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What We Learned This Week

Food Safety
Phoebe gave the dog a biscuit last night and said, “Don’t choke, Finn! Don’t choke!”

Bad Language
A few weeks ago Chris came through the door carrying a box and Mallory greeted him with, “What the hell is that?” So they had a discussion about appropriate and inappropriate language. She took it to heart but is now perhaps a bit overcautious – she questions the “badness” of any unfamiliar phrase. A few days ago while looking through a catalog she said, “Well, that’s a fine-looking thing!” – and then glanced up at me and said, “Is it okay for me to say, ‘fine-looking thing’?”

Fairness
Yesterday afternoon Mallory started Gymnastics at a local gym. I had planned to hang out in the waiting area with Phoebe during Mallory’s class. The gym and waiting area are separated with a huge glass wall, so parents can see what the kids are doing. Unfortunately this also meant that Phoebe could see what the kids were doing, and she wanted in on that action. Major tantrum ensued. “I want to JUMP! I want to JUMP TOO!” she screamed, over and over. She was inconsolable. I had to call my father-in-law to come get her because I could not calm her down. Next week Phoebe will be staying at home during gymnastics!

Villains
Last night Mallory asked, “Are there bad guys in God?”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“You know, bad guys. Around God. Like in that book that’s all about God.”

“The Bible?”

“Yeah.”

“Yes, there are bad guys in the Bible.”

“Like the guys that took Jesus away, were they bad guys?”

“Yes, those were some bad guys.”

“Are they still WITH Jesus?”

“No, probably not.”

“Are they going to come take YOU away?”

“No, they’re all dead now, that was a long time ago.”

“Well that’s good.”

Then Phoebe said, “Bad guys at Elmo show?” referring to Sesame Street Live.

“No, there were no bad guys at the Elmo show,” I answered.

“Daddy bad guy?”

“No, Daddy’s a good guy.”

“Mommy bad guy?”

“No, I’m not a bad guy.”

“My-ee bad guy?” And so on through the entire list of people Phoebe knows – none of whom are bad guys, I’m happy to say.

What We’ll Learn This Weekend
How Mallory and Phoebe will get along without me and Chris. Send good thoughts to my parents- and sister-in-law!

Comments

aimee said…
Have fun!!!! And enjoy!

Good thoughts headed their way.
Anonymous said…
Have a great time. I'm sure that the girls will be fine, as well as Bob, Claudia, and Amy!

Mom
H Noble said…
I'm glad you aren't a bad guy too. Interesting thoughts from little ones though. My 2 year old nephew thought yesterday that if he got out of the car at Town and Country, that he was forfeiting going to Nana and Papa's house. As you said, tantrum ensued.
H

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