Point Made

Michael wants to be a Lego designer when he grows up, a career goal that has remained unchanged for at least the last three years. He has already mentally designed thematic Lego sets that center on Sonic the Hedgehog, much like the sets that offer your favorite Star Wars scene.

Any chance Michael gets, he tells me all about the designs for his Lego sets. Usually, he gets my undivided attention when he manages to snag the front passenger seat of the van from his older sister, like today when I left her at home alone for the first time (more about that later).

There have been other occasions when we have been sans big sister when he has talked my ear off. On May 3, I took Alex to American Heritage Girls. After we dropped her off, Michael moved up front and talked non-stop for the 20 minutes back home. The conversation ended abruptly when we got home, but the minute we got back into the car for the 20 minute ride back to the church to pick Alex up, he picked up right where he left off.

So today, over 3 weeks after this last intense conversation about all the workings of the Sonic the Hedgehog Lego set, I got into the car, Michael in the front seat. "Now where was I?" he asked. Somehow I knew exactly what he meant by that. And he dove right back into the important matter of Sonic Lego design.

I'm not a huge Lego fan (I know...go figure, since I just started an FLL team!), and I'm even less of a Sonic the Hedgehog fan. I've certainly never wanted to be one of those parents who tunes out their children, but I have to honestly admit that my mind tends to wander during these very-lengthy-he-doesn't-even-take-a-breath descriptions. I try to listen, honest I do. Today, though, I finally suggested, "Michael, why don't you draw pictures of these things you are describing for me because I'm not familiar with these characters so I really have no idea what you're talking about."

Here's where I hang my little homeschooling head in shame. Because he looked up and me and said, "That's how I am when you read all those books to us."

Touché. And ouch.

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As I mentioned, we went out today, the 4 of us without Alex. She has been asking to stay home alone, but I just haven't been able to let go of all of my fears of what could happen to her. But today I did it. And only called her twice in the space of 30 minutes.

While we were gone, she made trail mix and set a place setting complete with a name card for each of her siblings. She poured Kool-Aid for each of them, and they all enjoyed a snack when we got home. In addition, she cleaned the kitchen and the dining room. I think I'll leave her at home alone more often.