Random Rants - Jack

(NOTE: The pictures are dated 1/3/2002 but were really taken on 9/23/2010)

  

This is our preschool.  The group picture is really terrible but it is the only one that has everyone looking in the same direction.  We do a little co-op preschool, with all the moms taking a topic and then we just go through a rotation every week.  This is our second year doing it, two other families moved this year, so this is the lot.  My topic is Math.  Don’t let these pictures fool you.  Jack looks so timid and mild mannered – oh no – don’t even go there!

Mr. Jack Sparks has been having trouble recently in his primary class.  He likes to kick.  He likes to climb.  He does not like to sit.  He likes to sing VERY LOUDLY (and does know all the words, at that.)  He is the most wonderful little boy, but he is ALL BOY.  We have this new thing deal going on: He goes to class with no shoes, so at least the kicking won’t hurt as much, and if his teacher says he did awesome in class, he gets to pick out any dessert for after Sunday dinner (so far it has been chocolate cake and homemade ice cream) and then he gets to have a movie on a day of his choice, which is always on Saturdays, after the bedrooms and the front room is cleaned and vacuumed.  Candy and movies are THE big motivators for him.

Movies are another issue altogether for him.  Jack loves the movie Cars.  LOVES it.  Loves it so much and was perseverating on in so much that we wanted to diversify a little bit.  Wow – big problems.  Every time we try a new movie it is such an emotional drama for him.  In Disney’s Robin Hood, the one with the fox, Jack came running out of the computer room after I left to go put sleeping Charlotte down in her bed, screaming and sobbing that I don’t leave him and to come watch it with him.  He was too concerned about what happened to each character – yes, my boy who loves to watch animals be slaughtered and cut up into pieces couldn’t handle not knowing what happened to Prince John after the arrow competition.  “They killed him, they killed him, I know he died!”  The Reading Rainbow episodes are much better, so is Thomas the Train and Sesame Street.  And I think he’d really like Bob the Builder.  But no matter if he likes the movie or not he is always absolutely dreadful afterwards with MAJOR tantrums.  And after watching a new movie, those are the only nights he will wake up in the middle of the night, come to our room and just cry and him not knowing why.  He is much better now about it, and I’d rather him not watch movies because it is so traumatic for all involved, but he really REALLY wants to watch them.

Jack is also the sweetest boy in the whole wide world.  When he not purposely irritating Sage, he is the kindest, most thoughtful brother.  He is really great with Charlotte.  Jack is constantly thinking ahead of what other people may need and is extremely helpful.  This makes him a great host when people come over, always making sure they have food, drinks and entertainment.  He is especially loving to me.  He always gives me hugs and kisses when Sage would rather not.  He always tells me that I’m special and does things or gives me things “because I love you, mom, so so much.”  I love being adored. 

Jack is so dang smart.  He is doing really well with his letters and is starting to really write.  Without help he always writes MOM and JA (and some squiggles looking closer to CK) on it for me.  Jack’s mind retains everything.  He gives amazing Family Home Evening lessons, even giving insights and able to explain what everything means.  He really is talented in singing and remembering all the words.  I love when he plays the piano because he can really match his voice to the note he is playing.  He likes to make up a lot of his songs too.  He is truly a Jack of all trades.

Jack makes me laugh.  Jack makes me cry with the sweetest things he says to me.  Jack can frustrate me to no end.  Jack makes my heart swell.