Sep 26 2008
Of Housekeeping, Bus Drivers and Seattle’s Rampant Gorilla Problem
If brevity is the soul of wit, then my recent titles suggest I’m failing in the wit department. My kids, on the other hand, regularly spout comments that could be counted as witty if they understood why the adults in the house burst into laughter once they finished speaking.
Afternoon in the Studio
One afternoon not too long ago, Claire watched me cutting and stitching fabric with a look of utter boredom on her face. I had encouraged her to find something fun to do, like coloring or playing with her ponies or building something with blocks. Nothing satisfied her.
Claire: Mom, when I grow up, I am NOT going to sew.
Me: Well, that’s ok. What do you think you might enjoy when you’re all grown up?
Claire: Washing dishes.
Me: Why wait? You can do that now!
Dinnertime Conversation
Me: Claire, you could use a fork, you know.
Sam: Yeah, princesses use forks when they eat.
Me: Haha, Sam, you sound just like a parent.
Claire: Or a bus driver!
Conference in the Garage
Sam and Claire found their dad in the garage with a piece of lumber, some screws and a screwdriver. Helping dad build things is always exciting and they were eager to find out what he was up to and how they could get invovled.
Sam: Dad, what are you doing?
Robert: I’m covering up this hole in the door so animals don’t get in.
Sam: Like gorillas?
Yeah, really why wait till they are grown up to do the dishes ;p I think you should show her how fun vacuuming and moping is too. Start them young, you know.
But, really, your kids’ comments are hilarious. Sometimes you wonder what they are thinking but nevertheless it is funny.
You do tend to wonder what is going through their heads, but whatever it is - I wouldn’t trade those times for anything. I miss the things my girls said when they were small. There were frequent dinners when my Dad would be doubled over in laughter because of the strangest comments.
My girls used to say they would never sew when they grew up (probably because of the amount of time they had to spend at fabric stores and wholesalers while I picked up supplies). They don’t sew now that they are grown and I am the lucky recipient of all their mending. I try to tell them mending and sewing aren’t the the same thing. They don’t hear me!
I love your family photos, Amy. They transport me back to when my kids were small (and how I wish digital cameras were around back then)!