Coloring

Since I had been away from the boys for awhile, my blogs were all about ME. :) However, I know many of you family members want updates about the boys too.

I took Ryan to the little playground at our local grocery store the other day. At the time we were there, fortunately, there weren't very many people...only one other child. So, Ryan and I had lots of fun traipsing around the play yard, jumping in the balls, jumping on the trampoline, running around obstacles, rolling down the ramps, sliding down the slides and even swinging on their swings.

It occurred to me that at some point in our venture to the Far East, Ryan had outgrown a baby swing. When did that happen? There are two "big boy" swings in the play area and Ryan hops onto them like he's been doing it for ages...he's only 2.5 years old! I thought I had remembered Brandon being in the baby swing for a lot longer...or at least ME keeping him in it for a lot longer. Have the boys grown so much since arriving here? Am I missing all the growing they are doing by being so preoccupied by living here??

It's hard to remember that Ryan is only two. He is so smart and knows so many things now. He's talking so well now. Is he really only 2.5 years old? My perception of my kids differ greatly between each of the boys at specific ages. Time seemed soooo slow the first time around and seems soooo quick the second time. Of course, moving to China has been a HUGE distraction from what I would normally concentrate on a daily basis.

Back to the swings. While I was pushing Ryan in the swing, I had to reflect on the fact that other than an isolated swing here or there, China doesn't really have a lot of parks with large outdoor structures, more specifically with swings. I know that many OT specialists LOVE swings and the effect they have on so many children...often a calming one. What does it mean that China lacks simple tools to help calm their children? What do the kids find to do to replace that proprioceptive sensation? Don't they need it or wouldn't they benefit from it like so many OT specialists feel kids in the US do? I know many adults that still love to swing. It's hard to deny the benefit or effect swinging can have on some people. How sad that China doesn't offer more of these simple things for their kids. We take things like that for granted in the US. Even the poorest of neighborhoods in the US often have swing sets...even if it's the ONLY thing on the playground.

So, it seems overnight, that Ryan has developed an obsession with coloring. He colors like a fiend. Color, color, color. I know kids grow into a stage where they do certain activities more often, perhaps. But, this borders on obsession. I can't help but wonder if he has found coloring to be his "escape" from the difficult challenges he sometimes faces here in China. I know coloring has ALWAYS provided ME with a feeling of calm. I reach a "zone" when coloring. So, it makes sense that it is therapeutic for Ryan too. But, it makes me sad that, as his mommy, I can't "shield" him from certain challenges he may be facing here. God only knows I have been trying my best. Then again, maybe this is JUST a phase that any or some two year olds goes through. Who knows!

So...instead of swings, he has coloring. AT LEAST, he has something! Maybe I should start coloring more often! ;-)