JP3 -2012

Well, it was a little bit of a break there. Two words, prom preparation. More on that another day. Today is all about Hans. Hans is now 9 years old. He breezes through school, loves to read but loves to play more. I forgot how awesome nine years old is, you re just starting to figure out what you really like and don't like. On the top of Hans' likes list is Michael Jackson and Eddie Murphy. Pete watched both Golden Child and Coming to America with Hans recently. On network TV, by the way, so they are a tad cleaner. This has led to a new love for not only Eddie Murphy, but also Aresenio Hall. This scroll at the zoo was a perfect place to work on some of his impressions. As much as he enjoys those movies, his true fascination is with Michael Jackson. Ask him a Jackson fact, he can give you details. He reads up, watches documentaries, plays the video game and studies every move of every music video. The hat in this picture? Pete bought it for him at Macy's in the clearance, knowing how Hans loves hats. Pete though maybe Indiana Jones. Hans thinks Smooth Criminal, in black. He wears a glove. Guys, A GLOVE. This past weekend he asked if I could sew sequins on it.
And here's the thing, I will sew sequins on it. I relish Hans enthusiasm for his interests. Some are fleeting, but intense, and some linger around. I get that, it's kind of how I roll as well. I will always encourage him to be who he is and enjoy what he wants. I have heard a few comments here and there, concerning Hans love of dancing, his outfits, his awesome jewelry. Other kids can be especially cruel. This is where Hans makes me so proud, he doesn't care. I hope that he never, ever, ever loses that quality. Don't get me wrong though, Hans has tons of friends. Most people love being around him. He is the life of the party and a complete show off, as always. His best friend and biggest supporter is moving aways this week. It is so sad to see Hans so heartbroken over it.

He has also remained as sweet as ever. I took this picture below when we were on a Hans/Mom date. Unfortunately when he went to the restroom he couldn't get the door open and in a panic started screaming. I was afraid there was some creeper in there so I came crashing in. Just a heavy door, but now he will not eat at that restaurant. He also won't ride in elevators, as a rule. He needs to be tucked into bed every night. This makes me particularly happy, because I see Hans getting older and needing me less and I just cannot hardly stand it. Something about Hans has always made me feel extra protective over him, maybe because he is so impossibly skinny. He no longer wants to kiss me good bye at school but at home he still sits on my lap and cuddles with me.

Let's see, what else? He begged Santa for a banjo and has been working on that. Bela Fleck is a favorite and after watching Throw Down Your Heart several times also found a thumb piano he was hoping for. He draws a lot. Especially at school. He and his friends write loads of stories that they take turns illustrating. Most all characters have ridiculous abdominal muscles. He watched Becoming Elmo and the next day began making his own puppets. My favorite thing that came from that movie was that I learned Hans believes that Kermit and the other Muppets are real. He understands that there are puppets based on them but was sad that the real, walking, talking Kermit wasn't in the movie. It took me a minute to decide if I should set him straight, but I ultimately decided, who am I to kill that sweet belief? He'll learn in time, probably from a kid with decidedly less imagination.

I love this picture of Hans from this past weekend. In case you were curious, those are baseball socks under his jeans. They got to his thighs and he loves them. He has also vowed to not cut his hair until he turns 16. He wants a pony tail, especially after seeing his dad and my dad in pictures with one. I would love to cut it but it's his choice. I love watching these kids come into themselves. I choose not to impede their growth, but to enjoy watching it. They are their own people and while it is my job to set limits for their safety and well being, I don't believe it is up to me to make them do things my way because it's what I want. I guess this is kind of a deep subject for this blog post but I do feel sometimes like I am judged when it comes to what I allow my kids to do. Oh well, sometimes when we sit down and I can impart wisdom , like "Did you know Latoya was in the Say,Say,Say video?" and he lights up and thinks I am cool, I am so grateful that the doggone kid is mine.