Kid Logic: But I need it for school

So my second oldest son (W) comes home from his intro to middle school summer class today and informs his mother he needs a cell phone. When asked why this was so he responded that sometimes the teacher doesn't want student blurting out the answers so they can text the answer to the teacher. A current student was able to back up this explanation later on that night. She also stated that there were other ways such as using e-mail. Mom's retort was of course, "Are they going to pay for it?"
My view was a little more analytical. W is like most children his age. Responsibility is an on going lesson, reminders to clean the room and do chores are still pretty regular with him. A number of times I've made a trip to the school to bring forgotten items such as lunches, iPads, instruments and such. I also have to repeatedly track down not just the remotes but the battery covers as well under blankets, pillows, and the couch. So naturally my first thought was " You can't keep track of my remotes and your own stuff and you want me to get you a cell phone?" Crazy boy.

Kid Logic: Being wet is a matter of perception

We had to go to Worlds of Fun today. No really, it was not just a moral imperative being the first full day of summer but also the day of dance competition at WOF. This time our son's participation was just two songs, his solo and a team tap dance. As an added bonus for us his dance times were slotted for the mid morning. Awards were scheduled for 4-5ish later in the day. This left us with plenty of time to enjoy park rides while waiting for the ceremony to begin. The weather dude predicted a rainy Saturday for us which I think turned out ok. Crowds were not as large as they could have been for a summer Saturday at an amusement park nor was the weather very hot. We spent our down time wondering from ride to ride in the on again off again drizzle enjoying our first day of summer. As we meandered our way half way through the park some of the kids in our happy little group decided that a ride on the Fury of the Nile was in order. For those unfamiliar with the ride it is a circular boat free floating down a man made river with man made rapids designed to get the riders wet. It is a matter of chance on how much a rider can get wet which seems to be the point of the ride. I escaped with a few drops trickled on me from an over head water fall for which I was pretty thankful for. A little girl in our group was drenched by a wave about as big as she was. It was sometime during the wait and the ride a bit of kid logic occurred to me.
Waiting in the rain for 30-45 minutes for a water ride only to be scared of getting wet from the ride. It's the simple things that keep us young. My boy earned two silvers by the way. What a great day.

Kid Logic States: If it's hot, wrap up in thick layers. If it's cold, wrap up in thin layers.

My kids are pretty active indoors and out, they dance, play ball games, ride bikes, and once in a great while run with me. So when it comes to dealing with different types of weather they have some experience. All the kids have gotten in the habit of asking about the forecast for the day so they can plan a little on what they may need to bring or wear during school days. This new habit was tested not to long ago when we planned for a trip across the state.

 As parents we encourage our kids to try and think for them selves and had decided nudge them a little further into a self supportive role by allowing them to pack their own backs for our trip. We explained to them that the weather was going to get cold and probably wet during the trip. I wasn't really worried about them being under prepared as my youngest boy typically listens well prepares for weather appropriately. My second oldest son seems at times was born in an incubator and requires a steady temp of 78.4567 degrees and will either be freezing or burning up as the case may be if the temp fluctuates a degree up or down. Naturally he is more than willing to bundle up in a parka, nit cap, and gloves in 40 degree weather. So imagine our surprise when as we pull into our first destination at the other end of the state, that the weather has as predicted turned sour and all of us but two boys put on some sort of extra clothing. Well after letting a lesson sink in a bit during our sight seeing we managed to find some sweatshirts (no coats or jackets for some reason) for our two goofballs and they were able to finish the trip a little less chilled.

Yesterday my youngest son spent a good deal of time outdoors playing and working up a good sweat. He of course came in and took his shower before bedtime and went to bed fresh and clean. Now his room tends to get warmish as the day wears on and will remain hot or warm into the night. As it turns out his bedroom was a little warm for his taste and he relocated to a cooler part of the house. When I found him as I made my rounds later on in the evening he was wrapped up tight in a winter blanket with flannel bottoms and sweating like he just stepped out of a sauna. I couldn't help but laugh as I stripped his blanket from him and sent him to his own bed reminding him fans work best when plugged in and to ditch the blanket if you're hot.

What's in a goal?

I am now 5 days into my somewhat serious training phase for my first marathon. I say its somewhat serious only because I have yet been able to commit to a healthier eating habit. I have sat down with a friend and he has helped me outline a training program to accomplish my goal. The training program officially starts in June which is suppose to give me 18 weeks of training. I keep telling myself that all I want as a result is just to finish which is how my training program is set up. The problem is the Marine in me keeps whispering "that's not enough".

 Its interesting to note here the difference in perspective of what I am used to compared to my current program. In the Marines we over trained, I guess is how you would put it. That is to say when the company commander and/or battalion commander wanted to do a run we would go for a longer distance than we knew the company and/or battalion run would be. This way we were certain that we would not only make it but not look bad doing it (not good to show your butt in front of the boss right?). The idea was bleed in training and sweat in battle. 

 I hope I'm not sounding to ungrateful for the help my friend has giving me cause that is not how I feel or mean to sound. Any and all advise is welcome since my idea of training as you may remember from previous posts is to walk out the door start running and follow my nose. Run up hills, trot down, run some sprints when you can and that was about it. Seemed fine and that sort of hap hazard type of training gave me a 2 hours and 4 minute finish in huaraches for a half marathon last year. Last year was mostly huaraches running. This year I'm aiming for barefoot. As much as I can. There is no real reason, just to be non-mainstream I guess. I never did like to be like everyone else. Although I must say my injuries have been less since I started running minimilist and barefoot. So my first marathon race will also be my first barefoot marathon.