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I keep thinking to post some of the snarky and incredibly FUNNY things that my DD says and does-- and she does a lot of this kind of thing-- but they aren't really the kind of thing that belongs in the brag thread, exactly.

Because honestly, most parents would probably be kind of appalled at some of what she comes up with. We tend to be deeply amused instead.

Today, she is converting The Importance of Being Earnest into a musical.

Don't ask me why. It more than likely has something to do with needing to write an AP Lit essay longhand, and finding the Wilde descriptor "in Wagnerian fashion" with respect to doorbell-ringing applied to certain individuals (a sort of Valkyrie fanfare, evidently, which applies only to bill collectors and the indomitable Aunt Augusta)...

well, CLEARLY Wilde would have written a musical if only he'd had the 80's to draw from.

So far she has Aunt Augusta using the Imperial March from Star Wars, we have Algy using the Indiana Jones theme (but alternating with the music for his initial country appearance with a-- uhhh-- sweet acoustic rendition of Green Day's "When I come Around"); Jack with the Rimsky-Korsakov Flight of the Bumblebee, Cecily with Simon and Garfunkel's "Feeling Groovy" and she has selected a pair of numbers for the closing--

"What a Wonderful World" into Cheap Trick's "Surrender." I nearly forgot-- she chose Missing Persons' "Hello, I love you" for Gwendolyn. LOL.

Her opening number? Robert Hazard's "Escalator of Life."

She seems to have a real knack for this kind of thing.

I'm laughing like a maniac. She says that Wilde's words, however, are completely sacred and she would not dream of rewriting a thing. Only... adding some musical numbers to enrich the understanding of Wilde's underlying satire.

cool


So what unquestionably eccentric, but vastly entertaining things have your gifted kids done lately?

That is hysterical! And very creative:)

Back in the 90's, I saw an amazing play that used part of The Importance of Being Earnest, but kind of modern day with a twist- the baby was left in a alley in London. It was really fun, because it used some of the old dialogue with modern issues. Idk- maybe it's my kind of thing.

Btw, my 2 are always saying and doing crazy stuff. (On a totally different level, mine are little.) a couple days ago, I asked my 2 yr old, "do you want to drive to the park? Or walk?" He said, "Mommy, little boys can't drive." Lol.
LOL-- at least he didn't OFFER to do the driving... yet, I mean.

Mostly I wanted to start this thread because actually, just day to day LIFE with kids like ours can be pretty intense much of the time, but that isn't always a negative thing.

They're more fun than average in a lot of ways, too.

DD finally admitted with a scowl that she wasn't really planning on doing that essay today, so my instincts were apparently correct. wink
This isn't really happy but is a bit quirky.

DS5 is reaching the end of the school year. He is worried about his best friend going to another school and his class next year being full of bullies and girls.

He made up a wild fictional story about the bullies in his class this year making special radios that disseminated their bully agenda with the intent of poisoning the minds of his future boy classmates against him. He and his best friend had to find and destroy these radios so that their classrooms next year would be safe since they would be separated. There was a lot more to it but you get the gist.

After he told me his tale, with illustrations, he said "It isn't real. I know that. The story has the same feelings as real life though. My stories have my feelings inside them"
love this thread already and it's what, 2 minutes old? thanks, HK!

here's one from DD5, anatomy enthusiast and feminist.

the scene: we were walking past a series of shop windows. we passed a bathing suit shop with a display of mannequins in bikinis. DD5 mutters something under her breath.

me: sorry, kid, did you just say something? it was very quiet.
DD5: it wasn’t very nice – never mind.
me: hee - did you just say, “show-offs?”
DD5: yes. [shifts uncomfortably]
me: what made you say that?
DD5: the mannequins back there. they are standing in the most ridiculous way – as if they are better than us – which they ARE NOT. they’re so slender, they wouldn’t even have room for their organs if they were real.
me: that's a very interesting observation.
DD5: i mean, honestly. human bodies have 78 organs - and those mannequins would have nowhere to put them all.
Originally Posted by KJP
After he told me his tale, with illustrations, he said "It isn't real. I know that. The story has the same feelings as real life though. My stories have my feelings inside them"

amazing and awesome.
From the asynchronous files....sound familiar or is just me?

My third grade DS8 finishes up a nice long discussion/debate of the Bill of Rights with regard to freedom of expression. He's putting together a nicely supported conclusion and then stops in the middle of said conclusion and runs to the window.
Me: What?
DS8: I want to see if [name of first grade girl who lives next door] wants to play tag.

I could go on but won't.
Originally Posted by doubtfulguest
love this thread already and it's what, 2 minutes old? thanks, HK!

here's one from DD5, anatomy enthusiast and feminist.

the scene: we were walking past a series of shop windows. we passed a bathing suit shop with a display of mannequins in bikinis. DD5 mutters something under her breath.

me: sorry, kid, did you just say something? it was very quiet.
DD5: it wasn’t very nice – never mind.
me: hee - did you just say, “show-offs?”
DD5: yes. [shifts uncomfortably]
me: what made you say that?
DD5: the mannequins back there. they are standing in the most ridiculous way – as if they are better than us – which they ARE NOT. they’re so slender, they wouldn’t even have room for their organs if they were real.
me: that's a very interesting observation.
DD5: i mean, honestly. human bodies have 78 organs - and those mannequins would have nowhere to put them all.

My dd would love your dd. I also like the way you responded.
Originally Posted by doubtfulguest
Originally Posted by KJP
After he told me his tale, with illustrations, he said "It isn't real. I know that. The story has the same feelings as real life though. My stories have my feelings inside them"

amazing and awesome.

That struck me too, it was a lovely way to put it.
I just LOVE both of those. laugh
you have no idea how touched i am, Deacongirl.

right now, my kid's primary survival tactic is to blend in, but i worry that if she's always shaping herself around others, she'll never have a friend who truly knows her. it gives me a lot of hope to think that there might be kids like yours out there who might really enjoy her for who she is. thank you!

I am LOVING this thread!

My other ds6 came home from school today (last day of k) 26 books in his bag- including an adult National Geographic hardcover book about North American animals. As I empty his bag, I see a book that is a present from his teachers- about animals. So, I say, "Wow, did you see this book?" "Yeah Mom. I'm giving it to my little brother. It looks like it's his level." Ok. He's definitely right.
Originally Posted by doubtfulguest
you have no idea how touched i am, Deacongirl.

right now, my kid's primary survival tactic is to blend in, but i worry that if she's always shaping herself around others, she'll never have a friend who truly knows her. it gives me a lot of hope to think that there might be kids like yours out there who might really enjoy her for who she is. thank you!

Well, I have to encourage you then. My dd was lucky enough to have a few friends (one in particular) who really got her when she was younger...but she has gotten very good now at picking girls who appreciate having enthusiastic conversations about feminism and justice and literature etc. etc. I wish I could have recorded the conversation in the car after I picked up her and her friend from The Great Gatsby. But even in a middle school with a lot of affluence and conspicuous consumption (and in a conservative county in a conservative state) she has managed to find kindred spirits and she is comfortable showing who she really is. She is leaps ahead of me at that age. I think just the fact that you are aware that this could be an issue for your dd is a huge step. She sounds like a very cool kid!
HK, does she like the film "The Royal Tenenbaums"? It's a personal favorite.
I love all your children! Amazing anecdotes. They sound like delightful people!
Originally Posted by aquinas
HK, does she like the film "The Royal Tenenbaums"? It's a personal favorite.

She hasn't seen it yet-- her favorite movie (I'm almost embarrassed to admit this even here) is Thank You For Smoking.

She is a young Nick Naylor. blush In fact, just today, she turned to me and said "You know, I quite like the sound of 'yuppie Mephistopheles.'" This was in the context of her assertion that Rob Ford needs her as PR person. Clearly. LOL.
HK, her musical sounds great- certainly better than a lot that actually get produced.
Originally Posted by W'sMama
HK, her musical sounds great- certainly better than a lot that actually get produced.

I agree! It sounds totally entertaining!
Originally Posted by HowlerKarma
Originally Posted by aquinas
HK, does she like the film "The Royal Tenenbaums"? It's a personal favorite.

She hasn't seen it yet-- her favorite movie (I'm almost embarrassed to admit this even here) is Thank You For Smoking.

She is a young Nick Naylor. blush In fact, just today, she turned to me and said "You know, I quite like the sound of 'yuppie Mephistopheles.'" This was in the context of her assertion that Rob Ford needs her as PR person. Clearly. LOL.

Our family would love your dd's humour and sensibilities.
Originally Posted by deacongirl
Originally Posted by W'sMama
HK, her musical sounds great- certainly better than a lot that actually get produced.

I agree! It sounds totally entertaining!
Yes!
Originally Posted by deacongirl
Originally Posted by doubtfulguest
you have no idea how touched i am, Deacongirl.

right now, my kid's primary survival tactic is to blend in, but i worry that if she's always shaping herself around others, she'll never have a friend who truly knows her. it gives me a lot of hope to think that there might be kids like yours out there who might really enjoy her for who she is. thank you!

Well, I have to encourage you then. My dd was lucky enough to have a few friends (one in particular) who really got her when she was younger...but she has gotten very good now at picking girls who appreciate having enthusiastic conversations about feminism and justice and literature etc. etc. I wish I could have recorded the conversation in the car after I picked up her and her friend from The Great Gatsby. But even in a middle school with a lot of affluence and conspicuous consumption (and in a conservative county in a conservative state) she has managed to find kindred spirits and she is comfortable showing who she really is. She is leaps ahead of me at that age. I think just the fact that you are aware that this could be an issue for your dd is a huge step. She sounds like a very cool kid!

It's wonderful your dd is confident in her beliefs and has been able to find her people.
ds loves to make movies. When he was younger he would narrate his rok n bok play and Lego play and later, when he was lucky to have an amazing sitter who was also a film student she helped him to make a couple of short films. He has a wonderful quirky sense of humor.

Perhaps one the dearest moments for me was when he was much younger and looked at a glass of soda for the first time, a rare treat, and said the bubbles looked like tiny dancers.
I don't think that my ds 7 is gifted, but apparently he has an interested in speed math.

Meaning, that he likes to race me in math facts (it looks like he has my math processing speed, which is a plus; granted, he also has my speeling ability, which is a minus).

However, his interest seems to be in square roots.

So, we've really skipped subtraction, multiplication (of basic facts), and division and gone straight into square roots.

I lost the game last night since I was unable to calculate 16 x 16 in my head fast enough to satisfy him (naturally, being the square root of 256, he knew what it was).

Normal multiplication is apparently boring in comparison to square roots.

Unsurprisingly, he has been unable to educate his classmates on the wonder of square roots.
Ahhh-- has he seen how to do the long-division-derived method for FINDING square roots, Jon? That one might really thrill him, as it's one of those slightly archaic skills that isn't taught in pre-algebra classrooms anymore.

Originally Posted by KADmom
Perhaps one the dearest moments for me was when he was much younger and looked at a glass of soda for the first time, a rare treat, and said the bubbles looked like tiny dancers.

One of the funnier quotes from my DD from her 5th birthday, when she was allowed to order a Shirley Temple at dinner - she said, "It feels like a fairy in your mouth!"
That's awesome! DD has been into square roots, too, but I haven't exposed her to beyond 12 times 12. Its hard to explain to her teachers, though, when they just see her not properly showing her work for 9 minus 4 or whatever :p

These are all so great!

Last night DS2.5 seemed to have an Eliza Doolittle breakthrough with rhymes. He was gleefully telling me rhyme after rhyme. When daddy got home I said, "What about nifty ninja?" And he started rhyming nifty, difty, etc. I said no, is nifty ninja a rhyme? And he said no, it's alliteration (which he can just barely pronounce). Got a good laugh from daddy! wink
Originally Posted by doubtfulguest
me: sorry, kid, did you just say something? it was very quiet.
DD5: it wasn’t very nice – never mind.
me: hee - did you just say, “show-offs?”
DD5: yes. [shifts uncomfortably]
me: what made you say that?
DD5: the mannequins back there. they are standing in the most ridiculous way – as if they are better than us – which they ARE NOT. they’re so slender, they wouldn’t even have room for their organs if they were real.
me: that's a very interesting observation.
DD5: i mean, honestly. human bodies have 78 organs - and those mannequins would have nowhere to put them all.

I love this.
DS5 would really like to meet your DD. A girl that knows about organs would be very cool.
My DS9 tends to have an interesting perspective on things. His latest is, "My brain is the flashlight of my body."

The other day he was asking me if it is possible for an object to have a 3D shadow, and if a blackhole, being that it is 4D, would create a 3D shadow.

And then there are all his religious theory questions. When he was four he asked, "Is it necessary to use water for baptism or will any blessed liquid or substance do?"
mnmom, that sounds exactly like something my DD would have asked-- when she was about 7 or maybe 8, I think, she asked about what, precisely, it is that "blessing" is doing to the water. How long does it last? Is it detectable? How?

If only holy water works during an exorcism, then is that the placebo effect? Could someone use any water as long as they really believed in it? What if the demon/person being exorcised doesn't believe that it's holy water?

LOL.
Mnmom23 he sounds too cool!

This morning DD told me, like she was just pondering it, that she thinks first there was night, and then there came day, because first it was all dark, and the sun had to be made, then the Earth to spin around it... it was very biblical sounding in her wording and Big Bang based in her info wink
This morning DD6 has gone off to school with a pinecone for show and tell - with the Fibonacci-sequence spirals highlighted in silver, green and pink (thanks to Vi Hart)
I'm nervous about it. She wants to explain how cool Fibonacci is - the spiralling boxes! The natural occurrences in flowers and pineapples! The neat addition! - but I strongly suspect she'll be met with a lot of blank faces including her teacher's and she'll quickly downgrade to "look how pretty my colouring is".
Which is a major bummer because she already thinks "people will laugh at a girl doing science" and I don't want her feeling like a weirdo frown
DS5 wants to communicate with the ants and get them to stop biting them. Only, he's pretty sure they speak a special ant language. So first he made a key (A = this squiggly, B = this other squiggly, etc) and then wrote them a polite letter in this other ant language he has made up, explaining why they shouldn't bite him any more. He seems to think this is going to work.
My 2.5 yr old is great at tracing. She has a letter workbook she does independently and she can stay on the lines now. She wrote the first letter of her name on her bedroom wall. I said, who did this? She said her brother, her brother said her. I took a picture of it and showed it to her, saying, what letter is this? She answered "(letter) for (her name)". Then her brother played into the mystery, later, by making that dramatized voice you make when it sounds like you're lying but who knows if you are or not.
I don't guess that's quirky, it's just kids being kids. But it's my girl's first clearly written letter even though she's been tracing for a while. With all the lying it probably looks better here than the brag board.
This thread is making me wish (again) that all our kids could be friends!
Originally Posted by AvoCado
This morning DD6 has gone off to school with a pinecone for show and tell - with the Fibonacci-sequence spirals highlighted in silver, green and pink (thanks to Vi Hart)
I'm nervous about it. She wants to explain how cool Fibonacci is - the spiralling boxes! The natural occurrences in flowers and pineapples! The neat addition! - but I strongly suspect she'll be met with a lot of blank faces including her teacher's and she'll quickly downgrade to "look how pretty my colouring is".
Which is a major bummer because she already thinks "people will laugh at a girl doing science" and I don't want her feeling like a weirdo frown

I agree with your dd--I think it is one of the coolest things in nature! I would love to hear her tell about it!
Originally Posted by ultramarina
DS5 wants to communicate with the ants and get them to stop biting them. Only, he's pretty sure they speak a special ant language. So first he made a key (A = this squiggly, B = this other squiggly, etc) and then wrote them a polite letter in this other ant language he has made up, explaining why they shouldn't bite him any more. He seems to think this is going to work.

This is just great! You must keep the keys and the letter to show hi when he is older!
Originally Posted by deacongirl
I agree with your dd--I think it is one of the coolest things in nature! I would love to hear her tell about it!


As I suspected, she decided not even to get into it. I don't think she's got a tight enough grip on the mathematics of it herself to try to explain it cold to a class of 6 year olds, fair enough too! It was very pretty coloring though smile
But later at home she was humming a "Fibonacci, Fibonacci!" song to herself, so she's not too put off at least!
Originally Posted by ultramarina
DS5 wants to communicate with the ants and get them to stop biting them. Only, he's pretty sure they speak a special ant language. So first he made a key (A = this squiggly, B = this other squiggly, etc) and then wrote them a polite letter in this other ant language he has made up, explaining why they shouldn't bite him any more. He seems to think this is going to work.

You might be surprised by how well this works. I used to live in a place where my bedroom was on the basement level and I'd get ants that would march across my bed. Somebody suggested asking them to leave, so I would do that, saying something like, "Look, guys, I want to respect all life, but you're up in my space and I'd really appreciate it if you'd go somewhere else."

They always would. They'd come back, but they'd be gone for a few days...
Originally Posted by deacongirl
Well, I have to encourage you then. [...] She is leaps ahead of me at that age. I think just the fact that you are aware that this could be an issue for your dd is a huge step. She sounds like a very cool kid!

thank you SO MUCH. i really hope DD will find her people a little faster than i did - i think i was about 30 when i finally started being myself!
I wish they could all be friends, too! My 6yo girl likes Fibonacci the same way smile math and nature, two of her obsessions!
Originally Posted by AvoCado
This morning DD6 has gone off to school with a pinecone for show and tell - with the Fibonacci-sequence spirals highlighted in silver, green and pink (thanks to Vi Hart)
I'm nervous about it. She wants to explain how cool Fibonacci is - the spiralling boxes! The natural occurrences in flowers and pineapples! The neat addition! - but I strongly suspect she'll be met with a lot of blank faces including her teacher's and she'll quickly downgrade to "look how pretty my colouring is".
Which is a major bummer because she already thinks "people will laugh at a girl doing science" and I don't want her feeling like a weirdo frown

I'd prep the teacher for it. Alert her to what's coming in and send a link to the video. A creative teacher will turn this into a quick mental math & addition review, which is perfectly appropriate to first graders!

So cool she did it! My kids love watching those videos, but will never actually try much.
Originally Posted by geofizz
I'd prep the teacher for it. Alert her to what's coming in and send a link to the video. A creative teacher will turn this into a quick mental math & addition review, which is perfectly appropriate to first graders!

Yes, true, I probably should have, but she sort of glazes over when I try to tell her what DD's up to smile
It's a really great thing if she can downgrade like that -- DS would, at that age and quite a bit beyond, just get angry that nobody cared or understood, resulting in a meltdown. Or a pink slip.

Emily wrote this letter a few months after she turned 8. Part of what I love most about her isn't just her book smart intelligence, it is this old soul quality and compassion that she has always possessed. I am going to retype it for you and leave all typos in tact.....

Dear Milatary People,
You are doing a very big job. I am sure God is dearly pleased. I was going home to Michigan from Arizona. I saw some people with military clothes on. I thought, "It must be a sacrafice to shoot someone and feel like you sined for the rest of your life."

Good luck,

Emily K
That is so sweet, Kelly! What an amazing soul your DD must be. She and my DD would get on well together, I think.
Originally Posted by HowlerKarma
That is so sweet, Kelly! What an amazing soul your DD must be. She and my DD would get on well together, I think.

I think they would based on a few things you have posted also! They sound like kindred spirits smile
I keep hearing about Vi Hart--are there videos on Youtube? Any particular recommendations? Sorry to hijack.
The ant story reminded me of the one time DD wrote on the walls, when she was 4. It was a picture of a dog, and the word "NO", on her bedroom door. When we asked her about it, she said it was a note to the dogs to stay out of her room, so they wouldn't chew on her toys. After DW and I had a good laugh at that, we encouraged her to make the sign on paper and tape it to the door instead.

DD, now 8, recently treated DW to a lengthy rant about "Made in China" on all her toys, the gist of which was, "Who cares?"
Originally Posted by Dude
The ant story reminded me of the one time DD wrote on the walls, when she was 4. It was a picture of a dog, and the word "NO", on her bedroom door. When we asked her about it, she said it was a note to the dogs to stay out of her room, so they wouldn't chew on her toys. After DW and I had a good laugh at that, we encouraged her to make the sign on paper and tape it to the door instead.

DD, now 8, recently treated DW to a lengthy rant about "Made in China" on all her toys, the gist of which was, "Who cares?"

My DD (when she was 8, she just turned 9 less then a week ago!) also went on a rant about the Made in China stickers on all of her toys....only instead of who cares she was quite upset that (her quote) "we can't make anything here in the USA" ... DH and I got a good chuckle out of that.
i'm mainly posting this to encourage more contributions - things are difficult these days and all your stories are just the greatest.

and this just happened:

DD5 comes bursting out of her room. "I THINK I'LL WASH MY KIDNEYS!" i snort, laughing, and she comes back with a withering, "my medical model kidneys, not my internal organ kidneys... honestly, woman!"
Originally Posted by ultramarina
I keep hearing about Vi Hart--are there videos on Youtube? Any particular recommendations? Sorry to hijack.


