S-p-e-l-l-i-n-g

Hunter is really into spelling things these days. We'll be sitting at breakfast and he'll just randomly start spelling out the words on his cereal box. Today I found him sitting on the bed with his state words and was spelling them out, so I took a video.

He really likes spelling things these days, and I know it is going to help him with his reading. I wish that he would have learned to read before he learned his letters, but since he already knows them I'm going to make the most of it and use memorizing the spelling of words to help him remember that "ball" is not "bat" because "ball" is b-a-l-l and "bat" is b-a-t. Right now instead of simply reading the word "ball" he'll say it's something random like "bear" simply because it starts with a "b".

And and I know what you all must be thinking - "What? Learn to read before learning the alphabet? Isn't that, like, impossible?" Well, no, not at all. Reading is a brain function - we read whole words at once, not individual letters. That is why there are words that you have read a dozen times but do not know how to spell. Glenn Doman says to teach words before the alphabet (for babies at least), otherwise instead of the child simply reading the word apple they will exclaim over their old friend "a". I didn't quite believe him at first - it's against common wisdom! But I have found this to be ever so true. Hunter would see anything that starts with a "c" and say "Look Mommy! Crystal!" even though he knows the word Crystal front and back, and "car" looks nothing like "Crystal" - yet he would still exclaim over "Crystal" simply because he knew Crystal has a c in it. He would even do that with his own name and anything that had the letter "H" in it was "his name".

But, it's not the end of the world for him. He's not bound to remain illiterate for the rest of his life because he knows the letters of the alphabet and tends to focus on individual letters rather than whole words. Instead, I'm using letters as a way to help him memorize the structure of words, via spelling. Once he has memorized "c-a-t" he will always be able to read the word "cat" and know that it is indeed different than the word "car" or "call" or "can". Instead of focusing on the "c" (like he has been), spelling will help him to focus in on how the words are composed.

He has been having fun with it, and learning a ton of words simply by playing. I know this is going to be a breakthrough for him, as he is so interested in letters and will be able to stop getting similar words confused.

"The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me."

Ezra 4:18

Hunter is 3 years, 5 months old

Bit Time Videos

I created this fast-paced video for Hunter to go over some of the bits we're learning. I had gotten in the bad habit of allowing him to do the mouse clicking when we watched bit presentations on the computer, which made for quite slow learning, and because of the slow pace he often didn't want to sit for very many of them. In video format, I can show almost 200 bits in under two minutes. Impressive, isn't it? The video was actually originally under two minutes, but then I added applause segments at the end of certain clips and introduction spinning words at the beginning of certain categories (history, art, music, etc.) so it ended up being about four minutes. Once I added the Bible memory reading, it came out to around seven.

But now with these videos he will be able to see many of his bits in a very small amount of time and will not have to be so distracted with the mouse-clicking. With the fast speed, it locks his attention on the screen and keeps him interested - any slower and he would look away very quickly because, little kids learn instantly: they don't need to stare. Hence, if information is presented to them slowly they will quickly decide they don't have time for it and will look away, which is why most people have falsely assumed tiny kids aren't capable of learning. The truth is we've just been too slow for them.

The other benefit of seeing the bits shown so quickly (less than a second each) is that images shown at this speed stimulate the brain to activate the photographic memory or rapid fact absorption, at which tiny kids are experts. Some people call this "right brain learning" but that term is not entirely correct, as both hemispheres of the brain work together and are not as choppy and simplistic as "right = creative, left = logical". But nonetheless, little kids (under six) are experts as this type of rapid, photographic learning, and if utilized enough in the early years they will retain this effortless learning as they get older.

This particular video is quite choppy: it doesn't have all eleven divisions (anatomy, art, biology, general science, geography, history, languages, literature, math, music, scripture) because some of those divisions I am using the actual cards for right now (languages, literature, and biology are excluded from this video). It also has more than one set in some divisions, such as three sets in science and five sets in geography. The geography one is interesting because I am teaching two sets of flags, two sets of outlines, and only one set of locations. This is because last week I taught locations but not flags or outlines, so this week I'm catching up and teaching double of outlines and flags.

