The Power of Zero

Alexander used to say this thing when he was mad, and it really annoyed Michiel and me. Well, probably me more than Michiel. So, here's the scenario:

I would ask Alexander a question (usually trying to get him to do something) like, "Do you want to get dressed first or brush your teeth first?"

He would fix me with an angry stare and say, "Nothing."

Of course, the defiance was one thing, but the completely nonsensical response to my question was what really gets my dander up.

"Hey, Alexander, do you want to go to the park today?"

"Nothing."

I knew he meant no, but it doesn't make grammatical sense!!!!

Lately, though, he's put a new spin on the "nothing tactic." I think it came about a few months ago when he really started getting into numbers and using his abacus and all that, when some larger mathematical concepts started clicking into place.

Instead of saying, "Nothing," he started saying, "Zero," with all the venom he could muster.

Somehow, him upping the ante in such a geeky way bumped our little confrontation into the realm of the ridiculous. Now I find myself delighted by it.

Sometimes, when he asks me a question, I give him a sly smile and reply, "Infinity."

Bookworms

Alexander and I have a lovely routine for rainy days. When Annabel takes a nap, we curl up on the couch together and I read to him. Sometimes for an hour or two. We've gone through three of the Ramona books, a couple of Judy Blume books, the Mouse and the Motorcycle, and now we're on the Borrowers.

But the loveliest part of it (for me) is that while I read, Alexander will sit behind me and brush or play with my hair. Sometimes he'll scratch my back but mostly he sticks with my hair. I love it! It's so relaxing that I come dangerously close to needing a nap.

And it looks like Annabel is shaping up to be a bookworm as well. It's practically the first thing out of her mouth when she wakes up from a nap or when someone she knows enters the house:

"Want to read a book to me?"

Often she'll have a stack of books all ready to plop in the unsuspecting lap. Beware when you enter our house!

Alexander Writes

I meant to post this story last month but never got around to it. So here it is now:

Alexander's writing has really taken off. Last month I received this picture while he was at school, with the message: "Alexander has been writing for 1 1/2 hours so far and still working."

When I picked him up, I discovered that he spent 2 hours writing. Two hours sitting on the floor with chalk in hand writing letters, words, and sentences. He bubbled over with what he'd been working on.

I have never known him to concentrate for so long on one thing, not even legos. His teacher was bowled over as well. This is how Alexander does things. He goes along taking small steps, and then one day--BAM--he's writing sentences, or riding a bike, or pooping in the toilet. When he's ready, there's an explosion. Of learning.

And the favorite sentence that he made up?

"Rat sat on a chr."