Silent Move

Just a small observation: Bike-riding with Luke has always seemed like more of an obligation ("Maybe we could go and ride your bike for a little while?") than something he begs to do. But Zach, who now has his little training-wheel bike all put together, wants to ride his bike every spare moment. And we're not just talking about gingerly riding in circles. He wants to ride at top speed; he wants to cover territory. So he and I have gone all over the neighborhood and all around the school, getting as much mileage in as he can. Sometimes he takes a turn too fast and topples over onto the ground - no matter, because he dusts himself off and scrambles right back on. Our elementary school is built on a hill, with one main incline that connects through four rows of classroom buildings - and Zach insists on riding all the way up the entire hill without any assistance from me. Again, we're talking about one of those little kiddie bikes with training wheels - no gears or anything. You can see him gritting his teeth and grimacing to get the pedals moving, but he refuses to let you so much as touch him to give him a boost.

Luke has been into karate - I mean really, really into it - for a few months now and he is truly starting to look like an expert. Today in the Whole Foods parking lot he was carefully practicing his little routine (kata) that he needs to earn his first stripe. He is determined to earn a black belt before he turns 8, or possibly by the time he is 15. Part of the appeal of the man-cave is that it will house some karate mats and a mirror for home practice (and maybe a slumber party or two). We are happy for this new diversion, and we're pleased to finally direct some money somewhere other than the Lego Corporation.

Dave has been through a hard couple of weeks, so we're all going to be very nice to Dave. And I love him. Except I have to say just one thing: Of all of the quadrillion items in our entire house, for some reason he packed the CD player and all of our music first. So I have been at home most of the week packing in silence. Or singing the alphabet song, or something equally annoying, to myself.

Pray that this weekend goes quickly.