Gavin's Crush -- by Sondra

Children say the darnedest things... I think Bill Cosby has a TV program thus entitled... Great story Dad. Now I've one for you:

A couple of months ago, Gavin was asked by his Kindergarten teacher to count to 110. This is one of the basic skills required by the school system which all kindergartners must achieve before the end of the school year. The one-on-one teacher attention is coveted by all of the children, but my Gavin, with an eye for pretty blondes, has a particular affection for Mrs. Bottje's attention. So, with her complete focus, he began..."one, two, three... 23, 24."

"Why are you stopping, Gavin?"

"How high do I need to go Mrs. Bottje?"

"110, Gavin," she replied sweetly, Can you count that high?"

"Yes," he answered, "25, 26, 27... 42, 43, 44. Mrs. Bottje, do we get to do this every day in kindergarten?" he asked excitedly.

"No, sweetie, just until you can count to 110 by yourself. Mrs. Bottje wants to make sure all her kindergartners know how to count past 100. We will have to work on it together until you can do it all alone."

"Okay Mrs. Bottje 45, 46, 47... 60, 61, 62. What happens when I get to 110, Mrs. Bottje?"

"You get a star on your skills report. That means you have mastered the skill."

"Okay Mrs. Bottje." He thought for a moment and continued, "63, 64, 65... 89, 90. How high did you say I had to count to get the star?"

"110, Gavin, and YEA your almost there! Keep going sweetie!"

"91, 92, 93, 94... 103, 104. How high Mrs. Bottje?"

"110, Gavin."

"Yes, Ma'am... 105, 106, 107, 108, 109." Silence.

"Gavin, go ahead," the teacher lovingly encouraged. "Go on. Say the next number."

"No, I'm finished Mrs. Bottje," Gavin said politely.

"But Gavin you only had one number left," said the exasperated teacher.

"I know," Gavin smiled wryly, "I'll tell you next time."

So Gavin insures himself another little one-on-one with his beloved Mrs. Bottje, and Mrs. Bottje got a good laugh and a story to tell in the teacher's lounge. I, can be proud to parent a son who is smart enough to count to 109 (smile, wink, nod) and who is clever enough to use the system to his advantage. Watch out world... 108, 109.......