It Was a Sunday Fun day With My Little Sidekick: a lesson in leadership
Today went far better than expected: my wife, our five year-old’s Mommy, left for a work conference which will keep her away from us for five nights. When we dropped my wife off at the airport our little guy said: “I will see you later tonight, when you get done work, right Mommy?”
My wife and I had explained that: “Mommy will be away from home for five nights and come back on Thursday night.” We might as well have been speaking a different language. I guess, to our son, we were.
But today was a non-stop day of fun that left my little sidekick smiling and even laughing. We watched PJ Masks (on Netflix), shared homemade popcorn while sipping apple cider, sang the Eagles Fight Song (even though they quit on their fans in especially embarrassing fashion, blowing a 17 point fourth quarter lead and losing the game).
All was forgotten because we made our first simulated erupting volcano, compliments of KidzLabs. It was a simple to follow, hands-on science project that creates a simulated experience, which left my son laughing while clapping his hands.
We picked the volcano-making kit up yesterday while shopping at Marshall’s. It had caught his inquisitive eye. I figured ‘why not!’ It would be a pleasant distraction after having to say goodbye to his Mother for almost a week. Besides, we might learn something fun together.
What did he learn?
Well, in his own words: “Daddy, if you combine the baking soda with vinegar you get an explosion!”
His enthusiasm had led to slight exaggeration. There was nothing like an explosion. But the fizzing and bubbling over of the pseudo-lava was very exciting for him. And now I am documenting a momentous first for the sake of posterity.
The instructions outline a two-day project. We condensed it into one. Why not? We started making and setting the plaster in the mold. After letting the mold harden for an hour he painted his 6” volcano. Impatience dictated that we only wait for 90 or so minutes before his little fingers were feverishly painting it.
What did I learn? Teaching and sharing something new with my five year-old son, while getting to reap the joy of making him so happy, was an experience that’s almost beyond words-after all I am writing about it!