Trucks, Balls...and Rainbows?

A house on our culdesac was sold and is undergoing construction.  Last week, every morning by 7am, we heard the rumble of big trucks going up the street. Xavi would look up and say "TRUCKS!" and stand at the front door until someone took him out to see the TRUCKS.  There were trucks that delivered and picked up big dumpsters, pick up trucks, bulldozers, "machines" (as we used to call my dad's skidsteer), cranes that delivered roofing supplies, and even chainsaws.  Right now, they all fall into the category  of "trucks" but we are looking at books to learn the differences.  The noise did not scare him at all...he kept trying to get closer!  And that it was muddy?  even better!  He has a capital Y in his xy chromosome...and I love it! 

The only thing that trumps trucks?  Balls!  Whenever Mario walks in the door, Xavi runs to him and says "Ball", lifts his arms to be picked up, and then points outside;  sometimes saying "ow-sie peez".  And that is how every other day begins too.  He wants someone to hold him while kicking the ball against the house...again and again and again.  Sometimes red ball, sometimes blue, sometimes the baseball...doesn't really matter.  Mario is the best at it because he makes good noises and delivers minute by minute championship game commentary. 

We even play "ball" on the beach

keeping his eye on the ball

learning to execute every time

Xavi takes it all in...then when he "practices" himself, we can hear him making the same noises and imitating our kicking.  He even throws his head back and forward so as to show how hard he is kicking.  He picks up the ball, centers it on level ground, and backs up.  Eyeing the ball, he takes two steps and "BAM!"...kicks it into the wall, couch, box (it was raining so we couldn't go outside and play...so we set up a big box to kick into).  Now we're just working on the "gooooooallllll!" part. 

At just 15 months, he is mastering some pretty tricky coordination and developing some amazing neurological pathways/memory. Now, naming him Xavi after the great Spanish midfielder, wasn't with the intention of forcing him to play soccer...he can do anything he wants. I know he'll be a good athlete at most anything so he'll have to choose...but man, am I looking forward to being a "soccer mom"! I know that we'll be sitting there watching him run around the field, scoring goals, and having great footwork...and remembering these days of "BALL" and endless kick practice against the side of our little humble house.

On that rainy afternoon, it was hard work keeping him happy and busy inside.  I even popped in our first kid "movie"...a Thomas the train DVD that I bought for use in our new car.  It kept his attention for a bit and I learned the songs.  But all of a sudden, i looked out the window and saw a beautiful rainbow.  I jumped up and grabbed Xavi to show him what it looks like.  It was still sprinkling so we weren't out long but it was a perfect end to end rainbow...right over us.  I enjoyed knowing  the promise that the sun would shine again and we went in to play some more.  That is what is great about California...you don't have to wait as long as say Wisconsin for the promise to be realized.  The next day was gorgeous and we were back out on the soccer "field" first thing.