What I Learned This Week
My son and daughter-in-law are participating in the Dopey Challenge at Florida’s Disney World. The Challenge is to run a 5 K (3 miles) on Day 1, a 10 K (6 miles) on Day 2, a half-marathon on Day 3, and a full marathon on Day 4. What that means to me, besides being a proud Mama, is that I get to take care of Owen (6) and Ella (4) for 6 days!
So here I sit, with 1.5 hours to myself before I need to start the “taxi service” again – to and from school and various appointments, then homework, dinner, baths, and a bit of cuddle time.
Today is the 3rd day I’ve been here, and I’ve already learned a lot.
YOU HAVE TO TRUST NINJAS.
Owen: Grandma, whatever I say, you have to trust me, because I am a Ninja and Ninjas always tell the truth. (Stated with great emphasis.)
I SHOULD BE ABLE TO DRIVE A HONDA MINI-VAN EVEN THOUGH I DON’T WANT TO.
Owen: Grandma, I really like riding in the van instead of Mom’s car.
Me: I don’t like driving the van because it’s so big.
Owen: Grandma! It’s a MINI-van!
THERE’S GOT TO BE A BETTER WAY TO EARN MONEY.
Owen: Are we going to Target now?
Me: Yes, do you have your allowance with you?
Owen: I do, but I only have $3 and I want to buy a Pokemon and it costs $7.
Me: Well, how can you earn some more money so you can get what you really want?
Owen: I don’t know. But it can’t be by doing Chores! I don’t like doing Chores, so we’ll have to think of something else.
EVERYONE ELSE IS DOING IT, SO I CAN TOO.
Ella: Can I take my Kitty to school today?
Me: Sure, but you’ll need to leave him in your cubby when you get there.
Ella: I don’t want to leave him in my cubby. Everyone else takes their friends to school and so I want to do that too.
(First of all, not everyone else does. Second of all, if they do, they have to leave their friends in their cubbies. And finally, “everyone else does it?” She’s FOUR!)
I AM THE BOSS OF MY CLOTHES.
Me: Ella, it’s time to leave for school. Put your shoes on, please.
(Ella comes out of her bedroom with her rain boots on, even though the skies are blue, with no rain in sight).
Me: Ella, it’s not raining today. Why don’t you put on your pink tennis shoes? They’re so cute and match what you have on.
Ella: No, I want to wear my rain boots, and I get to pick out what I wear.
(Okay then. I checked with Dad on this one and he verified she can wear her rain boots to school on a sunny day if she wants.)
Me: Okay, Ella, Daddy says you can wear your rain boots. You were right!
Ella: No, I want to wear my pink shoes.
A SHORTCUT ISN’T ALWAYS A SHORTCUT
No matter where we went….
Ella: Grandma, I know a shortcut. Follow me.
It didn’t take long for me to realize that a shortcut to a 4-year-old doesn’t always mean it is the fastest way to reach a destination. I asked her how she found out about the “shortcuts.” She said, “I just saw them because I have 2 eyes.”
Okay, then.
*****
I will be here for 3 more days. I can’t wait to see what else I will learn!
Comments (19)
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LOVE! Your own version of Kids Say the Darndest Things.(?older Art Linkletter’s version) 🙂
Yes, that’s pretty much what it is. Wasn’t that a great show, Sue? I loved watching that!!!!
So glad you’re keeping an open mind. You’re never to old to learn something new–especially when your teachers are your precious grandchildren. Have fun and tell us all about it! ???
Thanks, Judy. I’ve added more to my education already! 🙂
Your grandkids are adorable! I love that you remember what they say — do you jot it down right away?? I can never remember those cute things that my GD used to say. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Pam, sometimes I write them down right away, and sometimes I just write them down at the end of the day. But I do find out that if I wait, even a few hours I can forget. But sometimes I just can’t stop when I’m going to jot down a note… like driving or something like that. I’ve created books of what the kids have said, and those are super precious to go back and read.
HAHAHAHAHA made my day.
🙂 So glad, Lou Ann!
So, so cute. There is a different level of communication and understanding at their age. I am so glad you are beginning to understand. It is hard at our age, lol!
So true! They do see things differently, and that is one of their delights, isn’t it? To be able to see things through their eyes, without all of the information we have learned and notions that we have developed.
Absolutely amazing!!!! So glad you’re doing “continued education”!!! LOL
HA! Sue, this truly made me laugh-out-loud! Yes, Continuing Education is a great word for it!
Aren’t grandkids just so amazing! My Nora is 4 and she teaches me a lot too! Lol!
Lisa
A 4-year old? Just like Ella then. Yes, aren’t they just a delight?
Oh My Karen… LOL … they are so funny! Just goes to show you, you are never too old to learn… haha! I can’t wait, it’s been a long time and I am going to be a great grandmother in July!!
Oh, wow! A great grandmother! What a blessing for you!!! And it will be so fun to have another little one in the family! You know, I was sad the other day, thinking about how fast the gkids are growing up. I hadn’t thought far enough ahead to think of g-gchildren! YES! We will have babies again some day! Thanks for that thought. And congratulations!
Out of the mouth of ‘babes’! Your grandchildren are so cute Karen and as smart as they are I’m sure you will learn a lot more in the next 3 days! 😉
Thank you! 🙂 And yes, I’ve added more to my “education” since I wrote that post!
Delightful and hilarious!!! Thanks for sharing!!