"Crunchies of the Night"

Hey kids,

Jakob, this week you have been in the pre-production phase of the new movie that you are helming. It's a movie about snails and ball-point pens, called "Crunchies of the Night." You've been pushing shell pasta around on your desk to stand in for snails (I think the technical term for this is "blocking") and are quite serious about it. You work on your movie for a little bit each night. I don't know where you come up with this stuff. Me, I just get a kick out of asking you several times a day what the name of your new movie is.

Also, you keep falling asleep before I can get you outside to look at the stars, which you have been keen to do since our trip to the planetarium. You've been practicing your "Arc to Arcturus, spike to Spica and leap to Leo" mnemonic to help you find various constellations. Tomorrow night, I promise!

One more bit of Jakob-related news, then it's off to bed:

It's official. I'm a soccer mom. Also official, hell is freezing over.

I signed you up today, but the first practice isn't until August 1. I had to sign and initial a big, complicated form that basically said that I, as a parent, would be kind and encouraging in your endeavors, and that I would not harass you and other players for being the over-eager, floppy and completely spazzoid players that I know you will be.

You were very disappointed when we left and you didn't get a chance to actually PLAY any soccer. That's just poor planning on their part. There were a bunch of disappointed tots wandering around today. When we left, I had to tease you a bit. "So, Jakob... THAT was soccer. Paperwork and standing around. How'd you like it?" You were horrified.

All right. Can't wait to see you play, and can't wait for the world premiere of "Crunchies." Whatever will I wear on the red carpet? Love you...

EDIT for Barbara: I figured out last night what ignited Jakob's current fascination with movie-making. He wants to make movies that we can watch on the ceiling, like the movies we saw at the planetarium last week. Last night, we laid on the floor and he treated us to a sneak peek of Crunchies, complete with flashlights, glow sticks and MatchBox car chases.