These are the ones DD's been watching:

Originally Posted by doubtfulguest
i'm mainly posting this to encourage more contributions - things are difficult these days and all your stories are just the greatest.

and this just happened:

DD5 comes bursting out of her room. "I THINK I'LL WASH MY KIDNEYS!" i snort, laughing, and she comes back with a withering, "my medical model kidneys, not my internal organ kidneys... honestly, woman!"


Ooooh, do want!
medical models really are the gift that keeps on giving. DD does the conventional kind of stuff with them, but the organs also give puppet show performances and they often feature in (extremely creepy) still-life artwork. they lead very full lives - which probably explains why they might need washing from time-to-time!

ps - i was actually just watching the Vi Hart stuff - it's amazing.
Lines DS19mo has come up with lately (excuse the focus on body functions, please):

To Grandpa in a cautionary, not reactive way -- "Don't pick your nose, Grandpa!"

Something that has been repeated often, complete with dreamy, happy baby eyes-- "I love nursing!"

Upon seeing a book targeted at young children on toilet training, at FULL VOLUME in a crowded bookstore-- "Look, Mummy! Little boy is pooping inside small toilet!!!"

After giving a flower to another little boy at the playground yesterday, DS was disappointed when the little boy didn't verbally acknowledge the gift. He pauses a second, eyebrows raised expectantly, then says "you're welcome". No response. He waits a moment before saying in an exasperated tone, "thank YOU."
DS (6) asked to make a sonar screen today. Something for a large screen that he can sit inside.

When I was questioning him on his design (on paper) he said dad showed him some new technology from Gorilla Glass and he wanted to use it for the screen because it can bend.

He wanted my help to buy it online...but he said he needs help spelling "gorilla". laugh

Not having a clue what he was talking about, I Googled and found this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18329974

Cool. I want some.
Originally Posted by doubtfulguest
i'm mainly posting this to encourage more contributions - things are difficult these days and all your stories are just the greatest.

and this just happened:

DD5 comes bursting out of her room. "I THINK I'LL WASH MY KIDNEYS!" i snort, laughing, and she comes back with a withering, "my medical model kidneys, not my internal organ kidneys... honestly, woman!"

DS5 is very into anatomy too. We got the Visibile Body app. Kind of pricey at around $40 but worth it.
Doubtful guest -- I agree the stories do make me smile!

Here's one I'll share about DD2, upon receiving a new puzzle this weekend. Definitely made me smile:

DD2: It's really cool.
(Looks it over for a minute.)
DD2: I can't wait to show Grandma.
Me: Why's that?
DD2: She'll say, (super high voice), "Oh you precious child! What a gorgeous new puzzle you have! Can we do it together?"

DD2, continuing: And when baby Livvy comes to play she'll say, "Puzzz-le? Ooo!" And when Dada comes home, he'll say, (deep voice) "Did you get a new puzzle today?"

She's done these impressions a few times before, but this was the first time she'd strung them together. DS6 used to do this. He'd give such accurate imitations of his friends when retelling stories about their time together. One of those things that I remember made me go, "Hmmm..." smile
I love that, Mana! She sounds (affecting my British accent) absolutely delightful!
LOL Mana! Love the accent, so cute!
At 6:30 am, pre-coffee, the bathroom door bursts open in an effort to surprise me. It worked.
A wild-eyed DS4.5, who usually sleeps much later says:

"Are you pooping mom?"
"Yeah. Do you have to go?"
"No. I just really want to show you something on Minecraft."

*sigh*

Quote
My DD (when she was 8, she just turned 9 less then a week ago!) also went on a rant about the Made in China stickers on all of her toys....only instead of who cares she was quite upset that (her quote) "we can't make anything here in the USA" ... DH and I got a good chuckle out of that.

OMG! This is really funny. BOTH my children have independently made this discovery and ranted about this same thing. ("Why is everything made in China! Look! Another thing made in China! Why don't we make anything here? Made in China, made in China, made in China AGAIN!") It's like living with a 6yo Pat Buchanan.
Originally Posted by ultramarina
BOTH my children have independently made this discovery and ranted about this same thing.

I got the very same comment from little DS this week... :-)

DeeDee
Originally Posted by KJP
DS5 is very into anatomy too. We got the Visibile Body app. Kind of pricey at around $40 but worth it.

SO cool! since i gave DD5 my laptop, i've been hoarding the iPad... but for this - i will make an exception. she is obsessed with surgery - she watches all kinds on YouTube - but her main complaint is that it's often hard to see what's happening as clearly as she'd like. so this is... right up her street.

thank you!!!
Originally Posted by lilmisssunshine
At 6:30 am, pre-coffee, the bathroom door bursts open in an effort to surprise me. It worked.
A wild-eyed DS4.5, who usually sleeps much later says:

"Are you pooping mom?"
"Yeah. Do you have to go?"
"No. I just really want to show you something on Minecraft."

*sigh*

LOL! Gotta love it. Did you have a cat in there watching you too? I swear, I look forward to five minutes alone in the bathroom when everyone leaves the house and the cat is asleep!
Originally Posted by ultramarina
Quote
My DD (when she was 8, she just turned 9 less then a week ago!) also went on a rant about the Made in China stickers on all of her toys....only instead of who cares she was quite upset that (her quote) "we can't make anything here in the USA" ... DH and I got a good chuckle out of that.

OMG! This is really funny. BOTH my children have independently made this discovery and ranted about this same thing. ("Why is everything made in China! Look! Another thing made in China! Why don't we make anything here? Made in China, made in China, made in China AGAIN!") It's like living with a 6yo Pat Buchanan.

LOL! Exactly!!
This morning DD was getting ready for school and she must have had a growth spurt because the waist on her jeans was too tight. As I was loosening the adjustable waist band for her I thought back to the first time I told her "you are growing like a weed". She was probably 2.5 years old at this time. She looked at me horrified and started to cry. I asked her why she was crying and she said: I don't want to grow like a weed! I want to grow like a beautiful flower.

Since then I have never been able to tell her she is growing like a weed, so today I told her, well, looks like you are still growing like a beautiful flower and she smiled smile Love that girl!
Originally Posted by kelly0523
As I was loosening the adjustable waist band for her I thought back to the first time I told her "you are growing like a weed".

oh, this brings back the memories. when i was in K, my mum looked at my (yet again) too-short sleeves and casually joked, "wow, i hope you're not going to turn out to be a Neanderthal!" i was really serious about evolution at the time, so i was too horrified to think she might be kidding, and i spent months trying to jam my arms back into their sockets - so that people wouldn't guess the awful truth: that i was an evolutionary throwback.

i think i was about twenty by the time i even mentioned this "trauma" to my mum, so good on your DD for speaking up! smile
Originally Posted by doubtfulguest
Originally Posted by KJP
DS5 is very into anatomy too. We got the Visibile Body app. Kind of pricey at around $40 but worth it.

SO cool! since i gave DD5 my laptop, i've been hoarding the iPad... but for this - i will make an exception. she is obsessed with surgery - she watches all kinds on YouTube - but her main complaint is that it's often hard to see what's happening as clearly as she'd like. so this is... right up her street.

thank you!!!

One of the very few public outbursts ever from my DD was when she was about four-ish. She picked up a paperback of Gray's Anatomy off of a sale rack outside of the local Waldenbooks at the mall-- and was so smitten with it that at the end of a quite generous 20 minutes of perusal, she INSISTED that we purchase this for her. When we refused (on the grounds that... I mean.... how weird is this?? FOUR.YEAR.OLD), she pitched a major hissy fit. To the point that other adults were inquiring what the trouble was and giving us nasty looks... one grandmotherly type picked up a children's book from the same rack and said "look, I don't believe in depriving children of books-- I will pay for the book for her..." blush

but she quickly changed her tune (and gave us the hairy eyeball-- especially DD) when we explained that: a) no, it was Gray's Anatomy that she wanted, not the children's picture book, and b) throwing a fit was going to get her a lesson in "this isn't how we get things we want."

What a funny incident, though.

ETA: I do regret not buying it for her. My logic was that it wasn't generally normative enough, and that is NOT a good enough reason.
oh man - i love your kid, HK. love her.

we had a similar story last year about getting a med-student anatomy colouring book - DD freaked out when the shop we went to couldn't find it for her even though the computer suggested it was in stock. it's rare for her to lose it like that, but she wasn't having any of the "little girl hearts and flowers" style they tried pushing on her instead.

DD and my husband eventually found it at the Science Centre gift shop one day - and she was so excited! too bad the staff were of the "hairy eyeball" variety... it never ceases to amaze me how people can choose to be so judgmental in the face of a kid who clearly just wants to learn... and at the Science Centre, of all places!
Here's one for you:

DS6: Mom, nothing can live inside a black hole, right?
Me: Right.
DS6: Okay, but if no one has ever escaped from one, how do we know that's true?
Me: I see your point.
DS6: What if black holes are really just a way to travel from one galaxy to the next?
Me: Hmmmm. . .you mean like a worm hole?
DS6: No, a worm hole is a worm hole. I think black holes get you from one galaxy to the next FASTER than a worm hole. That's my theory.

Two days later, I'm about to drop him off at school, and right before he gets out of the car, he says, "Mom, when I'm a scientist, I will agree with the other scientists who say that there are multiple universes. Really, it just makes sense." I stammer out, "Alright, then. Have a wonderful day at school, honey!" Then I drive away thinking, "how the heck is he going to be challenged in first grade today?"
Originally Posted by Diamondblue
Then I drive away thinking, "how the heck is he going to be challenged in first grade today?"

Perhaps he can adhere to the unwritten gifted student mantra "If you can't be challenged, be challenging!"
Originally Posted by KJP
Perhaps he can adhere to the unwritten gifted student mantra "If you can't be challenged, be challenging!"

LOL! My younger (grade 1) went to school today determined to explain to his teacher about the different densities of infinity. He felt sure she'll be interested. And she probably will.

DeeDee
My DD, in listening to a Liszt arrangement of Saint-Saens' Danse Macabre...

(she was referring to the extremely rapid-- twitchy, really-- arpeggio work in the left hand under the rapid-fire staccato all over the upper half of the keyboard in the middle of the work)

{admiringly} Sweet mother-of-god... how is that POSSIBLE?


{pauses, smiling slyly, uses evil villian voice...}

Der Regenbogenfisch kannst dir jetzt nicht hilfst!!


Okay, this requires an explanation of the German version of the Rainbow fish, which we've been toying with for weeks as DD studies for her German final... and how there are times when even the super-powers of the Rainbow Fish are insufficient to the... demands of the day. {ahem} This has become a running joke at our house lately. How one could... appeal... to the Rainbow Fish for help. In German, of course-- but that that Rainbow Fish is not likely to be useful in many more adult situations. Such as making Liszt's reach, which is in some places about a 12th in that piece. I think that Liszt and the Rach himself are the only human beings who really stand a chance...

She's very clever sometimes.
Originally Posted by HowlerKarma
My DD, in listening to a Liszt arrangement of Saint-Saens' Danse Macabre...

(she was referring to the extremely rapid-- twitchy, really-- arpeggio work in the left hand under the rapid-fire staccato all over the upper half of the keyboard in the middle of the work)

{admiringly} Sweet mother-of-god... how is that POSSIBLE?


{pauses, smiling slyly, uses evil villian voice...}

Der Regenbogenfisch kannst dir jetzt nicht hilfst!!


Okay, this requires an explanation of the German version of the Rainbow fish, which we've been toying with for weeks as DD studies for her German final... and how there are times when even the super-powers of the Rainbow Fish are insufficient to the... demands of the day. {ahem} This has become a running joke at our house lately. How one could... appeal... to the Rainbow Fish for help. In German, of course-- but that that Rainbow Fish is not likely to be useful in many more adult situations. Such as making Liszt's reach, which is in some places about a 12th in that piece. I think that Liszt and the Rach himself are the only human beings who really stand a chance...

She's very clever sometimes.

shocked A good example for the "non-gifted parent" thread I think!! I like how your 'explanation' is even more confusing than the original comment grin But I don't know anything about a) music or b) German so perhaps it's just me
Also, relieved to see you spelt villain wrong grin
And I am thinking that I might be spending too much time on this board because I actually understood ....LOL
Wellll, we did note that this was the thread for quirky, which I also took to mean idiosyncratic and downright strange. I didn't even share the part where she drew a picture today for her dad....

of Teddy, the cross-dressing teddy bear who is wearing a brilliant red thong, false eyelashes and fishnet stockings... It's Teddy's Geburstag* and she's ready to party! (eek...)

She was "inspired" this morning by a conversation that began with my DH making some quip about buying a thong... "what?? It's for my teddy..." (which I forget what prompted that, but anyway-- he often makes outrageous remarks like that for comic value).

I immediately pointed out that it's probably for Teddy's Geburtstag. That was all that it took for DD to get this.. er.. "vision" and go forward with it. Picture a classic Teddy Bear dressed as described and posed with paws on hips, if you will. It's not really naughty so much as just... odd. My DD has Surrealist leanings, in case her inner Baz Luhrman wasn't already obvious from her remaking of Hamlet and The Importance of Being Earnest (both of which I have posted about, I know).

She also had a lot of fun this past week writing as the beleaguered Mama Bear in her revisionist Goldilocks. Yup. Evidently, the day that the awful destructive girl broke in was... you guessed it, Teddy's Geburtstag. She ruined the party completely, trashed the cake and presents, and vandalized the house. He's going to need therapy to ever see a birthday card the same way again, evidently. wink

*For the uninitiated, my DD is a German student who is studying 'literature' at a first year level... so she's checking out children's books. Regenbogenfish and Teddy's Geburtstag among them. Those have provided us with the most entertainment value as a household. The Grimm's stories are just plain horrifying without much embellishment.

It's possible that AP Physics and the stress of the SAT on Saturday are making her a little punchy. Likely, even.

In case it hasn't become painfully obvious to anyone who reads my posts, I don't use a spell checker. I'm a neo-Luddite who doesn't believe in them. LOL. Even when I should. I also type far faster than my typing skills can actually support. blush
Okay, I got most of that one. Even without any typos included to make me feel better about myself smile
I live with a pair of VERY strange people. They would also claim that I fit right in, but I don't believe that for a moment. I am not the person who thinks that King Lear needs a scene with multiple Elvis impersonators.

I am not the person that chose "shoot fire out my butt" when asked; 'which superpower would you most like to have?'

I cannot say the same for either of my family members.

smile My quirky kid (6) just called me downstairs for a meeting, regarding converting the laundry room into a laboratory for her. Quite serious she was too. She wants to be Marie Curie, who she just came across this week but is very taken with!
Now I'm googling ideas for making a kids lab! The things we do ...
Originally Posted by HowlerKarma
I live with a pair of VERY strange people. They would also claim that I fit right in, but I don't believe that for a moment. I am not the person who thinks that King Lear needs a scene with multiple Elvis impersonators.

I am not the person that chose "shoot fire out my butt" when asked; 'which superpower would you most like to have?'

I cannot say the same for either of my family members.

Awesome! I like your family....LOL
I loved reading this thread.
DS2 who just turned 7 this month just finished an 8 page report on his favorite book Matilda for school. At the end he wrote - "This report all 8 pages of it was written by me with no help from mom, dad or brother.(P.S. No sister or pet at home to help)"
And he spelled Matilda as Mathilda because she was so good at math.
I love this thread too--thanks, HK! Danse Macabre is one of my favorite pieces, so I'm going to have to try to find that Liszt arrangement. I really enjoy the versions that are crisp.

And one problem with being able to shoot fire out of your butt that I can imagine is, without eyes in the back of your head, wouldn't it be difficult to aim accurately? The collateral damage could be significant wink
Originally Posted by Dbat
And one problem with being able to shoot fire out of your butt that I can imagine is, without eyes in the back of your head, wouldn't it be difficult to aim accurately? The collateral damage could be significant wink

It comes with some obvious advantages, though, over other options:

- Shoot fire out of your eyes... temporarily blinded. How can you track a moving target?

- Breathe fire through nose and mouth... takes the joy out of dining. You might as well have a diet of charcoal.

I'd say her husband has given this some serious thought and come up with the least-worst solution.
Oh, we discussed solutions to any number of resultant problems with this particular superpower. That guy from the Village People who wears the chaps? Yeah; he definitely has the right idea. A cape or regular tights would be a serious problem if you were that kind of superhero. grin (My family as a whole has raised "irreverent sense of humor" to an art form.)

Needless to say, my DD's favorite literature selection of all time is Swift's Modest Proposal. Atta girl.

Dbat-- I think it may have been Horowitz playing, but it was Saint-Saens/Liszt, certainly.

rachr-- No pets helped... LOL! I love it!!


Av-- we definitely regard the entire house as a potential experimental zone. Then again, we don't entertain much. blush It would require some odd explanations at times, that much is certain.

Originally Posted by Dimaondblue
And one problem with being able to shoot fire out of your butt that I can imagine is, without eyes in the back of your head, wouldn't it be difficult to aim accurately? The collateral damage could be significant wink

Oh. Oh my. Oh. My. Goodness. Shooting coffee out of my nose at work makes for a very messy keyboard. That's just hilarious.
Originally Posted by HowlerKarma
I live with a pair of VERY strange people. They would also claim that I fit right in, but I don't believe that for a moment. I am not the person who thinks that King Lear needs a scene with multiple Elvis impersonators.

I am not the person that chose "shoot fire out my butt" when asked; 'which superpower would you most like to have?'

I cannot say the same for either of my family members.

LOL! An aspiring rectal flamethrower! (Three words I bet none of us ever expected would be joined coherently on this forum...)

What a tool for DH to have in his...err...arsenal. wink

My choice superpower would be to emit a "ray of rationality". Just think of the havoc I could wreak!!!
Yes, I was (personally), torn between the power of flying...

and an "enlightenment wand" with which I could thump 'correct' deserving people.



DD wanted a "stun ray" for making stupidity actively painful.

That was before Dad weighed in, though. wink

I think DD got two copies of this particular gene, but I still recall her stamping a foot and crossing both arms in a 6yo snit--

"I hate it when everyone around here is CLEVERER AND MORE WITTY THAN I AM!!" The hilarious part was that she was actually serious, at least in the moment.


Originally Posted by lilmisssunshine
At 6:30 am, pre-coffee, the bathroom door bursts open in an effort to surprise me. It worked.
A wild-eyed DS4.5, who usually sleeps much later says:

"Are you pooping mom?"
"Yeah. Do you have to go?"
"No. I just really want to show you something on Minecraft."

*sigh*
laugh
Hubby has learned to bring the coffee into the bathroom with him.
Originally Posted by kelly0523
Originally Posted by lilmisssunshine
At 6:30 am, pre-coffee, the bathroom door bursts open in an effort to surprise me. It worked.
A wild-eyed DS4.5, who usually sleeps much later says:

"Are you pooping mom?"
"Yeah. Do you have to go?"
"No. I just really want to show you something on Minecraft."

*sigh*

LOL! Gotta love it. Did you have a cat in there watching you too? I swear, I look forward to five minutes alone in the bathroom when everyone leaves the house and the cat is asleep!

laugh

I love the cat comment.

We have a new-to-us feline who insists standing upon my bladder first thing is the best wake up call. He loves to watch potty activities.

Originally Posted by HowlerKarma
In case it hasn't become painfully obvious to anyone who reads my posts, I don't use a spell checker. I'm a neo-Luddite who doesn't believe in them. LOL. Even when I should. I also type far faster than my typing skills can actually support. blush

I saw an ad for Dragon Voice Recognition today and thought it would help...temendously. wink
HK, Emily also chooses the power of flying .... every.single.time!

I just remembered a little anecdote that was not so much intelligent as just plain quirky and funny.

I was at DD's dance recital and was stage mom so I was sitting in the holding room with the dancers in my DD's group. My sister came back and said hello and wished my DD luck and took some pictures.

About 30 minutes later DD asks me how my sister got backstage.

Tongue in cheek, I told her that she probably sneaked past security. (Mind you, there is absolutely no security there except for the stage moms).

DD says in the most serious tone: Wow, the security here really sucks!!

Even though I don't like the word sucks, I honestly had to laugh. You would have thought by her over (reaction) that a deranged lunatic came back to wish her luck and not her aunt!!
DH and DS19mo picked up some library books on hold and were reading a lovely picture book on space (for anyone interested, it's titled "Big and Small, Room for All".)

A few pages in, DH gives me a queasy/impressed look and says, "I opened the page and he identified Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Earth, our moon, and Mercury right away by sight." Then, on the last page showing micro-organisms, DS correctly identified Protista, which DH found pretty trippy. I wasn't too surprised, since he's known those things for a while, but DH seemed shocked.

On a more casual note, these also made me smile:

1. DS and I had a blast yesterday morning planting our first balcony garden! He already knows all the plants' names and woke up asking to water the honeysuckle and begonias.

2. DS has discovered the joy of psyching his parents out. This sequence, or one like it, happened several times this morning.

Me: Would you like to go to the grocery store with Mummy and Daddy?

