Two milestones in one week

The week of April 20th:

On Sunday, the 20th, Ibraheem asked to try out his bike sans training wheels. We had taken them off at the end of summer in 07, and never really gave it a try. In the interim, he rode his Razr scooter anywhere and everywhere. I honestly believe learning to master the scooter gave him enormous confidence and preparation to handle the two-wheeler. So much so, that after just 15 minutes of riding his bike on the grass, we decided to give it a go in the driveway. He was literally off before my eyes that I didn't have a moment to stop and get a camera or holler to Omar to come watch. My lucky neighbor got to watch this magical moment. I think this moment, and the moment your child reads, are truly magical and transformative. All of this happened in less than an hour. We were laughing at how we had small small milestones to bike down the street, and to the grocery store, and here we were biking for 5 hours in one day. The next day he rode to school, which is a tad over a mile away, and back home. Yay!!

Imraan's milestone happened today, while at Borders, during our afternoon Imraan-directed bonding session. I picked up mags for myself to read while he selected his own. We sat in the kids section and started reading. Next thing I know, Imraan is reading one of this I Can Read books, a level 2 one in fact, all by himself. I help him with harder words here and there, but he really sounded out every single word and read the last 10 pages of the book himself. I was pretty much in shock...again. I can't believe my little 3 1/2 year old Imraan, recently toilet-trained I must add, is reading! Alhamdulilah!!! He was quite proud of himself as well, and watching him blow through the words gave him great confidence. Will post a pic here later.

We are still working on his writing and Ibraheem's storywriting. Last week we tackled geography, and are going to continue with it by making global menus. We have a mama's restaurant menu, and will add the global menu to that.

wake up

It's 7:30 am.

First morning after new bunk bed. We have decided upon awakening that our sleep was blissful and completely sound. For the first time in days, I did not wake in the middle of my sleep. I slowly enjoy the waking up process, a stark contrast to being woken up by screaming boys chasing after each other, and inevitably jumping into my bed.

Imraan walks into our room to make an announcement.

Imraan: No one can use the kids bathroom because the toilet is broken.
Me: Imraan, did you do morning peepee?
Imraan: I already did it in your bathroom.
Me: (incredulous) But did you do it this morning? In my bathroom?
Imraan: (changed his mind) It's not morning right now
Me: Yes it is, look out the window, its bright and sunny.
Imraan: Then wake up.


My 3 year old has devised a new way to get my out of bed, yet again.