Dad Entry #31

Last night before bed, I challenged Michael to a round of “I love you more than….” I led off with an impressive volley of massive quantities. “Michael, I love you more than all the water in the ocean, all the stars in the sky, and…” – my kicker – “all the Legos ever made!” I figured this was unbeatable, and the Lego reference sheer genius. (Legos are the most popular toy at home lately). But Michael is a cool cat. He kept his composure, and very shrewdly countered with, “Daddy, I love you more than a hundred and a thousand Jupiter's.” Hmm. A hundred and a thousand. Maybe that’s 1100 technically or maybe it’s simply the largest amount, numerically, Michael could conceive of and express. Maybe I should teach him millions, billions, trillions and tell him, “Daddy deserves at least a trillion Jupiter’s, Michael.” But here’s why Michael just might’ve outdone me anyway: Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system! Much larger than Earth and all its oceans and Legos. And the reason I know things like the relative size of Jupiter? Because I chat with Michael every day.