DS: Yes, to grocery shopping now please....NOT! (*devilish giggles*)

----

Heavens, I'm so glad to be able to share these not-quite-brags here.
DD proudly announced to me that she found a way to use "intoxicated primate" in her SAT essay yesterday.


:groan:

Upon seeing my horrified expression, she quickly reassured me; "No, really, mom... it was COMPLETELY appropriate in the context of my essay. Really."

I was still skeptical, though, and she then elaborated; "I thought it was far more erudite than 'drunken baboon.'"


Ohhhh, well, sure, when you put it that way... eek

{While I can't talk about her essay topic yet, when she explained FURTHER, I had to admit that the colorful metaphor was, in fact, probably a point-grabbing way of phrasing things.}

DD: "Who do you think was the first person to realize that there was such a concept as time?" (Asked while sitting on the toilet, reading a fishing magazine.)
DS19mo was kicking his legs wildly at one point today, effectively doing dragon flags. He characterized these as, "Big kicks, big like galaxy."

Surprisingly apt.


My 9yo wants to make money, and his current idea is to find pencils at home and sell them at school. He employs his little brother and sister on a commission basis for pencils they find.

I told him I'd be willing to pay him to write programs in Python. He said he'd rather write programs in JavaScript and thought my language mandate was silly -- "Why do you care about the language a program is written in as long as it works? You can't say JavaScript isn't a popular language." I told him that employers get to dictate language choice and that Python is a language I know, so I'd be able to understand and change programs written in it.

Debating the choice of programming language is not a conversation one often has with a 9yo.
DS5 wants a pet goat. After I told him it was against our city code to have a goat at our house, he decided to write a letter to the city council asking them to change the law. He dictated it to me and then he copied it in his own writing.

After he was done he said, "I have an idea! I will put some money from my piggy bank in the envelope with my letter. That way when they open the letter they'll be really happy and do what I ask!"

Ah-- future lobbyist you have there, eh? wink
You should move to Toronto if you don't get traction on the goat zoning. Rob Ford could use some positive press.

Imagine the headlines: "Alleged crack pipe mayor supports housing equity for goats."
[cough] [cough], [sputter], [cough].

ohhhh, Ford....

My better self knows I should not laugh...

unfortunately, my better self ain't here right now, I'm laughing too hard...
ROFL. Oh my.

Well, my DD has already remarked with some solemnity that she thinks he needs a "better PR team."



Bostonian, my 6yr old recently asked to learn Ruby. She was put of by he size of the two tomes my DH produced (with great enthusiasm) and they ended up breaking out the raspberry pi instead. I do wonder whether she will circle back to Ruby by 9 or 10 though, so hard to know with her.
Thanks to Rob Ford, I received the following question from my 4-year-old son while listening to CBC radio:

"Crack pipe? What's a crack pipe?"

Again, thank you Mr. Ford.
excerpt from DD5's new story, The Egg and the Stone

"The egg and the stone lived together on a hillside. Life on the hillside was ideal, except for the fact they only had teeny tiny legs. The friends wanted to be able to walk around together, but their legs were so small that they would roll down the hill in opposite directions. This was both sad and counter-productive. So they decided to visit the doctor, who sent them to a surgeon."

To combine on- and off-topic content seamlessly and transparently...

DS4, loudly, after the bus got short-turned:

"Is there a football team in trouble somewhere, mama?"

Since when is running headlong into a scrum... camera... bad press?? I though all publicity was good publicity wink



Lines you wouldn't normally expect to hear a 1.5yo say when playing with a medieval castle play set include: "Drawbridge up! Dissidents in jail!"

Also, when DS blanked yesterday on the name of a clownfish, he called it a "dorsal fin fish." A bit generic, but not a bad guess!
DS 3.5 was studying one of his cars and I kept pointing out facts about something unrelated. Finally he got fed up and said in an irritating, firm voice "Stop bothering me with details".
LOL-- that is great, 1111. I love statements like that.

My only problem is stifling my giggles in the moment.

DD13 is doing an analysis of the existentialist themes in...



Little Miss Sunshine.

For AP Literature. She feels that this film has a LOT to say about how humans perceive and interact with reality. There is much in common with Oscar Wilde's take on things, she has patiently explained to me.

Remember when you were a young kid and you'd be out with Mom and/or Dad they'd bump into an adult friend? You'd have to stand there amusing yourself while they talked about boring stuff.

I was out recently with DD8 and we bumped into an adult I knew and her 7-year-old. We were talking about random stuff and DD joined the conversation and made meaningful contributions. I didn't realize what was going on until I noticed that the 7-year-old was bouncing around amusing herself waiting for the conversation to end.

Okay, DD8 doesn't always join in adult conversations and also has to amuse herself at times, but she does join in reasonably often.

HG+ kids really are different.
Originally Posted by aquinas
Lines you wouldn't normally expect to hear a 1.5yo say when playing with a medieval castle play set include: "Drawbridge up! Dissidents in jail!"
Impressive. I doubt that most adults know what a "dissident" is.
Originally Posted by Bostonian
Originally Posted by aquinas
Lines you wouldn't normally expect to hear a 1.5yo say when playing with a medieval castle play set include: "Drawbridge up! Dissidents in jail!"
Impressive. I doubt that most adults know what a "dissident" is.

I suppose the concept is a familiar one to him...his mother is a bit of a rabble-rousing iconoclast. wink
Originally Posted by 1111
DS 3.5 was studying one of his cars and I kept pointing out facts about something unrelated. Finally he got fed up and said in an irritating, firm voice "Stop bothering me with details".

Priceless, 1111! Does he know the word "inanity" yet? In our house, if someone goes off on a useless tangent, his/her interlocutor can say "inanity" to veto the rest of the conversation (err...monologue).
That's so cool re LMS, HK smile

DD6 was kicking around in her room, looking through toy boxes, and started playing with her barrel of monkeys. She decided they were good examples for how atoms join together to make molecules, and made the red ones nitrogen, blue ones oxygen, yellow hydrogen and carbon etc, and strung them together to make h2o and some other made-up things smile
Originally Posted by AvoCado
That's so cool re LMS, HK smile

DD6 was kicking around in her room, looking through toy boxes, and started playing with her barrel of monkeys. She decided they were good examples for how atoms join together to make molecules, and made the red ones nitrogen, blue ones oxygen, yellow hydrogen and carbon etc, and strung them together to make h2o and some other made-up things smile

Get that kid a molecule making kit! Seriously.
Yep, we're way behind the 8-ball as always but have been looking some up online! laugh
DD8 conducted a series of "scientific" experiments on Minecraft yesterday, in creative mode.

First, she built the tallest pillar the game would allow her to build. At specific intervals along the pillar she placed trap doors. Then she spawned a creature on the topmost trap door, opened that door and each below in turn, and counted the number of doors each creature fell onto before it finally died. The results were recorded on signs posted near the top of the pillar.

She was quite affronted that the witch didn't die (it used healing potions in between doors), so DD repeated that and all subsequent experiments with a lava pool on the bottom.

The next set of experiments involved structures built of TNT, underground and above ground, sometimes filled with villagers and animals.
Heh, heh, diggin the scientific Minecraft. Glad DS7 isn't the only one with a gruesome sense of scientific humor. We've been fans of Phineas and Ferb for a while, and play a game of science gone wrong with Dr. Doofenschmirtz as the star. Typically we end up with real science... like "ooo... my Saltinator 3000 is almost ready. Ah there's the missing ingredients, 'Do It Yourself Salt', quite the bargain! OK, I'll just open the chlorine bottle... oh wait, the sodium has oil all over it, I better take that to the bath tub and wash it off first...."
Originally Posted by HowlerKarma
DD13 is doing an analysis of the existentialist themes in...



Little Miss Sunshine.

For AP Literature. She feels that this film has a LOT to say about how humans perceive and interact with reality. There is much in common with Oscar Wilde's take on things, she has patiently explained to me.

Yes, it absolutely does! I would love to read her take on it!
Originally Posted by Zen Scanner
Heh, heh, diggin the scientific Minecraft. Glad DS7 isn't the only one with a gruesome sense of scientific humor. We've been fans of Phineas and Ferb for a while, and play a game of science gone wrong with Dr. Doofenschmirtz as the star. Typically we end up with real science... like "ooo... my Saltinator 3000 is almost ready. Ah there's the missing ingredients, 'Do It Yourself Salt', quite the bargain! OK, I'll just open the chlorine bottle... oh wait, the sodium has oil all over it, I better take that to the bath tub and wash it off first...."

LOVE it.

Professor Doofenschmirtz is the best thing that ever happened to animation.
I don't know that this has much to do with being gifted (presumably) but it does explain much about our difficulties with trying to get DD to do anything she doesn't want to do or any attempt to discipline. DD6 is quite stubborn, usually very sweet but prone to some mind blowing tantrums and power struggles.

DD6 and DD2 were eating lunch. DD6 was bossing little sis and telling her exactly how she needed to eat and how many bites she needed etc. I reminded DD6 that she should just eat her own lunch and that she was not the boss. She sighed heavily and said, "Its just that I am the boss in my head and its hard to keep it to myself."

Exactly what I thought she thought but funny to hear her say it!
DS20mo spent a large part of yesterday making up stories about an imaginary ruffled grouse (his choice protagonist) who is, apparently, the master of operating all types of construction and transportation equipment. The stories went along the lines of:

"Mummy, see ruffled grouse off inside distance? Ruffled grouse is manoeuvring crane truck, lowering cement drum to cement mixer. See! Ruffled grouse is lifting drum to roof of condo for construction crew. Ruffled grouse has big green bulgy eyes."

I've also been regaled with the antics of a mouse with "big blue bulgy eyes" who often joins us at the playground, a crocodile with "snappy jaws" under our couch, and a moose on the upstairs balcony who "bellows at pigeons" to protect our plants.

Oh, and the garbage trucks...our passion du jour. Lord help me if we so much as walk by a garbage can! DS will launch into a lengthy diatribe about the process of garbage collection in minute detail, from curbside collection to incineration/recycling/burial. Who ever knew there was so much to love about trash? smile
Originally Posted by Dude
Originally Posted by Zen Scanner
Heh, heh, diggin the scientific Minecraft. Glad DS7 isn't the only one with a gruesome sense of scientific humor. We've been fans of Phineas and Ferb for a while, and play a game of science gone wrong with Dr. Doofenschmirtz as the star. Typically we end up with real science... like "ooo... my Saltinator 3000 is almost ready. Ah there's the missing ingredients, 'Do It Yourself Salt', quite the bargain! OK, I'll just open the chlorine bottle... oh wait, the sodium has oil all over it, I better take that to the bath tub and wash it off first...."

LOVE it.

Professor Doofenschmirtz is the best thing that ever happened to animation.

We are building plenty of -inators here too! Lol - it is such an awesome show, and we love the app too. But darn it that song - DS 7 will run around going Doofenschmirtz, INC in that sing songy way, it's the worst ear worm!!! But love the celebration of smart sciency kids.

DeHe
Originally Posted by Mana
Daddy-DD almost3 conversations.

DD: "Hold on, the app is updating. It's downloading more data, you see?"
SO: "What has your mommy been teaching you?"


DD: "I want to wear my teal shirt with large navy polkadots."
SO: "You mean your green shirt with blue circles?"
DD: "MOMMY MOMMY, Daddy doesn't know his colors!!!"

Priceless!!
We have color arguments at the house ALL. THE. TIME.

I refuse to be moved from the proposition that the second property group from Go on the Monopoly board is a bluish gray, far more gray than blue, so "blue-gray" or "gray" are acceptable descriptions, but never "blue." Also, the third property group is close enough to the boundary between dark pink/purple that either "pink" or "purple" are acceptable.
Originally Posted by Dude
We have color arguments at the house ALL. THE. TIME.

I refuse to be moved from the proposition that the second property group from Go on the Monopoly board is a bluish gray, far more gray than blue, so "blue-gray" or "gray" are acceptable descriptions, but never "blue." Also, the third property group is close enough to the boundary between dark pink/purple that either "pink" or "purple" are acceptable.

My optometrist told me that everyone has slightly different limits to their color spectrum, and it is broadly gender linked. Men see further into the blue and not as far into the red as women (with a lot of variation within genders). DH had I regularly have arguments about my grey sweatshirt (blue to him).

I teach a class where color perception is important, and we often encounter this issue in grading lab assignments. Blue/grey is most often the different (my key says grey, a lot of the male students and the occasional female student writes blue), with pink/red/purple being second most commonly different from my key.
Here's an interesting online test to guage color acuity:
http://www.xrite.com/online-color-test-challenge
Originally Posted by Mana
Daddy-DD almost3 conversations.

DD: "Hold on, the app is updating. It's downloading more data, you see?"
SO: "What has your mommy been teaching you?"


DD: "I want to wear my teal shirt with large navy polkadots."
SO: "You mean your green shirt with blue circles?"
DD: "MOMMY MOMMY, Daddy doesn't know his colors!!!"

I didn't get this immediately. This is a question of vocabulary, not color perception.

Here is my complete list of colors.
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, white, grey, black.

Beyond that, you should specify a wavelength, or a spectrum.
I've often thought that just specifying hex codes would work fine.

wink

I may be a bit unusual in this regard, however.
Originally Posted by Zen Scanner
Here's an interesting online test to guage color acuity:
http://www.xrite.com/online-color-test-challenge

I find the best links on this site. Thanks!
Yesterday at an event, we had liquid nitrogen ice cream.

Today, my daughter called my husband in a panic, because someone had told her that LN2 was dangerous, and she had eaten two bowls! He reassured her that the LN2 all evaporates to freeze the ice cream, and that air is 80% N2 - perfectly safe.

Poor kid, but at the same time, pretty funny.
Originally Posted by Zen Scanner
Here's an interesting online test to guage color acuity:
http://www.xrite.com/online-color-test-challenge

That's neat.

Speaking as a photographer though(ie one who edits photos in colour on a monitor) I'd have to wonder how much screen calibration affects the accuracy of the results. I've pulled up pics I've edited on different computers and the changes in their appearance is kind of... (sigh) disturbing (read: "that's not what I was after" and "how do I edit for variations in monitor calibration?" ...sigh. Let it go, CCN, let it go). LOL.

It was still fun though.
Originally Posted by KADmom
I find the best links on this site. Thanks!

Welcome!

Originally Posted by CCN
Speaking as a photographer though(ie one who edits photos in colour on a monitor) I'd have to wonder how much screen calibration affects the accuracy of the results.

Shouldn't effect it in general. If the monitor is calibrated warm or cool, or whatnot it'll be a global gamma correction so all of the colors would still be the same relative to each other. Worse case scenario might be if someone is like extremely cranked towards cool, then the results may not accurately reflect their sensitivity in the reddish area.

C4FF40
DD5, lying on her back in the tub, waxing poetic.

"Adrift… on the lonely river, I float out to sea."
Originally Posted by doubtfulguest
DD5, lying on her back in the tub, waxing poetic.

"Adrift… on the lonely river, I float out to sea."

That actually made me chuckle. You have a real poetic soul there, doubtfulguest. Your DD is charming!
aw, that's so nice of you to say, aquinas! it cracked me up, too - it was so wistful and dramatic - kind of like The Lady of Shalott, but with more bath toys. smile

Dd3.8 is poetic like you dd, doubtfulguest. Actually, she is more of a singer/ song writer. This is what she belched out a couple of days ago as soon as she woke up
Every morning, when I open my eyes
I feel the love of your heart
Your beautiful heart
Pumping its love for me

It was so cute!
Originally Posted by Lovemydd
Every morning, when I open my eyes
I feel the love of your heart
Your beautiful heart
Pumping its love for me

hee - that's great! and, ha - DD5 would adore that particular song - given her love of broadway and/or all things cardiothoracic!
Originally Posted by Lovemydd
Dd3.8 is poetic like you dd, doubtfulguest. Actually, she is more of a singer/ song writer. This is what she belched out a couple of days ago as soon as she woke up
Every morning, when I open my eyes
I feel the love of your heart
Your beautiful heart
Pumping its love for me

It was so cute!

That's lovely! I can imagine your DD arranging a coffeehouse (err...hot chocolate house) in kindergarten.

Maybe this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship for your and doubtfulguest's DDs through their mothers? smile
While playing in the sandbox at the park today, another parent asked me DS' age, to which DS breezily interjects, "I'm 20 months old." He then went on to make construction equipment noises while digging.

Earlier in the day, he made my heart melt by reaching up for a hug and saying with coquettishly blinking eyes and a big Cheshire Cat grin, "I am Mummy's sweetie pea." Is he ever!
DD is bemoaning her SAT scores. (Of course. This being perfectionism, a nearly perfect outing in Critical Reading has been diminished to "that math scores sucks like an industrial vacuum pump.")

Anyway-- she is at work and I'm texting with her--

She: So does this mean that I won't have to spend every Sunday for the rest of the summer prepping to take it again? wink

Me: Not unless your dad has decided that you MUST be assured entry into Harvard. laugh


LOL.

Let's put it this way-- I'm not thrilled with how low that math score was, either (it was just under 700), but the other two are so high it probably won't matter anywhere but CalTech, MIT, or an Ivy, and possibly not even there given her other... um... portfolio.

Howler Karma,

the SAT is certainly not an iq test; otherwise 1. There would be no reason to study and the test prep. companies would lose money
2. The ceiling effect would be a major issue 3. Mensa and other organizations would be taking in a lot more students.

I'm sure your daughter can get in anywhere she likes! No worries.
DS5 in the car this morning:

Mom, there is this food I want you to try that I made at school. It is French and it isn't even gross. It is called a crepe and it is like a burrito pancake thing. With it being French, you'd think they fill the middle with gross stuff like frogs and snails but they actually get this right. It is full of delicious things like fruit, sugar, cream and even chocolate!
grin

Having spent time in Paris fairly recently, I can honestly say that not all of the stuff they eat there is suspect. wink But the crepes are particularly nice.
And Nutella. Don't forget Nutella...
Precisely. My DD and I were in awe (well, it was almost like a trascendent religious experience, to tell the truth) at seeing Nutella in FIVE GALLON containers at most creperies.

Now, if I could only lay my hands on that amazing fluffy fresh goat cheese.... MMMMMMmmm.
Fantastic news--

My boyfriend recently found out he is MG (with an iq of 143).

He definitely seems more confident in his abilities, which makes me incredibly happy. I knew all along he would go far based on his writing alone!

DD5, upon waking this a.m.: "mummy! i am BEYOND starving this morning. i need SOMETHING TO FILL THE VOID!"

ps QT3 - that's amazing. my husband (obviously gifted, but never formally identified) is just discovering this, too. it's awesome to see someone bloom as an adult - it makes me feel like he may finally be able to lay aside a lot of his childhood baggage and truly embrace a new version of himself. so congrats to your boyfriend and hurray for his new confidence!
Hi doubtful guest:

Sounds like we are in a very similar situation! Your husband and my boyfriend probably never got the environment they needed/could thrive in as children and adolescents.

Personally, I know I had no confidence until I got my scores back; I knew I was somehow "different" yet my self-confidence was minimal.

I suppose it is never too late to discern what our gifts are and how we can use them.
And then there's my DW, who knows she has a sibling who is gifted, and displays a number of gifted traits, but due to SES and health-related issues during her school years, she has no idea how smart she really is.
DD14, in a moment of teenaged angst over our emphatic limitations on her on-line time in favor of learning to do NON-virtual things for a change, complained bitterly to me yesterday that she-- and I'm quoting here, because I am still laughing at the sheer chutzpah;

"shouldn't have to take on age-inappropriate responsibilities because of [our] poor parenting choices,"

and that if she were just going into high school next year (as opposed to getting ready to graduate), she wouldn't have to be concerned about picking a college or working hard to earn scholarships with her free time. This snit because I wasn't going to let her spend the entire evening on Skype, but wanted her to complete chores and an hour of obligations in preparation for a major competitive event later this summer...

Because, sure... in typical teenaged-thinking, the alternative associated with being 14 and a rising high school freshman is almost certainly that we'd allow her to do whatever she pleased and grant her every whim at the same time.... Suuuuuuure we would. wink


There was a moment of clarification-seeking before I tackled this particular notion. Gave her a chance to use the escape hatch, but she opted out, basically.

Me:

So you're saying that radical acceleration ruined your life?

That we SHOULDN'T HAVE done that?


That your life would be so much BETTER if you were just finishing up 8th grade this past year... in a regular bricks-and-mortar classroom... just one of the regular kids at the middle school, eh?

No summer internship, just 'being a kid' and all that, right?

Hmmm??






I'd like to think that most 14yo's wouldn't trot out "you're not treating me in a developmentally-appropriate manner, here" as a reason why they shouldn't have to do as they're being asked.

MAN, can this kid argue, though.

(Oh-- because of the nasty attitude and shirking her responsibilities, her ultimate reward was not getting ANY computer time for the evening. :sigh: She was REALLY mad at me when I took her mobile device and locked her out of her dad's laptop, too, I must say.)