This is the first of hopefully many videos to come. I am looking to share these home videos freely on the web for other parents to utilize if they need to. However the up-coming videos will be more organized, with one set in each of the eleven divisions so that it won't be as random as this one. My hope is that it will bless many.

"Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning."

Proverbs 9:9

Hunter is 3 years, 5 months old

Hunter and Anthony on Trampoline

Developing balance and growing brains.

"Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever."

Psalm 68:16

Hunter is 3 years, 5 months old

Bringer of Smiles

Ever since Hunter could walk, he has faithfully helped me carry out the garbage to the dumpster at the gym every day - even when the bags (full of paper for him) were bigger than he was.

And ever since we have been on this garbage-carrying expedition, he has never, not even once, failed to bring a smile to the customers entering and exiting the restaurant that resides next door.

After over two years of this, it enthralls me that there has yet to been a single person who hasn't smiled at Hunter following his Mommy and carrying his bag.

It's amazing how something so simple can, in an instant, bring even the most pre-occupied, business-oriented person to stop and smile at the little boy walking down the sidewalk, carrying a simple garbage bag, smiling at his Mommy.

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

3 John 1:4

Hunter is 3 years, 5 months old

Fungus

We found a whole bunch of fungus today while we were working in the yard. I didn't know if he should have his hands on it (probably not) so i let him poke it with a stick to examine it. He carried the thing around for a long time, putting it in the sprinkler that was watering the garden and examining it close up. We also found some fungus on one of our trees - the yard was just crawling with this stuff today.

Hunter thought it was pretty neat, and had fun exploring it. I learned all about fungus many years ago, but couldn't remember much of anything to tell him about it. But we look forward to learning about it together, our appetite is whetted!

"Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created."

Psalm 148:5

Hunter is 3 years, 5 months old

Another Goodwill Trip

Today was what I call "reasonable price day" at Goodwill (50% off day, which compared to their normal prices [OUTRAGEOUS!] is reasonable for second-hand stuff)

I didn't find much good stuff for making bits. But I found quite a few useful things, including a "Worst-Case Scenario" survival game, a Thomas the Tank Engine bilingual dictionary (Spanish and English) with over 400 words, "Of Frogs and Toads" which is a very cute poetry book about our amphibian friends, "The Great Dinosaur Mystery SOLVED!" (written from a Creationist perspective!), a Little Golden Book called "Prayers for Children", and an "Animal Baby" magazine with a few pictures for making homemade books.

The "Worst-Case Scenario" game looks fascinating, I really enjoy learning stuff like that and would like to become more educated in that area. It's just got several hundred cards with multiple choice questions, which ask (and answer) everything from "how to predict an earthquake" to "how to treat snow blindness" to "how to treat heart attack at home" to "how to conserve energy when traveling on foot" to "how to disable a car" to "how to remove a leech" to "how to stun an attacker without permanent injury" to "how to fend off a shark". Those types of "survival skills" are things that fascinate everybody, the answers at least, even if most people do not take the time to learn them. Survival skills for the wilderness, the medical arena, and the streets are something everyone needs to know. Schools have taught us that the only important survival skill is survival of the business world, but that is so limited and so unsatisfying. There is a great satisfaction, pride, and confidence in knowing that you could, if ever need be, take on the wilderness. Nonetheless I am quite excited about learning along with Hunter the basic and simple survival of the world we live in - all the world we live in, not just the business world.

The poetry I'm excited about too, it looks really cute and Hunter LOVES frogs and toads. The dictionary book looks quite useful - he loves trains - and it will help us with our Spanish.

Great educational materials can be found at practically any thrift store, and if you look right it doesn't have to cost loads of money to teach a child many wonderful things. The resources to teach anything are bountiful - all you have to do is look.

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits... Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's."

