The Good Samaritan

Preface:  I began writing this post on January 21st and am now just posting it.  I will be writing more regularly now, but I had an extremely busy month and have had no extra time to post any blog entries.  The events and developmental updates may be a little old now, but the sentiments are still relevant. 

I don't know what the future holds for Jackson, but it may very well be some sort of doctor or counselor.  He is very tuned-in to others' emotions and has a very consoling, caring side to him to try to make other people feel better if they are sad.

A couple of weeks ago, I was recounting a story to Lee which had me quite agitated--it was either work-related or stemmed from road rage, or very well could have been both.  After I finished my rant, Jackson, who was playing with his Hot Wheels, walked over to where I was on the couch and nestled a blanket up under my chin.  I thought that was extremely caring and cute, but he didn't stop there.  Then, Jackson began bringing me his Hot Wheels cars one-by-one donating them to the Make-Mom-Feel-Better cause.  He gave up his most beloved toys in order to calm me down from my outburst.

Today, a tiny cold that started a few days ago has grown into an annoying congestion, clogging up my sinuses and driving me nuts!  I was putting pressure on my face, trying to breathe through the eye-watering effects this cold is having on me and all of a sudden, I felt the tiniest fluttering on my back.  It was Jackson patting my back with encouragement.  He had left his toys, quietly crossed the living room, and tried his best to make me feel better.  When I looked at him and said, "Thank you, Jackson," he gave me a hug and asked, "Okay, Mommy?"  What a little Love!

It is so comforting to see that part of Jackson's personality includes empathy and an inclination to reach out to try to 'fix' the other person's problem.  Speaking with other moms who have children in their teens, they say that their children's main personality traits are the same from when they were toddlers so I guess this is a good sign for Jackson's future, no matter what profession he chooses.

These are all photos from Jackson's nursery days in the past month:

Hunting for treasure after reading a pirate book

Cool and the Gang going on a bear hunt

It snowed on February 6th and this is Jackson with his best friend, Benedict, exploring in this foreign precipitation.

Finding the first daffodils of spring!

The fire truck came to visit the primary school and then drove down to the nursery to show the toddlers the insides of the truck.

Turning a rainy day into a bubbly foam party!

Scientist Jackson pointing out the creepy crawlies to his classmates ...

... and he was the only one to pick the worm up and out of the dirt!

Peek-a-boo!

After reading Supermarket Zoo, Jackson's class wrote grocery shopping lists

Matching animals to their sounds

Listening to a story (the one kneeling in front is our Little Star)

Developmental updates:  Today, we went to CrazyTown in Aintree to try out a new soft play centre.  Jackson had such a great time and only needed help in three parts of the multi-level maze because the step up to the next level was too tall for a two-year-old.  We will definitely also be back to this location to play because they have great staff who keep all of the big kids at bay, a limit of how many families they let in at a time, safe and clean equipment, and great food!  It may be our favourite play place in the area.  This week, Jackson rediscovered his Barney videos and they have been added into the DVD rotation.  At nursery, he led his peers to a hands-on 'creepy crawly' expedition under a tree stump after the rain stopped.  Apparently, Jackson was the only one who wasn't afraid of the worms and grabbed one in each hand.

If you see Sammie Miles Davis, Jr. and Bella, give them my love.