Oh, to have the energy of a six-year-old when I don’t feel my best!
Kalen has a stinker of a head cold. Sleep last night was intermittent, and given the paranoia reasonable concern about germs these days, we decided a day home was probably best for everyone involved. The kids at school would have less exposure to the nastiness Kalen’s carrying, and he would have less exposure to potentially worse viruses while his immune system is run down. Win-win.
Today has reminded me a lot of when he was in preschool. Cuddle time on the couch, PB&J’s in front of a movie (old-school Pooh Bear, complete with blustery days and little black rain clouds!), and coloring.
There is one notable difference between four-year-old Kalen and six-year-old Kalen when it comes to coloring, however. The stories…the really, really destructive nature of them, to be exact. I was just treated to an hour-long (at least it felt that way – perhaps it was only about five minutes) explanation of certain “Vulture droids”* in various stages of exploding. Pre-explosion, impact of missiles and other droids/ships/somethings, actual explosion and/or crashing into what I observed to be a flame-engulfed planetoid of some sort.
He didn’t start the explanation in a seated position…this was only after a lengthy dancing/jumping/arm-waving speech that had me nodding and “uh-huh-ing” in a confused, sort-of-listening manner. (I’m sorry, after a while, I just have to tune it out.) Once I pulled him in for a hug and explained that perhaps Daddy would find this much more comprehensible, after all, he’s the Mythbusters-style explosions addict, the Vulture Droid Annihilator gave me the same sort of “uh-huh” before settling into the chair to expound a bit more. Touché, kiddo.
Incidentally, it was the bottom center photo that clued me into what he really needed, besides a semi-listening ear and a hug or two. Another difference between four-year-old and six-year-old Kalen: he now understands it when I explain the need for nap time when he’s sick.
*And with this, we have proof that the boys’ Star Wars knowledge has officially surpassed my own. Sigh.
In THIS Life 
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September 24, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Sheri
I think I know that kid. Or at least one who would get along great with him. I hope he’s feeling better soon. It’ no fun being sick.
September 25, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Beth
Hope Kalen is feeling better now! Love the story, it’s amazing how their minds work! Alex is never as happy as when he is pretending his cars are smashing into each other or his Legos are blowing up or his superhero action figures are losing an appendage…
Miss you guys!
September 28, 2009 at 12:16 pm
stitchy1
It’s too bad he’s sick! Max’s drawings are startlingly bloody and explosive and I do a lot of the same nodding of my head and tuning out.
September 30, 2009 at 10:43 am
Heather
I’d like to note how nicely Kalen’s used perspective and space-relation in his depiction of the vulture fighter thingy. He’s quite good!!