Jump Right In...

Alexander's DS just arrived from New York together with the new Pokemon game compliments of his grandparents. He had been checking the mailbox at least three times a day since he heard it might be coming. Eliot and I intercepted the mailman and, lo and behold, it had arrived. Eliot brought it upstairs as though she were carrying the keys to the palace.

I haven't seen Alexander that thrilled in a very long time. He wanted me to film him so that he could always remember how happy he was when he opened the package. I couldn't find the camera and when I did it needed to be re-charged. So I figured it was a good time to explain what a mental picture was. Eliot was his personal assistant, jumping up to get scissors, throw away wrapping. Then she was accorded the dubious honor of watching him play. A role she didn't take lightly.

The funny part came at night when he had to turn off the game to go to sleep and realized he hadn't learned how/if he could save the points accumulated during this one hour long game. Watching his frantic worry, Eliot voiced her concerns: "I hope he doesn't get 'dicted."

On our way to school this morning, Alexander said: "My ultimate goal is getting every Pokemon game there is."

That's your ultimate goal? That really shouldn't be what you are striving for in life."

No, just joking, Mommy. Of course, I want to get married, have a wife and children.

(Help, you're only nine.) About that Pokemon collection...I say, good plan, jump right in...

(Alexander in Ubud, Bali)