Son, Be A Dentist

Go figure:

Parents who want their children to discover a passion for music, sports, or other hobbies should follow a simple plan: Don't pressure them.

By allowing kids to explore activities on their own, parents not only help children pinpoint the pursuit that fits them best, but they can also prevent young minds from obsessing over an activity, a new study finds.

"Passion comes from a special fit between an activity and a person," said Geneviève Mageau, a psychology professor at the University of Montreal. "You can't force that fit; it has to be found."

Confirms one of the reasons we want to unschool you, Sam.

/daddy

Postcard For Mommy

Mommy's visiting Auntie C after her surgery, and Daddy took some pictures so she wouldn't miss me too much:


Back in my gym for some exercise.


Remember my snail nemesis? Mr Monkey provides new challenges.


Gotcha!


Steve Holt!


I don't mean to be greedy, but can I grab the giraffe, too?

This is the first time ever that Mommy has spent away from us. Daddy and I are having a lot of fun, but we both can't wait to have her back home with us.

/sam

In Motion

The boy is pretty much always in motion these days.


He generally doesn't get very far yet.


Did you say something, Daddy? Don't drool on the blankie Auntie Athenae knit me?


Perhaps looking at Mommy will inspire me to crawl out of the boppy for the 2nd time in a row.


I'm just so tickled that I can hold my head up and pull myself around.

All that working out has Sam just plum tuckered. Not a bad day to crash in your sported-themed footie PJs after some warming exercise...

\daddy

Linguistics

I think I'm finally figuring out your private language, Sam.

I know I'm slower than you: it's clear you understand my words and gestures better than I understand your vocalizations and cues, and I appreciate your patience. While I look forward to your signing and talking, I have to admit I'm enjoying the mutual learning process itself. It seems like you do, too, when your face lights up and you give me that big, gummy grin after I've shown I understand what you're trying to communicate.

If you could help proof read this dictionary, I'd appreciate it:

• When you're fussy and/or say 'gi', you need your diaper changed.
• When you're cranky and/or say 'gay', you need to be burped.
• When you're upset and/or say 'un-gi' you want to be fed.

I'm no Samuel Johnson, but it's a start and those are the most important things in your conceptual universe at this point anyway, right? It'll take us years of collaboration to complete the work, so thankfully we have a pretty good rapport.

I wonder what word you'll teach me next...

\daddy

Solid As A Rock

This family is becoming more and more like the Bluths every day.

Not only does Mommy blame me for her migraines, she accidentally posted her grudge diary on my blog. IT'S MY BLOG! Soon as I can figure out the whole money thing, I'm ordering her a #MommyFail coffee mug from Cafe Press.

And yes, this is going in my grudge diary. Can't wait until I'm a teenager...

/sam

The Five Faces Of Sam

After running some errands, I'm pretty happy.


Contemplating just how handsome I look in my turtleneck.


Uh-oh, I'm starting to fade.


Looking to Mommy and self-soothing.


Things can take a nasty turn rather quickly.

I want to assure everybody that Daddy did not poke me or anything to get my sad face. I actually don't cry that much, but I can flip the switch easily if I suddenly feel tired, like during a long photo shoot...

/sam

Thursdays in Burlington

I wake up and chill with Ted while I contemplate my big day out.


I'm dressed and ready to go. But, first: i will try to fit my whole fist in my MOUTH!


Okay, NOW we can go.


After we drop Daddy off to at Champlain, I entertain Mommy with my drooling and shreiking.


WAIT, I have more.


I can do Brando. Also.


Here I lunch with Daddy where I voice my opinion on today's SCOTUS decision.

I'm up way past my bedtime. I'm really tired from all the fun I had today.

Nite nite,

SAM