Why Jack Is Smarter Than I Am

(1) It's morning. It's early. Or late. I can't remember.
Anyway, for some reason I am sitting on the floor with my bowl of Grape Nuts watching Thomas and Jack watch Blues Clues.

This, of course, lasts for about 5 seconds, at which point the brothers get a whiff of that (surprisingly aromatic) cold cereal. They pounce. They both love Grape Nuts. We do the communal spoon thing. Quite a bonding moment. Tiny Grape Nut nuts everywhere.

After about two spoonfuls, Jack stops and runs to the kitchen. I hear a drawer open. I hear rustling in the 'kid tableware' drawer. Cups are tumbling. Bowls are clanking.
At this point, I choose to apply what I refer to as my '3-child-Zen-groggy-brain' technique (thank you, Uma), in the form of:
Hmnnn, what's the worse that could happen?

... and just try to enjoy the sound of plastic cups and spoons being scattered about.
After a while, I hear the drawer close.
Then Jack is back. He hands me one of Anna's breakfast trays (think multiple compartments for cereal, yogurt, fruit, etc) and points to the table. Good idea, buddy.

(2) Have you read Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do you Hear?
I was reading it to the boys the other night. When we got to the page about the hippopotamus, I read it with the usual gusto. Did you know that "the sound" that hippos make is a 'snort'? Yep. And so I dutifully did my best snort.
And then, for the first time ever, Jack looked at me, literally tossed his head back, and delivered an absolutely perfect 'snort-snort'.
He was really proud of himself; it was cute. I just really hope this doesn't mean that he is going to be one of those guys who tries to impress girls by burping.

(3) We were just snapping photos at the playgroud one day. I didn't notice anything unusual. Tonite I happened to be looking at the photos and, of course, this sequence caught my eye.

On behalf of Anna, I think I need to explain--Anna is a champion layerer. In this photo, she is wearing a sweater, a dress, a shirt under the dress, tights, pants and a skirt between the dress and the pants. I have no doubt that when she sat down to 'drive the wheel', all that bulk caught up with her and she just moved it to the rear. I have to say that I'm slightly embarrassed that I didn't notice and help her a bit.
But clearly Jack did.
Now I'm not exactly sure if this belongs under the 'Jack is smarter than me (er, I mean I)' heading, but I suppose it at least makes him more observant.
And hopefully not alarmingly fresh as far as the ladies are concerned.