W.O.W.

Words of Wisdom by Carolena

Spend as much time as possible outside. As soon as you wake up from a nap smile and say to your mother, "outside? deck?" and then proceed to help her get a drink and a popsicle for you to enjoy in the backyard. As evening comes politely ask your parents if they would like to dine outside at the picnic table. Chances are they will say yes.

Sitting on the deck with your mother is a calm time to be relished. Recline comfortably in your chair and draw your mother's attention to the interesting things happening all around you. "Birds! Hear it?" If a school bus drives by exclaim, "b bus!" She'll probably respond with something like, "School bus? I see it!" Why that woman refuses to call them b buses is a mystery. If you find a plant full of caterpillars check on the "patterpillars" every day and offer them small portions of anything you have like ice, lemonade, or a popsicle.

Make friends with other kids no matter where you go.

Refuse to ride in shopping carts. Only babies do that.

Speaking of babies, if your mother opens a big box that she found in the closet labeled "Do Not Open Until Pregnant" you should be there to help her go through it. What fun! Squeal with delight over previously lost (but not forgotten) baby toys like your old whale bathtub, the small animals that used to be wa-was, and a large frog... or is that a turtle? Mommy will keep reminding you that these are items that are for the baby and anything you are playing with belongs to the baby and you are just borrowing it. But hey, do you see any babies around here?! Finders keepers people. Finders. Keepers.