Reviewing Kids Love Spanish led me to wonder if other types of language could easily be acquired from early exposure. Computers and programming have been a part of life for so long that I always assume that any and everyone can easily work their way around html and basic compiling of programs.

I still remember my first real exposure to computers. I was 4 or 5 years old and my Dad was working on a degree in engineering. He’d sometimes bring my brother and I to class with him when his schedule and my mom’s didn’t coincide (she was working on a law degree). Early on Saturday mornings he’d take us to the college campus and we’d go to the computer lab. Current college students would consider a computer lab to be full of many computers, printers, seats, and other peripheral devices. This was long before the era of the pc- the computer lab consisted of 1 huge mainframe computer, no chairs or desks, just lots of paper and hardware. At any time you would see multitudes of people rushing around gathering stacks of punch cards and checking out the little holes. I hadn’t a clue of what was going on with all of the paper stacking but figured it must be fun for so many people to be into such a thing.

Within a few years our elementary school regularly gave us time to work on the early apple computers (everyone wanted to be first to get to play computer hangman) and my Dad always had at least 1 if not more pcs in the home. By 4th or 5th grade I had my first introductory course to programming in BASIC and garnered regular experience in a wonderful engineering program that had me figuring out college level algorithms at the age of 12.

Is there any wonder now why computers are so second nature to me that I don’t even think about it? I do have to admit I tend to be fairly stubborn once I find a technology I really like. I’m a bit of a loyalist when it comes to many things so upgrading and changing anything on my laptop takes EDad practically pulling my teeth to convince me that perhaps I don’t need to be running programs that I’ve been using since Windows3.1.

Thanks to a major malfunction of my laptop (which thankfully EDad was able to rescue all of the data from) I am now a proud new user of Windows Vista. I was a bit miffed when he first installed it for me- I’m so used to XP that a change is just not something I have any interest in. But once I saw how much faster programs loaded, the fact that I can run Photoshop and other programs at the same time without dragging, and that even my laptop’s battery power has been greatly extended I’m a Vista girl for life! Well at least until he convinces me to upgrade to whatever the newest program is several years after the fact, as long as there are no punchcards involved.

Hola! Check out the review blog to see why Kids Love Spanish

EDad has always had very admirable parenting skills. A lot of it comes from his big brother experience. Having a sister and brother who are 13 and 15 years younger than you leads to a great deal of knowledge when it comes to all things child. When EBoy was a baby it was EDad who gave me lessons and tips in diaper changing. His brother and sister have grown up to be remarkably talented individuals with a sense of confidence and self esteem about themselves that I can only pray that my children will display, due in part to their caring parents and always supportive older brother.

EDad recently figured out a loophole in the bedtime routine. Instead of our standard- bath, brush teeth, stories, and prayers he decided to bring storytime right to the bathtub. The boys were a very captive audience and enjoyed listening and discussing while they played in the tub. Since we’re right there the entire time (along with every Rescue Hero, boat, car, and various assorted waterproof animals they can possibly fit into the tub) adding stories to the bathtime gives us just a little more leeway in our weekday schedule which seems to be getting more jam packed by the day. Fitting in 2 or 3 stories is not an issue because we aren’t rushing them to get to sleep and it seems to have cut back on some of the splashing (not all but any improvement will be appreciated by our bathroom tile and cabinets).

I never would have thought to do such a thing but I have to give credit to EDad for shaking things up in a positive way.

Which book did we read tonite? My First trip to Africa- definitely worth a read if you’d like to expose your children to some very important aspects of black and african history. This book is actually a hand me down from the childhood of EDad’s now college aged siblings:

These are the expert tools of one of the greatest grill masters of all time- EbonyDad of course. I would post pics of the actual incredibly delectable food but it didn’t last long enough for the camera to capture it. Maybe next time.

From Michael Baisden

On September 20, 2007 more than 1 million people will wear BLACK as we unite in one voice with one message to declare that UN-EQUAL JUSTICE is just not acceptable. The world will be watching when not just African Americans but people of all races take a stand for something that we all believe in. Mychal Bell and the Jena Six should be free.

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN PROTEST FROM ANYWHERE:

1 Wear BLACK on September 20th to protest Un-Equal Justice wherever you are
2 Register to Vote to make your voice heard beyond today
3 Sign the Petitions above
4 Email government officials
5 Call government officials
6 Tell your friends and co-workers to do the same

Mychal Bell’s aggravated battery charge has been overturned but he is still in prison. My prayers and support go out to each of these 6 young men and their families for fair treatment and swift justice.