DS5 after 2 attempts to get his Dad to help him with something said in anguished tones "I beseech you to help me Dad". How could he resist..? Hope he doesn't try that one at school!
DD3.8 and I went overseas to visit family. On our flight back, I forgot to collect her three stuffed toys during our first leg. I realized it when we were waiting to board the next plane. I was so upset with myself but not wanting to upset DD said," I think your friends really like visiting with all our people here so they decided to jump out of the bag and stay here. I am sorry." She looks up at me and says calmly," Mom, don't you realize they are toys and they cannot jump out of the bag. I think you forgot to pick them up. That's okay. I am not too upset." I felt so proud and so sad at the same time, I promised her I would buy her 10 stuffed toys to make up for this. I got her the first one yesterday.
That is just beautiful. Melts your heart.
I was touched by DS20mo's compassion toward an upset little boy (maybe 2.5) at the park today. The boy's nanny was rushing him though transitions, being rough and, most appallingly, shaming him for being upset in front of ofher children. The poor little soul was bawling his eyes out.

DS decided to go over to "cheer up boy", and began gently stroking the boy's arm and head and giving him a sympathetic smile saying, "cheer up, you'll be okay". I thought it was lovely that he was so concerned that he felt compelled to intervene, and in such a gentle and appropriate way.
DD has been plowing her way through Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier and the two-part inventions.

She's polishing up #8 right now and-- well, she's playing with it stylistically now that she has it completely up to tempo. Her piano teacher and I are both early music aficionadi, and she likes to tweak us.

Teacher: "It sounds really great-- lovely speed and tempo. I have some concerns about your left-hand dynamics, though. You're playing it like Rachmaninoff. This is... BACH. Light. Etherereal. You're really pounding the left in your fortes and making the piece very dark and heavy, texturally." (DD was smiling into the distance, obviously satisfied with herself over this) "This is supposed to be a harpsichord work-- light, dancing quality here. Not (she pounds keyboard) an elephant."

DD: "Hey!! I like Rachmaninoff. A lot. Besides, elephants do dance. I've seen them. Haven't you ever been to the circus? It's amazing. I like elephants, too. Just not as much as the 20th century Russians. Would you like Stravinsky instead? How about Bartok?"

She played it again with the requested changes, but it was clear that she disagrees re: keeping the sound 'period-appropriate.'

Frankly, the teacher ought to be happy that she's not yet figured out how to (consistently) put any of the two-part inventions through the Jellyroll Morton machine. Because I guarantee that she's thought about it.

:facepalm:



HK, as with anything meaningful in life, Wilde's "Importance of Being Earnest" has something to say on the topic.

Algernon-- " I don’t play accurately—any one can play accurately—but I play with wonderful expression. As far as the piano is concerned, sentiment is my forte. I keep science for Life."
That's a generous comparison, thank you Mana. I always enjoy your stories. smile
Not surprisingly, DD is on such overly familiar terms there that she refers to him as "Algy" and spouts irreverent quotes at random. grin

The Rach is back at the Bach BWV 779 as I type, in point of fact. Since her teacher isn't here to stop her, I guess. I know her well, though-- I just bet her that she couldn't play it as FAST as Kris Becker's smoking 45 seconds of Baroque mayhem.

Her response? "Challenge accepted." (I'm fairly cunning in my way, because there's pretty much no way to play it fully articulated AND that fast-- at something close to 150, I'm guessing-- without lightening the touch on the left hand. LOL) I didn't even bother telling her what I was betting; no need.

ETA: Ten minutes later and it's becoming clear that she's out to prove me wrong. She's kept the Rachmaninoff touch and has it up to a rock steady 138 and rising. :shakes head:

I've often said that my DD's theme song is Sid Vicious' rendition of My Way.
DD7 was getting some alone time the other day with her grandparents. They were driving to another town about 15 miles away and I guess DD was really chatting it up, enjoying her alone time without DD9 around. She really impressed her grandpa during this drive - enough that he had to call me up to tell me all about it, which is not typical.

He said there was a storm system moving in and the clouds were building up in the distance. DD7 was taking it all in and proceeded to give a lecture on the clouds and the water cycle. I guess Grandpa was extremely surprised that DD7 knew and used the appropriate words like cumulus, precipitation, condensation, saturation, and transpiration while describing the impending rain.

Grandpa is very scientific minded and even though we have told all the grandparents about DD7 and DD9's talents, I guess this conversation made a true believer out of him. She must have been a real pip for him to call and tell me! I just wish I would have been there to see his reaction.
Ha, that's always fun when somebody discovers it for themselves! smile
Originally Posted by aquinas
I was touched by DS20mo's compassion toward an upset little boy (maybe 2.5) at the park today. The boy's nanny was rushing him though transitions, being rough and, most appallingly, shaming him for being upset in front of ofher children. The poor little soul was bawling his eyes out.

DS decided to go over to "cheer up boy", and began gently stroking the boy's arm and head and giving him a sympathetic smile saying, "cheer up, you'll be okay". I thought it was lovely that he was so concerned that he felt compelled to intervene, and in such a gentle and appropriate way.


You want a laugh? When DD was about 2.5 I was stressed out about something and showing it. DD just looked me right in the eye and in the sweetest, most consoling tone said - 'It's OK Dad'. The role reversal snapped me out of it. I still chuckle to myself every time I revisit the incident in my mind LOL
On the way to drop off Ds4 at day camp Yoyo Ma came on the radio. Ds promptly
Asked me very politely to turn it off. When asked why he replied that the piece was just too beautiful and would make him cry. He also added that today it was not music to his ears and he was not in the mood.
Originally Posted by madeinuk
Originally Posted by aquinas
I was touched by DS20mo's compassion toward an upset little boy (maybe 2.5) at the park today. The boy's nanny was rushing him though transitions, being rough and, most appallingly, shaming him for being upset in front of ofher children. The poor little soul was bawling his eyes out.

DS decided to go over to "cheer up boy", and began gently stroking the boy's arm and head and giving him a sympathetic smile saying, "cheer up, you'll be okay". I thought it was lovely that he was so concerned that he felt compelled to intervene, and in such a gentle and appropriate way.


You want a laugh? When DD was about 2.5 I was stressed out about something and showing it. DD just looked me right in the eye and in the sweetest, most consoling tone said - 'It's OK Dad'. The role reversal snapped me out of it. I still chuckle to myself every time I revisit the incident in my mind LOL

That's adorable, madeinuk.
Originally Posted by Khombi
On the way to drop off Ds4 at day camp Yoyo Ma came on the radio. Ds promptly
Asked me very politely to turn it off. When asked why he replied that the piece was just too beautiful and would make him cry. He also added that today it was not music to his ears and he was not in the mood.

That's beautiful, khombi! I can commiserate; I was that child and have grown into that adult.

You're a good parent for listening and respecting your son's request. It can be really jarring to be forced through unwanted emotions. I remember feeling quite violated when I was 4 and not having a similar request met. Being forced to hear something has always, for me, been akin to being manhandled.
I am not really sure if this is considered "gifted" but it was a very good display of how DS5's mind works.

Our dog ate a roly poly (aka pill bug).

DS: What do you think happened to it?

Me: What do you think happened to it?

DS: Well, it was swallowed whole. Dogs don't have molars like us. Even though they eat dog food now, they are still like their wolf ancestors in that their teeth are more for tearing flesh and swallowing it whole. They have large stomachs so it isn't going to get too mashed up in there.

DS: Hey, do you think they have a stronger stomach acid to make up for their lack of chewing?

Me: I have no idea.

DS: Some animals eat rocks to help with digestion. I don't think dogs do that though.

DS: Hey, do you think swallowed bone fragments could work like rocks?

Me: I don't know. Maybe you can ask the vet next time.

DS: Anyway, I am thinking the exoskeleton would make it into the small intestine whole. The villi would go to work on the protein and other nutrients from the dissolved middle but I really think the exoskeleton would make it all the way through. It would be hard to know though, you know? Once the large intestine removes the moisture it is probably going to just be a tiny clear shell like thing. It would be almost impossible to find mixed in with all the other waste.

Me: Uh...you aren't going to try to find a dead bug in the dog poop are you?

DS: No way! That would be super gross.

This is an example of a very typical conversation with him. I know that according to his test scores he is considered gifted and some people might even think that a five year old thinking through "what happened to the bug my dog ate" in this way is a sign of being gifted, but I have no idea what to do about it.
My DD10 told me she had a repeated nightmare last night. She was in Norway and needing to escape the German Communists. I don't think that's the normal nightmare for a 10 yr old.
My DD3 has been begging to watch Star Wars for months, and we finally decided to let her watch "A New Hope". The following day she was playing "rock star" with one of her friends and started singing "And I know, I know I am just a prisoner"...

So, of course, I asked what she was singing about, since that is kind of a disturbing thing for a child to think -- and she responded, exasperated, "Mommy, it's my song about Princess Leia, you've gotta listen better!"
KJP, that's a great conversation. I can't count the number of those I've had with DD over the years-- sometimes super-surreal stuff. I always kind of cringed when she'd start one of those in public. Like why only some mammals have pubic hair-- that kind of thing. eek I only wish that I had a nickel for every stranger's head that has whipped more than 90 degrees to do a double take.

That's a fascinating dream-- I wonder where that one came from? Something she's been reading? Something she recently watched like a documentary or cold-war thriller? Reminds me of Archangel. Daniel Craig was excellent in that, fwiw. wink

laugh Princess Leia has a theme song. Awesome!
DS is a foodie like his mother. Yesterday while playing restaurant, I was DS' sous chef and suggested a yellow block could represent Swiss cheese. He looked at me with horror and quickly said, "No! Jarlsberg." Made me smile.
Posted By: Anonymous Re: Not-really-brag-so-much-as-quirky-anecdote thread - 07/20/13 03:26 PM
Please tell me, aquinas, that your son was wearing a chef's hat smile
DD14 has a dog who is... well, okay, it's an adolescent Aussie... this dog is... er-- quite.a.handful. Speaking charitably. Mostly I laugh about this. She has all of my DD's most prominent character features.
whistle LOL. She's proven almost impossible to train for obedience because a human trainer cannot possibly respond QUICKLY enough for her...

We call her DD's "Flying Monkey," due to the dog's nature, behaviors, and her obsessive fixation with my DD.

DH was sitting on the sofa with said dog, who was looking deeply concerned by DD's disappearance from the room (she'd gone to get her watch)... upon her return, DH announced "THERE's the Monkey Master" in a sing-song voice.

I dryly answered-- "I prefer to think of her as the Wicked Witch of the West." (This remark should be instantly understandable to anyone who has raised a PG daughter through her teens.)

DD14, almost before I finished that sentence:

"That's the Wicked Witch of the NORTH West to you. And you'd better behave or I'll use my creature against you. grin
Originally Posted by squishys
Please tell me, aquinas, that your son was wearing a chef's hat smile

An imaginary one. He also insists on wearing a sock on his left hand as an oven mitt to protect him from the blazing oven he made out of books on the sofa.
Perhaps you could work on a Parisian accent to complete his look as a cheese connoisseur? grin

My DD has become a serious bread-snob in addition to her unfortunate cheese addiction which began in Paris. It sounds like the two of them could have a lovely afternoon together. In the right surroundings, of course.
Originally Posted by HowlerKarma
Perhaps you could work on a Parisian accent to complete his look as a cheese connoisseur? grin

My DD has become a serious bread-snob in addition to her unfortunate cheese addiction which began in Paris. It sounds like the two of them could have a lovely afternoon together. In the right surroundings, of course.

Ha! But you know my more modest roots...he needs Mum's Montreal accent. wink

On the bread front, I think he'd gladly enjoy tasty bread with an older woman, especially if there's Fougasse to be had.

Maybe we should make bread as a weekend project! All this bread talk is making me noshy.

DD14's "artistic vision" today:


"I title this panel.... "Ew."


She is turning a head shot of the Flying Monkey into... er...

well, Marylin Monroe. A la Warhol, I mean.

Dogs, lacking opposable thumbs, should NOT wear eye makeup. They have terrible taste.

Yup. Hair-ilyn Monroe.

She's aiming squarely at "WTH is THAT??" as a viewer response. Who says that photography isn't art?

She has just apologized to me for turning out to be a Surrealist at heart... and is now playing the emo-kazoo, with piano accompaniment. She spent the morning with my DH and a bunch of adults, including a respected textbook author and emeritus professor of entomology, happily educating the public about honeybees.

My kid. She's quirky all the way to the bone.
We are at Hyde park visiting the home if FDR. I show DD3.8 the room he was born.
Dd: what, his mom did not go to the hospital?
Me: no, back then, it was common to give birth at home.
Dd: hmmm. Who pulled him out?
Thankfully, at that point, the kind lady next to us started to laugh and asked dd how old she was.

@HowlerKarma, She read "Breaking Stalin's Nose" which resulted in me having to give her a history lesson and reading "A Children's view of history" WWI - Korean War. She decided that Communists were crazy and she likes Capitalism better.
We'd been away for a week's vacation, and got in last night. I walked DD8 up the street to her BFF's house, ostensibly to get our mail, which her family had graciously agreed to collect for us, but also to see if BFF was available to play. A sleepover was decided, and as I walked the two girls down to our house, DD was excitedly chatting up a storm... until, in mid-sentence, she felt it necessary to exclaim on the night sky, featuring a full moon framed by broken clouds all around. She declared it to be the best view she'd ever seen, and lamented that she didn't have a camera or her ipod.

I handed her my phone, and although the image really didn't capture well, it's currently my background.
Dude, this reminds me of a full moon night that completely left my DD(3 at that time) awestruck! There was white snow on the ground and the moonlight bounced off it, creating an ethereal scene. It was so bright you could read a newspaper! DD exclaimed a lot of wows but I didnt realize what impact that night had on her until many months later, she said to me right before bedtime," mom, do you remember the night there was snow on the ground and the full moon's light bounced off it? Wasn't that beautiful? I cannot forget it!"
I had a similar life-changing experience one night, somewhere in the South Pacific, aboard a darkened ship. We weren't supposed to go outside, but following orders is not among my strongest talents. It turns out that moonlight glistens off the ocean as well as it does off of snow, with a dynamic motion element that snow can't match. Also, the name "Milky Way" actually makes sense under the right local conditions.
My son just described the emotions of a character in a story who bests a rabbit who eats his vegetable garden as schadenfreude. Yup, he uses "schadenfreude" but still doesn't use "the".
A very useful term, to be sure. I've always been moderately annoyed that there isn't a completely equivalent term in English. What? Are we not capable of this emotion? HA.
Lovemydd - my 2nd and 3rd children were born at home, so we often get very confused questions about what hospitals have got to do with having babies.

Dude - My eldest was moon obsessed, when she was very little (12-18 months?) the only purpose she found in most books was to find the pages with moons and point them out. And we had to take her up to the roof of the building to say goodnight to the moon every night. Which was tricky when there was no moon... My youngest it was stars... only books about stars, or with lots of stars on the pages.

Aquinas - "the" was the hardest word for both of my older children to learn to read, even my HG+ girl who learned to read with such ease struggle with "the". It's funny that your little guy won't use it.
MumofThree, the only 2 babies my child knows were born in hospitals via c-section. She herself is a preemie, emergency c-section. So that is my dd's world view. When her nanny was pregnant, dd horrified her by telling her that the doctors are going to cut her tummy open to take the baby out and she is going to be in terrible pain. Nanny had to explain that she was expecting a natural birth. When I came home, dd excitedly told me," mom, guess what? Not all babies have to be taken out of their mom's tummy. Some come out naturally."
Two quirky DS21mo anecdotes from today.

Anecdote 1:
The pilot on our flight broadcasts an apology for a delay to the cabin, to which DS chirps, "No worries!"

Anecdote 2:
Grandpa-- Look at the teeth on that whale!
DS-- Whales actually have baleen, Grandpa.*

*Technically, there are some whales with teeth, but I don't think DS has been exposed to one yet, and the particular whale being referenced did have baleen.
DD8 quite unselfconsciously performed her interpretation of my walk this weekend, in the middle of the mall. I heard about it later in the car, with no opportunity to demonstrate, so DD gave the following description: "Feet turned out, butt sucked in." Later at home, she gave a repeat performance, which was about as exaggerated a duck walk as you're likely to see, and would have done Monty Python proud.

FTR, I do not walk like a duck.
DD3.9 was not potty trained for #2 up until 2 weeks ago. Naturally, I was panicking and tried every trick in the book to no avail. Then 2 weeks ago I just said to her," do you know that you are hurting the earth when you poop in the diaper because it ends up in the landfill. But when you poop in the potty, it goes to a wwtp ( her favorite place, btw) where it turns into fertilizer." That's all it took! Today, while doing her business on the potty, she said," mom, I love helping planet earth and keeping it blue and green. Remember how I used to talk about moving to moon or Neptune? I don't have those feelings anymore."
Lol!
Awesome! Whatever works, I say!
Originally Posted by Lovemydd
DD3.9 was not potty trained for #2 up until 2 weeks ago. Naturally, I was panicking and tried every trick in the book to no avail. Then 2 weeks ago I just said to her," do you know that you are hurting the earth when you poop in the diaper because it ends up in the landfill. But when you poop in the potty, it goes to a wwtp ( her favorite place, btw) where it turns into fertilizer." That's all it took! Today, while doing her business on the potty, she said," mom, I love helping planet earth and keeping it blue and green. Remember how I used to talk about moving to moon or Neptune? I don't have those feelings anymore."
Lol!

Better than my last resort which was M&Ms.
DS21mo was pretending to make Grandpa tea yesterday:

Grandpa-- What flavour of tea are you making?
DS (Pauses thoughtfully, then pretend sips)-- Hmmm, it's *very* delicate.

He's also taken to referring to the neighbour's incessantly barking dog as the "poorly trained dog." No other (occasionally) barking dog is given that epithet.
Posted By: Anonymous Re: Not-really-brag-so-much-as-quirky-anecdote thread - 08/07/13 04:24 PM
DS6 was just talking in his sleep.

DS6: Mummy, I just saw Mercury!

Me: Really? In your dream?

DS6: No, in real life...*Snore*

It's sweet to think he's dreaming about something he loves smile
Oh, that is sweet. smile
from yesterday evening...

DD5: I see that is a grilled cheese sandwich.
Me: Yes, indeed.
DD5: I have excellent Sandwich Observational Capacity.
Never underestimate the importance of good Sandwich Observational Capacity. laugh
Originally Posted by doubtfulguest
from yesterday evening...

DD5: I see that is a grilled cheese sandwich.
Me: Yes, indeed.
DD5: I have excellent Sandwich Observational Capacity.

Ahh, a recon mission in the making! smile
hee. considering she can now open the fridge door - that is a distinct possibility!
Bwah! That sounds so much like something my DS5 would say.
DD 3.1's declaration today:

"I've had enough of preschool already (she started two months ago). I need to learn to write now Mommy. It's time for me to start Kindergarten. I need to finish school quickly so that I can do ballet."

Right. You're three, after all. It's high time you picked a career and planned out your training schedule.


This past week, DS21mo has started "captioning" everyone's statements as though he is reading them from a book:

...said Mummy

...Daddy added

...exclaimed DS

It's cracking me up! smile
Originally Posted by aquinas
This past week, DS21mo has started "captioning" everyone's statements as though he is reading them from a book:

...said Mummy

...Daddy added

...exclaimed DS

It's cracking me up! smile
DS wasn't talking at 21 months, but a little later had such a phase. Cracked me up too. My favourite was his

But DS was still eating his toast

as I was trying to get him to listen to some instruction!
Okay, I'm reluctant to do back-to-back posts, but this was too cute not to share. We just returned from vacation and DS21mo gave directions to our cabbie once he heard what major route we were taking. (Street names changed).

Cabbie: Do you want me to take Albert or Bond?

Me: Albert, please. Bond is one-way eastbound and we can't turn left onto Cramer from it.

Cabbie: And then should I take Albert to Cramer directly?

DS: No. Take Barr please, then Berlin, then Cramer.

That was, in fact, the most direct route and the one least likely to be congested at that time of day!

DS often gives me directions when we're walking to the park (because I'm a fan of exploring alternate routes), but he'd never given more than a two-part set of directions before.
Posted By: Anonymous Re: Not-really-brag-so-much-as-quirky-anecdote thread - 08/11/13 07:39 PM
Amazing, aquinas! You should buy your son a street directory. My son has loved his since he was a baby.
That's a really good idea, squishys! (For both DS and me.)

Confession: "exploring alternate routes" is really just a euphemism for my having a terrible sense of direction and being comfortable muddling through being lost. wink

ETA: I, personally, rely on on Google Maps for directions, but I can see how a physical map might be more user friendly for a young child. Hmm!
Posted By: Anonymous Re: Not-really-brag-so-much-as-quirky-anecdote thread - 08/11/13 08:00 PM
You'll be even more grateful for kids like ours when you do get lost and little voice pipes up with directions.

And now my son has the directory memorised. You can ask him which page a certain road is on, and he can tell you. And not just main roads- streets, avenues, courts if you give him the suburbs


ETA: He can tell you the page and coordinates of many, is what I meant!
That's impressive!! I'll need that help; my brother got the full share of directional giftedness in our family! laugh
Last week we drove through a small town in TX with a population of only around 300 people. I pointed out to my father who was driving, "You can't even get gas here. The gas station is boarded up."

