Big Steps

What Form!
Originally uploaded by littlekidd.

What a big weekend for our little grasshopper! He traded that yellow-striped taekwondo belt for one with a green stripe, after proudly reciting the first three of the five cardinal rules of the sport.

Number 1: Obey your parents.
Number 2: Respect your parents.
Number 3: Tell the truth.

Plus he impressed the panel of judges by doing 10 sit ups, 10 squats, various chops and blocks, and then breaking a wooden board with one very dramatic kick.

But that's not the even the really big news.

Tonight at approximately 6:03pm PST, the training wheels came off Zack's bike. He can cruise along indefinitely on two wheels now. Stopping is a bit of a problem, but minor crashes don't undermine his confidence. Bravo to Z for mastering the two-wheeler. More news to come.

Scoot's Honor

Scoot's Honor
Originally uploaded by littlekidd.

When riding a scooter, it is imperative that one wear one's shoes on the wrong feet. It amps up the challenge.

I just have to vent for a minute. There are things in life that should be certain, like death, taxes, and where to find the oatmeal in the supermarket.

My mainstay grocery store is undergoing a major shuffling of inventory. Of course, they are doing this while they are open for business, leaving shoppers completely adrift.

OK, you might wonder why I'm getting so worked up about a supermarket. You have to understand that this place is ENORMOUS. It's a "Fred Meyer Superstore." Kind of like a giant supermarket and a giant Target store combined under one even more giant roof.

Now, please understand that I am in this store two or three times a week. I know where everything is. I even have a shopping list data base on my Palm Pilot (yes, I made it by myself!) that has everything I buy SORTED BY AISLE. It is useless now.

Yesterday I walked down the cereal aisle expecting -- as usual -- to find the oatmeal at the end. Abruptly the certial boxes gave way to Hamburger Helper. That is just wrong.

Boy is awake. More later!

Star Struck

Nice Bodyguards!
Originally uploaded by littlekidd.

We just came home from a terrific traveling Star Wars exhibit at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI). The exhibit has many of the old props and cosumes from all six "Star Wars" movies. The biggies are all there: Darth Vader, Yoda, Luke Skywalker, the Millenium Falcon, a real Land Speeder, etc. etc. Zack was positively blown away. In addition to the road show exhibit, plenty of local uber geeks were found parading around in their own home-grown Rebel Army garb, complete with light sabers made from home plumbing job cast-offs.

Here's Zack with a Storm Trooper and some other soldier-type guy with a really big gun. He's impressed, but rightfully a little nervous to be standing so close.

No Pain, No Gain

Kiddie Cyclocross
Originally uploaded by littlekidd.

Here's a picture from last weekend's "Kiddie Cross" race at Alpenorse Dairy. The expression on Zack's face is nothing but raw determination. He had a ball.

I missed this race beause I was visiting friends in Washington, DC. The morning before the race I talked to Zack on the phone and he said, "I'll go fast, mom. I'll make you proud!" Then he said, "Just hang up now."

This morning at breakfast I reminded Zack to use his fork instead of his fingers. He replied, "I'm eating like an Indian!." Jeez. Don't know where that came from!

Yesterday at the park, Zack offered me a taste from a "Honey-knuckle" flower.

Zack is thriving in his new preschool! He talks most about "Scootertown," which is a made up village where the kids ride around from store to store on scooters. You remember? Those little square ones with the casters on the bottom? They've still got 'em, and they're as trecherous as ever! Zack has a firm grasp on the rules, though. "Mom, we're allowed to ride them on our bellies and our bottoms and our 'kneels,' but we can't stand on them!"

Today is "picture day" at school. Watch for photos coming in the mail soon, all of you Grandmas and Grandpas!