Psalm 103:2,5

Tarzan Rope

In a moment of randomness, I went out to the backyard tonight and grabbed a knotted rope that was once part of a jungle gym set. I looped it over the top of the brachiation ladder and - violá! - a climbing rope! I've wanted to install one of these for a while, and now I finally have.

Hunter, as you can tell from this picture, already loves it. And what kid wouldn't? He probably jumped off of the bed and flung himself into the air, swinging triumphantly three dozen times before calling it quits. Later, when we did brachiation before he went to bed, he complained about his hands hurting. "From the rope?" "Yeah." Well, it's no fun to have your hands hurt but in reality that is a good thing: it means he's building strong and sturdy hands which will help him brachiate, and a hundred other things.

Swinging on a rope is a fun way to build upper body strength and strong hands. I know having this will speed up the time before he will be able to brachiate on his own. And climbing and swinging on a rope stimulates the brain in a different way than brachiating does. And if you're new to all this stuff - movement develops the neural pathways of the brain and improves all areas of human function. Specific cross-pattern movements, such as crawling, running, and brachiating, strengthen the connection between both sides of the brain and grows the cortex. And all these activities strengthen the overall health and wellbeing of a person.

I realize my room has turned into quite an interesting sight with all this "playground" equipment, but I really don't care. Mobility plays such an important role in our lives and I want to give Hunter the best opportunity possible to develop not only his body but his cortex (brain). This is my idea of a "child-friendly" room, and I would much rather have the "unusual" children's things that I have in my room than what the modern picture of "child friendly" is, with toys, a computer, TV, video games, a couple books maybe. "Child friendly" usually means more friendly to the convenience of adults (keeping them occupied and out of the way) than it means friendly to the development of the child (the best environment to learn and grow).

So, here's to my crazy, truly child development-friendly room. I love you Hunter: you only deserve the best!

"They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:"

Joel 2:7

Hunter is 3 years, 4 months old

Idaho?

Today I introduced Hunter to some state outlines. He saw them once, then I put them away.

Later when I showed him the second set of state outline cards, as I was going through he said "No!" and I stopped. "Go back" he said, and I backed up to the one I had showed him before. "No, no" he said until we got to Oklahoma. "That one!" he said. "Oklahoma?" I said. "No, it's not Oklahoma." he replied. "Yes, this is Oklahoma Hunter." "No" he said, and then proceeded to take the card and turn it sideways so that the long end was turned up.

"Oh" I laughed. "No Hunter, you're thinking of Idaho" I got Idaho out from the other set and showed him. "Is this what you were thinking of?" "Yeah" he smiled. "Oh, well this one here is called Oklahoma and this one is Idaho." It made me laugh. He's very particular about stuff like that. But, it was an honest mistake. Kids come make the funniest observations.



"And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left."

Isaiah 30:21

Hunter is 3 years, 4 months old

Learning Greater than and Less than

Hunter, to no surprise, picked up "greater than" and "less than" with ease today.

I got out the greater than / less than symbol and sat down on our mat, and then enthusiastically showed him a few equations. "Ten is greater than one", "Six is greater than four", "Eight is greater than two". I laid these out and let him see each equation for about a second, then got out the next one.

Then it was his turn. I laid down the seven and the "greater than" symbol and asked him which one goes next: eight or five. He picked five and we smiled and cheered.

Next we got out some higher numbers. I laid down the eighty four and then some choice cards. He picked the card with eighty dots on it to complete the equation (can YOU tell which one is greater or less from this picture? One is 84, one is 80, and one is 89)

Tomorrow I'll probably introduce "less than", and then we'll probably do whole equations (5x5+11 > 63÷3+10). He learns everything so effortlessly, instantly picking up what "greater than" means without me ever explaining it - all I had to do was show him three equations and he intuited what it meant, instantly. I love teaching him math. I love that God has "revealed these things unto babes". I love that math, which we have always assumed was complicated and difficult, is almost too easy for a toddler. I'm greatly enthused with every new discovery he makes and how easily he learns, and we're enjoying the journey together, loving every step of the way.

"For what portion of God is there from above? and what inheritance of the Almighty from on high?... Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?"

