Monday, October 13, 2008

Tagged about Jake

Okay, I don't really know what "tagged" means to blog people, probably because I turned 40 this year and am apparently too old to keep up with the latest tech stuff that everyone does. However, it seems to mean something along the lines of "spotlight" someone - is that right?
So my sister, Laura, wants me to tag my son Jake. Here goes:
Talents:
-Smarts (everything comes so easily to him - lucky!),
-memory (incredible what he can remember, even if told just once - not to pick up his clothes off the floor, but lots about history, math, etc),
-smile (the kid could make millions off it!),
-sense of humor (if Jake laughs, we all laugh),
-athletics (football, basketball, dodgeball, golf, tennis ...),
-music (piano - with chagrin; guitar - with pride, and singing - which no one knows about),
-girls (don't ask me why, but where Jake is, there is a giggling group of girls surrounding - he's got it!)

Favorite things: Jake loves food. He likes to cook, bake, and eat. A nice combo. He loves whatever I make - lovely boy - and has made many a friend's mom happy by enjoying her cooking also. He likes his music, his gadgets, sports, friends, and peace and quiet. (he's at the wrong house, and he knows it!)

Baby memories: Jake was so easy as a baby. I tell him he "ate and slept, ate and slept" and that's pretty much how it went!

Kid memories: Jake had no problem making friends - actually still doesn't - and would walk up to anyone and start talking to them.
He had a bit of a speech issue with his "r"s when he was 4-5 years old. He would say "Buhguh King" for example. His first day of speech therapy in kindergarten, the speech lady told him to smile when he said anything with an R. Problem solved - never had to go back. Who'd a thunk it? We could've told him that years earlier and saved him all the pain!
He was on the older end of his school classes, and his kindergarten teacher told me it was like having a teacher's aid in class. He would read to some of the younger kids, and help them understand math concepts. His 2nd grade teacher told me it was like having a 3rd grader in class. What can he say?!

Jake and Money: Jake has always loved money. He was always trying to make a buck, either by doing extra chores of finding someone who would "hire" him to do something. He likes to bargain with us, and make plans for purchasing items. I have no doubt that he will be a solid provider for his family someday.

Nicest thing he does for me: Jake will just walk up to me in the middle of the day, in the middle of the kitchen for no apparent reason and give me a big hug. He has to be in a good mood for it, but it always surprises me (as no one else is approaching me with hugs) and is a very nice thing to do. Especially from a son so much bigger than me! (maybe he's just thinking of the dinner we had the night before, and feeling happy)

Jake's future: I see Jake doing well in high school and college, becoming something impressive - at the moment he wants a career in bio-genetics or the like - and being the smart, rich, silent type. He told me once that he doesn't think he talks much. That was after spending an hour in the hall at church with some girls who wouldn't stop talking. He said he realized he had just stood there and listened the whole time. Welcome to manhood!