Warmth and Sunshine in Jamaica

Yes, we are on vacation.  You see our ice-cream cones?

 We hit the beach immediately upon arrival, even though the sun was starting to go down.

The next day, the sky was all clear blue and the sun was shining.  The beach was irresistable.

We just like playing with the water and sand all day long ... for hours while mommy slathered us with sunblock.

Ethan blocked the rocking flamingo but it's still a great picture.

Daddy and Me, Artimus.

We are swimming in the pool with our noodles!  

See our hands and feet?  We did not need Daddy's help!

I can swim!

I love strawberry deckary (?!).

More strawberry deckary!

 Look how big this pool is!  On the third day, we swam from one end to the other.

We are hanging out in the airport restaurant and mommy is taking a picture of me.  

Mommy is wearing "Jamaica No Problem" tee-shirt.  

A very interesting charcoal drawing hung in the Jamaica airport.  

A Jamaican artist with American training depicts communal grief.

Spring?


I swear, just a moment ago, at about 10:30 pm, I heard a bunch of birds chirping away right outside my living room window.   For a moment I thought the sun was still out.  Spring has got to be near.  Oh, those birds just awoken in my brain the need for spring colors in my wardrobe!  How exciting that tomorrow is Valentine's Day!

JW

Good Guys Bad Guys  (my rant and rave)

To Ethan and Artimus, their child play always has to have the good guys and the bad guys.  As I would go about my cooking or chores, two little warriors armed with light savors (a long rubber sword) would hide themselves around corners, under the tables or chairs or sofas, and sometimes bed covers, to avoid my noticing them.  Their pitter-pattering of feet always gave their locations away, not to mention the giggling.  But in their little world, as seen on Star Wars, they were immaculous in their warrior moves.  When they finally made their attacks, they always loudly proclaimed, "Kill the bad guy.  Mommy is the bad guy!" 

Why?  It makes the idea of killing, which is obviously a brutal concept, acceptable.  What about the killing of a person who stole because her child was hungry?  That killing would be inhumane.  What about a husband or a wife who cheats/gambles?  Are there circumstances that would make cheating or gambling of marrital funds not so unacceptable?  For what reasons would it be reasonable for hearts to forgive ... or not impose the harshest of punishment? 

Children's love is so pure and sincere.  It's like freshly fallen snow.  But overtime, children learn that there are shades between black and white.  It is my opinion that the realization of this spectrum evidences maturity and compassion.  That's the process of growing up. 

Daddy had fully engrossed Ethan and Artimus in Star Wars and other great movies.  It's time for mommy to share the less fun stuff that happens in the not-so-fortunate parts of the world ...