Amounts

So I realized a few weeks ago that I made a 2010 New Year's Resolution to update this blog on a regular schedule and was going to try for once a week, and it's now 2011. I was feeling a bit burned out, so I'm probably going to roll back to the once a week schedule, but that depends on The Gremlin, and when he decides to surprise us.

(above: the Gremlin sulking because he felt the bus was taking too long)

Which happened the other day - the Gremlin was coloring at the table while the Mother of the Gremlin was making her weekly rounds through the ads delivered in the mail. The Gremlin was watching her, and asked about different notations.

"Mumma, why do you circle those?"

"That's what I'm looking at getting this week - if it's part of a recipe or on sale."

"Why are there numbers there?"

"So that when I go back through with my list I remember and write down how many I want."

Later that day in the store, the Gremlin was insistent on bringing both the MOTG's list and the sale ads. We didn't figure out why until we got to the juice. When the MOTG put one in the cart, the Gremlin cleared his throat.

"Mumma, did you check your list?"

"Yes, buddy, I got apple."

"But how many?" And he pulled out the sale ad where he had scrawled a '5' as only a 4 year-old can. He had also done this with the fruit snacks, most of the fruit, and the flavored water the store sold.

 (above: the Gremlin being a Droideka)


Favorite Toy of the Week: General Grevious Action Figure

Wisdom of a 4 Year-Old - On Punishments and Love

"Momma, why do you put me in timeout?"

"Because we love you."

"Wait, so Daddy loves me more than you?"

Wisdom of a 4 Year-Old - On Spelling and Symbols

This came after I'd had a few conversations with the Gremlin about 'concepts' and how we assign value to symbols to create language and communication.

"Mom do you know how I'm going to spell my brother's name?"

"How?"

"P-o-o-p."

"What? And what does that spell?!"

"My brother."

"Oh really? Is that what that spells?"

"I don't know, I'm four, I can't spell."

And The Baby Is... (According to the Gremlin)

"This is the best worst day ever!"

--Upon finding out the sex of his sibling

And his conversation with the ultrasound technician:

"So what's being four like?"

"It's pretty great. You get to wear Transformer pajamas, play with lightsabers, and eat waffles for dinner!"

"What's the worst part about being four?"

"Having a brother or a sister. I didn't have to have one when I was three, and I didn't have to wipe my own butt either! I miss being three."

Wisdom of a 4 Year-Old - On Returning Home

The Gremlin said this once he found out that I was leaving on a business trip for a week

"But when you come back, are you coming back to this house?"

Good to know the move didn't traumatize him.

Wisdom of a 4 Year-Old - On Tasting Samples

"Well, what do you think? Do you like it?"

"I'm not sure, I think I need another..."

"Here you go. What do you think now?"

"No, I still can't tell. I need one more."

"Okay, how about now?"

"Mmmmm, I still can't tell, but I think I could if I had one more..."

"Okay, here's a handful."

"Oh awesome, these things are great!"

"So you do like them?"

"Aw man! Yeah.... I guess...."

Antics and Shenanigans

The Mother of the Gremlin and I frequently enjoy chuckling at situations where the Gremlin acts more mature than his four years would usually indicate, like when he doesn't hit at the park when kids shove him or when he asks other kids to do his dirty work for him.

There are times the Gremlin will get his hands dirty, though - especially when attempting to create his legend. Such was the case the other day at the Woodland Park Zoo. The Gremlin waited for half of his party to go off in search of directions, and then approached the other half of the party (the MOTG).

"Momma, I need your bag. Thanks. Okay, now don't watch me."

He proceeded to hoist the bag over his shoulder and wait until the MOTG wasn't looking directly at him. The Gremlin then moved around the corner where he found the penguin exhibit, and where one of the curious tuxedo-wearing animals was sitting by the fence.

The Gremlin leaned against the barrier and let the bag drape open.

"Hey! Penguin! Hey, if you get in here, I'll give you M&Ms! If you do it quick, nobody will know. Promise!"


Favorite Toy of the Week: Black Seas Barracuda (I found my old Legos and put it together over last weekend)

Also, I found a video of the Gremlin playing Star Wars on the Xbox.