Number Three Nephew has just lost his third tooth, finished reading The Hobbit (I think maybe not so much because he really enjoyed the story, but because a friend was also reading it and they were racing each other to the end.) He is known around the house for 'just getting on with it'. While his brothers may flop and fuss when they are given something to do, Three shrugs his shoulders, gets the job done, then moves on to far more interesting things. Like hockey.
Three is disciplined in perfecting his skills. He'll borrow books from the library to learn hockey (or soccer) drills, and then spend hours on his own practicing them. He's fierce in his team allegiances, and feels their losses deeply. He's got a mind like a steel trap covered in honey - once a fact enters in, it is held firmly. He remembers who scored the goal in which game between two countries in the last World Cup and what the final result was. And not just the glamorous finals either, but the ones between countries you may not even realize have teams. You may try to talk to Three about his day at school, or if he prefers Toy Story 3 over the original, and he will manage to bring the conversation around to sports.
Number Three Nephew has a wonderful talent for mimicry. When he quotes movies, he doesn't just recite the dialogue, he's got the voice and timing down cold. He has a well-developed sense of funny with a fine tinge of irony. He is also generous beyond his years. While many children his age are still self-centred, Three wants to share his wealth, whether birthday loot or a school prize, with others. He had a day out with his parents one day, and was very concerned that his brothers be included somehow. He brought them home a pound of chocolate.
Listening, however, is not his strong suit. His mom recently asked him if he just didn't hear her; did he maybe have trouble with his ears?
"Well, I try to listen," he said, "but when you start talking, my mind starts thinking of something else."
* Three is seven years old.
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