All About Jafta

Surfer Kid

2008-09-12T21:37:00.000-07:00

You have been loving going to the beach this summer. If you had your choice, we would go every day. You are also very determined to learn how to surf. For a 3-year-old, you are doing pretty well!

Earmuffs

2008-09-07T21:39:00.000-07:00

It can be pretty loud in our house when the gardeners mow the lawn. This was your solution:

Adrenaline Junkie

2008-08-31T21:30:00.000-07:00

You had a great time in Seattle visiting Alex and Caleb. You were so brave! We went boating and you loved riding on the float being pulled as fast as the boat could go. You also learned how to dive off of a diving board, and you had so much fun playing with your older cousins.

School Photos

2008-07-02T15:56:00.000-07:00

We just got your school photos back, and I can't believe how big you look! It's hard to believe you are old enough for school pictures.

Fun with Wig Caps

2008-06-22T16:05:00.000-07:00

We used to use a wig cap to hold your dreads in place. Now that we don't need them any more, you found a new thing to play with.

Yoga Kids

2008-06-14T00:29:00.000-07:00

Little Man

2008-06-12T23:45:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, I picked you up from preschool with the music blaring, seizing the opportunity to listen to my own CD's before "DJ Jafta" got in the car. When you were all buckled in, you informed me, "I don't like the White Stripes. We need some worship music in here".

You can waste time and get distracted while getting dressed. Sometimes I set the timer to give you an incentive to hurry. Yesterday, you were dressed and ready for playgroup and I was still drying my hair. You walked in with the timer and let me know you had set it for me, and that when it went off I needed to be ready for playgroup.

Pirate Treasure

2008-06-07T23:42:00.000-07:00

Pirates are all the rage at your preschool. You and your friends pretend to be pirates all day long. Today we went to a friend's birthday party, and you got to dig up your very own pirate treasure. ARRRRRR~

Remote Control

2008-04-22T22:48:00.000-07:00

You got a remote control car for Christmas, and we finally took it out of the box, after three months of pleading. Your dad predicted that this toy would be trouble, and he was right. It is the only thing you want to play with. Specifically, you enjoy having Shrek and Batman run over an elephant. Over and over, Shrek and Batman run over that poor elephant. I was concerned that this indicated some sort of aggressive tendency, but your father assures me that this is typical boy behavior.

Undiscriminating Palate

2008-04-22T22:46:00.001-07:00

Yesterday we went to Soup Plantation. You got some chocolate ice cream that melted, and then stirred pasta and chicken into it. And then you ate it. Happily. While I watched and tried not to gag.

Today, you dipped peanut butter crackers into sundried-tomato hummus, and proclaimed it was good.

Happy Birthday Brooke

2008-04-21T14:03:00.001-07:00

Jafta sings happy birthday to his Aunt Brooke, and has a little asthma challenge with the candle while India tries to help.

Best Friend

2008-04-21T00:15:00.000-07:00

You have a best friend. His name is Ryder. As I write this, I think about when you will be old enough to read this blog that I've written for you. I hope that when you do, you and Ryder are still friends.

Ryder is the son of some of our closest friends. I remember finding out that you and he would be the same age, and being so excited. You are one month apart and you have been around each other since you were babies. But it is so fun to see that you are now choosing to be close friends. You like each other so much. You ask to go to his house every day. (Last week, you even got in trouble for walking to his house without permission). You love having him over, and always want him to stay and eat with us. You guys hug when you see each other. I hope that you will be friends for a long time.

The Dreadlock Dilemma

2008-04-20T22:32:00.001-07:00

You have been asking me lately to cut your dreadlocks off. You don't have any friends with dreadlocks, and you are beginning to notice that it makes you difference. You don't want to be different.

You have had your dreadlocks for so long. They are so cute on you. I would be very sad to cut them off. But you are insisting . . .

Boys

2008-04-20T00:20:00.000-07:00

Today, four other boys from the neighborhood came over. You guys were too funny together. First you formed a band. But you ended up breaking up because you were all fighting over who would be the drummer. Typical.

