Ding Dong, Avon Calling

The boys have discovered the doorbell, but it's up too high for easy access.  We had to place a stool outside for them to reach it.  Not to worry, we do leave the door open for them, too. 

 

Andrew has a bit more height, which will definitely contribute to his success as a door to door salesman.  It takes a lot of finger power to ring those doorbells.  Great Grandpa Lynch used to be a salesman for Fuller Brush for awhile.  My grandmother used to comb/brush my hair into long ringlets with the Fuller Brush vegetable brush.  First my mother put a kabushka on my head, so the neighbors wouldn't see my bedhead and then they sent me down the street to my Grandmother's house, so she could "vegetable" brush my hair for me.  My life definitely took a turn for the better when I discovered mousse.  I think I was forty. 
I wonder what happened to David, the boy who sat behind me and used to enjoy pulling on my curls to see them spring back to life when he let go.  When I finally had enough and turned around and yelled at him. I had to have a private conversation with the nun in the hallway.  She told me she had seated him next to me, because I was the only person kind enough to put up with him.  If I remember correctly, she told me I would end up in heaven for it, because it was my purgatory on Earth.  That was one smart nun.  I never had a problem with David again.  Although, he did chase me frequently at recess.

 

The boys are exploring multiple instruments.  Gramma always directs them to the piano as the best possible choice, but they obviously wish to consider all options.

 

If only the stool of the drum set had seat belts.  They are willing to practice much longer than I'm willing to listen.

 

Grampa still rocks with his guitar playing.  The boys have learned to strum gently and sing constantly.

 

Nathan tries his hand at bowing Auntie Becca's violin.  When Grampa took out Gramma's old violin (not the one pictured) he asked where the bow was.  His interest in the violin is close to an obsession.  Now if it were for the piano, I would understand.  There father also had an interest in the violin.  I told him he was welcome to take violin lessons with his piano, which thrilled him until the day he asked, "Would I have to practice the violin?"  When I said he would, he dropped the desire for violin.

 

This is Nathan's "The world has to love me" look.  Gramma is teaching him it will get him anything he wants. It's important to teach each child learn what their strengths are. 

 

During dinner, Nathan was eating very well, so his father placed a potato chip on his plate.  Nathan noticed it and ate it immediately.  After eating another bite of his main course, his father asked him if he would like another potato chip.  "I want LOTS of potato chips," Nathan replied. When that answer only got him a chuckle and one potato chip, he tried again, "I' want FIVE potato chips."  Negotiations are an important part of taking control of your own life.  I wondered later whether he thought FIVE was less or more than LOTS.