November 7, 2000 - Tuesday
The oldest child at Harry's daycare is a two and a half year-old boy named Lucas and, right from the start, Lucas seemed to take to Harry. I don't really recall exactly how quickly it began, but within a short time of Harry's arrival, Lucas started calling Harry by name. He had apparently not done that with any of the other kids, and maybe it's just because "Harry" is close to "baby" and easy to say, but each morning as I'd drop Harry off, Lucas would point and exclaim "it's Harry!" Admittedly, it would usually sounded more like "it's the Harry," which is even closer to "it's the baby," but, it's clear in hindsight that Lucas knew the difference and has now started to try some of the other names.

Naturally, being the oldest, Lucas has something of a following at the daycare and the other kids occasionally try to be a part of what Lucas is doing. On the other hand, Lucas is a fairly mild boy and doesn't seem to demand anymore than his share of attention. Yet, I've notice it my brief moments dropping off Harry that more than the other kids he seems to follow Lucas to one of the two play rooms at the daycare. Since all the other kids are older than Harry, it's not obvious that he'd gravitate toward the oldest. And, I've occasionally to see Lucas seemingly befriend and even help young Harry in different situations.

What's the most fun, however, are reports that Harry and Lucas have their own little game going when all the kids are suppose to be sleeping. Lucas, Harry, and one other boy sleep in the same room together for their afternoon nap, Lucas old enough to be on a sofa and Harry in a crib beside it, with the third boy, Jacob, a short distance away on the other side of the room. At least a couple of times, including today, the daycare provider upon hearing noises from the room has walked in to find Lucas and Harry giggling and "throwing" pillows and blankets to each other while the other kids all slept. I suppose it's easy to over glamorize this behavior and some special secret packed that Lucas and Harry have while the daycare provider is out of the room and the other kids in their own cribs. But, Harry's mother and I both had something of a shy streak as kids, and it's wonderful to see Harry making friends.


Comments, opinions?