Then you all decided to dismantle India's swingset. When I asked you to stop, you guys came into the house and got all your toy tools, and then each of you pretending to be building the swingset. You guys were sawing, hammering, and building all over the swingset, like a real construction crew. You were very serious.

Big Boy Bike

2008-04-16T00:12:00.000-07:00

You have some serious gross-motor skills for your age. Yesterday you rode your bike for THREE MILES. Many of your friends are just learning to ride a bike, but you've been a pro for quite some time. You outgrew the small bike you started to learn on, so we got you a bigger bike. You love it. You ask to ride it all the time. We often walk the bike path to the beach and I have to run to keep up with you.

Helper

2008-04-16T00:03:00.000-07:00

Lately, you've been waking up earlier from your nap, which gives you and I some quality time before India wakes up. I'm usually trying to prep dinner, and you love to help. I try to find ways that you can be involved in the cooking. I bought a "food brush" and let you paint the food with olive oil or whatever sauce we are going to have. Last week, we made pizzas and you helped me knead the dough. You are always very excited to eat what we have made, and to tell daddy how you helped make dinner.

Playgroup

2008-03-20T00:23:00.000-07:00

I have taken you to a playgroup for the last two years. It has been such a neat thing to be a part of. Most of these kids have become your closest friends, because you see each other every week. You guys love to run around the park, and this week, a group of you found a big wood plank. You all carried the plank about 50 feet into the sand. You were so excited about this plank.

You also love pulling each other in Nate's wagon. You will spend hours taking turns pulling and riding. I like seeing this budding cooperation.

Soundtrack

2008-03-15T15:00:00.000-07:00

You do sound effects a lot. It's kind of like you are creating a soundtrack to your life. If something goes wrong, you will say, "wah wah WAH", like you have your own sitcom laugh track. When you are really excited, you hum this song that sounds a lot like the Star Wars theme. Which you have never seen, so I'm not sure where that comes from. When you show people something, you do this little drum roll, "dun, dun dun DUN!".

She's hurting my feewings

2008-03-07T17:58:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I heard you say to India,

"Stop that. It hurts my feewings when you do that".

I asked you what was going on, and you explained that India was pushing you and that it hurts your feelings. I thought that it was so cute that you understood that concept, and that you so articulately expressed your feelings to your sister. We talked a little further about feelings. You were so expressive, putting your hand on your heart when you said the word "feelings". How cute! How profound!

Then I asked, "what else does India do that hurts your feelings?"

You explained, as you pointed to your chest, "when she pushes me right here. In my feelings".

Origins

2008-02-27T16:52:00.000-08:00

Who gave this to me?

That is your new favorite question. You want to know where everything came from. You ask this about every item you encounter. Who gave me these shoes? Who gave me this shirt? Who gave me this crayon? Who gave me this easel? Who gave me this movie?

Ah, the joys of an inquisitive child.

Jafta's Ozomatli Debut

2008-02-24T16:25:00.000-08:00

Well it was a major success. You had a blast and he ended up ON STAGE with the band at the end! It was so much fun.

When you got on stage, the crowd went crazy. You didn't seem nervous at all. You played the drums, and then you spotted a microphone and started singing! It was so cute. Afterwards, everyone came up to tell you what a good job you did. You seemed to love the attention.

Your First Concert

2008-02-22T16:22:00.000-08:00

It seemed like a good idea several months ago. My favorite band (Ozomatli) is playing at the local House of Blues. You LOVE this band too. They are a huge fusion band, with like 10 guys on stage, and play a mix of salsa, hip-hop, and jazz. I thought it would be a great way to introduce you to lots of instruments. The last time we saw them, Daddy and I talked the whole time about how we wished you were with us. So when tickets went on sale again, we jumped.

Now that it is tonight, I am not so sure. I thought the show started at 7, but I was just looking at the website and turns out the doors open at 7 and the show starts at 8, with an opening band I've never heard of. So Ozomalti doesn't even go on until after 9! Then Now I'm feeling like an insane person taking a 3-year-old to a concert. I seem to have a very bad habit of trying to introduce you to culture in ways that totally backfire on me. I'm picturing a full-on three-year-old meltdown at about 9:30. This could be bad. I hope you have fun!

