3/30/09

Walking and Chewing Gum

We recently got back from a trip to Florida - our annual vacation to the warmer climates of the country. Not to my suprise, Joshua's favorite part about the entire week was flying on JetBlue (followed by the shuttle bus from the airport to the car rental agency).

On the way home, Joshua's ears started hurting him as we descended into the Metro NY area. Jen and I decided to give him a piece of gum, but we had to give him clear directions on how to chew it, since the last time he tried gum he almost ended up swallowing it, just like the famous Plum Pit.

"Chew the gum, but don't swallow it. It's ok to swallow your saliva, but not the gum. Ok, Buddy? Got it?"

He nodded yes, but then started practicing his chewing. He looked very serious as he warmed up his jaws and got ready for the gum. Watching him practice his chewing was probably one of the cutest, and funniest, things I've ever seen him do. What we think of as very basic and rudimentary is not so to a 4 year old. There is so much for them to learn.

Joshua ended doing a great job with the gum, and was able to avoid major pain in his ears. Now we know he can handle the gum for next year's flight.

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