Tickle button

Wednesday night I really needed to get some work done. Paying bills, balancing the check book, and school work filled my evening schedule. Jairus came into the computer room to visit with me and distract me. I took some time to tickle and wrestle with him. After about 10 minutes of laughing, I told Jairus that I had to get back to work and so “my tickle button is off.” Without missing a beat, Jairus walked up to me, gently touched my wrist like it was a button, and said “it’s back on.”

So guess what, we tickled some more. How can you say no to that?

Do that again

So, Jairus is a kid who likes repetition. If you know Jairus, you know that. Well, almost daily we end up playing some type of little verbal volley match. This morning it was kisses. As we snuggled waking up I gave him a kiss, he kissed me back, I fake kissed him and he returned it. Over and over we did this. The other night he wanted juice to drink, but it was kinda late, so I told him he could have water. He said “no juice.” I said, “no water.” “No juice” Jairus responded. “Water” “Juice” Waaattteerrr” “Juuuiiiccceee” If I whisper, he whispers. Whatever tone I use, he repeats. Jairus will do this game with me lots. It is cute and entertaining for a bit…but eventually, I tire of it. Jairus on the other hand, doesn’t. When I stop he sweetly entreats me “let’s do that again!” Oh my!

Eight

This last month Jairus and I have gone to a few basketball games at school. I could have made money on funniest home videos if I had a video camera at the middle school games a few weeks ago. Jairus enjoyed cheering for the eagles, as always. But the best part of the evening was watching Jairus’ keen sense of observation. From our front row seats (where Jairus could run around on the floor/sideline) Jairus had an eagle eye on one referee. I tell you, when the referee called a jump ball, Jairus immediately threw up his hands too. He pretended to hand kids the ball, he signaled free throws, he even ran backwards. Whatever the ref did, Jairus was just a second behind him. It was funny and surprisingly drew attention from many people in the crowd. Jairus was entertaining.

At home Jairus sometimes runs back and forth in the living room “playing” basketball. Recently he told me that he is number 8. I asked him what he means (b/c his favorite number is 3). He pointed to his back and said “here, number 8 here.” At the last game I checked, and the eagles do not have a number 8 yet…maybe in 10 or 12 years! :)

Green

If you spend much time with Jairus, you will quickly learn that green is his favorite color. It comes up with almost every conversation – from what he wears, to what he eats, to what toys he plays with and the list could go on. But what is also pretty cool is that he is curious to what YOUR favorite color is too. He will ask and more impressively, he remembers.

His teacher told me that EVERY TIME they do something with colors at school, he tells them that green is his favorite color, purple is mommy’s favorite and orange is daddy’s favorite color.

He can tell you that yellow is Mamaw’s favorite, but blue is both Papaw’s and Uncle Tony’s favorite. Actually blue is a popular favorite color. It is claimed by Deron, and a couple guys who work with Joe. Actually, Matt and Don didn’t know they needed a favorite color until Jairus was in the office and asked them. Matt had Jairus guess. Jairus correctly guessed blue. Surprised, Matt asked Jairus how he knew that. He responded, “Your shirt is blue.” Ah yes, good logic.

Tuesday will be a busy day!

It was Friday night and Jairus was told that he needed to take a bath. His response: On Tuesday... I’ll take a bath on Tuesday. Later in the evening he was instructed to pick up his toys. His response: I can pick up toys on Tuesday. A few minutes later, he was told it was time to brush his teeth and guess his response…. “on Tuesday.” Funny! We did get him to take a bath, pick up toys, and brush his teeth on Friday, but it just a bit more consuming.

So Saturday morning he started again! Anything he was asked to do, he said he would do it on Tuesday. It was so funny! At one point I said, “Oh, it is Tuesday now.” Jairus looked straight at me and answered “no its not!.” :) Oh smarty pants!

Tuesday will be a very busy, busy day!