Happy 5th Birthday Apollo!

A thick musk of unfamiliar smells hung in the air as we entered the overstocked little store. The isle ways were narrow, crowded with merchandise, and seemingly cluttered. There was hardly enough room to pass another person in the isle with out being pressed against the shelves and brushing shoulder with the person as they passed. Boxes of fresh, exotic produce were placed hap-hazardly on any available spot on the floor, leaving just a foot path in between them. Spices and incense sweetened the air as I walked down one of the isles, but then the air soured with hints of moth balls, dried fish, and an earthy must from the likes of mushrooms and dried roots. An older asian lady tended the register and greeted customers as they entered the store, "Come in, come in".  Her asian accent was thick and her english broken. Her face was weathered, and aged. Her wrinkles were deep and told the story of a life of hard work. This was the first time we had set foot in this little Thai market. From the moment we stepped inside, it felt as if we were transported to another county.
  Apollo scurried up and down the isles looking at and touching everything that he found remotely interesting. There was candy, treats, snacks and bizarre foods. "Dada...I'm Hungry." he said over and over. Out of all the things that Apollo could have chose in that store to eat, I turned just in time to see him reach out with both hands, grab a large, flat, dark green, leafy vegetable, tear it in half and shove it in his mouth, chew and swallow. "Yum, yum, yum, yum, yum! Delicioso!" he announced licking his lips. I am of course laughing out loud, both out of embarrassment and disbelief. I could feel the expressionless eyes of the asian lady fall upon my back as I positioned myself to block her view of Apollo so she wouldn't know that he just ate some of her produce.

  Apollo really is an anomaly. He loves fruits and vegetables. Not that most kids don't love fruit, but he often prefers vegetables over most other foods. This is the kid that does not like french fries. He will also choose raisin bran cereal over fruit loops when given the choice.
He is not a picky eater either, he just seems to prefer healthy foods over junk foods. He eats stuff right from our garden without prompting or provocation. I have watched him break off pieces of spinach, bok choy, Kale, and Swiss chard right from the plants growing in our garden, for a "little snack" while playing in the yard. Because of this, we deliberately plant grape tomatoes and peas for both the boys to help themselves to as they see fit. When the figs, plums, and persimmons ripen on the trees, Apollo and Orion will pick them from the trees and eat them all day long. I love that we can grow these foods and have them available to the boys to eat as they ripen.

Apollo's love for fruits and vegetables is a testament to the kind of person that he is. He is unique in many ways. He has a love for all things living. I have seen his little heart break when other kids kill a bug or even a snail. He is fascinated by even the tiniest creatures. He likes to know how things work and why. He loves the stars, the sun, the moon, and all things space. He dreams of flying. He has empathy and compassion for all those in his inner circle. He can torment his little brother all day, yet become panicked when Orion is in perceived danger. Apollo loves to be tickled to the point of uncontrollable laughter and then beg for more. He is stubborn, contemplative, insightful, passionate, goal driven, and affectionate. He has a wild imagination. To him, everything in life is an adventure. He is my son and I am proud to be his father. Happy 5th Birthday Apollo!!! You are amazing, and fill my life with joy!