Job 31:2,4

Hunter is 3 years, 4 months old

A Calendar for Tiny Kids

I finally made a calendar for Hunter. He has had his days of the week "calendar" for about two months now, and has very quickly grasped the concept of "yesterday", "today", and "tomorrow" as well as understanding the meanings of "Monday", "Tuesday", etc., and phrases such as "in two days from now" or "last Sunday". He has also learned how to read all the days of the week words. And all just by playing a 20-second game every morning!

But now I am teaching him the concept of days within a month, and months within a year. You can make a calendar that tiny children can understand even if they don't know numerals (symbols that represent numbers, such as 1, 2, 3, or IV, V, VI). Toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy learning about a thing that is so important in our lives: the meaning of months, "next week", "July 3rd", etc. Making a calendar is easy and inexpensive and takes just a few seconds a day to teach.

To make it I just divided an 11" x 11" piece of cardstock into seven rows and seven columns, leaving the top row for day names ("S", "M", etc.) and the rest of the rows for day blocks. The "August" header I got from a school supply store, but you can make your own simple label just as easily. I then laminated it to we can use a dry-erase marker on it and reuse it every month.

Right now we're just using dots, adding one dot per day. Eventually we will move onto numerals though.

"LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am."

Psalm 39:4

Hunter is 3 years, 4 months old

Motivation for Writing

Hunter wanted to do his "school book" today that he got for Christmas. It is a "reading and writing" workbook so we haven't used it yet since he's not developed very far in his writing skills. However, we got it out, at his request, yet at first he was hesitant - "I can't do it" he said, before he even started.

He was this way last time we tried writing, which is why I put it away for a while. He loves writing "H's", but last time I tried to teach him a new one - "A" - he became frustrated because they were turning out like H's. He would attempt an A and I would tell him what a good job he did and he would tell me, "No, that's an H" and become frustrated with himself.

But today I gently encouraged him to try it, and led his hand through the first "A", reciting "down the left side, down the right side, and across the middle" while pointing out how we need to do it very carefully and to stop at the blue line. It was all done in fun and games with a huge smile. Then I let him try it, on his own, telling him how great he did on the last one and to just be very careful with this one. And he did it! The line was more towards the bottom than the middle, and the ends of the A went past the bottom line quite a ways, and it was somewhat sideways, but I told him what an awesome job he did and threw a huge fuss about what a great writer he is and you know what? He wanted to do another one! If I would have focused on all the ways he didn't get it right, he would have shied away from writing even more and hated it. But instead, I focused on what he did get right - he just wrote his first letter A!

That's the Glenn Doman methodology, of how to motivate your baby. And it works. Most of us were raised in a system that ignores what we do right and bemoans what we get wrong. You don't get tested to find out what you can do well, you get tested to find out what you can't. "No, stupid, that's NOT how you spell Mediterranean!" Big, red marks highlighting each place where you failed. If you want to motivate your tiny child, you have to focus on what they succeed at and teach them what they do not, even if that means throwing a huge fuss when they attempt to write the letter "A" and it turns out sort of like a horizontal "H". We throw a huge fuss when they attempt their first step, and take one tiny step and then stumble to the ground! We could focus on how much they failed, how far they are from accomplishing perfect upright walking. But we focused on the tiny bit where they succeeded, and it made all the difference.

Hunter is now highly motivated to write. He wrote a few more (quite good) A's and then I put away the writing book (always stop before your child wants to stop). With a highly motivated mother and a highly motivated child, there's no limit to what you can accomplish.

"Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:"

Isaiah 30:8

Hunter is 3 years, 4 months old

Math Talk

I've been looking for new ways to teach Hunter math. Not new as in dropping the Doman style, but new as in new ways to get him more interested in it and make it more a part of our daily life. Math, for little kids, can be rather boring if we don't keep it interesting for them, NOT because it is in any way difficult, but rather because it is too easy (since they already can perceive true numbers and learn the meaning of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division instantly).

