All last year you kept saying, “I’m never going to school.”

Your Mom brought you there a few times, but you weren’t having it.

No way, Jose.

So this year when it was time to give it another try, it was a challenge. Your Mom said dropping you off was one of the hardest things she had ever done.  You were crying, she was crying… what a mess!

by the end of Day Two, you were getting into the groove and at night – out of the blue – you said:

thanks for school, Mom

A few days later, Emma asked if you had made any new friends in pre-school. You said.

Yes.

“What’s your friend’s name?” Emma replied.

Wood Chip

“Wood Chip?”

Wood Chip is not a real name.  His real name is Water Country.

now that is hilarious!

Every once in awhile the sun would shine at just the right angle through the windows of our shower at 44 Waterloo, hitting the wet glass on the shower door.  This created a tiny little rainbow on the wall.

One day when you lived with us (from November through February this year) you visited us in our bathroom while we were getting ready. I showed you the wall inside the shower and proclaimed it “my rainbow pet.”

although seven months have flown by since we last spoke about it, you haven’t forgotten.  while the two of us were driving around you fired off a series of questions:

are you going to have a rainbow pet at your new house?

when will it come again?

what do rainbow pets do?

they’re cute

is there another one at the beach?

If I had a rainbow pet I would put it in my shower

I would call him butterfly.

Do they disappear from the water?

do they sleep at night when the beach is awake? but the waves are loud when you go to sleep!

you have a very active mind Master Jack, and it never stops working!

Grammy and I are so glad you and Molly decided to ride up with us to Jackson, NH instead of going in your car.  As we headed North to begin a two day getaway that included a drive up Mt. Washington and a visit to Santa’s Village, you had plenty on your mind.  Here are highlights:

it smells like peach, but that’s because I like peach

can  you catch clouds? can you cup them in your hands

that paving is well paved

I don’t know why I can feel raindrops in the car.

I can see mountains over there.

I can see clouds… they are dark clouds

is it a big pool?  is there enough space?

one hour into the ride you said:

we’ve been on the road three three hours

As we drove through Main Street in North Conway, we passed a park by the train station where there were kids playing in water:

I don’t think I’m going there today because I might go crazy

As we climbed the steeps of Mt. Washington road, you started singing a song to the tune of “Oh Christmas tree”):

Mount Wash-ing-ton, Mount Wash-ing-ton, how we love you Mount Wash-ing-ton

We had a fun weekend with you and your family – and so did you!  here’s a photo that proves it:

The first painting is incredible, your best ever.  Love the colors – it looks like a kid 10+ would have painted it!  The second one is “fireworks” – well done Jack!  The third is “the sun with sunglasses.”

Fantastic job Jack, we’ll put them up in the beach house kitchen for all to see.

You and your brother and sisters stayed overnight after a fun day at the beach. Your parents were at home.  When it was time for bed, I checked in on you.  You were in the lower bunk bed, propped up with two pillows and a variety of other pillows to soften the blow should you fall out.  Your arms were behind your head and despite the late hour, you were mellow and happy.

Hoping to motivate you to stay in bed all night, I said “Jack if you’re a good boy and stay in bed alllllllll-night, Papa will let you pick out two donuts when we go to Congdon’s tomorrow.

A wide grin crossed your face as you said:

Just drop me off.

In the morning, I said “Who wants to come with me to get donuts at Congdon’s?”
One lone voice cried out immediately – with great enthusiasm:

“I will!!!!” – you shouted, the only one interested in coming along.  I could tell by your face you hadn’t forgotten the promise – it was as if you were saying “hey, you promised me two donuts dude and believe me I am going to get my two donuts!”

“Hooray,” I said as we climbed into the Youk for our drive along the ocean and up to the famous place on route 1 that makes the world’s yummiest donuts. “We’re going to have fun together!”

As we rounded the bend, I pointed out the rocks, waves and lighthouse, which you kindly acknowledged.  But you had your own agenda and were far more intent on expressing yourself on a wide variety of pressing topics.  Here are a few entertaining excerpts from our little escapade:

I can’t see you cause the sun is in my eye.

Are we going to Old McDonald’s?  Is it close to the beach?

I miss my Mommy.  That’s my problem.

Can I hold the donuts? Just put them on the bench right there (the seat next to your car seat).

(as you were holding them)  They smell good in there!

Papa, do we have to wake up early to see the fireworks?

You are such a little master chatter-box now, expressing every thought with endless spontaneity.  It’s so fun being around you – we never know what will come out next!