Show and Tell

"Logan would you like to take these cars home with you?" Ashley asked.

"Yes.  Yes!  YES!  I can't wait to show my kitty all of these cars."

Would that be the same kitty who had difficulty understanding his relativity to time and space?   I'm sure he'll be thrilled.

- 25 November 2012

Toppings

We came across Justin, standing in the kitchen fixing a snack and watching TV while his guest was left alone in the basement.  When we asked him if he had even thought to ask Jake if he wanted something too, he became completely exasperated.

"He already had whipped cream on his Mt. Dew!"

Um, eww!

- 10 November 2012

It Is What It Is

The young YMCA basketball camp leader was trying so hard to organize a dozen preschoolers and get them to do a drill.  After one wildly unsuccessful attempt, the kids returned to their spots.  The coach trotted over looking slightly worse for wear and asked a rhetorical question to the group at large.

"Was that a disaster?"

The kids stared around mumbling and shuffling their feet, not sure whether or not to answer.  Not my son. 

"Yes!" he shouted. 

- 25 July 2014

Older Brothers

Older brothers were put on this earth with the express purpose of tormenting their younger siblings.  I myself am an older brother so I know from personal experience.  And Logan, being the youngest, has two older brothers so the torment factor has increased exponentially.

As I sit here in the park watching a boy torture his sister on the swing set, Logan approaches.  He has already announced that he and his friend Addie are going to have a play date.

"I'm telling Addie all the things she can and can't do at our house."

How proactive.

"I already told her to stay away from my brothers, that's for sure!"

- 25 July 2014

Little Kitty Angel

Boys and pets are usually a great combination.  Occasionally, however, I have noticed that the boys may be more of a hazard to the pets than the pets are to them.

One evening, during our bedtime routine, I watched as the cat managed to perch himself on the railing of the top bunk of Ethan's bed.  He sat, balancing very carefully, watching the room like a hawk looking for a mouse.  Just behind the cat, I could see a little foot moving slowly toward the rail with it's toes wiggling madly.  Suddenly, the foot rocketed forward, connecting with the cat and sending him airborne.

"He's flying like a little kitty angel," came a delighted voice. 

- Circa 2006

The Task at Hand

We love to visit the Olive Garden whenever we're in town.  During one such visit, I took Logan to the restroom so we could clear up any lingering issues before the meal began.  Being only three, Logan still required a little help with his aim.  So, as he stood at the urinal, I knelt down to assist.  While Logan happily tinkled my thoughts drifted off and I began to wonder why the music was so much louder in the restroom than it was in the main restaurant.  After a minute, Logan looked up at me with a stern gaze.

"Turn it down," he commanded.

It was a moment before I realized he wasn't talking about the music.

- 7 October 2011

A Slap in the Face

I thought I knew how to talk to my children on all levels.  However, I was quick to find that the I'm-four-but-I'm-going-to-talk-to-you-like-an-adult level was not in my repertoire.

While driving the truck to the YMCA with Logan in the seat next to me, I was using the speaker phone to talk to Justin at home.  Justin became angry when I wouldn't let him onto the computer and told him that I wasn't going to do it even though tomorrow was the last day of school.  I hung up the phone.  It was a slightly heated conversation but nothing I couldn't handle.

"I think he's going to slap you in the face," Logan said, matter-of-factly.

What!?

"Logan, he's not gonna slap me," I said.

I was a little bit shocked.

"I'm just sayin' I think he's gonna slap your face."

"He's mad at me but he's not gonna slap my face," I said, defensively.

I can't believe I'm having this conversation with a four-year-old.

"Well," he conceded, "it's not like he's coming down the street to slap your face."

Yet.  I checked the rear-view mirror.

- 12 June 2013