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My Son Josh

 My son discovered how to moo like a cow and meow like a cat, and this has been a big event in my house.


Each time it happens, all relevant parties skip through the yard, in a celebratory dance. Josh then becomes demonic, and shouts YEAH YEAH! YEAH YEAH! YEAH YEAH! ....And he slides down onto his knees, as if dodging the catcher at home plate. He has a look of total seriousness when he performs the slide; it's a matter of great pride, and I think it must be something that generates attention and commentary at the Montrose Pre-K playground (South Orange).

We are reading "How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?" It's a solid, plotless offering from Jane Yolen. Yolen knows her strengths; she doesn't try to develop characters. She finds one quirky metaphor, and she beats it into the ground. "How does a dino say good night.... when Mama comes in to turn out the light? Does he sulk, does he pout, does he moan, does he sigh? Does he fall on top of the covers and cry?"

My son thinks this is riveting; it's like "Wolf Hall."

We are entering "Celebrate Kindness" week. For some reason, the school administrator feels that wearing blue today will promote warm neighborly feelings. I'm not clapping back. I don't love having an extra assignment, but blue is easy to find. Wednesday is trickier: "Wear your favorite color." It seems the principal did not consider what this discussion might look like for a pre-verbal child, and again, the connection between bright outfits and intentional kindness is just a connection that eludes me.

That's the main news from 67 Maplewood.
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