From the backseat DS5 said, "Mom, the only things you can get in this place are a sunburn and dirt in your eye."
now that's comedy.
Sometime in the fall of JK (DS had just turned 4) the school had an open house. DH and I went in and were standing in the hallway looking at the bulletin board of "I wish ______" along with pictures that all of the JK and SK kids had done. We were scanning through and immediately found DS's - "I wish for 10000000000 weekends and no weekdays" along with picture of a stick family doing stuff. We told him when we got home and he got all mad and said "It was supposed to say infinity but Mrs X didn't know how to write that so I had to write 1 and as many 0's as I could instead.". The funny part is that is exactly what we guessed had happened and were nearly doubled over laughing in the hallway while the other parents looked at us oddly.
DD8 brought home a paper last night called "100% You," a creative math exercise where the kids listed out their traits (funny, smart, nice, etc.) and gave themselves values that had to add up to 100%. In it, DD declared herself to be 10% mammal.
so awesome. what were the other bits? space alien? green cheese? robot? i'm excited!

and i'm going to steal this one for DD5 - she's in LOVE with percentages right now, and this would tickle her to no end. and i bet she'll do one for everyone she knows. i can't wait to see what percentage of avocado i am. (probably 95-97% - she says i eat way too many.)
Originally Posted by doubtfulguest
so awesome. what were the other bits? space alien? green cheese? robot? i'm excited!

and i'm going to steal this one for DD5 - she's in LOVE with percentages right now, and this would tickle her to no end. and i bet she'll do one for everyone she knows. i can't wait to see what percentage of avocado i am. (probably 95-97% - she says i eat way too many.)

Mammal was the only really amusing one. DD is actually still outraged that her 2nd grade teacher was asked by a student if we're mammals, and the teacher responded in the negative. I had to explain to her that elementary school teachers aren't experts in things like science and math, because kids at that age don't really need to learn from experts, they're just starting with the basics. I'm sure that's why it was included.

I was pleased that "awesome" showed up in her list, though, because that ties in with a theme I've been using with DD regarding self-confidence (self-image is something she really struggles with). When DD is impressed with me and asks, "Wow, Dad, how did you do that?", I often respond with a tongue-in-cheek, "I used my awesomeness." And then I encourage her to tap into her awesomeness, and she'll be surprised with what she can accomplish.

And so, "Hey, I see you've got 16% awesomeness. That's very good, but I think we can improve that. Let's see if you can get to 20% awesomeness by the end of the year."

She rolled her eyes at me, and said she only put that because she couldn't think of anything else.
Love the mammal and awesome components, Dude. I hope this year serves up exactly what your DD needs on the school front.
Dude, that sounds like exactly the kind of sly/pointed commentary that my DD likes to make.

Sadly, most of the time, the teachers are oblivious to her satirical/ironic commentary.


She's been delighted that so many of the people at her college research internship this summer DO 'get' her sense of humor-- or maybe it's a sense of the absurd.
Originally Posted by Dude
DD8 brought home a paper last night called "100% You," a creative math exercise where the kids listed out their traits (funny, smart, nice, etc.) and gave themselves values that had to add up to 100%. In it, DD declared herself to be 10% mammal.
Originally Posted by Dude
Mammal was the only really amusing one. DD is actually still outraged that her 2nd grade teacher was asked by a student if we're mammals, and the teacher responded in the negative. I had to explain to her that elementary school teachers aren't experts in things like science and math, because kids at that age don't really need to learn from experts, they're just starting with the basics. I'm sure that's why it was included.
Was there a biblical/religious reason for this ("people aren't animals (and aren't related to them)") or was it just plain ignorance?
Originally Posted by Dude
DD is actually still outraged that her 2nd grade teacher was asked by a student if we're mammals, and the teacher responded in the negative.

[smashes head on desk]

Originally Posted by Dude
When DD is impressed with me and asks, "Wow, Dad, how did you do that?", I often respond with a tongue-in-cheek, "I used my awesomeness." And then I encourage her to tap into her awesomeness, and she'll be surprised with what she can accomplish.

yep - stealing that one, too. clearly, i too can benefit from your awesomeness, Dude! smile
Originally Posted by 22B
Was there a biblical/religious reason for this ("people aren't animals (and aren't related to them)") or was it just plain ignorance?

Only the teacher could answer that one. It sounds like a fun question to ask at an open house, though.
An even better question might be whether or not the teacher sees him/herself more as... er...

an invertebrate of some sort. See, I'm always too "nice" to actually ask it...

which I think that my daughter would say makes me more cephalopod than mammal, since I'm clearly missing the mark with the requisite spinal column, though I seem to have surprisingly good problem-solving skills. Rather like an octopus or squid. Or a cuttlefish. This may explain quite a lot about me, in fact.

wink


DD, on the other hand, identifies as "ninja."



Originally Posted by Dude
Originally Posted by 22B
Was there a biblical/religious reason for this ("people aren't animals (and aren't related to them)") or was it just plain ignorance?

Only the teacher could answer that one. It sounds like a fun question to ask at an open house, though.

When I'm in a situation like this, I adopt a baffled expression and say something like, "Oh. I didn't know that. What are we then?"

Most of the time, the other person ignores me. Sometimes they give a goofy answer (which in this case might be something like "Well, we're people of course! smile "
Ooops, I missed one.

DD was 5% math, too.
My DD10 started 6th grade having skipped 5th. The first full day she came home freaking out because she didn't finish her math in the math period for the first time ever and it was easy math. She asked me "What's going to happen if I don't get straight A's? What if I get a B? How will I get the harder work done if I couldn't get the easy stuff done?" with a look of terror on her face. I told her "The sun will explode, the universe will be destroyed and because of you humanity is toast." She gave me "The Look." Fortunately, for all of us, the last two days her work was done within the time period.
Ahhhh, yes-- The Look.

I'm familiar with this look. With or without the (optional) Major Eye Roll?

grin
DD3.9 said a few things yesterday that were amusing.
1. mom, if I go to moon, how much of the earth will I see and won't it look really small?
2. Do you see the black clouds. That is where people who have died live. I lived there once and came from there. So I know.
3. When I die, my long arms will reach down to earth and surround you with love, mom.
The last two statements made on different occasions took me by surprise, and not in a pleasant way. No one has ever mentioned anything related to death to her, no books that talk about it, no one we know who died, etc.
DD14 remarks "Tone and intonation really ARE everything..."

One of the regular research students in the lab, today, commented; "Name on a paper... best paper at a conference... not bad for fourteen..." but she said it sincerely-- and teasingly, but with a smile.


Which just sounds SO much better than when {Teacher} said it* with that obsequious, patronizing tone and smirk."




*His exact words were; "You should be very proud of your performance in my class. You did a remarkable job for a 12 year old."

(This because she had asked him about extra credit (which is ROUTINELY handed out like candy from a parade float I might add- unless you happen to be already earning top marks, that is) in order to garner her the extra 3-5 points needed to elevate her high 97% to a 98% and an A+ in his Honors History course.

She loathes that teacher for that remark. She was positively indignant-- and she KNEW it was inappropriate as soon as she heard it. "What did he mean 'for a twelve year old??' My performance in his class has been GOOD-- FOR ANYONE. Wonder if he'd have said 'for a girl' if I were sixteen?" She was completely correct, actually-- her term paper would have gotten an A in the toughest college history class I ever took.

DD had an awesome day today, but that belongs in the brag-brag thread... this was just a funny insight into my DD's thinking. Not a little insightful as a window into what our PG kids face when they are accelerated, too, I think.





Oh, HK, that's such a pejorative comment from the former teacher. I'm glad your DD is receiving some positive feedback on valuable contributions from people she respects. That latter part was always key for motivating me.

---
On a personal note, DS21mo and I went to an art gallery today and he made a flip comment while we were signing in about being excited to create. He was standing behind the registration desk, and the employee asked if he was interested in signing up for the 4-5 year old camp. Then he stood up to address DS directly and said, "Oh, I guess he's not 4?" to which I replied, "He's 1."

Strangely, that's not the first time he's been mistaken, when out of sight, for a 4-5 year old. I'm not going to lie; it felt really eerie. Granted he's a tall guy, but he looks his age.
Aquinas, when my youngest was about 18 months I had multiple people asking me if she was 3 or 4 as in "Is she 3, or 4?" Or "So she's.... 3... And a half?". An THAT was weird enough for me. In my case they wet all looking right at her and so maybe it helped them not guess older, she is huge, but still he difference between 1.5 and 3.5 is a lot even wen you're tall! She wasn't as advanced as your son though, and she's kind of slowed down with the more overt advanced skills as she focuses on being a social butterfly. She's hugged strangers in public twice this week. Both times she maybe meant to hug my legs but her response I not to freak out, it's "I'm firstname, that's my mummy, I blah blah blah blah blah blah...." While hey look on in befuddlement.
HowlerKarma, She is not really an eye-roller, but she bunches her nose and gives the "my-eyes-have-lasers" glare.
Originally Posted by MumOfThree
Aquinas, when my youngest was about 18 months I had multiple people asking me if she was 3 or 4 as in "Is she 3, or 4?" Or "So she's.... 3... And a half?". An THAT was weird enough for me. In my case they wet all looking right at her and so maybe it helped them not guess older, she is huge, but still he difference between 1.5 and 3.5 is a lot even wen you're tall! She wasn't as advanced as your son though, and she's kind of slowed down with the more overt advanced skills as she focuses on being a social butterfly. She's hugged strangers in public twice this week. Both times she maybe meant to hug my legs but her response I not to freak out, it's "I'm firstname, that's my mummy, I blah blah blah blah blah blah...." While hey look on in befuddlement.

Thank you so much for the reassurance!! I knew the Davidson crew would be able to commiserate.

I felt like I'd been dropped into the story of the emperor with no clothes, like everyone around me is drinking some psychedelic child-aging Kool-Aid. We can't go anywhere these days without DS being described as "brilliant" or "unbelievable" within a minute of meeting someone. It's making me antsy because we don't use that language at home. For instance, today on the train, DS was examining a screw and declared that he needed an Allen wrench to fit it, and the man next to us gasped and mouthed "He's a genius." That hyperbole makes me so uncomfortable, and I don't think there's any reasonable way to shelter DS from that kind of label. He's too young for those to be teachable moments.

I'm starting to feel like I have no idea what "advanced" looks like. To me, DS is just a giggly, charming toddler. He just happens to use words like "crenellated battlements" and "parasaurolophus", which make him seem older.

Excuse my tizzy. I didn't mean to spill my guts, but apparently that's been getting to me subconsciously. I just want him to have a fairly normal childhood without internalizing exaggerated labels or being a spectacle.
That's a reasonable concern, aquinas. I didn't know just how much being a side-show freak bothered my DD until she listed this as her NUMBER ONE priority for a college-- to be "somewhere that they don't all treat me like a spectacular trained animal or baby Mozart or something. I want to be where being a 15yo and being really really smart isn't WEIRD."

frown

I just cringed at those comments when she was younger. Even now, I can see her lip curl and her jaw tighten. It's really sort of rude. Like shouting "Wow-- he is sure FAT!!" (ugh)
Thanks for the validation, HK. I despised being singled out as a child, too. I was always Daddy's little trophy. Ugh. I hope DS never feels like he's beholden to his parents, because whoever he is naturally is exactly who we will love with all our hearts unconditionally.
OMG sorry about all my iphone typos. Ugh.
aquinas, FWIW, 18 months-3 was really bad for us for that stuff, especially with DD, who was an major talker very early. It gets better after 3 when most kids are talking. But at that age, if your child is blathering on and on in paragraphs, people freak. Now we are just getting past "Is he READING that book?" with DS5, but that isn't as constant, YK?

I developed some generic replies when they were toddlers. "She's definitely a chatterbox!" "He keeps us busy!" I don't think my children noticed. But I am shy with strangers and would sometimes feel uncomfortable. NOt the end of the world, of course.

Everything is less noticable in middle childhood.
Originally Posted by ultramarina
Everything is less noticable in middle childhood.

I'm unsure if it's a natural consequence of this but I find myself noticing DD's strength less and less. She's still the same child but I'm feeling quite neutral. It's almost as if I've built immunity and nothing sticks. We expect her to act as if she were a child twice her age but she gets no recognition for it except for her efforts. I'm not sure if this is exactly fair but I can't let her get away with her tactics and manipulations because I know she knows better and she knows that I know that she knows better.

Thanks ultramarina. I'm most concerned with DS internalizing the messaging.

We just returned from a vacation with family where he was told once that he was "too old to nurse" by my father, and now he's in the habit of saying, "I don't like nursing" before he requests to nurse. It's heartbreaking to see a young child feel conflicted about what he loves best when there is only external basis for that sense of shame. With the breastfeeding, we already had 21 months of optimal messaging coming from me, which continues anon.

I do feel like I'll be fighting an uphill battle countering the "you're a [insert hyperbole]" language. It's inevitable when he hears that 10+ times per day from strangers that it'll permeate his mindser. I plan to do my best to innoculate him by emphasizing persistence, effort, enjoyment of his passions, curiosity, and creativity.

Folks, thanks for the feedback. I'm going to start a new thread on the topic for all who are interested.

http://giftedissues.davidsongifted....lation_against_external_.html#Post164675

(Excuse the lack of elegant mini hyperlink...iPhone typing at its worst!)
DS5 is writing a book. He has finished the cover, which says "King County Library System I Love You". (He wanted me to write "System" for him, but he did the rest of it.)

His kindergarten teacher isn't going to know what hit her, is she?
grin

Lots to love, EN... lots to love.
Lol, EN! DD almost 4, also narrated her own story yesterday. It was kind of a multimedia story. She made an egg and a hen out of one cotton ball( btw, she is the best cotton ball sculptor I have ever met :)). Then she said to me,"mom, I have written a book. It is called the hen and her egg. It starts with the words once upon a time. There lived a hen who laid an egg. But the egg wouldn't hatch. So the hen sang to her." Then dd sang this is her operatic voice. " I am a mama hen. Oh baby come out of the egg. Let the egg crack." And then the egg cracked and a little chick came out. That's the end. Written and illustrated by me." It was super funny.
Gosh I love these anecdotes!

MumOfThree, I agree. I keep wishing there was a "Like" button.

My DD10 is a Les Miserables fanatic. She knows all the songs besides a few that I don't let her listen to. She visited my brother's family in another state for a couple of weeks last month. Yesterday, my sister-in-law sent me a video of my 3 year old niece singing "Do you hear the people sing?" and she says "Momma, -A- taught me that"

To top off the night, my DD10 was doing homework on her bed listening to music and I walked by. She call out all excited.."Mom, the next best music after Les Miserables is the Supremes!" I don't know if I would say she is well-rounded or unusually rounded.
I'm sure many have heard a version of this one.... this was during a rough Fall for our 6 year old.

"Mom, I don't know why they keep calling this problem gifted. It's not a gift. All it means is that I going to be bored and hate school for the rest of my life!"

I always look back at that moment and laugh- things have slowly improved, but it must be hard to be so little and have to deal with adults that just don't get it. lol
"Mommy, it's my obsession."

DD 3.2 on watching Curious George

Now you have to tell us what the aghast paed said!
Originally Posted by MumOfThree
Now you have to tell us what the aghast paed said!

She said she knew he was gifted before, but she said this was "really, scarily out there". It was the usual, "conventional educational options likely won't fit" talk. We ended up discussing how to sequence multiple grade skips, ability linked cohorts, and my idea to start a school, which she was extremely enthusiastic about, and I learned that she has a good understanding of emotional needs of the gifted. She's an older doctor--probably early 70s--so she has the benefit of experience, but she indicated this sort of behavior is not something she's seen.
I'm of two minds about these ped conversations at an early age. On the one hand, it's nice to have a ped noticing and talking about these things. On the other, I didn't love it when my ped told me in tones of (basically) horror that I would absolutely have to homeschool my DD when she was all of 14 months old. It hasn't turned out to be true, and it FREAKED me the heck out.

Originally Posted by ultramarina
I'm of two minds about these ped conversations at an early age. On the one hand, it's nice to have a ped noticing and talking about these things. On the other, I didn't love it when my ped told me in tones of (basically) horror that I would absolutely have to homeschool my DD when she was all of 14 months old. It hasn't turned out to be true, and it FREAKED me the heck out.

At least your DD demonstrated her true nature to your pedi.

DS has a very looooooooonnnnnngggggg memory and would begin crying at the entrance to the pediatrician when he was a year old. He was an incoherent mess and we finally left that office because of his memory of shots, ear-irrigations, etc. there. He's much more open with his new doctor. smile

BTW...To this day he relates how scared he was about the nurse checking his heart when he was born! I don't know if this is a true memory (it can't be at birth, can it?) or if it's another time at a "well-baby" appointment. He describes the nurse in detail. eek

He's very leery about any and all doctor's visits since. Although he has loosened up with his WONDERFUL dentist office. He questioned the woman giving him his x-ray about the safety, etc. Then he proceeded to question the other hygienist about fluoride in his mouthwash. They just chuckled and answered everything! Love that!
Ametrine, it sounds like a great dental office if they just go with the flow. Love it.

Ultramarina, I hear you. I was just reassured that the paed seemed to have an intrinsic interest in and knowledge of the gifted literature. We spent a good while (probably 20 minutes) chatting about asynchrony, the importance of nurturing emotional needs, finding friends and relatable peers, and the goals of special Ed in Canada. We didn't agree on everything, but it was refreshing to have my hunches validated by a third party.

As to education planning, that's the kind of bridge we'll cross when we get to it, paed advice aside. DS has a lot of maturing to do between now and 4-5; I don't think it would do him justice to make a decision without fuller information about his interests and abilities. This is really early. So, I agree! smile It does make it easy that I'm open to homeschooling K-1, but I would also like to explore creating a tailor made school.
Speaking of long memories, I always operated under the assumption that kids my kids wouldn't remember anything before the age of 4 because the only thing I remember from before 4 was a traumatic fireworks experience (not really but in my mind it was). Anyway, My DD10 had a turtle that she only had for a couple of weeks before it died somewhere just before or after her 3rd birthday. We didnt tell her it died, but that we had to let it go in the ditch, which we did. He was just dead. We have not mentioned the turtle since. The other day, somehow the turtle came up and I was shocked. She remembered everything about the turtle, and what we told her about letting him go. She even remembered where we got him from. Yikes! She only had the thing for 2 weeks and she was so young. I'm curious now to find out what other things she remembers.
Ametrine, I have read online on occasion about people who insist they still remember their own births and have memories from infancy or even in the womb. Pretty interesting, but who knows?! My earliest memory is a snippet from when I was 3 and visiting my grandmother ...
DD {looking at her AP stats course this morning}: Project proposal??

Me: It's second semester, don't worry about it.

DD14:

I like to worry IN ADVANCE.

grin
Originally Posted by AvoCado
Ametrine, I have read online on occasion about people who insist they still remember their own births and have memories from infancy or even in the womb. Pretty interesting, but who knows?! My earliest memory is a snippet from when I was 3 and visiting my grandmother ...

i nearly drove off the road one time when DD calmly explained that her earliest memory was of being born. she said she remembered coming out into a bright room full of black stripes and then hearing my voice. it was a very bright winter day - which she could easily infer from having a Feb. birthday, but i don't think there's any way she could guess there were black venetian blinds all along the opposite wall... it's not the kind of thing one usually mentions about a hospital room?

this was years ago and she doesn't remember saying it now, but i don't think i'll ever forget that eerie feeling of wondering if it could be true!

and today's little quirk: a fully-articulated snake spine made of clamped together hair clips and secured with a "skin" made of masking tape. it literally undulates - and when DD5 demonstrated its movement, i had absolutely no idea how she had engineered it. it's so cool!
DD8 was playing gymnastics at the house with some friends. DD tried to demonstrate the significant quality difference in her cartwheels and round-offs when doing as a left (very good) and rightie (yikes). The demonstration as a lefty went as expected, and then the rightie demo went... surprisingly well... causing her to exclaim:

"Yay! That wasn't entirely horrible!"
We had a long drive home yesterday and DD4 was non-stop yapping and cracking us all up. Here is a snippet.
"So I work in this office in Paris. I do office work there, like working on computer and stuff. And they pay me well. I get $20 an hour. But I only work 1 hour a day. So I make $20 a day. We make a lot of t-shirts in my office. You are not going to believe how cheap we sell them for. Only $5 for a t-shirt. We have so many t-shirts we cannot sell them fast enough. Our sinks and bathtubs are overflowing with t-shirts. I buy 4 t-shirts every day (mom's observation: good division). But yesterday, I only bought 3. Because I had to give $5 to the government. There was flooding near my office. The sidewalks were flooded and real slippery. So the government wanted to buy some brooms to sweep the water and they said $5 is enough. So I paid it. You guys can come anytime and open the front door and grab as many t-shirts as you want. Don't have to pay. See the problem is we have so many t-shirts, there is no room for the payer (the guy you pay to). He got bonked by the t-shirts and left. So everything is now free." And on and on and on for 6 hours. What fun!
A minor milestone for my 10yo is his starting middle school this year. We started him in private KG at age 4. I asked him how he felt about being one year advanced, and he said, "It's good. I'll have an extra year in my career or be able to retire a year early."

