Pantry Raider

This is what I found in the kitchen today.

Diego has been learning that he is a creature of action, able to independently make things happen. Sometimes it's really cute. Like today. I just couldn't be mad. I mean,  just look at him- he's trying so hard to get the last snack out of that darn container. His body posture is so indicative of this struggle- his back arched just so, head tilted far back, and chubby tummy sticking out. So cute.

He is saying the cutest words. "Deek doo" is how he says 'Thank you". "Dah-yo" is "Daniel".

When I hear his beensy voice say actual words, my heart feels tugged. It's so fun to watch him learn and grow.

At prayer time he gives the simplest little prayers with his chubby arms folded snugly across his chest. He says "Hevly Fada (Heavenly Father), Deek dee foh food (Thank thee for food.) Pea bessit (Please bless it.) Name Cheesah Kise (Name of Jesus Christ), Amen." When he reaches the end of the prayer, he says "Amen" triumphantly with a flair of his arms, then he giggles, "Diddit!" (I did it!)

He loves to read. For five minutes or so. That's okay, I don't mind reading the same first 10 pages of  "The Cat in the Hat" every day until he slides out my lap to play. Some day he'll hear how it ends.

He's very active, but very happy and enthusiastic in a contagious way. He's always so excited to go somewhere, it doesn't matter where. He marches away with a sense of purpose, swinging his arms and looking for something new.

Today we went to the library for an educational show about science. The audience was riveted on the performer, except for Diego. With great joy he discovered the rocks under his shoes (we were in an outdoor pavilion) were the perfect size for little fists to throw. He'd squeal "whee!" and throw the rocks high in the air and watch them fall from the sky.

When that became boring (after a good long 15  minutes or so) he set off to explore the fields adjacent to the pavilion. We found all sorts of wildflowers and bugs and  -Gasp! Would you believe it?!-  more rocks. Diego was so surprised and delighted to find more rocks this far away from his stash in the pavilion. It was pretty funny to watch his reaction.

Sometimes I get tired of following him around, keeping him safe from his own ignorance. But I hope to always remember his thirst for adventure. I hope he never loses this excitement in discovering new things.