Have you had your Jimmy John'sŪ today?

Declan has transformed into a finely tuned questioning machine over the last two weeks. In particular to posted signs and words. He will easily say "What's that say?" over 20 times in one visit to the grocery store. I am hopeful that this will turn into an insatiable desire to learn to read, and the sooner the better. In an effort to nurture this curiosity I have felt it my duty to maintain patience and answer each of his questions, regardless of the timing or repetitive nature with which he delivers them. This is difficult at times to say the least, but typically no more so than any of the other challenges of being a parent. Earlier this week we were lying in bed at the end of the day, when he typically would be bombarding me with storybooks to read, he instead began rattling out questions at a speed an auctioneer would be proud of. I was staring at the ceiling struggling with keeping up with his question barrage, "What would happen if I didn't go to school tomorrow?, What would happen if you didn't go to work? Where would we live if we didn't have a house?" My answers were becoming shorter and shorter as I struggled to get them out before the next question was thrown at me, but it wasn't until he said, in the same serious tone and without missing a beat, "Have you had your Jimmy John'sŪ today?" That I realized he wasn't expanding his knowledge and absorbing my answers, but merely waiting for the opportunity to shoot his next question at me. Perhaps more like excercising, and greatly enjoying, his conversation skills. Well I hadn't had my Jimmy John's, but tonight I plan to utilize his newfound love for the sandwich company, thanks to a television ad, and introduce him to a healthy and delicious homemade "Jimmy John's-ish" sandwich.

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