I agree with this logic and have written similar things on this forum in favor of acceleration, but it seems like a pretty mature answer from a 10yo.
Not bad in terms of a life plan! laugh

I always find it kind of odd when my DD talks about "retirement."

I don't think that most kids think about it in those terms, no-- but it's still funny to me that she has more plans for her retirement than she does for-- well, for her career. She still doesn't know what she wants to do, exactly.

Day 2 of school year.

DD is forced to take a "life skills" class as part and parcel of meeting graduation requirements...

the first unit, naturally enough is about "self-esteem." DD, no slouch on current motivational research, is rolling her eyes and interjecting statements of disbelief and disgust...

As she filled out her quiz, she turned to me, made kissy noises, and said...

The older I get, the more I hate myself for sucking up like this. How is THAT good for my self-esteem??



There needs to be another choice on this question and that one, too-- "I disagree with the entire premise of this question, on the basis that it is not based in current understanding of self-image vis a vis modern research."

She got 100%. By lying the way they wanted her to.



Originally Posted by HowlerKarma
Day 2 of school year.

DD is forced to take a "life skills" class as part and parcel of meeting graduation requirements...

the first unit, naturally enough is about "self-esteem." DD, no slouch on current motivational research, is rolling her eyes and interjecting statements of disbelief and disgust...

As she filled out her quiz, she turned to me, made kissy noises, and said...

The older I get, the more I hate myself for sucking up like this. How is THAT good for my self-esteem??



There needs to be another choice on this question and that one, too-- "I disagree with the entire premise of this question, on the basis that it is not based in current understanding of self-image vis a vis modern research."

She got 100%. By lying the way they wanted her to.

Depressingly, that itself is a real life skill! In today's world, at least, it seems that way.
DS5 was talking about the teachers that do playground duty at lunch. One he described as the strictest teacher in school, then said " but she's ok because I just talk about her shoes (he has an eye for detail anyway) and she thinks I am a shoe fan like she is".... Oh dear...he is only 5...
Haha! Those are some awesome social skills on a 5 yr old boy Bobbie. My friends little boy was exceptional at paying compliments at that age.

HK at least there's comfort in knowing that she's both aware of the issues with the homework AND how to get the grade...
Originally Posted by madeinuk
Originally Posted by HowlerKarma
Day 2 of school year.

DD is forced to take a "life skills" class as part and parcel of meeting graduation requirements...

the first unit, naturally enough is about "self-esteem." DD, no slouch on current motivational research, is rolling her eyes and interjecting statements of disbelief and disgust...

As she filled out her quiz, she turned to me, made kissy noises, and said...

The older I get, the more I hate myself for sucking up like this. How is THAT good for my self-esteem??



There needs to be another choice on this question and that one, too-- "I disagree with the entire premise of this question, on the basis that it is not based in current understanding of self-image vis a vis modern research."

She got 100%. By lying the way they wanted her to.

Depressingly, that itself is a real life skill! In today's world, at least, it seems that way.

A very useful life skill. But if you have to outright lie you might as well do it well I guess.
Originally Posted by HowlerKarma
DD14:

I like to worry IN ADVANCE.

grin

Aw, a kindred spirit smile smile
Savvy lad, Bobbie! I see a slew of girlfriends in the not-too-distant future. wink
Originally Posted by bobbie
DS5 was talking about the teachers that do playground duty at lunch. One he described as the strictest teacher in school, then said " but she's ok because I just talk about her shoes (he has an eye for detail anyway) and she thinks I am a shoe fan like she is".... Oh dear...he is only 5...

I imagine Eddie Haskell-like said with a smile...

"My those are nice shoes Ms. Strictest teacher in the School!"
this was 100% a coincidence, I'm sure, but my crazy math-head son, 3yo, was at McDonalds with his dad and brother...and he was playing with a little girl that he just met (she was maybe 6 or something?) Anyway, she came over to my husband and said 'your son is really smart', and DH said, "what did he do?" and she said, 'he guessed my lucky number!' (it was 16). he was just like, 'oh??'. telepathy is totally a giftedness trait, right? wink
DD4 looked me in the eye yesterday and said in her sweetest voice," mom, you are so beautiful. But before I turn 5, you might have to trim your eyebrows. They are bushier than a squirrel's tail."
grin


Reminds me of when my then-tiny DD announced loudly to EVERYONE in the quilt store "It's my mom's birthday today!! DO YOU KNOW HOW OLD SHE IS??" And then, with obvious astonishment and wide eyes-- she TOLD them.

blush Of course, it was a lot funnier because I was by far the youngest woman IN the quilt shop, at just 35.
today is our first official day of homeschool! DD5 is literally sitting on the toilet working on fractions right now.

Me: uh, dude - you know you can take a break to go to the bathroom...
DD5: mummy, you KNOW there was so much wasted time at my old school. let's not repeat that mistake here.

for the record, i am instituting a new rule about not doing school work in the bathroom. ha - i KNEW this would be a learning experience!
Let's not repeat that mistake here....



grin

Priceless!
Adorable. I predict she'll be reading "The Atlantic" in the washroom next week for light material. wink
A peek into who DS22mo is while we were at a local burger joint yesterday:

Eating his burger with a fork, building a garbage truck out of Mega Blocks, dancing with a wiggly bum to Mariah Carey on the radio, and pointing out the jug of bleach under the employees' sink behind the counter...all at once...that's DS in a nutshell!
yeah - Manipulation 101 - that's apparently my course for the year. btw, HK - that book (Manipulative Child)? genius.

reading it gave me enough space to think about where the interactions (and which ones in particular) go sideways. we always did set good limits and she's been really logical her entire life (all 5 years of it!), so her new screaming and stomping strategy was really perplexing, but what she was actually doing was trying to change non-negotiables into negotiables. and it never, ever worked with us - so she was simply settling for causing the biggest scream-y, stomp-y delays she could manage.

but not anymore! THANK YOU!
No problem! I actually categorize that particular book among the best GT parenting books of all time. LOL. laugh
I am new here and had to register because of this topic. You are my people!!!! I have finally found a place to discuss funny things without people looking at me like I am a) bragging or b) crazy.

My dd (9 yrs) and dh are both gifted and well ... weird. Ugh I hate saying it that way but some days the two of them together just baffle me.

I am not dumb by any means but when I am around them I feel like Penny in the Big Bang Theory. I just don't get it.

My dh has been put under strict rules that he is not allowed to have anything to do with fire or explosives because he tends to not know how things are going to react, or if he does he just doesn't care, or he does care and thinks it really cool.

My dd is aggravated at school because the work isn't hard enough. I talk to dh about it and he just says "well she's right."

At 4 she was in her bath and asked me what the shape of water was. After I explained to her that it takes the shape of whatever it is in, my husband decided to jump in and explain to her that if it's in a vacuum it would form a bubble. She gave him a long suffering look and said, "Daddy you can't put water in a vacuum because it won't work anymore."

She was in 2nd grade and obsessed with science and did a book report over a book on energy then we had to explain to her what an atom was because she was trying to figure out what the smallest thing in the universe was.

Then there is the instances that just come out of nowhere when she asks me what a word in another language means and we have to look it up. Or she gets to wondering things like what are the numbers in Irish. I only had 1 year of high school German so I have know idea any other language.

She talks in her sleep which is too funny. She was 5 when she shouted out in her sleep "Rhumbus!" Or she wakes up with a question fully formed in her head that was bugging her. As soon as I answer her she goes back to sleep. She has no knowledge of any of these things the next morning.

Now she wants to make a Star Wars fan film starring her dad as Jedi knight in tie-dye robes. Huh? She thinks it will be funny.

I know there are more stories but so many things happen I can't keep track of them all.
i totally agree. i would go so far as to say it has been the ONLY parenting book that has been really useful so far. except maybe Learned Optimism (Seligman), which isn't technically even a parenting book, but i'm actively using it to attack DD's perfectionism and i think (?) it's making a small dent.
The other day DD6 was demonstrating her time travel theory using rubber bands. I totally didn't follow it but got the creepy feeling she might have actually been on to something laugh
I promise you are all going to question what I'm teaching my DS22mo after reading this. This is definitely one of those "kids say the darndest things" moments.

We were at Mass and DS gestured toward the altar and said, "Jesus is in the tabernacle". A prim looking parishioner looked back and nodded approvingly.

As the processional hymn was sung, DS was playing with two plastic toy elephants. They were rather artistic renditions of elephants, each with two lumps on its underside representing the front and hind sets of limbs. Well, DS stacked the elephants stomach to stomach and announced at about 70 decibels, "Look, their penises are touching!"

I couldn't stop laughing.

DD9 had a "challenge problem" that was the old grain-goose-fox across-the-river problem this week. (Different animals, though - I think it was hay, a goat, and a wolf or something.) She solved it correctly, then wrote at the bottom, "Or just throw the goat in the river until he swims."
Originally Posted by Cassmo451
I am new here and had to register because of this topic. You are my people!!!! I have finally found a place to discuss funny things without people looking at me like I am a) bragging or b) crazy.

Yes, you're definitely in the right place! smile

I was playing the Million Second Quiz app last week, and asked DS a question, which of course he didn't manage to answer fast enough (it's hard with only five seconds for asking and answering) and I punched a different answer just as he gave me what turned out to be the correct one. My answer came up wrong, and I said, "Foo! Foo, I say!" He laughed like a maniac and said, "Ha! You've been Foo'd! ...wait a second, that sounded a lot better in my head. Can I have a do-over?"
ROFL at Aquinas and Elizabeth... well, you know. More like laughing WITH you.

laugh

I still say plenty of things that sound a LOT better in my head. wink

Originally Posted by HowlerKarma
Let's not repeat that mistake here....



grin

Priceless!

Love it!
hee - got a new one from last night - again, about the transition to homeschooling.

DD5: homeschooling is different than i thought it would be.
Me: oh? in what way?
DD5: well, i THOUGHT it would be more about MASTERY - i mean, most of the work is new and i like that a lot - but think i'm really only scratching the surface here.

so... 3 days into a triple-grade skip, all she can think about is how much more depth she actually needs. i mean, she's right - but it's kind of freaking me out! smile
ROFL!!

I have one that is a bit related...

DD14, in looking at the newspaper headline, in which the NCLB report card from the past year was reported... (You know, the year in which apparently some 40% of high school juniors can't write a coherent essay well enough to PASS the test, and that's really saying something, given what evidently constitutes a "passing" performance):


"Whoa.... do you hear that WHISTLING noise??

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE....


It's-- it's-- it's our state's literacy rate, hitting terminal velocity!!"


She reads:
"Nancy Golden, Oregon's interim chief education officer who was superintendent of Springfield schools until June, said years of flat or diminished school funding took a toll. Districts clipped days off the school year, cut teaching positions and delayed buying new teaching materials.

"When you take furlough days, significant amounts of them, and bigger class sizes, that can definitely have an impact on learning," she said.

Oregon schools chief Rob Saxton said the broad decline in passing rates may primarily reflect that students took state tests fewer times, not that schools taught them less. "




And then snarkily adds;

"Well, I'm sure that investing in iPads will fix those problems. Let's hope that the state administrators acquire better grammar and usage, too. I'm not sure we can really do much about the inability to distinguish fantasy and reality, unfortunately." smirk




Dd4 prefaced the question with," I am a science girl so I have lots of science questions. Here is one you may not know the answer to." Then went on to ask," is the cloud heavier than gravity?" When I said I didn't think so she continued," then how does it stay up in the sky? Why can't gravity pull it down?" She was right I do not know the answer.
This isn't exactly anecdotal, but I do have an off-the-wall request. Dd asked to see a picture of a persons mouth and a video that shows how you swallow. How in depth should I seek for her?
Originally Posted by MbaMom
This isn't exactly anecdotal, but I do have an off-the-wall request. Dd asked to see a picture of a persons mouth and a video that shows how you swallow. How in depth should I seek for her?

We watched one showing exactly this last week at the speech therapist's office. The videos do exist!
Thanks, geofizz! I will google this afternoon to see what I can find.
Originally Posted by Lovemydd
Dd4 prefaced the question with," I am a science girl so I have lots of science questions. Here is one you may not know the answer to." Then went on to ask," is the cloud heavier than gravity?" When I said I didn't think so she continued," then how does it stay up in the sky? Why can't gravity pull it down?" She was right I do not know the answer.

I especially like the "I am a science girl" part.
Quirky- ds 7 refused to wear shorts at the end of school because we hadn't yet reached the summer solstice.
Love that. grin
Originally Posted by MbaMom
This isn't exactly anecdotal, but I do have an off-the-wall request. Dd asked to see a picture of a persons mouth and a video that shows how you swallow. How in depth should I seek for her?

ha - this brings back sweet memories. when DD was 2/3/4... all she wanted to do was watch surgery on YouTube. literally hours of transplants and cancer surgeries on things like eyeballs. this fascination lasted for years - to the point where she could literally talk through the steps of many surgeries. hope you found a fun video - it may be the first of many!!
My DD9 is going to counseling now for her anxiety which is attached to the giftedness. The first visit was tricky because she doesn't like talking to strangers. Once her counselor finally was able to pull something out of her it was about art and if she liked to draw. She finally said excitedly, "Yes but mostly abstract." He gave her a funny look and said "abstract?" and pointed at a poster on his wall that was indeed abstract. "She said Yeah I like that one. I also like that Escher over there but I like his one with the stairs better. It's pretty cool."

Her Counselor shook his head and said, "this would be weird if I hadn't had the same kind of conversations with my daughter when she was young. She was gifted too."
Originally Posted by Cassmo451
My DD9 is going to counseling now for her anxiety which is attached to the giftedness. The first visit was tricky because she doesn't like talking to strangers. Once her counselor finally was able to pull something out of her it was about art and if she liked to draw. She finally said excitedly, "Yes but mostly abstract." He gave her a funny look and said "abstract?" and pointed at a poster on his wall that was indeed abstract. "She said Yeah I like that one. I also like that Escher over there but I like his one with the stairs better. It's pretty cool."


Her Counselor shook his head and said, "this would be weird if I hadn't had the same kind of conversations with my daughter when she was young. She was gifted too."

How lucky that your daughter's counselor "gets her"!
Cassmo451, that's lovely that your daughter is connecting with her counsellor. So much raw emotion can be expressed through art. I'm glad to hear they have a common interest.
DD14 is geeking out over this video this morning (sent to her and a classmate by their former Physics teacher):

http://io9.com/so-this-physics-grad-student-made-a-mindblowing-bohemia-1333515132

She immediately says to me, an unholy fire in her eyes-- Oh mom, I think that maybe I do like Physics after all. Just not classical mechanics. I can't WAIT to take calculus-based physics in college! Yay!!

Another quirky quip from her last week, regarding a disastrous competition outing with her dog (a VERY eager-to-please, very tender herder) in which she was trying to "force" the dog, rather than "encourage" her-- ultimately, the dog decided she'd had enough and taught her a lesson by abruptly becoming overtly oppositional. In the ring. With the judge watching.

I made some quip about not treating the dog with that level of disrespect again... treating her like the PARTNER that she clearly sees herself as...

DD: Yeah, I feel pretty bad about that. I was wrong. {deep sigh}

Me: What was that? Wow-- did you say what I thought you said?

DD: Probably not. I was saying something about loving the taste of crow.

Me: snorting "Yeah, the dog kinda SERVED you."



Her: {uncharacteristically meekly} "And she made me clean my plate, too. And say 'thank you.'

blush

At least she learns. Took a 19 lb creampuff of a dog, pushed beyond all reason, to teach her that lesson, and it took doing it the hard way, but at least she learns.

Originally Posted by HowlerKarma
DD14 is geeking out over this video this morning (sent to her and a classmate by their former Physics teacher):

http://io9.com/so-this-physics-grad-student-made-a-mindblowing-bohemia-1333515132

She immediately says to me, an unholy fire in her eyes-- Oh mom, I think that maybe I do like Physics after all. Just not classical mechanics. I can't WAIT to take calculus-based physics in college! Yay!!

Already posted here.
http://giftedissues.davidsongifted..../Nerdiest_YouTube_videos.html#Post168185
Oh brother this is intense. My husband, (big genius), went to Walmart and then picked up the girl, (little genius), from school. While at Walmart they had got a new shipment of flowers and with it came a tarantula! NO JOKE. So the hubby decides to bring it home for the girl to study. The girl, who is afraid of all bugs and other creepy crawlies, lets dad borrow her Star Wars tadpole/frog terrarium we haven't used yet to house the tarantula temporarily. And she is helping him research it to find out what kind of tarantula it is. I told them just to keep the thing away from me. I don't even want to accidentally see it.

On top of that we have two dogs, a fish, and triops in the house. Outside the house we have a creek full of fish, groundhogs, rabbits, and armadillo, a beaver, and a skunk that wanders around every few weeks to stink the area up. And believe it or not I live smack dab in the middle of town. My daughter has a field day every day...LOL
DD4 was so excited this week because her science teacher brought in a real coyote skull and let all the children touch it. When I asked her how a coyote's skull looked, she said," well, it is kind of like an ovoid with a flattened surface." LOL!
DD, about the addition of another math class to her schedule (dual enrollment Precalc):

Well, this is seeming fine. {smiles} You know, I just realized something about math. It's kind of like ice cream-- the first time through it, it tastes pretty good and it's really awesome--but then I get too eager, and I try to consume it too fast and it REALLY hurts my head...


and the second time through, I can savor the taste better and avoid the brain freeze.
grin



DD's latest quirk is that she likes to read the nutrition information panels. It's fine when she does this at home but when she does this outside, we kind of get the "freak show" vibe from people around us.

A 3 year old girl who names Mozzarella cheese instead of just cheese as a pizza toping = adorable

DD who declares she still needs to get 3/4 of her daily calcium intake to grow her bones after eating a cup of yogurt = weird
My own mother brings us Rosemary seedlings to any in our garden. Three year old says "I can put it on my lamb!".
My daughter, 7, tested into independent science this semester and gets to choose a long term project. She consulted with the teacher last week and decided she wants to compare the calls of Eastern Bluebirds with a certain kind of blackbird (I can't remember the name). Unfortunately, there is no information about blackbirds in her school library, and oh, by the way, she doesn't mean crows or ravens or red-winged blackbirds. And, no. She will not switch the project to a bird that is readily studied and for which we can find info.

This year for Halloween, she's going to be a crow. Not a raven or blackbird. And she's busy designing a beak that is an accurate shape.

Her recent bird fascination is all the more weird to me because wolves are her passion and she is constantly doing research on wolves!
syoblrig (sorry, birds are one of my DD's special interests)--no bird guides in the library?

I can point you in the direction of some kid-friendly bird stuff if this turns out to be a long-term thing...Cornell Lab of Ornithology has a great website.
I second the recommendation of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. My DD spent a lot of happy hours there when she was 4-8yo. smile


Today, in discussing some quip that my DD14's faculty mentor had made while teasing her and another member of the research group, (something about shutting up and drinking the koolaid, in relation to an IRB document or something) DD remarked..

Sometimes Dr. {Mentor} reminds me a lot of you. I just can't decide if I should find that comforting-- or terrifying.



{snickers}
Originally Posted by Mana
DD's latest quirk is that she likes to read the nutrition information panels. It's fine when she does this at home but when she does this outside, we kind of get the "freak show" vibe from people around us.

A 3 year old girl who names Mozzarella cheese instead of just cheese as a pizza toping = adorable

DD who declares she still needs to get 3/4 of her daily calcium intake to grow her bones after eating a cup of yogurt = weird

That's definitely adorable!
Originally Posted by MumOfThree
My own mother brings us Rosemary seedlings to any in our garden. Three year old says "I can put it on my lamb!".

This really tickled me! I love the little foodies here! smile
Aquinas - the amusing thing is that rosemary is high in salicylate and she's thus never eaten it in her life! She's rarely even seen it used (we only use it when making lamb for adult guests).

Anecdote of the morning.... Eldest DD comes to visit me before I get up, coughing all the way, first words: "I can't get above an A in a C major scale!" She's trying to explain to me how sick she is and why she shouldn't go to school.
My dd is not only a gifted child but a HUGE Star Wars fan. She is wanting to go as a Jedi for Halloween (break out the sewing machine). Anyway I have been searching for stuff for her costume and found some boots that I think will work. I showed them to her and she was VERY excited. It dawned on me my preteen daughter was not excited because the boots were cute or something girly like that but that they look so much like JEDI boots. She says she will probably wear them to school without the costume too because they are cool.
Does she have the "Darth Vader and Son" and "Darth Vader's Little Princess" books? DD7 is obsessed with them at the moment. They are pretty simple reading, but the humor is awesome -- each page is like a Far Side cartoon, practically.

