Dear Zayde,
This week was chock full of learning adventures. It started off slowly but surely when I learned that the whole world drinks from a big cup that's somewhere in Brazil. When they're not drinking from the cup, people run around a big grassy field and kick a ball. My favorite part is identifying the ball on the television screen and yelling, "ball!" I never got to see the cup, though. Maybe that was on another channel.
The educational aspects of the week really picked up when Mommy and Daddy and I woke up early on Thursday and drove to the airport. Did you know that planes are much bigger on the ground than when they're flying over our house? On our flight to Boston, I learned that it is not okay to kick the seat in front of me, unlock and lock the tray table, or crawl on the floor. Thank goodness Mommy and Daddy brought two new lift-the-flap books and a learn-to-dress monkey on the plane or I never would have kept them occupied and distracted past take-off.
On the drive from Boston to Maine, I learned that Mommy can, in fact, give me milk while the car is in motion. The trick it to have someone else driving.
In Maine, I learned that radishes are born in dirt and need to be rescued. Strawberries fresh from Aunt Linda's garden are much better than the ones Mommy gets at the store. I don't understand why we don't always have them at home. I learned that some driveways are covered in millions of tiny stones, all of which enjoy being scooped, shuffled, and tossed. I learned that the water in kiddie pools in Maine is much colder than in Florida, but seeing as I was allowed to swim without a bathing suit, I didn't mind at all. I also learned about the pure joy of running naked through the grass while eating a homemade ice pop. Linda, who is an artist, showed me how to use the pop to paint on my tummy. I had so much fun! Why didn't everyone else join me? Sure, the pool was a little small for all of us to fit at once, but we could have taken turns. (I'm learning about taking turns. I'm not good at it yet, but I try.)
I learned that wearing a life jacket is a necessary precaution when taking a ride on a boat. I learned that driving a boat is easy and fun. All those buttons and levers! I learned that seals are lazy water dogs that bark and lay in the sun and slip into the water when people get too close. Most importantly, I learned that it's easy to fall asleep with the roar of the engines and the drone of rushing wind in my face. The peaceful din reminds me of being in the womb. I miss those carefree days. Now it's all get-up-and-play, eat-your-snack, don't-climb-onto-the-counters, and other big kid nonsense. Oh, to be a fetus again!
This week I learned lobster isn't what I expected. The outside is hard and red, which is fine, but the inside is boring and white. You and Bubbie and everyone else were adamant that I would love eating lobster, but I proved you all wrong. Rather, I proved that I am stubborn enough to refuse to try something that I might like but then again might not.
Speaking of things that I don't like, I need to add "falling down the stairs" to my ever-growing list. You have a lot of stairs, Zayde, and they call to me like the sirens called to Odysseus. Just like those darn sirens, the stairs are beautiful but dangerous, and I found out what happens when I'm not a careful climber. Luckily, I also found out just how quick Mommy's reflexes are, and I didn't tumble all the way to the bottom. I have a feeling she's going to try to get you to put up a baby gate. Fight the power, Zayde! Let me roam freely! I promise I won't blame you when I crack open my skull.
On the topic of going up and down, I learned that I LOVE hills. Big hills, little hills - it doesn't matter. I love to run up and down the hills as fast as I can. We don't have many hills where we live, so it was such a pleasant surprise to encounter a variety of elevations in New England. I know this is a big favor to ask, but would you and Bubbie mind bringing back a hill with you when you return to Florida this winter? I don't care how big they are or if they're covered in grass. I just want to liven up our backyard a little. If you bring back more than one, I'll bet we can get an excellent price for it. The demand among Florida toddlers for decent climbing hills must be huge!
After a few glorious days with you and Bubbie, my parents took me back to Boston, where I learned how to ride a zebra. Well, I learned how to ride a pretend Zebra that was attached to a
carousel in Boston Common. I also learned how to wade in Frog Pond, which has no frogs. I learned that we have friends in Massachusetts that my parents have known for a long time. I met their sons, Nate and Jake, and we had a lovely time trading sticks, observing a ladybug in its natural habitat, sharing snacks, and walking through the park. Nate is a much older boy; he's almost in preschool! He says I'm adorable, which is true, and we made a plan to Skype chat. (That's our little secret, okay, Zayde? We don't need to let my other boyfriends - Jordy, Colin, Gabe, etc. know about Nate.)
This was a big week for all of us, and I hear that Mommy is crazy enough to take me back to see you all by herself. I hope she brings more stickers. I used up all the other ones on the return flight. You'd be amazed at how many stickers I can fit on Daddy's forehead.
Wheels up,
Zelda
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