I submit as evidence...

As we have noted, the boys would seem to be well-prepared for a career in law. Usually we cite their almost uncanny memory for precedent and a determined, if often misguided, sense of justice. But a recent episode revealed that Jamie may also have a flair for courtroom dramatics.

Jamie takes the law seriously of course, i.e. he is passionate about following rules and very afraid of being on the wrong side of them. Now, getting them out to school in the morning is a challenge. Frankly they are just a little slow to get moving in the morning and let's face it they come by it honestly. Their ideal is to ease into the day by transitioning from the bed to the couch, watching a show and then facing breakfast, then playing for a while. We just don't have time for this on school days. So it's a bit of a fight to get them out and to school on time, but we almost always manage it.

I guess the "almost" is important. One day last semester I was about 5 minutes late getting Jamie there for one reason or another. I thought I was within in the window of acceptability though, so when he came home asking me why he had been tardy, I told him we were just running a little behind schedule, and that I was sorry but that I didn't think he was officially tardy. "Oh really?" he said leadingly. Then he paused, and asked sharply, "Then how do you explain...THIS?" and he reached into his pocket and pulled out a slip of paper with his name, picture and the word "TARDY" in big block letters. I confess I was speechless. He might as well have said "May I remind you that you are under oath sir?"

Case closed, Daddy guilty on all charges.

Here we go again

Well folks, in the strange calendar of Texas it is time for Fall baseball. It may seem soon, but to be honest Jamie has been chomping at the bit, asking for the past month when baseball starts. Here are some great pictures from last year.

For myself, I am also happy it's beginning, but also not quite ready for the intensity of it. Jamie, of course, takes it very seriously, too. Watching him bat is a bit torturous, I just want him to do well so badly, but mainly because I know he does as well.

I thought I would recap some of the excitement from last year. Having had a good but not great regular season, our team, which was younger and smaller than most went on a hot streak that led into the playoff. The first game was frankly one of the greatest sporting events I have ever witnessed. Honestly, the only baseball games I can think of that rival it for me are the 1986 Mets playoff and World Series games.

So we won 16-15 in 7 innings. It was a see-saw battle the whole game, with both teams playing their hearts out, many good plays in the field great hitting, and the usual element of chaos. They went up 3-0, then we went up 5-3, then they were up 8-5 and it went back and forth until we were down 11-10 with 2 outs in the bottom of the 4th and Jamie came up with a runner on third. I could tell he knew it was a big moment and he dug in and got a hit to tie it at 11. After he was safe at first the first baseman bobbled the ball, however, and for reasons known only to him he took off for second with the first baseman standing right there. After recovering from his surprise, the 1B picked up the ball and starting chasing Jamie, who after a brief moment of doubt is now running hell for leather for second. Now this kid is eight and looks literally about twice Jamie's size. I think this helped motivate him because I have never seen Jamie run anything close to that fast and he beat him to second by a hair. I was actually lying on the ground by the time he got there.

But then they go up 15-11 in the top of the 5th. We score 4 to tie it in the bottom and just missed getting the lead, and hold them to 0 runs for the first time in the top of 6. But it's the bottom of our order and we go down 1-2-3. So it's on to extra innings and we've got their big hitters up. But we hold them again and now things look good. Our #12 hitter leads off and dinks one in front of the plate. Would have been out by a mile but they overthrow first so I send him to second, they overthrow second and he goes to third. It's no outs and the top of our lineup. The leadoff hitter hits a grounder to third and they don't even through to first so we just hold the runner. Next kid hits one to the outfield game over. Crazy. Don't know how many more of those I can take. And that was just the beginning of the playoffs.

Connor's world

The fact is, Connor's world is just not quite the same one the rest of us live in. We've noted often Connor's un-trustworthiness, but I think we're starting to understand that not all of it stems from mischievous impulses.

While initial reports of the transition in schools were very positive, he's actually been having a bit more trouble lately. Compared to his previous school, the fact of the matter is that the new school is big and noisy and there's very little we can do to change this. He's been fine in his classroom, which is a wonderfully sweet place, and with his teacher, who clearly adores him (who couldn't?) but at other times there is clearly some anxiety.

