Nathaniel

Nathaniel desires to be grown up like the others. Whatever they say, he says, "Me too." Regardless of what it is their doing whether it be working on calculus or curling one's hair, Nathaniel can do it just the same.

This morning on the drive to school, Madison started talking about the planets that she's learning about.

"I know the planets," Nathaniel chimes in from the back seat.

"Oh yeah? What are they honey?" I ask, encouraging him to be "the grown up he" that he wants to be.

"Jupiter and the sun," he says, and I can sense the grin that separates one chubby cheek from the other.

"Very good," I answer letting him think that the sun is a planet, and quieting those who desperately want to point out the truth. 50% is too close to failing, so I let it slide this one time.

Then Madison starts in about school again. "Mom, we're going to be learning about what's in the earth," she says.

"Oh, oh, oh," Nathaniel pops around the back seat like Orville Redenbocker at the movies, "I know what's in the earth!"

Madison doesn't seem to mind as she listens to her little brother list off cars, and signs, and puppies, and doctor's offices, and Slupees, and mommies and trucks. And I smile feeling the warmth of the sun on the steering wheel, and listening to my little guy rant.

"That's great sweetie, but I think what Madison is saying is that she's going to be learning what's inside the earth--under the ground, not what's on it.

"Oh, that's easy too," he says, "It's Hell."

If you want to read more about Nathaniel and his amazing birth story, I'm writing over at CWO's Internet Cafe today for "In 'Other' Words."