Dinner Conversation with G

I like airports.

Why do you like airports, G?

Dat’s where da airplanes are. (duh)

Is there somewhere that you’d like to go?

I would like to go to China.

Why?

To see da people.

To see Chinese people?

Yes.  To see da China people.

And what would you do there?

Wewl, if dere’s war, den I can help.

How would you help?

I get a sword and I poke people.

(Feel like I should clarify that he's imagining helping Chinese people, not fighting against them.  And also that I should clarify that I have No Idea why he started talking about this.  We've been reading about the American Revolutionary War and also about medieval times, so maybe he's coming from that?  But - really - Who could ever understand the mind of this child?)

Silver Cadillac Escalade

G is saving up his money.  The decision has been made.  Nothing but the Escalade will do.

 

It all began at the park.  G and another boy played together for a while.  Then the boy indicated that his dad should get something from their car. 

 

Out came a giant remote controlled monster truck.

 

The boy started driving it.  G stood, rapt, tracking every move. 

 

Time passes.  Periodically, the dad asks the son, “Do you want to let G have a turn now?”  G waits, full of anticipation.  The boy keeps driving.  Every now and then, the dad comments to me “He’s at that egocentric age” or “We’re hoping he learns to share soon.”  Then – “Do you want to let G have a turn now?”  The boy keeps driving.

 

I understand that disaster is very very close.  It’s time for G and me to leave the park.  I announce: “5 more minutes!”

 

“Do you want to let G have a turn now?”  The boy keeps driving.

 

“Ok, G.  Time’s up.  We have to go.”

 

I am prepared for what’s next – running away, yelling, defiance.

 

Instead, G places his hand in mine and we turn toward our car.  We make it halfway when G begins to sob – anguished heartbreak.  He continues walking  (oh what progress we’ve made!), sobbing.  I don’t know how long it lasts.  6-year-old devastation.  And incredulity.  It would never occur to G not to share.  Truly.  The meanness rocks him.

 

At home, G asks me, “That dad – where did he say dat monster truck came from?”

 

"There’s a store called Toys R Us….”  Three years in the USA and I’ve withheld the knowledge of Toys R Us from him.  Until now.

 

An excursion was planned.  That store is insanity.  Right?

 

G loved the vehicles aisles (yes. plural.).  He found a great remote controlled monster truck.

 

But everything else faded when we got to the battery-powered kid-sized vehicle aisle.  G sat in every car.  Each next car was THE car for him.  Until he spotted the Silver Cadillac Escalade.  Done.  Not even the police car would sway him.  The Escalade would be his ride.

 

The fact that it cost over $300?  “Das ok cause I can save my money.”

 

The fact that G earns $1-$2 per week?  “Das ok cause I can save.”

 

The fact that we have no garage to keep it in?  “Das ok cause Joey (next door neighbor) has a garage and I can park it there.”

 

The fact that our neighbors have no extra room in their garage?  “Das ok.  I find a place.”

 

The quest has begun.  I’ll keep you posted.

 

p.s. If you happen to be G's grandmother, please do NOT send over a Silver Cadillac Escalade.  Unless you send a garage with it.  Thank you.

 

Quotable G

First thing as he woke me in the morning:

"Mama.  Does our president work for other countries?"


As he runs into the kitchen, wearing his SuperG cape and wielding his sword:

"FIGHT THIS WAR!!!  (and under his breath..)  I supposed to have my goggles on when I fight da war...."
 

5 minutes later:

"I hit my head.
It's not broken.
(tilts it towards me..)
See it?"


At the breakfast table:

"Yay!  Orange juice!  My favorite breakfast liquid!"


This boy.

Gianna

Gianna said she's always gonna be my friend.

Well, Gianna must be a smart girl.

She's not a smart girl.

No?

No.  She's an amazing girl.

Really?

Do you know one time, her jumped up and hanged on to the monkey bars?  And you know what?  Her was swinging back and forth.

If you want to impress G, now you know the trick.

Remember

I read this from Luke 1:

Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

^{5 “}In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. ⁶ And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. ⁷ But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.

⁸ Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, ⁹ according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. ¹⁰ And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. ¹¹ And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. ¹² And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. ¹³ But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. ¹⁴ And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth”

I really appreciated a few things from that reading. 

-          Zechariah was serving.  It was time for him to be on duty, so he was working.  He was walking in obedience to God.

-          Zechariah was praying for the impossible.  In spite of his wife being barren, in spite of their age, he was asking God for a child.

-          His miracle comes in response to prayer.  The angel says “your prayer has been heard.”  God answers our prayers.  The impossible is possible. 

-          God’s angels are mighty & powerful.  The sight of just one angel strikes fear in Zechariah.  Yet, it reminds me of 1 Kings 6:

¹⁵ “When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” ¹⁶ He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” ¹⁷ Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

God’s timing is perfect.  His power is awesome.  His plan results in joy and gladness.

Those who are with us are more than those who are with them!

 

Non-adoption Adoption Book

We recently checked out Jonathan London's book "Jackrabbit."

A mother jackrabbit is nesting with her babies when construction vehicles crash in.  The mother thumps a warning and dashes away with her babies, but she can't save her littlest one.  A lady comes looking for the baby, finds her and lovingly raises her.  With sadness and hope, the lady releases young jackrabbit back to the wild when it's time.

I often have "trouble" with children's adoption books.  They don't fit our family's unique situation.. they seem too neat and happy.. they don't explain adoption the way I would.. whatever.

But this book - which never mentions adoption - was a perfect conversation starter for us.  Good opportunities to discuss love, a first mom's inability to care for a baby, a second mom's search for her baby, making sacrifices for someone you love....

Good discussions.  Thought I should pass the suggestion along.

Morning Quote from G

"That's amazing how you do that!"

(as he watched me tie my shoes)