“Did you kiss?” Seven-year old Leo asked when I said we went dancing.
“No, we danced.”
“But did you kiss?”
“Not while we were dancing, but we can now.” Jeff walked over to me and kissed me.
Leo stopped asking.
What does he know of love? A long love?
On Monday, my daughter asked me to babysit Leo and Stella because they were not feeling well. When I arrived, Leo was set up on the sofa with a blanket, a stuffie, and a bucket, but it wasn’t long until they both perked up and were ready to craft Valentines.
Leo wrote (unprompted by me) in his journal:
Their energy increased, so we took the bikes out to the park nearby. I wrote this poem for Laura Shovan’s February project. Our theme this year is mysteries and the topic was secrets. I decided to ask Leo if he had any secrets.
True story
I asked him if he had a secret
while he shimmied down the fireman’s pole.
I love Abby he said.
Does she know?
I helped him write the Valentine
and tuck it in an envelope.
When his mother saw it, she said “How sweet! I’ll put it in the mail.”
Who is Abby?
I imagined a girl on the school playground running from my grandson’s chase.
Oh, don’t be silly.
He loves Abby, the dog.
Margaret Simon, draft
Reflections on the Teche 
That ending gave me a giggle. On point for the boy who understands that even though shark and heart almost rhyme, one represents Valentines and the other does NOT.
There is no price tag on the humor and living and learning happening in this slice and on that journal page. Hearts represent love and sharks do not. That’s a kid after mg own heart! ❤️ Leo sounds like a fountain of knowledge and I love his curiosity. Keep kissing!!
So many charming moments in your child-care day! I love the thread running through, of learning about love. In its many forms! (Sharks included.) And perfect closing line.
Oh, Margaret, lucky you to spend this day with the joys! Wow, the journal entry! I love seeing the development of language and grammar from our youngest writers! It was one of my favorite things about being a teacher. Your secret in your poem is so hilarious! Abby–a perfect name for that surprise ending. So cute!