Football Guy

2008-02-12T23:41:00.001-08:00

Today you came in from the garage wearing daddy’s high school football helmet. You announced that you were a “football guy”. You exact words were:

“I’m like a football guy. I’m 19. No!
I’m 7.”

Beach Day

2008-02-12T23:39:00.000-08:00

You went to the beach with just daddy today. You took your bike and rode on the boardwalk. I think this was one of your favorite days. You felt like such a big boy, and you look like one too.

Wrestle mania

2008-02-10T23:38:00.000-08:00

Wrestling is absolutely your favorite thing to do. You beg me all day long to wrestle with you. As soon as daddy comes home, you ask "will you wrestle me, daddy". Much of my day is spent explaining why now is not a good time to wrestle. But you are persistent.

I think wrestling must be your love language. I feel bad for your future wife.

Turning 3

2007-12-29T23:44:00.000-08:00

Today was your 3rd birthday. I can't believe how big you are! We had a great day today. You had a party at Pump-It-Up, a warehouse full of bounchouses, and all your friends were there. Daddy had lots of fun throwing you and your friends around in the bouncehouse. India and Tanner crawled around with Aunt Sarah. And your favorite part - you got to eat a cupcake!

Funny Guy

2007-12-25T23:30:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the funny things you've said lately:

"Mommy, can I sit by Jesus at my birthday party?"

____________________________

YOU: Mommy, what does water say?

ME: I don't know Jafta, what does water say?

YOU: Please don't drink me!!

Steel Trap

2007-12-21T23:33:00.000-08:00

You have an insane memory for details. You can see something that will spur a memory from years ago, and tell us the story in specific detail. The other day, we passed by a spot where you sat and ate ice cream with Austin and Derek, which was almost a year ago, and told me the whole story. Or we went to Disney and at the entrance, you asked if we were going to Rainforest Cafe, something you did when you were barely 2. Today, you told me all about a flight we took months ago, and how the stewardess told you that there was no milk, but you had apple juice instead. And you remind me daily that I once told you that on your 4th birthday, you can have skate shoes. Uh-oh!

Big Brother

2007-12-20T08:38:00.000-08:00

You are such a sweet big brother. You love your sister so much, and she loves you. The insurance for avoiding either of you being cranky after waking up is to send your sibling into the room first thing. You both just squeal and laugh when you see each other. I will hear you singing her songs and saying things to her that you've heard me say, like "it's okay, India" or "time to wake up, baby girl!".

Spiderman

2007-12-20T08:35:00.000-08:00

You love pretending, Right now, your favorite thing to pretend is Spiderman. You want to wear your Spiderman pajamas all day, every day. I don't know how you even know who Spiderman is. You've never seen the movie, I've never talked about it . . . but one day you saw the pajamas at a store and recognized them and begged. I guess it's instinctual. Boys love Spiderman.

Compassion

2007-12-17T20:08:00.000-08:00

You are a compassionate little guy. Recently, your friend Nate gave you several pairs of pajamas he had outgrown. You were so happy to be wearing the pajamas that Nate gave you, and you remind us several times a night where they came from. The other day we were going to Nate's house, and you started searching for a pair of your own pajamas that you could give to Nate. I thought that was awfully altruistic of a not-yet-3-year-old.

Christmas Joy

2007-12-06T22:10:00.000-08:00

You are so excited about Christmas. Which is surprising because, I've really never talked about it to you. Since October, you have been asking about Christmas. You notice every Christmas decoration, every Christmas light. I actually believe you are breathing the Christmas spirit back into our house! For the first time in our marriage, your father happily helped me set up the Christmas tree, because you were so excited about it.

And when I ask you want you want for Christmas, you said too things: 1) to wear your Buzz Lightyear costume 2) to eat a lollypop. Done.

Buzzzzzz

2007-11-30T19:17:00.000-08:00

You were Buzz Lightyear for Halloween this year. Toy Story is your favorite movie, and you were so excited when I came home with a Buzz costume. You have wanted to wear it every day since Halloween. You ask to wear it to church, to school, in the car . . . We just went on a trip for a week and you begged to go home the whole time so you could wear your Buzz costume. You pretend to be flying and seem very proud of yourself as Buzz.