Thursday, February 10, 2011

One down...30 to GO

During the month of January we made our 2nd annual "Snowman List" - each morning the kids picked one thing that they wanted to do this year. It was fun to watch them come up with things together. When I reintroduced the concept, I let them know that they needed to agree on the items.

Brooke says, "Clayton, I think we should go to Disney World again this year."
Clayton responds, "Okay, Brooke."
B: Mom, we're going to Disney World - we both agree.
Mom: You might want to check with your dad on that before you write it down.
Brooke returned a few moments later, "Clayton, we're NOT going to Disney World. Let's think of something else."

During the blizzard last week we had plenty of family time to finish our 500 piece Wisconsin puzzle. CHECK - one down, 30 to go!

When I'm 65!

If I had known the number of times this conversation would occur I most certainly would have started a tally sheet so that you'd know I wasn't exaggerating to say that it's been DOZENS of times. Clayton has a really hard time understanding that Brooke will always be older than he will....ALWAYS! (Then again he still thinks that "tomorrow" is a day of the week as is Monday, Thursday, etc.) And the conversation (typically at breakfast) goes like this...



C: Brooke, I'll be older when I'm 7.
B: Yes, Clayton you'll be older, but I'll be older than you - I'll be 9.
C: Then, I'll be 9.
B: Then I'll be 11.
C: I'll be 11.
B: I'll be 13.
C: I'll be 26.
B: I'll be 28.
C: How old will Lincoln be?
B: 23.
C: Then I'll be 42.
B: Then I'll be 44.
C (yelling): Then I'll be SIXTY FIVE!!
B (calmly): Clayton, then I'll be 67.
And on and on...he always hits the number 65 with great enthusiasm. I think my favorite was when they got to 95 and 97, and then wanted to know how old I would be. I let them know that I'd be living with Jesus. "oh.." was the response I got. I am just amazed at how patient Brooke explains this concept (and how good she's gotten at adding 2 to some high numbers.) AND, I'm equally surprise how Clayton still has this conversation a couple times a week.