be ware, be ware, be a very wary bear

Xander was asking about the bump on his chin. I told him 'It is a kisses box. The angels gave it to you so that you can save up kisses. Whenever you feel a need for kisses, just rub it and it will spread kisses all over you and you will feel better.' He was quite pleased with this explanation... then I looked over and Jason had a long face. 'I don't have one of those.' he said mournfully. I smiled and said 'Xander has a kisses box because he was born too fast for the angels to kiss him all over. You, on the other hand, have kisses all over (freckles). All you have to do is touch one of those and you will be kissed, will know that you are loved.' That pleased him and off he went. Once again I am reminded that I need to be careful what I say and to whom...

On a separate note, have been reading two fascinating books: the first is called 'Zero:Biography of a dangerous idea.' I started reading it because Jason and I were discussing cultural contributions and I mentioned that the Mesoamericans had the concept of zero long before it appeared important in the west. Then we started talking about Zero and where it came from and when it appeared and I realized I didn't know! So I told Jason I would get the book and we could learn about Zero. And so we are. The second book is called 'Why children fail' by John Holt. Very interesting. Worth reading by anyone who interacts with children.