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I bought this video for my library today. I can’t wait to see the whole thing. It’s “a true story about what happens when a bi-racial child’s identity is ignored by his white family and friends.” Just from the trailer, I think I’d recommend it.
Since Shannon has been posting videos, I thought I’d cheat and try my hand…Shannon and Dan vs. Joe, Maggie, and Zack!
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Mr. Fixit tightens the leg on a chair
It has been pretty firmly established: Dad is where it’s at. Everywhere I go, everything I do, Joe is following right along and wanting to get involved in some way. If I have a drill out for something, I have to give him his own drill (he has several plastic tools) and allow him to help get the job done. He helps with gardening, laundry, cleaning, checking email, and any attempted home repairs. He wants to do everything just like “Dada!”
This really is an amazing time. He’s beginning to recognize and explore his autonomy (and yes, exerting his will). We’ve known for some time that he’s exceptionally strong and fast! But now his fine motor skills are developing to the point where he can manipulate objects and come close to using things as they’re intended. And to my delight, his imagination is emerging so that he can use things as they’re not intended just as well! As home-fixer-uppers, we’re ecstatic to see Joe reaching a point where we can give him some instruction and modeling and he can occupy himself imitating us while we tackle some of the things we need to accomplish on the house (for at least a couple of minutes at a time). He’s even starting to take these chores and turning them into his games.
Joseph Daniel Snow Removal, Inc.
Our first foray into sledding this past weekend is a perfect example. We got several inches of snow followed by some crazy low temperatures. The snow on the roads was tightly packed and nice and slick. It was perfect for a trip out with the new pull-behind sled that we bought to take Joe snowshoeing after Christmas. He had a blast. Shortly afterwards, he had almost as much fun as we learned to shovel snow. ”Push, push, push, push, stop. Dump!” (This last part set him to giggling every time.) All of this activity set him up for a day with Mommy today.
Shannon has been doing an occasional childcare swap with the mother of a little girl. Maggie’s and Joe’s birthdays are a day apart. They are so alike in many ways that it can be surprising.
Joe and Maggie sledding
Perhaps it’s her more advanced vocabulary. Perhaps it’s Joe’s helpful nature. Whichever the case, she can boss him around to the point where he’ll fetch toys on command! Today, Mommy and the “twins” went out onto the neighbors’ driveway to play with the sled, and Joe (always ready to move, lift, drag, hoist, or carry anything) got the chance to play draught pony to Maggie’s delight.
Sweet little Maggie has our little Joe whipped. It seems that Joe has an Alpha Woman in his life…just like “Dada!”
Click on the picture for a video snippet
Yup, alot of people assume we adopted Joe internationally and give some pretty interesting responses when we tell them he came to us from a little closer to home. For those of you who know his origins, the place name has been changed for Joe’s sake. (Where he’s from is his story, and he can share it when he’s old enough, and if he chooses to do so. But you get the gyst!)
Not really his first words, but hey…
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