Alas, summer has already come to an end. Jacob started first grade last Wednesday. He’s no longer insulated in the safety of Kinderworld. He’s now on the other side of the tracks, also known as Dana Avenue, with the rest of the big kids.
Summer vacation went by in a blur of Splash Camp and Lego Robots. Surprisingly, when all camps were lined-up side-by-side for reflection, his week of “Baking Desserts Camp” was voted tops. And to think I really sweated that choice. But to be clear, his “favorite counselors were at Splash Camp, Mom.” So Teacher Veronica maintains her place on the throne.
One of my favorite summer memories was one of the last times I picked Jake up at camp. The counselors at the check-out table made the walkie-talkie call for Jake. A few seconds later, a suitably manly high schooler confirms via remote walkie-talkie, “Jakey Cakes is on his way.”
It was awesome.
Given weeks of various YMCA camps and Nate’s new school, we had lots of practice making new friends and adjusting to uncomfortably new situations. After quite a bit of implicit praise and stealth coaching, both boys feel confident that they are good at making friends. I’ve always wanted to feel like this so likely a bit of overcompensation on my part but whatevs.
A few weeks into Splash Camp, Jake confides to me with a sheepish, knowing shrug, “Gosh I’m just so popilar. Everyone is always calling my name when I’m leaving.” And yes, the word popular didn’t quite come out right when he said it, but he knew what it meant.
This past week, after school has started, he says something to a similar effect. “Mom, Mom. I think I may be too popular. Everybody knows me.” Again with the “What’s a guy to do?” crinkle in the corner of his mouth.
“Too popular, huh? Tough, that’s tough… Do you know what the word ‘humble’ means?”
“Mmmmm… no.”