Captain Jelly Belly is 2, and that sometimes means trouble. Today he was in quite a mood so late in the afternoon we took a walk outside, for a change of scenery. He reminded me why 2 can also be a really great age.

He found a rock, about the size of his fist, which he called his “big rock.” When he found it he tentatively asked me, “This rock our house?” and I said yes, and he was so happy he got to bring his rock home. He carried it carefully for half an hour and when we got home, he told me, “Rock tired now.” So I showed him how he could put the rock on the windowsill by the front door so it could rest.

About 20 minutes later I was making dinner and he came running over, all excited, with the rock in his hand. He couldn’t wait to tell me, “Big rock awake now!” I asked the rock how his nap had been, and the Captain replied in the smallest, squeakiest of voices, “Good.” I think it’s the first time he has actually spoken on behalf of one of his playthings.

Later I asked him to go and find his juice cup and, as usual, he took it on as a personal challenge. When he found it he came running, all proud, to show me he had it. I almost got a little misty-eyed, thinking about how right now he considers my request to find his juice something exciting — someday he’ll just turn to me and grunt, “I dunno where it is,” then go back to his video game.

Over dinner he pointed out the vase of blue-purple flowers he bought me for mother’s day for the millionith time. He likes to say, “Mommy sad!” and then direct my attention to the flowers so I’ll perk up. I always tell him how much I love them and how happy they make me and he just beams.

Yup, 2 is a pretty good age.