Random Jack

When the kids do something funny or present a random photo opportunity, I often post it to Facebook or Instagram rather than blog about it.  It occurred to me that when I do that, I won't retain those memories for long.  So, I decided to start putting together posts with pictures I have taken and the corresponding short story to avoid losing the memory forever.  If you are friends with me on Facebook or follow me in Instagram, these will all be repeats.

Jack does some really random and entertaining things on a daily basis.  I keep waiting for him to get to the age where he stops doing these sorts of things, but currently there is no light at the end of that tunnel.  He is entertaining though, I will give him that.

He has recently become obsessed with wearing Justice's swim cap.  Have you ever put on a swim cap? It's not the funnest thing in the world.  It actually HURTS to put it on.  Justice barely has any hair, and it's a Ready?  1, 2, 3, GO! evolution to get it on his head without it pulling his hair.  

Jack?  He puts it on himself, over his dry afro.  I don't know how he does it without making his eyes water, but he found a way.  I scoped him out one day putting it on to see what his magic trick was, and there wasn't one.  He just peeled it over his head and tucked all the bits of fuzzy redness back in when he was done.

Why does he like to wear it?  

"I'm pretending to be bald like Dad."

Ha!

It occurs to me as an afterthought that you may think it's odd that he's sitting on an exercise ball on the couch.  I don't find it odd at all or even worth mentioning, and that's frightening.  

Jack also threatened to run away for about the tenth time this year.  I've mentioned before that Jack doesn't like loud.  He likes things to be quiet, and he enjoys his peace.  Even though he comes up with some classic one liners and zingers, he delivers them quietly.  

Speak softly and carry a big stick.  That's Jack.

So when Jack approached me about running away, our conversation went something like this:

Me:  "What's with the bag?"

Jack:  "It's no use, I'm out of here.  I packed what I need and I'm moving out."

Me:  "Why?"

Jack:  "It's too loud in here.  Justice is bugging me."

Me:  "Can I look in your bag?  What do you have in there?"

Jack (opening his backpack):  "I have some stuff, I have what I need."

What he needed was his "B" (security blanket), a Wii Remote, and a giant plastic hand.  I told him he wouldn't need the Wii remote because there is no Wii where the homeless people live.  

Jack:  "I know that already, I'm only taking it so Bubbie can't play it while I'm gone."

You may wonder about my nonchalant attitude about his moving out.  He's not going anywhere.  He's just frustrated and has a headache over the noise and activity level that Justice emits when his meds have worn off.  Once Justice saw he was leaving, he started crying because he knew he pushed him to the edge of the cliff, he apologized, and Jack unpacked.  

And the giant hand?

Jack:  "So I don't have to shake peoples hands with my own hand.  People have bad germs."

The giant hand is on the end of that green pole.  It was too long to fit in the picture.

Jack has also become quite the kitchen "helper".  He was tired of Justice getting all the kitchen time with me, so he's decided that he and I are going to open a restaurant.  He tells me every day that "tomorrow is our day to open the restaurant" and we have a long drawn out conversation about what it will look like, what we will serve, and who our employees will be.  Today's menu consists of noodles with sauce, cupcakes in soccer wrappers, and frosting in bowls.   Maybe some corn if we have time, he says.  Bubbie will serve the people and Jack is going to be the boss.   I enjoy these imaginary restaurant conversations immensely.  

My kitchen helper in his green eggs and ham apron, "testing" the frosting.  The health inspector may not approve of his cooking methods.

And guess who is still dressing himself in a bad way?

Yep, you guessed it.

I posted this on Instagram and one of my friends said something to the tune of "Wait till he tries to put on that flip-flop".

I didn't have the heart to say that he already had it on, he was actually just taking his flip-flops OFF in this picture.  

Oh Jack-Jack.