Oh yes, yes we do!  And those hopes started soaring around the end of July. In an effort to encourage some independent reading on the part of our reluctant reader (Sweetboy), Sweetman downloaded an adapted version of “The Swiss Family Robinson” onto the iPad.   We took a small gamble that the ultimate family adventure story would be up Sweetboy’s alley, since he doesn’t enjoy reading much of anything.  Other than maps. Oh, how he loves his maps.  He also has a little love affair with the iPad, so there was that in our corner, too. Y’all?  It. Is. Awesome.  We had forgotten how engrossing that story is!

Sweetboy also adores snuggling in with me or Sweetman to read at night.  For that, we are so thankful.   And on that, we decided to capitalize.  When father and son got to the part that referenced the rubber tree plant, Sweetman started singing the song. These are the moments that Sweetboy’s Autism bares itself clothed only in hilarity.  He quite simply informed him that, “Now is not the time for singing. It’s the time for reading, Daddy.”  Alrighty then.

When Sweetman came downstairs and relayed the story to me, I didn’t know what in the blue blazes the “Rubber Tree Plant Song” was, that he was referring to.  So, I did what any Reference Librarian worth their salt would surely suggest: I asked the YouTube.  And here’s what I heard:

And I instantly remembered hearing the song from somewhere in my memory.  Where or under what circumstances? Who in tarnation knows. My brain is fuzzy enough just trying to recall what I told Sweetman we’d have for dinner tonight!  But, it reminded me that next week begins a new year of school.  A new year of opportunities for growth.  A new year of possibilities! And, as Sweetboy prepares to enter the Third Grade next week, that, my Sweetfriends?  That gives me high hopes indeed!

So, what gives ya’ll high hopes?  Do tell!