Welcome to the Kiddie-isms edition of Makes-Me-Smile Monday. I know I’ve come out against the bragging brigade, but here’s a great opportunity to showcase your kiddies’ above-average-ness. I can’t help being proud (in a good way, naturally) of my own children for the following qualities they’ve mastered recently:
Humility
Sally (6) and her cousin Olivia (5) are finally old enough to appreciate each other as kindred spirits. My sister and I appreciate how they disappear for hours on end playing pretend or Barbies when we stay at their house. There is occasional friction, though. One day Sally came upstairs complaining that she wanted to be a Lamb, but Olivia was insisting that she be a Princess. Get thee behind her, Machiavelli.
Sabbath Observance
A couple Sundays ago I asked Sally to unload the dishwasher. She objected that “we don’t work on Sunday.” Of course I, in hopes that she will be a candidate for sainthood sometime soon, told her to go rest on the couch and read her scriptures.
Accepting Responsibility
When we were visiting Grandma last month, I told Sally to turn the pool heater on, and forgot to remind her to turn it off. The next morning the water was 101 degrees. Sally felt bad and said it was her fault. I told her not to worry; I’m the adult, it was my fault. Susan (2 1/2) heard us and insisted, “It’s my fault, it’s my fault.” I couldn’t dissuade her. Grandma, you’ll be glad to know that Susan will be saving her 50 cents-a-week allowance to pay the heating bill.
Caution and Closure
I think I like Dr. Phil, though I’m careful who I admit that to. And I think Susan has a future in the self-help-through-listening-to-gurus trade. She is obsessed with being safe (seatbelts in the car, the stroller, the high chair; she’d probably tie herself to the couch if she could) and with closing doors, cupboards, appliances, trash cans, etc. Unfortunately this obsession doesn’t translate into keeping clips in her hair or her clothes on. (But that may be a genetic thing).
Amazing Feats of Physical Endurance
Basically I don’t want Spot to look back on this post some day and wonder “Where was I?” Spot pulled up and started cruising for the first time this past week (at 9 months, 3 weeks and 4 days). She also has eight teeth. Not so good for the nursing. And we’re going to get that little cross-eyed problem looked at by a specialist this week. Don’t worry Spot, I think you’ll look great with one of those cute patches.
I hope your kids are almost as fun and hilarious as mine! Tell us all about it — check out the Makes-Me-Smile Monday link above if you have any questions. Oh, and if you don’t have rugrats of your own, a) you’re welcome to have babysit mine anytime, and b) feel free to write about any -ism that tickles you.
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