Things That Old Folks Learn from Children - Part II

What a joy to have the privilege of caring for two precious little boys. We learned a wealth of things when we kept Weston and Bennett last winter. We can now add to this list, as we just kept them both for another two weeks, while Mom and Dad went to the Olympics. The little one really reflects the difference that a half year makes since we last cared for them. Running instead of walking (usually away from you), jabbering instead of monosyllabic (endless streams of intelligent sounding conversation, yet unintelligible), actually pronouncing the important words in his world (doughnut, I-Pad, milk, broke, Nana, Mommy, Daddy, Poppy, etc.),  improved proficiency in operating his I-Pad, sitting at the dinner table without a high chair (actually pulling the chair out and seating himself as he requests a doughnut), all of these and more.
   It is summertime and the birds are less visible as we feed them less, but the hummingbirds were frequent visitors to our two feeders. Both of the boys stared in wonder as they watched the charming little birds dart and hover and dash away. As hummingbird appearances are of very short duration, they both excitedly called us when they spotted one through the window. Though only the female appeared during their visit, we are now getting the beautifully colored male red-throated hummingbirds this week. Sorry that Bennett missed him, maybe next time.
   It is amazing that we learned so much since their last visit. But then, there is always something new to learn. As these little guys cruise through our lives we are reminded of their parents and the footprints they have etched in our hearts. In the words of my favorite children's poet, Eugene Fields.

 "On the floor and down the hall,
   Rudely smutched upon the wall,
   There are proofs in every kind,
   Of the havoc they have wrought,
   And upon my heart you'd find
   Just such trade marks, if you sought;
   Oh how glad I am 'tis so"

Things we learned:

- Two I-Pads are essential to the keeping of the peace.(One on the charger and one working is sometimes difficult to manage)

- Curious George is, in fact, the most curious monkey in the world

- The "kingham dog and the calico cat" is still immensely enjoyed by four-year-olds even though it was written 130 years ago during Victorian times. (from 'The Duel' by Eugene Fields)

- Powdered doughnuts have replaced nutrigrain bars as the snack of choice for two year olds.

- It is totally awesome that a grand dad can still sing precious little ones to sleep after saying the Lord's Prayer with them.

- The brightest eyes in the world radiate from the faces of small children.

- Trust is earned by acts of love and transparency.

- Never try to take away an I-Pad from a sleepy child.

- A child's daybed will also accommodate a full grown grand parent beside a child, (for short periods of time)

- Four year olds can count to ten in Spanish. (72 year olds can count to 20 in Spanish)

- An impish smile with two blazing blue eyes is still very difficult to refuse.

-  Puzzles and stickers are a great alternative to continuous, monotonous children's TV programming.

- Two sleepy children are best kept apart (in separate rooms) if you ever hope to get either of them to sleep.

- Concentrating on a grandparents voice of instruction, watching a children's show on TV, and playing an app on the your Ipad simultaneously requires at least one of the inputs to be ignored.
(Guess which)

- Two year olds will take food off the plate of four year old when he is not looking.

- Four year olds will swap I-Pads when two year olds are not looking.

- Pampers can actually fall to your ankles while running away from your granddad

- Never wake a sleeping child, never

- Wrestling with two toddlers at the same time will wear an old guy out.

- Even though I don't know the answer, there really is an explanation to "why?", and little guys have every right to ask.

- Four year olds are refreshingly transparent when expressing their opinion and they expect the same honesty back from you.

- Perhaps the sweetest sound you will ever hear in your life is "Nana" or "Poppy", "I love you"