own world for a while. A few minutes later, he came in and did the same thing. This went on several more times before it actually clicked in my mind that he was pulling things out of the closet and taking them who-knows-where.

When he came back for about the sixth time, I actually focused fully on him and asked him what he was doing. As I did that, I noticed he was wearing my Tevas, purchased especially for this trip. He told me he was getting ready to go to the rainforest. Royce has an amazing imagination which has led to many interesting situations. I was sure this was going to be one of those times. I asked him to elaborate and he said, "I'm just checking my things and packing." Okay, he had piqued my curiosity so I told him to carry on. I wanted to see where he was going with this. He headed into my closet and came out with one of my shirts that he knows I plan on taking with me. I asked him what it was for and he just told me he needed a rainforest shirt. I said, "Oh, well that makes sense" and let it go at that. But this time, I followed him.

Backing up a bit...Earlier in the evening, before my husband arrived home, I'd pulled out the equipment/supplies I'd purchased for this trip. Sidetracked by a surprise visitor and a "quick" trip to the grocery store, the items were still laying in a corner of the living room (3 hours later) by the sofa and love seat. Not a smart move on my part but I hadn't planned on them being left unattended. I was supposed to take everything out, take a count of what I had/didn't have, and put everything back within the span of about 30 minutes. Those of you who know me well are familiar with type of behavior from me and most of you (sadly) expect it.

He gets to the backpacks with all the camping/first aid/basic living stuff scattered all around, including all the hiking shoes and stuff he had removed from the closet, puts the shirt on, and starts playing with different items. He looked up and saw me and jumped and had a fearful look on his face (all day we'd been having rounds about things he needs to leave alone). I smiled and told him it was okay, he could play a bit as long as I was there. (On a side note, my husband had actually been sitting on the sofa this entire time, watching the events unfold without saying a word.) I think Royce was shocked that I didn't reprimand him. He'd been told countless times not to bother my rainforest stuff. (He is very curious about things and what they do, how they work, etc. and whereas I believe it is important that a child is allowed to explore and experiment, Royce has a habit of being VERY destructive without intending to be so. For example, he'll try to open a package and end up breaking the item in his efforts or as he is trying to figure out how it works, he breaks it as he experiments. We have found that he has to be extra-closely supervised when there are new things around. Okay, back to story...) So, he very joyfully got back to pretending he was getting ready to head to the rainforest and was testing all of his equipment and checking things off his list (he actually got a notepad identical to mine and wrote a bunch of letters - remember he just turned 4 and isn't spelling YET! - and was checking them off). He even told me all about each item and what he was using it for.

It was SO cute! It was very similar to what I had been doing for the last few weeks. It was just another reminder that kids do what we do, not what we say! (I'd been telling him not to touch the things but of course I WAS!) I had to run get the camera (which I am trying to get as much practice with as possible) and take lots of pictures. Of course then Joey, my little camera hog, had to jump in and be included, which I didn't mind in the least!

!!!!!I have just spent the last hour looking for the pictures of Royce playing with my equipment. The folder is there but the pictures are gone. I just uploaded them and deleted them from the camera. I have literally been crying for a while. I am heartbroken! They were so cute! I commented to Russ that I thought one of them was perhaps my favorite of the two boys together. Joey had the cutest expression on his face while Royce looked adorable while playing with my flashlight. So Sad!!!!!

Well, I guess this concludes the post. I'm pretty upset right now about losing my pictures. I wanted to ramble on some about my kids and the effect the trip might have but it is now 4:30 AM and Russ wants me to come to bed. He told me he'd find my pictures tomorrow - he's kinda good with computers and stuff. I don;t think they're in existence anymore but we'll pray!!! I'll update more as soon as I can!

Finally an Update!!!

Wow!!! I guess I've really been a slacker on this blog! I've been so busy finishing off the school year, beginning summer, being a full-time mom, and getting ready for this trip that I haven't had tome to sit in front of the computer and type! In fact, this isn't going to be long ad I am racing against the attention span of a two-year-old and a four-year-old. They are playing with play doh and I have however long it takes them to lose interest in it. So, I am going to cut the rambling and get on with the update...

Life has been a whirlwind of activity since my last post and now it has come to crunch time! I have less than two weeks until I head to the Amazon! I can't believe the time is almost here! It has been fun shopping for all of the items I need but the price tag for this trip has turned out to be a much larger number than I had anticipated. Fortunately there are just a FEW more things I need and then I'll be as ready as I can be.

Earlier this week I had lunch with Joanne (a friend I made through FFT) and her daughter. She is going to Ecuador as part of her grant and we were exchanging traveling tips. She gave me lots of good advice about where to stay and what to do while I am in Quito. I am so grateful for all the help I've been receiving about my travel plans. Stephanie (FFT) has really given me bunches of good information as well. In fact, I need to get in touch with her before I go...

Last night my bunko group went out to dinner and in celebration of my trip, we went to the Rainforest Cafe. The ambiance was fun but a little pricey. It was just good to hang out with my friends once more before I leave!

Well, the monsters are on the prowl so I must end this for now. I just wanted to post a short update so it doesn't appear as though I have abandoned this blog. I will make a point to get back here tonight once the angels are asleep! There is so much I still want to share!