The Little Prince and Heir Apparent has been with us for over a week now. For the last ten days, Anne and I have looked at the world thru the eyes of a unique eight year old boy. It is a world of imagination filled with mystery and magic; made-up games with villains and super heroes (most of whom bare a strong resemblance to His Royal Highness.) Make believe rules the day.

There has also been a large dose of Harry Potter. Over the past year, Connor has become a voracious reader. He knocked off the first three Harry Potter books Anne gave him in four and a half days. The Prisoner of Azkaban DVD has had at least four viewings so far. Given a choice, I’ll take waterboarding over another episode of Sponge Bob Square Pants any day.I’m sure the spirit of Art Linkletter, the late host of a bygone television show entitled Kids Say the Darnest Things, must hover over this kid. Some of the things he says are wise beyond his years. We call them Connerisms.

“Sometimes I think the universe is out to get me.”

“Life is a great big mystery.”

“You know what they say about cats: they fight; they bite.”

He’s become a walking conscience. “Ron, why do you smoke?” “Ron, when are you going to stop smoking?” He calls us by our first names because grandpa and grandma are too much of a mouthful.

A lot of our time has been filled with sound. When not reading or sleeping, there is  nonstop, constant sound. Make believe requires special effects, character voices and a sound track.  A fertile young mind can be exhausting. In a couple of days, we have to give him back to his father. The third grade begins a week from today. When he leaves, the silence will be deafening. I miss him already.