The wonder of being almost three and a half is that you can say pretty much anything you want and still get away with it on the grounds of being a) cute and b) saying what most of us are afraid to really say.
A couple of weeks ago, we arrived home from a supermarket trip where you made the most exquisite shopping companion. You pushed the little kid's buggy around the store, and whenever I told you what we needed to find next, you would stop your cart, raise your arms in the air and exclaim, "I DIDN'T KNOW WE NEEDED PEANUT BUTTER/TOILET PAPER/FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS." You were frightfully cute and each time I added an item to your cart you would run through what all the items were now in your cart. A 15-minute trip ended up taking us one hour, but who am I to rush a budding foodie?
When we arrived home, I did as I often do and asked for your help."Can you help me take some of these groceries into the house?" I ask as I tried to juggle a purse, cell phone and coffee cup while grabbing for a few grocery bags.
"No, I don't think so. But I'll sit here on my bike and watch you."
I know your dad would prefer to say that to me most days as well, but he knows my response would be less laughing in exasperation and more kicking out of his legs from under him.
Another day, you were fighting me as I was trying to apply sunscreen to you. Finally, I stopped and said, "Do you know what happens when you don't wear sunscreen?" You looked at me quite curiously and asked, "What?""You get a bad sunburn that makes freckles and sun spots all over you just like on my back," I said as I showed you my shoulders.
You suddenly stood a little stiller and let me finish the greasing process. The next day, when I was putting it on you again and you were being extremely cooperative, I asked why we wear sunscreen.
"So we don't get polka dots," you replied.
Close enough.
Maybe I focus so much on your comprehension and language because it is part of the career I've had to this point. Maybe I should focus more on summarizing your outstanding gross or fine motor skill, or your ability to stick your finger so far into your nose that I am concerned for the safety of your brain. But, Jack, I just love hearing what new ideas and interpretations you are coming up with. In part, I think it makes me think harder about what I say to other people, particularly when I'm trying to teach them a new concept or a different way to look at a situation. So, see. You are in many ways teaching me to be a better person and a better consultant. And I expect you will be asking me for a cut of profits as soon as you realize this.
Love,
Your Momma
