Aw, I love this. And I love how much 'grandma' is tied in. Wonderful.

Don't worry, Jen, there's something for everyone. Say, you did a bang up job with paint by numbers and latch hook!

Yeah, I'm pretty sure my mom appreciated that as well!

And thanks for reminding me about my paint-by-numbers and latch-it-hook rug. Who needs cross-stitch when I've got those?

Yeah, I can't top that, either. Maybe I should take up peanut farming.

How adorable and creative!! And he's an artist, too.

I'm telling you, with talent like that at your disposal, you're like sitting on a goldmine as a talent broker. Seriously, what are you doing letting them fly free-agent?! Gah! Do I have to teach you everything???

Yowzah. Makes me want to throw in the towel too. Or maybe go jump in a pile of leaves.

WOW! That's it. I'm throwing in the towel too. Such a gem!!!!

My heart is laughing because as I remember it, your nephew tasted a piece of pumpkin pie which was cut about as thick as one of those forest leaves. Can't say as he loved it, although he put forth a gallant effort to pretend that he did!!!

;)

Whoa. The kid is a genius. He is very good and you have to believe me because I am an English teacher. I want this kid in my class! How adorable.

tracy lynn: let me know if you need a good hired hand on your peanut farm.

thb: it's true! an artist and a writer... sheesh. some people get all the luck!

shari: apparently, you do! now i've exposed his talent to the world, and he'll be snatched up by some greedy hollywood agent in no time!

heather anne: i think you should opt for the latter. nothing like a good leaf pile to put things into perspective.

thegrandma: but did you put enough whipped cream on it? enough of that will kill the taste of any spicy pumpkin pie (y'know... for those weirdos who don't like it)!

michael: thanks! but really, we can't all throw in the towel. until he starts a blog, i think we're all safe...

mocha: ah, you're sweet. i would LOVE for you to be his teacher!

I am right there with the crunching fallen leaves thing.

And pumpkin pie.

And grandmas.

That's really cute, but it doesn't rhyme.

Jen,
This is a gorgeous poem! I love hte part about a secret hiding place... I could use one of those.

allison: I know - I just love crunching through piles of fallen leaves!

margaret: None of the cool kids rhyme anymore. That was, like, soooo 2nd grade!

crankmama: Ha - me too! And I'm pretty sure his secret hiding place has all sorts of spy gadgets and weapons, so no one can break in...

Dear Jenny,

This just to say that your 8 year-old nephew is a better poet than many many "poets" I know. Wow!

Love,
Vivian

I had my first poem published in 2nd grade.
I wrote a Thanksgiving song that is still being taught in my elementary school.
It's been all down hill since about age 10. Life/school/socialization saps our creativity. It's really quite sad. :(

Wow, if you're nephew hadn't already intimidated me, Diane certainly did.

You should have him guest blog on a regular basis. Then you'll never have to know if the readers are coming for him or for you. Ignorance is bliss.

That is beautiful. He is a smart kid, I can tell!

Oh goodness Abigail, don't be intimidated by me! My whole point is that I was so brilliantly creative as a child and now my stupid day to day blog life is my primary creative Tour De Force. Whenever I see a kid being super creative, I say a tiny prayer that they never lose it.

Yes, if I was having doubts about my writing before, this clinches it. I've resorted to posting cute pictures of kittens on my blog since I clearly can't write to keep up.

he's quite good. find that child an agent.

This is so sweet...