Friday 12 December 2014

Don't Blink!

With a child who reads books like the ones below for 'leisure',


and who gives 'lectures' on the the differences between a Sherman tank and a Cromwell tank


by addressing their technical specifications,


I often forget that he is only 10 years old... that is, until he reminds me of his real chronological age by playing in a big box for days, pretending to be a (rather giggly) tank driver.


With only a few weeks left to the end of the year, I am feeling rather nostalgic.  The old photographs (taken when Tiger was two to four years old) are a poignant reminder to myself of how rapidly time passes.  See what has transpired during that time when I blinked...


1) By the sea
Then:

Now:

Then:

Now:


2) On the bike
Then:

Now:


3) Gardening
Then:

Now:

Then:

Now:


4) In the kitchen
Then: Tiger worked his way up, starting from washing vegetables at age 3.


Now:


5) Art
Then:

Now:


5) How and what he learns
Then:

Now:


6) Dressing up for lessons
Then:

Now: Still dressing up but slightly more understated than before.



6) Reading
Then: Dr. Seuss books were highly popular.


Now: Hours spent in the Military History section of a bookstore is a very common occurrence .



7) Writing
Then: Learning to hold and control the marker pen.


Now: Completing a three-page written narration.



8) Toys
Then: Toys for small boys.


Now: Toys for big boys.



9) Between mother and son
Then: "I'll go wherever you take me, Mummy!"


Now: I don't have a photo for this, but a very recent declaration made by Tiger sums it all up. 
"I will NOT submit to my mother!"



This post is linked up to:
  1. Hip Homeschool Hop - 12/9/14
  2. Laugh & Learn - Week 10
  3. Finishing Strong - Week 40
  4. My Week in Review #16
  5. Collage Friday: Serving with Teens
  6. Weekly Wrap-Up: The one with another birthday

20 comments:

  1. Wow, my 10 year old son is exactly the same! His obsession is naval vessels...he is forever drawing them, building them, reading about them, and making video lectures about them. lol :)

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    1. Our sons should meet! :-) My son's forte is military aircrafts. He'll be very pleased to meet another boy who is just as excited about all this as he is!

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  2. Gosh, my 10 year old isn't that intellectual, but homeschooling him has revealed that he is an avid consumer of topics. I still have to fight him to read challenging books. Maybe I'll try one of the books your son reads and read it with mine as a form of motivation. Thanks for sharing your little guy's growth with us. Visting from Weekly Wrap Up!

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    1. Thanks for your kind compliments, Nita. I share the books that my son reads only to illustrate the point that there is a wide gap between his mental ability and his chronological age, to the extent that I often forget that he is only 10 and thus expect too much of him in some areas. Therefore, please don't feel as though your son has to read the same books! That's definitely not my point! :-)

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  3. What a wonderful collection of then-and-now photos, Hwee. It just keeps on getting better, doesn't it? LOVL at Tiger's recent declaration - I think that's a sign you're doing everything right!

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    1. Do you think so (about the last statement), Lucinda? I hope so! Luckily this is not my first day on the job as his mother, so I was rather amused when he said it. :-)

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    2. I genuinely do! It shows we are bringing up independent-minded individuals who - I hope - won't easily submit to anyone else's will, either. I'm still working on that myself - my kids are way ahead of me (definitely the male one)! ;-)

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    3. I suppose the longer time one has spent in the school system, the longer it would take to rid oneself of the undesirable conditioning (e.g. to obey the teacher's instructions) set by the system. Lucky are those who emerge from it without losing too much of their individuality :-)

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  4. Love the photo comparisons, what great memories?!

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    1. Thanks, Paula. I haven't looked at the old photos in a long time, so am glad when I did because they bring back wonderful memories. :-)

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  5. Hwee,

    I enjoyed this post immensely! What a wonderful idea for a post. I also feel nostalgic as I look back at old photos (usually cute!) of my kids and think of past times. But I also feel excited and blessed as I look at them today and see how far they have come. In a way it was hard to let go of those wonderful days when they were so dependent on me, but things really only ever get better as children develop. I imagine you must feel so proud and happy with Tiger's progress. I can see he is an independent thinker which can only be good! I really loved the box video!

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    1. Thank you, Sue. I'm glad you've enjoyed the post and the video. Writing this post has me marvel at the journey of motherhood, which is very unique (to eacn individual mother) and yet universal (there are common themes shared by all mothers). I also find it helpful, especially when things get a little difficult at times, to look back on how far we've come since the beginning of the journey. That always gives me the courage and optimism to keep going :-)

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  6. This whole post made me smile. I loved the contrast, and how much he's grown. Oh, and the giggling tank, that was awesome.

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    1. I thought it would (make you smile), Ticia! You're a mother of small children, just like I am, so you'll identify with much of the sentiments expressed here. :-)

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  7. I really loved seeing all the then and now pictures. They grow up so fast. I got a chuckle out of the video of the giggly tank. I think it is great that he has an interest in something. It's amazing just how much he can tell you about the tanks.

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    1. Thank you for your kinds words. :-) Yes, children grow up very quickly so we really ought to treasure our time with them.

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  8. I just popped by to wish you a very merry Christmas and a fabulous 2015.
    P.S It's lovely to see a photo of you in there as well!

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    1. Thank you, Claire! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family too!

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  9. Oh, I love the pictures (and the interests!). My husband was tank obsessed as a boy and remembers it all (and will still pick apart war movies for inaccuracies) and even if he would watch it (or I could stand to watch it), Top Gun makes him absolutely irate ("I can't believe they thought they could get away with using Tiger IIs for MiGs!"). He was the one in the Navy, but I'm the navy history geek. (Admittedly, we both are, but different time periods.) If you ever need a break, send him our way. :) Bonus: my seven-year-old would adore him, and would be happy to have someone besides her parents to talk military aircraft with. (I should have realized Waldorf kindergarten was not a good fit when the local air guard F-15s flew overhead and I pointed them out to the boys I was standing near...and they all looked at me blankly, while she jumped up and down.)

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    1. Oh, oh, oh! My son would love to have someone to talk military stuff with all day long! My husband and I just about muster enough interest to support our son's pursuit but that's not the same as being able to talk about it with any real knowledge! :-)

      A Waldorf environment is possibly the polar opposite to one which would be inclined to support military interests. :-) Your daughter would have had to try very hard to fit in there.... She's sounds very unique, as in, we have yet to meet a young girl who is interested in miiltary history, and with parents who support this interest.

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