Sarah has very astutely suggested that some of his questionable accounts of things at school are best seen as means of coping with some of those anxieties. He gets very nervous about walking by himself in the hallways, particularly past one area where a loud fan blows. He came home one day saying that he had been left behind by his class and gotten lost. He said that he went to the front office and they gave him directions back to his room. This struck us as worrisome clearly so we asked his teacher, who has a GREAT deal of credibility and is an experienced, highly-detailed, talented teacher. She said in no uncertain terms that no such thing had happened or would happen. But as Sarah says, I think that the story was a means for Connor to work through his fears and imagine the scenario and what he would do. He produced another story last night about a stranger being in the building and being chased down by the police. This comes on the heels, it is clear from stuff Jamie has said, of a school-wide discussion about security. We are glad, clearly, they take this seriously, but it's the sort of thing that can cause a bunny to worry.

Anyway, armed with these and other defense mechanisms, things have been OK the last couple of days. We had his open house last night and he was tireless in leading us proudly around the room, so it's clear that in that space he is very happy and comfortable and learning a great deal, too.

Yo Yo Jamie

As you know, the fact that our chosen school is distinguished for its music program has caused some hand-wringing for us, given that neither of the boys has demonstrated an overwhelming aptitude or interest in music thus far. So I confess it has been with some trepidation that I have watched Jamie's first few weeks in cello. But we should have learned by now. When asked to do things in an official context, especially when other kids are doing it, Jamie takes things very seriously and responds with a certain dogged determination.

I think things were helped by the fact that the beginners like Jamie didn't get their instruments until this past week. By then the anticipation had built up so much that the cello had become a much-valued prize. He is still not playing it, however. They are working now on respect for the instrument, so Jamie has to practice putting it in and taking it out of its case and carrying it safely around. Thus, I came home yesterday to see him cheerfully, but carefully, marching around the house, 1/2-size cello firmly in two hands. There may be resistance to come as the realities of a practice schedule emerge, but I think having the instrument also gives him a little sense of status at the school, where so many kids play, as well as a sense of responsibility. Older child that he is, he takes responsibility very seriously. He seems to sense also, that there is something very special about this thing, and the sense of ownership clearly means a lot to him. Updates to follow.

Do not disturve!

Connor takes a lot of heat from Jamie. For more or less anytime anything goes wrong in Jamie's world, most especially a broken Lego, or some toy in a place he didn't want it to be, he automatically blames Connor. Connor can scarcely open his mouth without being contradicted and Jamie gets especially annoyed at Connor for talking when Jamie doesn't want him to (during TV shows or while reading in bed at night). Jamie reserves a very special tone of "Connooooo!" for these times often followed by "you're bothering me!"

We try to work on this as much as we can, but Connor has his own means of enacting revenge, often claiming that Jamie is in some way bothering him, even though this often seems manufactured. His revenge is a very indignant, authoritative, "You're disturving me!!!"

Down the street

One of the reasons we chose our neighborhood is that we were seeking a community and a little bit more of an organic childhood experience for the boys. I suppose this means we didn't want it always to have to be arranged play-dates that we plan and drive them to, etc. Indeed this has worked out as we have wonderful neighbors and great friends for the boys. I realize though that we're not totally prepared to deal with what this means all the time. The other day our friends down the street invited the boys over at the last minute. Connor was sick and couldn't go, so Jamie sensed an opportunity. He has been agitating for permission to walk there by himself (it's across the street and about 3 houses down) but our usual excuse is that we can't let Connor go without us. With that out of the way Jamie pounced. I said yes but that I would watch him, which elicited a groan. "I don't need you to watch me!" Before I even realized it I was confessing: "I know Jamie but I need it." There is something in here about us growing up more slowly than they do. Anyway, I told him I wouldn't watch, but did so discreetly from a window. That's lying I know, but it was the best I could offer.