Continuing the Collaboration

Dex and his new friend had such success building a pile of sand that they decided to collaborate on a more ambitious construction project.

They used logs and other materials to build a "house".

Dexy learned that sometimes he could be the director but sometimes he needed to the actor if he wanted to successfully complete the project.

Collaboration Takes Communication

Dexy was excited to find a playmate in the big sandpit at the zoo. He learned that he needed to use words to collaborate.

And he learned that other people had words too! They both did a lot of negotiating (Ben said Dexy really met his match) but had a fun time playing together.

And they successfully "built" a pile of sand together.

Fears Conquered: at Least Momentarily

After making it up the climbing tower with some help, Dexy was ready to try it all by himself.

 He figured out where to put his hands and his feet,

 and hoisted himself up and up.

He had a look of concentration on his face but not fear.

Facing Fears: Slow Progress

Defeated by the rock wall, we decided to have Dexy try the climbing tower.  Again, he resisted. He asked Daddy to hold him so he didn't fall. We stood firm and told him he could do this all by himself.

We finally said Daddy would keep a hand on him to make sure he doesn't get hurt if he falls. Ben showed him where to put his hands and feet.

I encouraged him to keep looking up to where he wanted to go. Dexy's face is priceless - he's worried, not sure he can do it. But we kept encouraging him and he kept going.

Before he knew it he had reached the top and was very proud of himself!

Facing Fears: A Flop

Dexy is the only kid in his swimming class unable to get out of the pool by himself. It's hard to watch him struggle and eventually get help from the instructor. It's more a mental problem than a physical one: he's afraid he'll fall. Ben and I decided to try to help him over his fears by taking him to a park to tackle the climbing wall.



Unfortunately, we didn't get very far. Dexy didn't want to do it and when we insisted, he threw himself off the wall without even getting both feet off the ground. Ben's face says it all: it's going to be a long afternoon.

Ian's Advice

After Elissa told Dexter that it was OK to put his ears in the pool water, Dexter's backstroke really improved!  However, he was still afraid to put his face in the water. Elissa conveyed this to Ian who got an idea and insisted on calling Dexter with some advice in the midst of their family dinner. When I answered the phone, Ian politely asked to speak with Dexter and when Dexy got on the phone Ian said, "You know what will help you put your face in the water?" "What?" Dexter asked. "Well, you can wear some goggles or just close your eyes really tight," Ian explained.  It was adorable to hear the two of them discussing swimming strategies.

Dex has been practicing shutting his eyes really tight and we even got him to put his face in the water in the bathtub (once) but he still refused to do it in swim class. He's got two classes left this session  to try to master this skill...

The Harvest Begins with a Single Tomato

We were late in getting our garden planted so I was worried that we wouldn't have anything to harvest this year. The peas were overtaken by weeds but the tomato and pepper plants have been thriving. This week, we got our very first red cherry tomato!

Dexy picked the tomato, cleaned it off (My Bologna pees near those plants!), and ate it. 

Squirt! Yum!