Personal Introductions

Evan was feeling particularly gregarious at the park this evening. When we ran in to a colleague of Pat's, Evan proudly declared "My name Evan Allen Klaplo of Boston Red Sox Team." (Note: Kaplo is pronounced Clap-low) I didn't completely understand him at first and thought he was just rambling on about the Red Sox until he introduced himself to another little boy as "Evan Allen Klaplo of Boston Red Sox team" and then again to another mother, who, of course, thought he was very charming. None of his new friends completely understood what he said, but I couldn't stop myself from laughing each time he repeated his introduction.

I'm quite sure this can be traced back to his favorite game of "hit the pitch", which like all of Evan's play is full of ritual. Whenever Pat plays hit the pitch with Evan, which is nearly everyday, he offers a fantastic fictional play by play commentary - announcing each pitch, calling strikes, keeping the count and then making up plays to correspond with each hit. Evan loves this, and it really is quite funny. But Evan's favorite part comes before the game can even begin. "Do letters Daddy!". Which is Evan's way of asking for a proper introduction and thus the official start of the game. So, in his best broadcaster persona Pat says something like this:

"Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to Fenway Park, where tonight the Boston Red Sox take on the New York Yankees. Leading off tonight for the Red Sox is Evan Allen Kaplo."

So, given his love of doing "letters" I didn't find it too odd that Evan would make this introduction to random strangers at the park. What I did find odd was his sudden shift to introducing himself as "Ooola". That is a real mystery.

Mischief

Last night as I was walking outside to put dinner on the grill, Evan, soda bottle in hand, stopped suddenly and looked at me with a surprised and guilty look.

"What are you doing Evan" I asked. Knowing full well that he intended to empty the contents of the recycling bin into his wading pool. A little game we have been trying to discourage.

"Ummmmm" he was looking for his lie. "I, ummmm, I just looking at these bricks." he said pointing to the house.

His first out right lie! And it was funny! I was impressed with his clever attempt at deceit. But I decided I should try to make an honest man out of him so I ask, "Are you sure you weren't going to put all the recycling in to your pool?"

"Yeah... I just put them in my pool."

And how could I argue with that?

Baseball!

We took the boys to see Manchester's Minor League Baseball team play on a recent Friday evening. Evan was very excited to go see the "Red Sox" play - every team is the Red Sox to him, so we played along.

Evan was enjoying himself immensely. There was a lot to see and plenty of popcorn to eat. Occasionally his attention would even wander to the game. Whenever there was clapping or cheering of any kind for any reason Evan would get especially excited, he would clap hardily and then yell "SAFE!!" complete with umpire arm gestures. This little display caused waves of laughter from the people sitting around us. The attention of course only encouraged our little umpire, who began randomly calling strikes, line drives, and homeruns "over the Green Monster".

It was a fun evening and just as cool as Fenway as far as Evan was concerned.

Fireworks

Evan has a complex relationship with fireworks. He loves the idea of fireworks. He loves to "make" fireworks by splashing water, or banging the mop. He even likes to talk about fireworks. But actually viewing fireworks terrifies him. This point was driven home when we went downtown to watch the Manchester city fireworks. Evan was very excited and talked about it for hours. As we staked out a piece of sidewalk to watch the show, Evan asked "Where are the fireworks?". And then they began... Evan clung to his father as though his life depended on it, burying his head in Pat's neck. Then came the whimpering and a feeble declaration that he "no like fireworks", which quickly escalated to sobs of terror and pleads to go home. The funny thing was that he never even saw any of the fireworks. The sound alone scared him and that was enough. Had he actually seen them he just might have enjoyed it.