Children stun me in their innate differences, up close.

Obviously all adults are different, so I don't know why I find it so shocking looking at the glaring differences in our two girls, but somehow I'm still amazed. It's such a strange experience to view it up close, in our own children. Yes, I know I'm not supposed to overtly compare them, and I NEVER do, to them! I'm pretty careful about it anyway, it's possible I've slipped up, but definitely would be unusual for me.

Chispa is good at puzzles, can spell 5th grade spelling bee website words with one view of the correct spelling (she's been asking me to supplement her school spelling tests, which are too easy), and picks up new languages like a champ, nobody is going to be able to tell she has American parents at the rate she is going, her accent is stunningly good. In all these things, I have pride, and kinship, as those were all strengths for me too. Her temperament though, is sufficiently different than mine in parts and maybe too similar in some areas, that it makes me nuts some days. Opportunities for growth opportunities for growth opportunities for growth. I need to do the growing part.

Changa has insanely good fine and gross motor skills, good concentration powers, and is so strong in her body she can do amazing things. She has deep thoughts, and sprouts out with things she has been thinking about.
Who can forget this conversation, out of the blue in the car, from a silent contemplating carseat:
"Mommy, you know the boats by Grandma and Bobo?"
"Yes Changa"
"Why are they called fairy boats if there are no fairies on them?"
After trying not to laugh, successfully, thank you, I explained. Where did the thought come from? How did it land in her carseat on the way to school?


Changa can climb a rock wall, she can do complex Perler bead patterns. In one try, I taught her to blow a shofar today, which isn't all that easy, for adults! She loves to learn to do things and help me: cook, stir, unload dishes, you name it. Even in her annoying 4 yo. stubborn streaks, she's sunny-natured, otherwise.

Both girls adore music, and I hope will have aptitude to sing and play instruments.

But can I just tell you, Changa still needs reminding that flat puzzle pieces go along the edges? Practice is helping, but yowzers!

The developing mind works in amazing ways. Now I must go eat some pretend soup.