Opening, Closing and Climbing

The last holdout were the cupboards. They have little latches on them

that slide.  Poseidon could grip them...think small round knobs (~1/4" diameter) of brass in a channel.  He could not, however slide them with enough force.  I believe he was trying to pull on them.  Which, entertainingly enough, pulls the slider out so that you can repair or replace it, inadvertently opening the door.  That works on the kitchen one as it is under tension.  The radio is a different story.  The car stereo...helps to let it run off DC power.  Think about what powers your car (batteries) and the same applies to a boat not on shore power.  To let the radio work underway without requiring an inverter, car stereos are a standard installation.  Not only does Poseidon now know how to turn on the radio, but the unit happens to live behind a cupboard door.  You see where I am going with this.  Yes, he learned to open cupboards in his multiple attempts to program the stereo.  He knows that the "source" button turns it on.  If he doesn't like what is on (talking or a slow to load CD track), he will hit it again to change between CD and FM radio.  If neither make Poseidon happy, he know he can cycle through the pre-programmed stations.  He adjusts the volume to his appropriate level, and occasionally blasts Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star down the docks.  (There is some way to control the outside speakers through balance or fade, but we never bother.)  While he is well aware of the location of the "off" button, he is quite judicious in his use of it.  The "Would you please turn off the stereo for dinner?" is most often met with a smug closing of the cupboard door with it still blaring.  I have found that a few gentle repeats and withholding of his plate of steaming goodness tends to reverse this decision. :)  Finally to climbing.  There are times I wonder whether I have a son or a monkey.  I have been told by my mother that I was a climber as well.  And, I still enjoy climbing, including the rock kind.  However, there are just some feats he is capable of which I never would have though possible.  I attribute this ability with  his supreme sense of balance to having lived on-board his entire life.  At 19 months, he will pull himself up on something with his hands until he can get his forearms on it, pull his body up into a plank, and wiggle until he has obtained victory.  Once he is big enough to fit in one, Poseidon is getting a rock harness and heading to the climbing gym.  I have no doubt that it will become both one of his favorite places and a great way to tire him out in the evenings.  Now to find one close by...