2004 May 07 Archive at Jenny On the Spot

Joel and I went on a “date” tonight. Joel really looks forward to our dates, as do I. These dates provide special one on one time — just with each other.

Tonight we went to see the local children’s theater perform Oliver Twist. His friend Jack was in the play and Joel enjoyed looking for him during the scenes. Joel did very well, but definitely got fidgety towards the end. It was about 2 hours long! He loved it when the younger kids were on, and at one point asked if he could go talk with a few of the boys.

Afterwards, Joel gave Jack a sucker bouquet and got to go on stage to take a picture with him. Jack\’s mom took Joel on a backstage tour. He got to meet one of the “bad guys” (Fagin) and seemed excited, yet concerend about this villain being so close to him. I wish I had had a camera because he had the funniest look on his face! When he got to meet “Oliver” he seemed to be in awe.

After the play we went to Checkers to “play” checkers and have some chocolate peanutbutter ice cream cones. We gobbled up our ice cream and played the Nascar version of checkers. He always brings such life to every activity he does. There was screeching and crashing. Then he set the checkers behind a line and pretended the checkers were people and he was on-stage with Jack:)

It was so nice to sit and “visit” with my boy. I loved watching him devour his ice cream cone — leaving a big chocolate dot on his nose. His blues eyes just sparkled as we sat, unhurried and unstressed. I loved his precious smile because I knew he felt happy, safe and important. As we walked to our front door, I stopped him. I squatted down to his height and said, “Thank you for spending time with me, I really had a nice time with you.” He smiled the smile that he gets when things are “in place” and said, “I did too.” Then…. a big hug! I never want to lose theses moments…

Over the past couple of days, Joel has been sending e-cards from the Veggie Tales website. I managed to copy all but two of the letters. Though I typed the words (and clarified a wee-bit only where necessary), what is written is what he said and how he said it.

To Gramma, Grampa & Uncle Mark: “I want to give Mark chocolate money that’s wrapped in paper. I want him to have a rabbit chocolate sucker and give him another video to him. Gramma & Grampa can have a watch and go to Red Robin for Uncle Mark’s birthday and have a Veggie Tales shovel. I love you so much, like big as a moon!!! I want to give Kasey and Cody a present and they have a sister. Thanks for the ride for Uncle Mark and his friends to let me ride in their snow thing.
Love, Joel”

To Gigi Virgie: “I love you and want to give you a beautiful star and that’s it! Love, Joel”

To Mim & Poppy: “I love you Mimi and Poppy. I want to give you a sucker and I love you and you love me and that’s it. I want to have a present. Love, Joel”

Joel sent a card to his Auntie Kerry and Cousin Cole, but I didn’t copy it. They sent a card back and it read: “Cousin Joel, thank you for the great Larry card. I liked it a lot. I wanted to send you a card also. I saw the sand box card and thought of the time we were playing at Owidia’s happy birthday party. Remember when I was throwing the rocks…? I thought that was fun even tho I am not supposed to throw sand or rocks. I love you and thanks for the card! Your cousin Cole”

To Friend Connor: “I want to play with you and I want to give you a hood and I want to give you a sucker. I want to give you a gun and a computer and that’s it! Your friend, Joel”