Vehd has known his buddy Brayden since Vehd's birth. Early in their life, Brayden's mother Sarah and I setup a weekly playdate for them. I remember breakfast-in-pjs playdates for the two boys when they were not even a year old. Gosh, I make Vehd sound old as I say that. Like it was a lifetime ago or something. Well, it seems that way. I guess a lifetime does pass in the first five years of a child's life. That makes sense doesn't it? Considering the fact that the most significant learning happens in those five years we may as well consider a lifetime.
Okay, back to these boys. They have grown close over the years. Now they go to the same preschool and are in the same classroom -- good luck to their teachers! As we have migrated for the winter every year, Sarah and I have tried to help the boys keep in touch. Last year, in place of their regular playdates, they did Skype dates. Those were hilarious. Vehd spoke endlessly, Brayden tried to listen, then he gave up and spoke too. Two toddlers talking, neither listening mothers beaming and trying to hang on to every word. It was hilarious!
This year, Sarah and I have a new plot. How about promoting some literacy while the boys are apart? So we hatched a plan with them. We got them together and spoke to them about writing letters to each other. They each decorated envelopes (with construction truck stickers! What could be better?), self-addressed them and then exchanged them. Now, they are writing to each other.
Vehd received his second letter from Brayden today. You should have seen the excitement in our home when the letter came in. You couldn't really tell who the letter was for. What with Vamshi and myself beaming, laughing and controlling ourselves desperately. Vehd on the other hand was excited though poised all grown-up about it. It was like he was expecting the letter and all-important about it. The letter itself was funny -- Brayden explained to Vehd the different types of dinosaurs (that I imagine he is learning about in his new dino-obsession phase). His description came complete with an illustration and stickers! How cool is that?
This whole exchange is so tender and so very cool. Vehd goes about his day thinking about Brayden and making note of what he is going to write in his next letter. I mean, can you imagine two 3 year-olds looking for opportunities to write to each other and then sending letters? It just melts my heart ...
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