While on vacation with Grayson's side of the family, the boys took part in what is becoming an annual tradition: his brother-in-law's sister Melanie coaches all of the kids through a patriotic program in which they sing songs and do a little accompanying routine. Coincidentally, the program contains several of the elements that were present in Nathaniel's recent preschool graduation program ... reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, wearing sunglasses and hats, waving flags and shaking maracas. This year as the kids were all in a back bedroom getting their final instructions before coming out to perform for all of us:
Melanie: "OK, is everyone ready? Does everyone know what to do?"
Nathaniel: "I'm pretty sure I can handle ALL of that. You know, I've GRADUATED."
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Recently we ate at La Madeleine, a French bistro-type restaurant in Marietta, Ga., near my parents' house. It's an unassuming little soup-and-salad place with wooden tables, ladder-back chairs, French maps on the walls, and classical music playing over the speakers. The music was playing softly enough as we were seated that you didn't even really pay attention to it, until suddenly the string and percussion sections played two really strong, loud notes in quick succession. Nicholas flinched, then looked around speculatively:
Nicholas: "Maybe there's a BAD GUY in here somewhere."
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On the way to the beach over the 4th of July week, we were going to visit with my Grandmother ("Gigi" to the boys, short for Great-Grandmother) at her house nearby. The boys were very excited about the beach trip, and I told them before we left Birmingham that we were going to get to see Gigi on this trip, too.
Nathaniel: "Why are we stopping to see Gigi on the way to the beach?"
Me: "Because we haven't seen her in almost a year. And she can't wait to meet Jake."
Nicholas: "But WHY do we have to stop on the way to the beach?"
Me: "Because it's really important to take all the time we can to see our family. Especially Gigi, because she won't be with us forever."
Nicholas: "Why?"
Me: "Because when we get older, we go to be with Jesus in Heaven. And Gigi is much older than you are."
[Cut to Grandmother's house the following week, after we've spent the day with her and are preparing to depart for the beach.]
Me: "Boys, please give Gigi a hug so we can get in the car and head to the beach."
Nicholas, to Grandmother, sweet as pie: "You gonna die."
_____________________________________________________You know how when you become a parent, you dread the day when you hear the same words coming out of your mouth that you heard from your mom growing up? Well, Nathaniel's apparently already there. At supper recently:
Nathaniel: "Mommy, can I have an ice cream sandwich?"
Me: [loading the dishwasher]
Nathaniel: "Mommy, CAN I HAVE an ice cream sandwich?"
Me: [putting a new bag in the trash can]
Nathaniel: "Oh. My. Wade. How many times do I have to ASK you, CAN. I. HAVE. AN. ICE. CREAM. SANDWICH!"
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Before he left KinderCare, Nathaniel brought home a book he made at school. It is titled "My Own Recipe Book," and he cut out pictures of food from magazines, then explained to the teacher how it's made. The teacher wrote the "recipes" down as he dictated them.
Corn on the Cob
Go to the store. Buy corn. Turn on the stove. Put corn on the stove. Get it done. Spread butter on it. Eat it. Yum!
About Cooking
I like cooking. When my mom cooks, I see it. I know how to cook chicken. Buy chicken from Wal-Mart. Put chicken in the pan. Put it in the oven to cook. After you take it out, cut it and give it to me and my brother.
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While driving home from school recently:
Nathaniel: "Nick-a-liss, why are you doing that?"
Nick: "Because I want to."
Nathaniel "Why?"
Nick: "THAT'S THE WHOLE WHY."
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After supper:
Nathaniel: "Mommy, I threw away my trash in the waste bin."
Me: "What are you, British?"
Nathaniel: "Huh?"
Me: "Since when do you call the trash can a 'waste bin'?"
Nathaniel: "I just do. It's cool."
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I just started nightly prayers with the boys. Nick's not really into it yet, but Nathaniel is following the loose outline of "Thank God for something, and then if you have something to ask for, ask Him for something." Tonight at bedtime:
Nathaniel : "Dear Lloyd, thank you for making me five so I could go to big school. I really love it. I would really like to be able to touch stuff and turn it colors. Like if you could give me blue, then I could reach out and touch something and turn it blue. Except I want ALL the colors of the rainbow."
Me: "Are you asking God for a SUPERPOWER?"
Nathaniel: "Yes."
Me: "I don't think He really does superpowers, but I suppose you can ask. But you might want to ask for something else, like healing a friend who's sick."
Nathaniel: "I think I'm done."
Me: "OK, we can start to read 'The Little Engine that Could'."
[I open the book to start reading. (Thanks, Heather and Adam!)]
Nathaniel: "Mommy, Mommy! WAIT!" [pause] "Dear Lloyd, sorry I stopped earlier. Also, thank you so much for making 'Clone Wars,' and for making it come out tomorrow. Amen."
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