One of the things that I started doing today was simply saying math equations for him while we're driving in the car, filling the mop bucket with water, or brushing his teeth. He doesn't particularly like to look at number cards, since he already knows them, and since at this point in the program you only show the answer card anyways, I figure he can just see what is happening in his head without the visual sometimes.

Today I was giving him some fraction equations, which are new to him. "Hunter, did you know that one half of one hundred equals fifty? And one half of twenty equals ten! One half of two equals one, and one half of ninety equals forty five!"

Pretty simple. He listened, without comment, and we continued in our work. I did a couple more, like tenths and thirds (ones that I knew off the top of my head) and then I came home and wrote up a list of fraction equations from halves to twentieths. I'm doing everything from 1/2 of 10 = 5 to 6/9 of 54 = 36, etc. Writing up these lists of options sure takes a while! But I'm glad to do it so other parents can use them and save their precious time.

I'm really going to start focusing on the math more, not because he's deficient (he can instantly do any kind of arithmetic, like 6x9+16÷7) but because I want to 1) Explore more math concepts with him, 2) Make math a part of daily life, and 3) Make him more and more comfortable with numbers so that hopefully, he will soon start to verbalize what he knows. Right now I think we're going to do three sets of equations a day (for a total of twelve equations, which will take about 30 seconds total time), plus three game sessions a day, plus me giving him equations at various times during the day and using math in real life such as cooking, etc. I'm also working on a math "curriculum" to put together for myself and for others. Basically, it's just going to be a compilation of all the basic math skills and terms and how to easily and effortlessly teach them to your baby in a fraction of time that it takes older kids, plus a lot more fun! I'm using an (8th grade) pre-algebra text book, which should have all the basic arithmetic skills. Plus I'm using a lot of interesting books with cool "math tricks" and whatnot that will add some exciting spice to the mix. It's going to be a lot of fun, and I know he'll do well with all of it.

"At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight."

Matthew 11:25-26

Hunter is 3 years, 4 months old

"He needs Jesus"

"Yuck, that is very evil, we don't want to look at that." I said to Hunter in subtle disgust referring to a quite graphic movie poster of the "Mummy" that was hanging on the windows of the Taekwondo school.

To which Hunter replied, "He needs Jesus."

"Yes, he does" I smiled. I remember saying that about some other evil figure we had encountered not too long ago, and apparently it stuck.

I've been "here a little, and there a little" talking to Hunter about the horridness of evil and the nobility of good. I can't shelter Hunter from all the wickedness in the world, and teaching him how to confront evil will do him far more good than pretending that it doesn't exist.

When it crosses our path, I point out evil music, evil figures, and evil acts. I have in many ways had to do this out of necessity, as so much evil is no longer hidden in the darkness but proclaimed to the whole world on billboards, grocery store checkout lines, and restaurant radio stations. Looking the other way will do no good. If I don't teach Hunter how to think about these sorts of things (the way God does, with disgust and condemnation), then someone else will.

Hunter knows that ghosts, monsters, and demonic-looking figures are evil, not fun and cute. He knows that certain music is unpleasant, and other music is evil, singing about people sinning and doing things that God hates. Hunter knows that God hates sin, and is familiar with the way God has dealt with sin in the past. These messages are in no way over-bearing, and I don't go around looking for evil to teach him about. But when we come across something that is evil, I tell him that it is indeed evil, and not something to be fond of.

Most people think that their three-year-olds are too young to understand this. To avoid this type of confrontation, waiting until they're older to discuss it (or perhaps thinking that they will figure it out on their own) will produce undesirable results. At three years old, a child will willingly throw away an evil toy that was given too him, hide his eyes from an obscene movie poster, or walk away from a wicked movie. At this age they are so young, tender, and open, and if we do not teach them how to respond to the evil they will confront, someone else will. An eight-year-old is not so easy to teach as a two-year-old. Equip them young, that they may be able to "resist the devil" (James 4:7) and "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong." (1 Cor. 16:13)

I remember my brother-in-law, telling of a time when he was five years old, as he was listening to books read at story time at the library with his three-year-old sister, when the librarian picked up a book about witches he abruptly stood up, grabbed his little sister's hand and informed the entire room that he would not be staying for that evil book. Children are able to understand and discern much earlier than we give them credit for, and they need to be equipped.

