Kicking Myself.....

This past week, Declan got his gold stripe belt in karate...until he turns seven, his belt levels consist of a number of striped colors....so proud!!

He's been taking karate at his daycare (sponsored by National Karate) since he was three. His teacher, Ms. Langley, has said that ever since he was three, his concentration level was mind blowing - and she's thrilled that now he's entering kindergarten, he's going to begin classes at the National Karate dojo near our house.

I was all very excited about this until we went to the school for him to get tested for his new belt, and I saw a class of 6 year olds, in full body pads, sparring and kicking the f*ck out of each other with serious pleasure....and they all come walking out of class, sweaty and breathing hard, ripping off their face masks and spitting out their mouth guards like a S.W.A.T. training session just ended....and half of them are cute sweet little girls....
What did I get myself into here?

The Shape of Things

Today's Backseat Commentary, by Declan J. Foley:

"I love circles, I love ovals, I love squares and I love rectangles, but I really hate pentagons."

A Natural....to never B flat.

Every parent has moments where you find yourself in awe of your child, wondering how they could possibly be as amazing as they are at their young age. You also hope that the things you love or that you had some sort of talent at are passed in someway onto your child, so that you can share that special bond for the rest of your lives together. Declan's very first guitar arrived today...and this picture is five minutes after picking it up. Look at the finger placement.....I did not show him anything. I am practically in tears with joy. He is going to his first lesson in the next couple of weeks and I cannot wait to see how he does. Move over, John Mayer....there's a new a new stud in town!!! Now I start the piggy bank for the piano.....*grin*

"Excuse me, but..."

My mom is in Florida right now, weeding her garden. My parents spend most of the year in the Sunshine state, but run from the extreme heat in the summertime back here - although I think it's just an excuse to steal as much grandson time they can. I certainly don't blame them. Yesterday, Declan and Grandpa spent the day together. They stopped by the local library to pick up a couple of DVD's to watch as well - but when back in the car, Declan opened one to find the wrong DVD in the case. "We have to go back!! They have the wrong one in here!" He's very insistent and confident for a five year old. Once back in the library, Declan marched up to the librarian and calmly explained to her that someone made a grave mistake, and mixed up the dvds and cases and that he was certain he knew where the correct one was. Grandpa watched in amazement as he quickly found the other case on the massive shelves and brought it back to her. The security device was on so the librarian had to open the case - and sure enough, the other (correct) DVD was in there. "How did you know that?" she exclaimed...Declan simply reassured her with a "Someone just made a mistake, it's ok..." and happily put the right DVD in its case and turned with Grampa to head home.

Grandma is missing all the fun. I think my favorite age is 5.