Boy vs. Girls--Legos

Before I had kids, I thought that each child was an individual, and didn't believe much in gender stereotypes in children. Little boys ran and jumped a lot because that's the kind of games they were taught. Little girls played with dolls because that was the kind of toys they were given. I thought that if all kids, regardless of gender, were exposed to the same things, they would have the same tendencies. Then I spent some time in the real world of kids and figured out that I was wrong. Possibly there were some differences between boys and girls. From time to time, I'm going to share some of my experiences that led me to this conclusion. However, so as to not bias you, I'm going to let you guess, who are the boys in the stories and who are the girls.
Today's Story

When Theo was six, I was sitting on his bedroom floor with him playing with Legos. One of us was building a rectangular structure that looked much like a tall building and the other one of us was building a smaller structure that was "flying" around the room. At first we were both concentrating on our own creations, but then Theo looked at mine and said, "You build just like a girl." He said all of the girls he had seen play with Legos, built something like I did. That surprised me, but he was quite adamant about his conclusion.

You decide: Which one of us made the building and which one of us made the flying object?
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In case you want to know: I built the building and Theo built the flying object.

Ordinary treasures

Do you have an ordinary thing, in fact something that happens everyday, that you see as wonderous? I saw one of those things today while I was pulling weeds. I found a small oak tree with the acorn attached to the root. Every time I find a plant where the sprouting seed is still visible, I feel as if I've found a treasure. 

Do you have something that is ordinary, but makes you think you've found a treasure when you see it?

BTW--Interesting that I didn't notice the maple seed on the rock when I took the picture.

Thankful Sunday, June 16, 2013-- Happy Father's Day

I am thankful for the father Ward is to Wally and Theo.

While the examples are endless of why Ward is a good father to Wally and Theo, I am especially thankful for the many hours he spent with them while they were learning to drive (thus sparing me the same duty.) : -)

New Mexico Vacation, Day Seven--Home again

We're home again after a good week of exploring north central New Mexico. Today we went from desert browns to lush greens, both pleasing in their own way. Now to feed the demanding cats that act like Wally didn't feed them all week (or at least that's what they want me to believe). The laundry can wait until tomorrow.

New Mexico Vacation, Day Six--Hiking and Dancing

We had a much needed slower day today. In the morning, we drove northeast of Santa Fe to Hyde Memorial State Park for a little hiking. The weather was cool at the higher elevations (8,000-10,000') and the trail was deserted except for us. A perfect way to spend the morning. And while the hike was great, the real treat was when we saw a prairie dog town on the side of the road. The only other time we had seen prairie dogs was at the zoo.

For the afternoon we drove back to Albuquerque where we visited the Indian Cultural Center. The Center is run by the nineteen pueblos (Indian communities) that are in New Mexico and had both cultural and historic exhibits. The exhibits were interesting for us because they brought together some of the other things we had seen during the rest of the trip. They also gave us pause to think because they  presented history from the Native American viewpoint instead of the New World settler's one. I also enjoyed reading the native legends and especially liked the one about the creator who said since man couldn't get along, he would give them different languages. That way they couldn't argue.

As we arrived at our hotel, the rain fell again. This time it came with 1/2 " hail, but was welcome all the same. Most of this week has been a very hot and dusty one. Now to find some place for dinner where I'm sure that Ward will want to have one last carne avodado burrito. I think he has already had five this week.

Here are a few pictures from today. Until next time...

View from Hyde Park Road

Hiking on Circle Trail

Prairie Dog Town. Notice the prairie dog in the back doing the classic pose of popping up from a hole.

At the Cultural Center, we saw dancers from the Zuni Pueblo.