We must remember that God said that his people are destroyed, not by lack of protection, but by lack of knowledge. "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). We certainly need to protect our children, and keep evil forces away from their tender souls. One certainly does not teach a child how to swim by throwing him in shark-infested water. But if we keep our children in the "greenhouse", safe from the world about them and innocent of the "wiles of the devil", they will certainly drown when confronted with the evil one, who cometh only "to steal, and to kill, and to destroy".

Hollywood, the media, and the culture is anxiously waiting to ensnare your child's soul to the occult, and all forms of corruption, at the earliest possible age. By keeping your child at home and taking responsibility for your own offspring, you have a the incredible opportunity to shape the way your child thinks about the world. A child needs to be protected AND equipped. When they look at a poster of a disgusting, scary Mummy, will they respond in fear, respond in enthusiasm ("I wanna see that!"), or respond with "He needs Jesus!"? This is not indoctrination: this is an acquaintance with the ultimate source of truth, an introduction to the reality of good and evil, holiness and wickedness, falsehood and truth.

We must nurture them, teach them, equip them. And when we do, they will be ready. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6) The world needs Jesus, and there is no better time for a person to learn this than when they are tiny.

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints"

Ephesians 6:10-18

Hunter is 3 years, 4 months old

Beautiful Boys

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."

Psalm 127:3

Hunter is 3 years, 4 months old

Anthony (cousin) is 1 years, 9 months old

Jordan (cousin) is 1 month old

Revival Meeting

Tonight we went out with my family to the revival meetings they are having at church. Hunter doesn't much know any of the music they sing, because I mostly teach him hymns at home. But he liked dancing around.

Towards the end of the night he was raising his hands in the air during the songs. It was cute. It reminded me we need to do more worship time at home.

"Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD."

Psalm 134:1-2

Hunter is 3 years, 4 months old

Doctor's Visit

Today was our appointment for a doctor's visit to check up on Hunter's wound. I don't go to the doctor for frivolous purposes, but I was a bit concerned about the way his cut has been healing and wanted to make sure it was okay.

The glue has looked pretty much disgusting since he got it. But the doctor who did the stitches said that it would be alright, that it looked bad but once the glue fell off it would be fine.

The glue was disgusting. It turned all purplish and green and yellow. On Sunday when he bumped it a little and it bled only a small amount, half of the glue came off and it looked pretty bad.

The next day the rest of the glue came off, and the wound looked as separated as it did before he even got the stitches. I didn't want to go back to the hospital, after the way the doctor was hounding me about vaccinations and all the time we spent sitting around (we waited for hours in the ER). I really didn't want to go through that again.

But I did schedule this appointment with his pediatrician. And after driving twenty minutes to the office and waiting an hour and forty minutes for him to talk to us for five, I was not all too pleased.

He said that it had already healed so much, that there was really nothing he could do except cut the scab out and stitch it back up. But he wasn't sure if he wanted to do that.

He contemplated the idea for about three minutes, thinking out loud what he would do if it was his kid. He eventually came to the conclusion that it would be best to just let it finish healing and if in six months or six years the scar was still bad, that he could do the same procedure - cut out the scar and stitch it up. So, really, after all that time of waiting the most we came out of there with was an Elmo sticker. At least I brought our bits so we weren't entirely bored the whole time. And talked about all the equipment in the examination room.

But, apparently he's never seen the glue come off like that. Too bad it had to be on my kid! But I'm hoping that applying vitamin E oil will help with the scaring. And it's not the worst thing in the world for a little boy to have a cool battle wound.

And we also found out that he's allergic to latex, as was apparent from the rash all over his face where the bandaid once stuck. At least we know now!

"He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds."

Psalm 147:3

Hunter is 3 years, 4 months old