What's funny is that she's never even seen Star Wars -- she only picked up on it from Angry Birds! But I'll be surprised, given the current obsession, if she doesn't end up wanting a Jedi costume or something Star Wars for Halloween.
Speaking to preschool teacher for DS3...

Teacher: he loves to pretend to read to the other kids.
Me: He does read fluently.
Teacher: It's almost like he can! Any book we pull up, he remembers the story -- word for word!
Me: He actually can read.
Teacher, laughing: He sure makes it look that way, doesn't he!

Originally Posted by mama2three
Speaking to preschool teacher for DS3...

Teacher: he loves to pretend to read to the other kids.
Me: He does read fluently.
Teacher: It's almost like he can! Any book we pull up, he remembers the story -- word for word!
Me: He actually can read.
Teacher, laughing: He sure makes it look that way, doesn't he!
Lol. There are none so blind as those who will not see... Next time you see that they've put up a new adult-directed notice, lift him up and let him read that. Not that I've btdt or anything :-)
They'll figure it out unless they are determined to be idiots. I hope.

My story about DS revealing that he could read in preschool:

Teacher at circle time holding up the book: Now...what do we think this story could be about?
DS: Well, it's called (Title of Book), so I think it's about (subjects mentioned in title).

Fortunately the teacher a) realized what was going on and b) thought this was hysterical.
Originally Posted by Nautigal
Does she have the "Darth Vader and Son" and "Darth Vader's Little Princess" books? DD7 is obsessed with them at the moment. They are pretty simple reading, but the humor is awesome -- each page is like a Far Side cartoon, practically.

What's funny is that she's never even seen Star Wars -- she only picked up on it from Angry Birds! But I'll be surprised, given the current obsession, if she doesn't end up wanting a Jedi costume or something Star Wars for Halloween.


I haven't gotten those yet. She has hundreds of books and most she hasn't read yet. I try not to get her too many Star Wars books at once because she won't read anything else. And I want her to have a variety of reading. But she has been reading the Jedi Academy book and the Star Wars Science project book. She is also reading the Junior Jedi Knights books but they are sometimes hard to find unless you order online. DD9 has seen all the movies but Episode III because it's a lot more violent and I don't think she is quite ready for that yet.
Yes, that is what it is like at library story time. smile The librarian was quick to recognize that DS was reading the words when he answers questions.
When my DD was 4 until a couple of years ago she invented a super heroine alter ego for herself and would have all the boys she knew role playing with her. She was also really into Star Wars so her alter ego was married to Luke Skywalker, Jesus and a few others that I can longer remember - LOL
Several months ago, my DD8 amused herself by inventing a new Star Wars alien species.
Originally Posted by ColinsMum
Originally Posted by mama2three
Speaking to preschool teacher for DS3...

Teacher: he loves to pretend to read to the other kids.
Me: He does read fluently.
Teacher: It's almost like he can! Any book we pull up, he remembers the story -- word for word!
Me: He actually can read.
Teacher, laughing: He sure makes it look that way, doesn't he!
Lol. There are none so blind as those who will not see... Next time you see that they've put up a new adult-directed notice, lift him up and let him read that. Not that I've btdt or anything :-)

Yes, we had no problem with this because when we took DS to the preschool to register, he was wandering around the office, reading the registration forms and notices and paperwork on the director's desk, out loud. She couldn't have been this blind even if she had been inclined!
Originally Posted by mama2three
Speaking to preschool teacher for DS3...

Teacher: he loves to pretend to read to the other kids.
Me: He does read fluently.
Teacher: It's almost like he can! Any book we pull up, he remembers the story -- word for word!
Me: He actually can read.
Teacher, laughing: He sure makes it look that way, doesn't he!

Determined, isn't she?

Although we have some great librarians locally, one is a real dud. She kept encouraging me to read toddler board books to DS23mo when he was about 18mo until, one day, she handed him a counting book with rainbow butterflies, which he read in front of her, enumerating the butterflies and identifying colours. It was as though she didn't see him do this because she asked, "Are you going to check it out?" Umm...no. What possible value would he get from it?

I wanted to knock on her forehead like a cantaloupe. Bad Mummy! wink
Originally Posted by Dude
Several months ago, my DD8 amused herself by inventing a new Star Wars alien species.


A friend of mine's nephew (who is gifted) did the very same thing. Had the home world and everything all planned out. How fun!
DD6 and I pulled up outside the house. I said "Oh there was a library book waiting for you on the hold shelf when I went to get my book, here it is."
I handed it to her, we got out of the car, walked down the driveway, entered the house and DD put the book on the kitchen table, saying "Finished!"
Note to self: get DD harder books from library smile
Ha! My mother used to lament that I had all my books (and we checked out 20 or so at a time, each) finished by the time we got home. Now, in fairness to me, we did generally stop at the grocery store on the way....
DS has been described by his teacher as being delightfully off task this week. Apparently he and his friends at school have been avoiding their assignments and instead planning an elaborate Halloween party. They have written out a guest list, decided on food (there will be a room for healthy food and a room for junk food), and sketched decor ideas.

His teacher said it is hard to get too upset with them since they are doing such great things like collaborating, being creative, writing, drawing and coloring.

Originally Posted by KJP
DS has been described by his teacher as being delightfully off task this week. Apparently he and his friends at school have been avoiding their assignments and instead planning an elaborate Halloween party. They have written out a guest list, decided on food (there will be a room for healthy food and a room for junk food), and sketched decor ideas.

His teacher said it is hard to get too upset with them since they are doing such great things like collaborating, being creative, writing, drawing and coloring.
It's nice that the teacher actually sees the benefits in their creativity.
Got a new one from this weekend. We were putting up new world and U.S. maps in my dd9's room and she ran out of stickers that go on the maps to mark the places she wants to see. SO I called my boss at the community college I work at and she had extras from the same type of maps she bought for one of the instructors. Most of her class don't even know that some of these places exist much less want to see them some day.
We were watching Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire after DS7 finished the book last weekend. He was ofcourse plenty mad with the movie since it was so different from the book but was looking forward to the part at the end when it is revealed Mad Eye Moody was really Barty Crouch Jr. DS went quiet all of a sudden when we got to it and then turned to me and said "But that is the Doctor from Doctor Who"
He loves Doctor Who and David Tennant so was quite disappointed to find he was the bad guy ;-)
DD3.3 on Disneyland: "Oh, is that a place where people dress up in costume?"
Me: "What do you mean? You mean you want to go there in a costume?"
DD3.3: "No, silly mommy. People who work there. They dress up as characters."
Me: "Since when did you know about this?"
DD 3.3: "Since always. It's kind of obvious."
Me: "Well, I guess we aren't going then. That defeats the whole purpose."
DD 3.3: "What do YOU mean? Was I supposed to think they are real?"
Me: "Yeah."
DD 3.3: "You're confusing me."
Me: "I guess I am."

So no, we're not going.
Originally Posted by Mana
DD3.3 on Disneyland: "Oh, is that a place where people dress up in costume?"
Me: "What do you mean? You mean you want to go there in a costume?"
DD3.3: "No, silly mommy. People who work there. They dress up as characters."
Me: "Since when did you know about this?"
DD 3.3: "Since always. It's kind of obvious."
Me: "Well, I guess we aren't going then. That defeats the whole purpose."
DD 3.3: "What do YOU mean? Was I supposed to think they are real?"
Me: "Yeah."
DD 3.3: "You're confusing me."
Me: "I guess I am."

So no, we're not going.

This makes me sad.
Oh, me too-- DD6 had a great time at Disneyland. It's true, she enjoyed the MoMA in SF a few weeks later a lot MORE, but still.

The rides are the reason we went, honestly-- that and the whole... atmosphere, which is sort of surreal when you get right down to it. I think that HG+ kids can really appreciate the irony and be amused by that. smile

She viewed it all as being rather like... performance art. It's like being IN the ring at a circus.

We took DD4(then 3.3) to Disney world earlier this year and while she had her doubts about the characters in costume, she LOVED the whole experience! The parades were her favorite. I thought the whole thing was so fake and over the top, but I kept my thoughts to myself and let DD enjoy the magic while she still can. Seems like you DD has already outgrown the magic. Alas!

Here is my quirky brag. I read an article on moon to DD earlier yesterday. Later in the evening, she took me into her play tent with a flashlight and a tennis ball, asked me to turn off all the lights and then shone the flashlight on the ball and remarked," Hmmm, well, I guess it is possible!" When I asked her what she meant she replied," I wasn't sure how the moon could be so bright from just reflecting the light from the sun so I wanted to see if the ball would reflect the light."
Originally Posted by rachsr
DS went quiet all of a sudden when we got to it and then turned to me and said "But that is the Doctor from Doctor Who"
He loves Doctor Who and David Tennant so was quite disappointed to find he was the bad guy ;-)

Awww! I would have felt the same way, if I had known Tennant as the Doctor when I saw HP4! Luckily, I hadn't picked up Doctor Who yet, at that point. Poor guy!
Originally Posted by Lovemydd
Here is my quirky brag. I read an article on moon to DD earlier yesterday. Later in the evening, she took me into her play tent with a flashlight and a tennis ball, asked me to turn off all the lights and then shone the flashlight on the ball and remarked," Hmmm, well, I guess it is possible!" When I asked her what she meant she replied," I wasn't sure how the moon could be so bright from just reflecting the light from the sun so I wanted to see if the ball would reflect the light."


There is actually a mythbusters on this about how some people believe us going to the moon is a hoax. They show that the dirt on the moon actually has something that is reflective in it that helps with the light from the sun. I don't remember all of it but that part was pretty interesting.
Aw man, isn't a trip to Disneyland a rite of passage, regardless of whether you realize the characters are people dressed up? (Which I would have thought was obvious even to the non-HG, let's be honest.) I don't think the point of Disneyland is being fooled into thinking they're the real deal. That would be like never watching movies again because you know they're all just actors ...
For the record, Tokyo Disneyland is the BEST. Imagine a Disneyland where the entire nation is fanatical about cuteness, cartoons and dress ups smile
Originally Posted by AvoCado
For the record, Tokyo Disneyland is the BEST. Imagine a Disneyland where the entire nation is fanatical about cuteness, cartoons and dress ups smile

Presuming, here, that "best" is synonymous with nightmarish?
A friend who raised two gifties took her children to Disneyland religiously when they were young and she thought we should go now while DD would think she's meeting the real Mickey so I was getting all psyched up but it certainly misfired. I should have handled it better but DD doesn't seem all that heartbroken over it so all is good.

I love Disneyland. To me, it's pop culture installation art at its grandest. So we'll get there eventually, just not right away like I thought.
DS23mo: Peugh! It smells like iguana in here.

Enough said!
At 2.5, my DS found a bin that had 75+ hot wheels cars in it. He had a blast playing with them. After the usual zooming and exploring with them he sorted them all into seemingly random groups that he called friends. Different colors, different uses, trucks with cars, etc. After a little while we realized he was sorting by hubcap style.

At a store, he will tell you he would like such and such new car because it is friends with the airport police car and yellow race car... Still the same hubcaps.
Very observant! I'm not sure I would ever have figured out the sorting criterion, there, unless he said something about it.

DS11, at 2.5, was obsessed with license plates. He knew every one in our apartment complex, and he knew people by their license plate number. He couldn't tell you what kind of car anything was, but he knew whose it was by the plate. When DD was born, he was 3.5, and he went off with friends for the day; he came to see me in the hospital, gushing about the "111xxx" motorcycle he saw, and the "222zzz" truck he got to ride in.
Background: dd8 went to a school last year that used abeka in 2nd grade and it was extremely easy for her and she likes easy. She is now homeschooling, and over summer we did singapore 3 which she blew through and started the year with 4a. It was tougher but she did the semester in 6 weeks. Now we are starting Abeka 5 bc considering we went so fast, the repition of abeka will be good, but remember this kid doesn't like to have to think to hard.

Conversation in Sams with as much drama as you can imagine.
Dd8: mom, you make my brain hurt. Its going to explode. Its going to get bigger and bigger and then explode.
Dd10: your brain is going to grow the size of an elephant and you will be a big head with legs.
Me: your brain will not explode, you will just get smarter.
Dd8:mom, you are not seeing the future here. My brain is a muscle that will get bigger and bigger and then explode. I will be 9 or 10 yrs old having a funeral because my brain exploded.I don't want to die. I want to have 10 kids.
DD insists on watching the new Curious George Halloween movie with subtitles on so she can read the lines along and act out all the parts including George.
Mana, how is the Curious George movie? DS loves the show, but I don't want him to be scared by spooky costumes. Is the movie pretty tame?
DS23mo is loving making up his own songs these days. They tend to be vehicle-themed, but one lyric stood out:

"This is the way the banana car splits..."

Call me biased, but I thought the double entendre was clever.
I saw a National Geographic Almanac at the store today and picked it up for DD. When she came home from school we had a few friends over playing and she was so excited to see them...until she saw the almanac. Now she has been sitting at the table for over 30 minutes telling (with lots of excitement!) her friends to come look at her book as she explains everything she is reading. Her friends keep begging her to go outside but she is so into her new book. When they ask when she will be done she says 355 minutes lol
I love her passion!
I had to tell this story because well I am not sure anyone else will "get" it the way you all do. It's not just about DD but me as well. So I am making DD9 Halloween costume and she is going as a Jedi Padawan, (which I had to explain to her hairstylist today.) and we have been slowly piecing her costume together. Boots, slacks, undershirt, tunic, belt and lightsaber are all ready. Still need to make the obi (the sash thing they wear over the tunic) and her cloak. I have been looking everywhere for inexpensive material for the cloak and finally found brown curtains that have a rough texture to it. After buying I realized I had just unintentionally mixed two completely unrelated movies. Gone with the Wind (Scarlett O'Hara's curtain dress) with Star Wars. Which of course led me to thinking about the Carol Burnett show with her version of the curtain dress.

So now while I am making this costume I am giggling like a goon and my daughter is wondering if I am laughing at her. "No dear, just thinking about something that should not be related to this at all."
She said with a smile, "Oh I do that all the time at school. It makes the day less boring." So maybe now I know where the possible ADD comes from.
About a year ago my son and I were leaving a swim meet and I asked him what took so long to cool down/how much was his cool down? He admitted that he lost track of how much he was doing and just kept swimming because he was figuring out the plot of his novel while he cooled down. And then for the half hour ride home did the audio version of the novel's early draft.
Originally Posted by Cassmo451
After buying I realized I had just unintentionally mixed two completely unrelated movies. Gone with the Wind (Scarlett O'Hara's curtain dress) with Star Wars. Which of course led me to thinking about the Carol Burnett show with her version of the curtain dress.

So now while I am making this costume I am giggling like a goon

This all makes perfect sense to me! smile
This isn't quirky but down right depressing.

We were goofing around today and she was being a bit physically aggressive so I said jokingly that she is going to kill me. I don't think I ever used the word kill before but it slipped. She froze up and looked very seriously and said "And you'll be cremated?" I asked her if she knew what the word meant and she said it means burning a body so it turns into bones and ashes. She then held onto me in silence.

I need to figure out where she was exposed to this. It didn't come from us, books, school, or movies. I'm always around when she has playdates with other children.

She deserves a happier childhood. frown
Originally Posted by Mana
This isn't quirky but down right depressing.

We were goofing around today and she was being a bit physically aggressive so I said jokingly that she is going to kill me. I don't think I ever used the word kill before but it slipped. She froze up and looked very seriously and said "And you'll be cremated?" I asked her if she knew what the word meant and she said it means burning a body so it turns into bones and ashes. She then held onto me in silence.

I need to figure out where she was exposed to this. It didn't come from us, books, school, or movies. I'm always around when she has playdates with other children.

She deserves a happier childhood. frown

I'd ask her; I bet she'll be cognizant of the source.

Some messages here about existential discussions have given me an idea of the type of lines I may use with DS. You're welcome to test drive them if you think they aren't terrible. smile

"We have lots family who have lived into their late 90s. With medical advances, I plan to live to at least 130, at which point you'll be really old; over 100."
oh, Mana - i'm so sorry to hear your bean is starting to deal with such big issues. aquinas is so right, though, there are a lot of great posts on existential pain here and lots of good advice.

we've been through a bit of that stuff with DD in the past, but she's worked through it to a point where her perspective seems ok (for now.) if it helps at all, the one thing in your post that really stood out for me was the moment where she just held you quietly - it is indeed a bittersweet experience, but it seemed like a really wonderful demonstration of your mutual closeness.

so my thing is super-dumb but it's making me smile. DD5 now uses "whom" as the object pronoun.
Thank you aquinas and doubtfulguest for your support. I was caught off-guard and it's hard to accept that the protective bubble I thought I was raising her in was mostly all in my head. I know rationally, it's easier to help them cope with rational fear than with irrational childhood terrors but I'm not sure if I'm ready to have a conversation about my own mortality with my 3 year old yet.

Going back to quirkiness, DG, being able to use the word "whom" is not super-dumb at all. I'm sure your DD sounds positively charming.

Our newest. DD loves feeding birds. She feeds them almost daily. It was a beautiful day yesterday so we decided to drive an hour to picnic on a scenic spot for lunch. She then meets a little tiny bird and she is convinced that that bird is evil and wants to steal her lunch. She cries so inconsolably that we had to pack our lunch and eat in the car. She is just so, so, strange.
Originally Posted by Mana
She then meets a little tiny bird and she is convinced that that bird is evil and wants to steal her lunch. She cries so inconsolably that we had to pack our lunch and eat in the car. She is just so, so, strange.

I have had those moments with DD7 -- she becomes absolutely convinced that something awful will happen with something, and cries and cries. Not so much lately, but all her life, off and on. She went through a period of being terrified of wind. She wouldn't go outside if there was even a breeze, and if she could hear the wind in a storm, she would freak out and go on and on about the house blowing away and stuff like that. She obsessed about the weather channel, but if any weather came near her, she hated it.
DD14 notes (in doing research for an essay about a medical ethics hot-button topic);

Have you noticed how as soon as a writer starts yammering about "The Truth" then you can be pretty confident that they aren't likely to be all that concerned about -- well, facts-- along the way?? wink

hee! the use of yammering + truthiness all in one go! love it.
Originally Posted by Nautigal
She wouldn't go outside if there was even a breeze, and if she could hear the wind in a storm, she would freak out and go on and on about the house blowing away and stuff like that. She obsessed about the weather channel, but if any weather came near her, she hated it.

One of DD's favorite spots to visit is a weather station at a nearby school. I cannot peel her away from it but she too cannot handle real weather. Well, she can handle gentle breeze (for now) but if the wind gets strong enough, she starts freaking out since she is convinced that one of the tree branches could snap and fall, which isn't completely baseless but still, talk about a disproportionate reaction.
Mana - With my DD9 anxieties and where we live you would think weather would completely freak her out. We live in tornado zones and we have been through several crazy nights huddling in the bathroom or the basement. However for her there are set rules for how to deal with those and we know how to prepare for one so that helps her. When we see a night that's going to be cruddy she helps by carrying blankets and essentials downstairs. Also she brings books to read or her tablet. I don't know if this will help but maybe if you sit down when it's calm and find out what would help her be okay. Maybe having set rules for what she can do during a storm will help her take some control over the situation and make her feel better. Just an idea.
Cassmo451, that is really brave of your DD. I don't know if I could ever live in tornado zones.

It won't be too surprising if DD develops anxiety eventually because of her hyper-sensitivities not to mention a family history of anxiety and phobias. What is hard at this point, because my DD is a young 3, is tweaking our what is developmentally normal and what we need to help her cope with long-term. She had this fear of water on her face for the longest time and making her take a shower was a sheer torture for us because she'd then scream her head off but suddenly a few weeks ago, she decided she was done with bath and wants to only take a shower instead. She has outgrown most if not all of her sensory issues from toddlerhood and doesn't complain about noise, tags, seams, and food colors anymore but new triggers like the evil tiny little bird pops up out of nowhere.

I need to go get a real drink soon. laugh
Mana, are we talking Shiraz "real" or 80 proof "real"? wink

To your health!
Originally Posted by aquinas
Mana, are we talking Shiraz "real" or 80 proof "real"? wink

To your health!

Thank you, and I'll take both and more. A large pitcher of margarita sounds good, with a plate of really spicy tacos.

¡Salud!

Before I begin I want to say that this is a longer post than I intended but maybe it will help others with what I have "learned" from my quirky child. And then again you might think I am full of hot air and need to shut up. If that's the case I am sorry you feel that way. I don't normally expound on my opinions this way or this much.

Mana you will make it through this! And so will she! Maybe with a few tears and lots of hugs but you will make it. I gave up early on deciding what was "normal" development and started thinking, "What does my daughter need to get through this and learn to cope." The change in my thinking has helped a great deal. I recently heard a statement from one of the Hansen Brothers (remember that song MMMBop) that said normal is just and average of abnormal. I liked that statement because no child is really "normal," and that leaves a lot of room on either side for variety. And variety is beautiful, even if it can also be scary for little ones who aren't sure how to handle it.

