Adventures of The Haven School for Boys: Jet-Style Thursday

We had a departure from the usual this morning. Grandpa Lee stopped by unexpectedly, on his way to the little airport that borders our neighborhood. Granite Construction executives were flying in by private jet to make a presentation to the local branch--one of many throughout their California tour. We invited ourselves along, for the fun of watching the jet land and then taxi across the runway. The executives were met with great fanfare from three mini jet enthusiasts.

An unexpected, yet positive by-product of the whole affair was that they were given the opportunity to practice greeting etiquette. The boys were quizzed on the drive over about making eye contact, offering a firm shake of the hand if offered, and answering questions with clear voices. I find that if I don't prep them e-v-e-r-y time we venture into a public arena, they turn to ooze and make me blush with their respective six and four year-old antics. But, the simple act of rehearsing their behavior increases their success quotient tremendously. And they made me proud. The president and chief executive officer of Granite Construction, Jim Roberts, thankfully spoke "little boy," because he asked for the ever-popular HIGH FIVE!

Just when we thought the party was over, one of the Granite pilots asked if the boys would like to see the jet. It must have been their doe eyes, or it could have been James' ear-splitting, Is it time to see the jet now?!! So, whether by coercion or sheer generosity of spirit, he allowed the boys to squeeze into the plush private jet and were even allowed to sit in the cockpit for a while. They skipped back to the van with their heads in the clouds. They still haven't come down, as they run about the backyard with their matchbox planes, rehearsing new flight scenarios that are sure to include some degree of gunning and crashing. Come back to me, little dreamers.