The gang is excited to PUMP IT UP!

Michael Lapin
206-310-3448
melapin@gmail.com

Willa is ready fot Ike's party, but is Ike's party ready for Willa

Michael Lapin
206-310-3448
melapin@gmail.com

Ethan in his element.

Michael Lapin
206-310-3448
melapin@gmail.com

Willa - no bed rails

In March we took the bed rails off of Willa's bed.  She has done a great job of staying in bed, which must be hard for her.  However, there was one night about 2 weeks ago when we heard crying - Karri and I looked at each other with the look that says, "who is going to have to deal with Willa."  It was me and I found her lying in a mess of comforter, lovey, blankie, and a pillow.  She had fallen off.  Fortunately it was a soft landing and she was unhurt, but she was surprised and unhappy to not be in her bed.

Magic Tree House - more

I think my favorite story to date is Night of the New Magicians.  I liked that each "magician" had a message that was worth thinking about and discussing:

• Gustave Eiffel: “I have a taste for adventure and a love of work and responsibility.”
• Louis Pasteur: “Chance favors the prepared mind.” 
• Thomas Edison: “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” 
• Alexander Bell: “When one door closes, another door opens.”

Not to sound sappy or trite, but I think that each of these messages can provide an important concept to the kids.  I find Edison's and Pasteur's to be similar and very relevant to Ethan in that both suggest it is not enough to be smart, but that you have to work hard, and be prepared to fail, but hope for success.  Oddly enough, I was just finishing The Drunkard's Walk, which suggested, among other things, that because chance and randomness are so prevalent, perseverance and luck are crucial for long term success.

One of the ways I like to apply Bell's maxim is to say - life isn't fair, and you shouldn't expect it to be, but you should try to enjoy it.