This is a quirky thing but also goes along with what you have said. When DD was a baby she did not sleep well (still doesn't), hence neither did I. One thing I had to do with her is take a wet wash cloth and rub her forehead with it to settle her down but she found her own coping mechanism that I still don't quite understand. The head board of her crib padding had this Pooh Bear on it. The head was kind of a pop-out plush thing. DD was about 6 months old when she started reaching for the ears of the pooh bear and rubbing them between her fingers to put herself to sleep. We started calling them "her ears." She slept with those up until about 2nd grade where they went to be washed and didn't come back and she never really notice. But when she was a toddler and going to daycare I had to make sure they went with her because she would not take naps without them. I remember several times being called back to daycare to bring "her ears" because we forgot them. She would also use them to calm herself when she was anxious about something. She no longer needs them and at her age I do not feel it would be appropriate for her to take them with her but she does need to find something that will work for her later in life, which is why she is now in counseling.

She still has the over sensitivities to certain clothing, loud noises, crowded or chaotic spaces, perfectionism, and different textures in food. But those over sensitivities also give her an amazing connection to music, reading, and learning. There is a positive side to the intensities.

I guess the point I am trying to make is a child is unique in what makes them tick and as with any child, gifted or not, we have to teach them how to cope in this ever changing world and sometimes the best thing we can teach them is how to be adaptable.

Okay I am climbing down off of my little stage and slinking off. I am not sure where all that came from but I think maybe you can all understand...LOL. It's been one of those weeks for me and I am constantly reminding myself to breath and we will all get through this.
hey Cassmo451! this is what this board is for - and if you've had a hard week, i'm glad you found a place and the time to let some stuff out. it's hard to talk to people about our kids in the real world - and that's what brings us all here. smile

my DD (now 5) used to rub the silky tags on all her shirts whenever she was feeling difficult emotions - your story about the "ears" reminded me a little of that. like you, i worried a little that it might be a coping strategy we'd have to replace down the line, but in the end she took charge of it herself. i had at one point talked to her about starting to clip the tags on any new items, but then i kept forgetting to do it. then one day a few months ago, i found her sitting on her bed amidst a neat little pile of tags with the nail scissors in her hand - she'd done the lot.

when i asked why she'd decided to clip the tags, my quirky little bean told me that she felt it was time to "put away childish things." the funny thing is, i'm not sure where she even picked up that particular allusion!

Cassmo451, I rubbed the tush tags on my stuffed animals so much in my first few years that my Mum had to keep sewing on replacements!
Originally Posted by Cassmo451
And then again you might think I am full of hot air and need to shut up. If that's the case I am sorry you feel that way. I don't normally expound on my opinions this way or this much.

Oh no, I didn't take it that way at all. I'm grateful that you took the time to reach out. DD had the worst melt down of her entire life last night and I thought she was losing her mind (I know I lost mine some time ago). The last few days have been really impossible so just knowing that I'm not alone and other parents have survived raising children like DD gives me a hope that maybe one day, I'll be able to hold it together.

I think it's time for DD to go to school away from me. I'll miss her and it might backfire but something has to change and maybe she needs more than what I'm giving her at home. Until then, I'm going to try to add more structure to our life.
Originally Posted by aquinas
Cassmo451, I rubbed the tush tags on my stuffed animals so much in my first few years that my Mum had to keep sewing on replacements!

Do they still make Taggies blankets? We thought about getting one for DS when he was a baby, but never actually did. It was a blanket with silky tags sewn all around the edges.
Originally Posted by Nautigal
Originally Posted by aquinas
Cassmo451, I rubbed the tush tags on my stuffed animals so much in my first few years that my Mum had to keep sewing on replacements!

Do they still make Taggies blankets? We thought about getting one for DS when he was a baby, but never actually did. It was a blanket with silky tags sewn all around the edges.

They do! We had a cloth Taggies book for DS, but he shunned everything inanimate in favour of me...hair and milk. I, however, adored the book. wink
DS23mo is getting quite punny. Today, while watching an episode of "Dinosaur Train" about troodons (pronounced TRO-oh-dons) who lived in a snowy arctic climate, he said, "snow troodons...they're snow-o-dons!"

I was amused! smile
I have never heard of Taggies. I will have to look that up for curiosity.

On a good note, we were at my nephews wedding today and even though it was noisy and somewhat chaotic at the reception, my daughter did SOOOO well. The music wasn't too loud but I think it helped her tune into it rather than the multiple conversations around her. Although the Shrug to her dress had a seam that was bugging and scratching her. Strange little quirks like that are what worries me when we have to go buy clothes. Every time we try on things my first question has to be "does it bug you anywhere?" That's usually a deciding factor.
Originally Posted by aquinas
Originally Posted by Nautigal
Originally Posted by aquinas
Cassmo451, I rubbed the tush tags on my stuffed animals so much in my first few years that my Mum had to keep sewing on replacements!

Do they still make Taggies blankets? We thought about getting one for DS when he was a baby, but never actually did. It was a blanket with silky tags sewn all around the edges.

They do! We had a cloth Taggies book for DS, but he shunned everything inanimate in favour of me...hair and milk. I, however, adored the book. wink


Same here! Sometimes Aquinas, I think we are raising the same child.

There is a large variety of Taggies available... Books, balls, blankets, etc. I went to get one for a baby shower and was surprised.
Originally Posted by SAHM
Same here! Sometimes Aquinas, I think we are raising the same child.

We'll have to put our children in touch when they're old enough to have pen pals (or FaceTime friends...?) smile
Originally Posted by aquinas
Originally Posted by SAHM
Same here! Sometimes Aquinas, I think we are raising the same child.

We'll have to put our children in touch when they're old enough to have pen pals (or FaceTime friends...?) smile


Definitely! smile
My DD is constructing an essay for her German exam...

she's supposed to talk about likes and dislikes.


She pointed out that she does NOT like German (long story-- involving a teacher that has specifically instructed her to contact the teacher pretty much ONLY as a last resort, and feels that 15 minutes a week and no textbook is completely fine as "instruction" in a second year language course...)

and then added, after a sentence about playing the piano:

Ich mag das Thema aus Rocky, aber ich spiele Mozart mehr.


This is VERY funny if you're familiar with the song "I Speak Six Languages" from Spelling Bee.

grin


DS-almost-2 was sweeping with his little broom and then dropped this bomb:

"I need you to move my little table. I want to sweep under my little table. I don't want to live in a dirty house."

Apparently he's starting to notice my slack housekeeping and doesn't approve. To my credit, I had cleaned the condo 3 days earlier, so things were in fairly good order.
Dd4 has invented two new words to classify solids- curvalogical and flatalogical.
aquinas, good for your DS to be cleaning up his own mess. My DD tells me it's MY job to clean after HER. I told her that she was mistaken then she told me that she wasn't and I was the one who was confused.
This is a new one. I work evenings so my DD9 will fill me in on her evening when I get home before she goes to bed. Her dad is with her when I am not so I usually don't worry about her on the computer because he watches what she does. But this story had me worried at the beginning when she started telling it but by the end I just realized it was her long way around to asking for something.

DD9: Mommy I was on google this afternoon looking things up and I wanted to look up "warrior"

me: okay and what happened?

DD9: well it auto filled "Warrior Cats" and being my curious self I wondered what that was and clicked on it. And it brought up a link for a website for it.

me: and?

DD9: AND being my curious self I clicked the link and it was a website for a bookseries for kids and it has two places to buy them. Amazon and Walmart.

me: and?

DD9: AND they look really interesting.

me: So what you are saying is you want me to buy some more books?

DD9: UMM, yeah?

me: I will look into it.

It's not like she doesn't have hundreds of books in her room that I bought from a friend last year that she still hasn't read.
Originally Posted by Mana
aquinas, good for your DS to be cleaning up his own mess. My DD tells me it's MY job to clean after HER. I told her that she was mistaken then she told me that she wasn't and I was the one who was confused.

Ehhh, sometimes. I try to teach him to clean up with me, but it's a work in progress.

She's a firecracker, that daughter of yours. I see a promising future career in law there. wink
That is an eerily familiar conversation.
I just had to go through the books to make sure she didn't have them and then I had to make a deal with her that she would actually finish one book before I would buy her another one. She has about five started but I never know if she actually finishes one because she always has about five going at a time. I have a hard enough time keeping up with the five books I am reading at once.
[s][/s]I am sitting next to DD right now, who is reading one of those books. Then I realized the time and told her to go to sleep!

DD is a big fan of those books at the moment!
Books like that I reserve at the library. If it is a series I reserve the first three and then the next three. We would be broke if I bought every book he wanted.
Hmm...I believe I've seen those books at the library -- I'll have to check one out and see if DD is interested!
Originally Posted by drtrum
That is an eerily familiar conversation.

Isn't it? wink
And here is another one.

Come home tonight from work and this is what I got.

DD9: Mommy I was looking up stuff on "Straight no Chaser" (the a cappella group) and they are doing a fall tour. And they are coming to (a city near us) soon. Can we go? PLEASE!!!!

Me: I don't know let me put my purse and coat away and I will look it up.

My kid could care less about Katy Perry or Taylor Swift. She wants to see an A Cappella group. Not that I am complaining because I'd like to see them again too but WOW.
We love Straight No Chaser. smile Have you tried her on Moosebutter?
Originally Posted by ElizabethN
We love Straight No Chaser. smile Have you tried her on Moosebutter?


Just looked that up. I think she's already found them because I remember her singing their version of the Star Wars theme around the house. I wondered where that came from....LOL. I miss so much when I don't get to be at home with her.
Originally Posted by aquinas
I see a promising future career in law there. wink

Hee hee. I am so dreading her teenage years that I cannot think past it. In my darkest moments, I start wondering if she'd be better off going to a specialized residential program at age 13 and that might just be the driving factor behind my excitement over her passion for ballet and music. whistle
Gosh I love this thread.
Agree, I LOVE this thread too! Here is my quirky post.
Dd4 told me yesterday to quickly find a good high school for her. When I asked her what the hurry is, she replied that she is all set through middle school as her school goes up to middle but she needs to go to another school for high. If I find one soon that is good, I can pay the tuition so they will hold a spot for her.

I wish I had this kind of strategic planning!Lol
Beware: there are eleventy billion Warriors books and they're very popular (hence, hard to get at the library). Ask me how I know (says the owner of many Warriors books). It's a richly detailed world, but not the quality of writing of many great kids' books. DD ate 30+ of them up but then was done.
It sounds better than the rainbow fairy thing, anyway. smile
A sampling of my dd10's pandora channels. She just doesnt even bother talking or listening to music with her friends.

Les Miserables
Julie Andrews
Ella Fitzgerald
Star Wars
Motown Sounds
Jeff Bjorck
Classical for Studying
Worship Jamz
Smokie Norful Radio
Last night, DD8 brought home a notification that she's been selected as a student of the month. It has always bothered her before when she wasn't selected, and she was clearly elated that she finally was.

At dinner I got up to get something from the kitchen, and knocked over a drink that had been left on a kitchen counter in the process. DD jumped up from her seat and came to my assistance to clean it up, unhesitating, and unasked. Usually, she doesn't even want to clean up her own messes.

This is her mom's kid. I always considered citizenship awards to be a kind of consolation prize.
Originally Posted by ultramarina
Beware: there are eleventy billion Warriors books and they're very popular (hence, hard to get at the library). Ask me how I know (says the owner of many Warriors books). It's a richly detailed world, but not the quality of writing of many great kids' books. DD ate 30+ of them up but then was done.

YES, this.


Ugh. So glad to be past that stage. I know, I know-- she was reading, she was happy... I just found the entire thing insipid as all get-out.

I guess it's no worse than my penchant for trashy Regency novels in between more serious fare, though. wink
Originally Posted by ultramarina
Beware: there are eleventy billion Warriors books and they're very popular (hence, hard to get at the library). Ask me how I know (says the owner of many Warriors books). It's a richly detailed world, but not the quality of writing of many great kids' books. DD ate 30+ of them up but then was done.


This is the exact reason we buy books. Our small town library really doesn't have much. They still use a card catalog! Anyway we have a better library in our house than at our town library. Plus she takes books to school since she is pretty much ahead of her schools library as well. It just winds up being easier in the long run.
Originally Posted by drtrum
A sampling of my dd10's pandora channels. She just doesnt even bother talking or listening to music with her friends.


DD9 loves music of most kinds. She tries to listen in a little bit to popular music so she at least knows what the other kids are talking about but really it's not her thing. She said at her counseling session last time that something that makes her really angry is songs that don't make sense. She said that they start out sounding good with good music and then they start singing the lyrics and one verse doesn't make sense to the next and it just ruins the whole song for her. I never knew that it was bad enough that it made her truly that mad. Oversenitivities kicking in I guess.

I guess it's my fault...LOL. When she was little and went everywhere with me I was on a Josh Groban kick and anytime we got in the car it was "Mommy I want to listen to Josh." She could pick out one if his songs anywhere and she was only about 2 or 3 at the time. She even tried to sing along with the Italian and Spanish songs as well.
Chuckling at "eleventy billion", UM.
Originally Posted by HowlerKarma
YES, this.


Ugh. So glad to be past that stage. I know, I know-- she was reading, she was happy... I just found the entire thing insipid as all get-out.

I guess it's no worse than my penchant for trashy Regency novels in between more serious fare, though. wink


I have way too many romance novels but since I consider it my time out from the real world I think it's quite okay. I read other things too but I have too much real life in my real life. I want my books to be an escape from that. It gives me a chance to be somewhere else for a time. I think that's the same for our kids sometimes. Real life can be just too much for them but their books are an escape to something or somewhere else no matter if it's good writing or poor it can still be an escape. Unless you have one of those little ones that poor writing drives them bonkers and they can't get past it...LOL.
I think the thread below is interesting and in the spirit of this one:

http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1ov84m/what_is_the_most_philosophical_thing_that_you/
What is the most philosophical thing that you have ever heard a child under the age of 5 say?
Reddit

We
Originally Posted by Nautigal
It sounds better than the rainbow fairy thing, anyway. smile


Well, as for that...
http://www.workingpartnersltd.co.uk/stories/
Same ghostwriting shop.

Strangely enough my AS DS9 loves their series (the dreaded Fairies, the dino ones... and just got hooked on Warriors last week, after bouncing off the first book last year -- too many pages, too small print). I think it is because they are so very predictable, and yes he was able to articulate that he liked not to be stressed out worrying about things turning out OK in the end. He hates scary stories.

It seems like most fiction (and the longer the worse) triggers anxiety in him, especially since a lot of the classics tend to have more unpredictable plot lines, and he hasn't learned to trust in the Disney ending. These cookie cutter series are soothing. He gulped the first book (I sneaked it in on a brand new Kindle formatted to Magic Tree House text density) in less than 4 days last week, and polished off the second one in paperback in 4 days.

Oh, and when I discussed his latest interest with our librarian she said she only has the first three in her collection. They are too long and too hard (reading level about one grade above Percy Jackson) for their targeted maturity level, and she has very few kids who get hooked.

Apparently there are similar issues with the Rainbow Fairies books, and it is true that while they are short and (very, very, very) repetitive the actual AR levels range from mid 3s to low 5s. Quite a few of the fairies books are tagged as NC on the lexile website, which might explain their popularity with gifted kids ("the NC code is applied to books that have a Lexile measure markedly higher than is typical for the publisher's intended audience or designated developmental level of the book [... and] is useful when matching high-ability readers with a book that's still at an appropriate developmental level").

If you have an addict on your hands I suggest library + Friends of the Library used book sales.

Originally Posted by Nautigal
It sounds better than the rainbow fairy thing, anyway. smile


Well, as for that...
http://www.workingpartnersltd.co.uk/stories/
Same ghostwriting shop.

Strangely enough my AS DS9 loves their series (the dreaded Fairies, the dino ones... and just got hooked on Warriors last week...If you have an addict on your hands I suggest library + Friends of the Library used book sales.

[/quote]

Ha ha...DD8 LOVED the fairy books, the Dinosaur Cove series, and now the Warriors. She finished the Harry Potter books last year (and has re-read them), so it is nice to see her find another series she enjoys. Yes, I know it is not all "great literature," but I truly believe there is a value in LOVING what you read. A great deal of what I love to read is not "great literature," either! wink

Yes, we LOVE our library!!! We are usually at about our "book limit" for my card.
My DD (11yrs, dyslexic, AS) paused, in the middle of a months long Emily Rodda binge, to read "The Fault in Our Stars", which someone handed her at school last Friday. She read it more voraciously than I have ever seen her read, and I was all full of the "OMG I'm not read for my 11 yr old to read YA angst yet"... She finished last night, in tears... Took some processing time and then declared she might go back to Emily Rodda now :-). Though she thinks she needs to read this a second time....
Originally Posted by Loy58
We are usually at about our "book limit" for my card.

Our library system doesn't have borrowing limits but I recently found out that I can only reserve so many items.

I never appreciated our libraries much before DD; I always preferred to buy my own books. Now, it's our life line. I'm getting our local librarians Christmas presents this year.
Originally Posted by Mana
Originally Posted by Loy58
We are usually at about our "book limit" for my card.

Our library system doesn't have borrowing limits but I recently found out that I can only reserve so many items.

I never appreciated our libraries much before DD; I always preferred to buy my own books. Now, it's our life line. I'm getting our local librarians Christmas presents this year.

Our library has a limit on the number of items you can have out as well as the number of items you can reserve. Our librarian told us they could waive the limit for us though. I don't know what I would do without the library.
DD, working statistics problems--


.... One could say that taking the log of the dependent variable data makes things exponentially more linear...


muahahaha...




Me: {groaning} You are enjoying this WAY too much.
DS5 has decided that he is not a child, but a "young adult" and is firmly convinced we have missed a few of his birthdays! Adolescence will be fun... smile
Quote
just got hooked on Warriors last week, after bouncing off the first book last year -- too many pages, too small print). I think it is because they are so very predictable, and yes he was able to articulate that he liked not to be stressed out worrying about things turning out OK in the end. He hates scary stories.

Hmm--you may want to be aware that characters DO die in Warriors. Admittedly they go up to some type of kitty heaven or something, but they die. DD wept over several Warriors books. It's not like Rainbow Fairies, etc where everything always ends happily/the same...

Also, whoa, thank you for the glimpse into the seamy underside. I recently did tell DD about the writing factories behind Rainbow Magic/Warriors and now she is all scornful and suspicious and keeps asking me if other books with many installments are like this. (What IS the right name for that? It's not really ghost writer or pen name. Sock puppet? Group pseudonym?)
Factory seems to do nicely, I think.

And no, not ALL series are like that.
Sindicate?
Originally Posted by ultramarina
Also, whoa, thank you for the glimpse into the seamy underside. I recently did tell DD about the writing factories behind Rainbow Magic/Warriors and now she is all scornful and suspicious and keeps asking me if other books with many installments are like this. (What IS the right name for that? It's not really ghost writer or pen name. Sock puppet? Group pseudonym?)

I remember similar disillusionment upon discovering that Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, and The Bobbsey Twins were all written by the same syndicate. smile
In an attempt to make his homework more interesting - and painfully drag out the experience leading to lots of yelling - DS 7 had to answer a generic question about a book he was reading. Shouldn't have taken that long, did a lot of drama about not knowing what to write. Finally does it - and he added citations from the text - complete with parentheticals and page numbers! Can't wait to see what the second grade teacher thinks of them!

DeHe
In connection to an upcoming wedding, dh and I were talking about how some people jump into marriage after knowing each other for just a bit and how others like us waited for many years. I commented that as long as it works for the couple, it is alright. Dd4 was listening and she said," you know what I am going to do. When I grow up, I will look for a good person every day and the day I find him, the next day i will get married." I joked," the very next day! Don't you think that is silly?" Dd replies," maybe so. But it works for me!" Haha

Also last week, I was very upset that an acquaintance is non-stop pushing his religion on me. Even though I respect his religious belief, he is unable to respect my non-belief. Dd consoles me," mom, you don't have to believe if you don't want to. You know what I say when people bother you. Hakuna matada." I cracked up and we both ended up singing the song.
DS6 wants to be a Minecraft Torch for Halloween. Not a creeper, but a torch. The reason? Torches are scary, Mama, spooky castles and caves all have torches. To each his own, I'm off to decorate a head-sized box with orange and red construction paper...
Not academically impressive, but apt: DS2 was watching an episode of the TV show "Between the Lions" when a musical interlude came on. He said, "This is terrible music." He was right!

On the ride home from swimming tonight, we were running through the alphabet and naming a dinosaur for each letter to occupy DS' attention. I blanked at "T", and he promptly suggested "titanosaur". I couldn't even think of t-rex or triceratops (or even a class like theropod) and he outclassed me.
Originally Posted by aquinas
On the ride home from swimming tonight, we were running through the alphabet and naming a dinosaur for each letter to occupy DS' attention. I blanked at "T", and he promptly suggested "titanosaur". I couldn't even think of t-rex or triceratops (or even a class like theropod) and he outclassed me.

I'm sure you know this:
Dinosaurs A to Z
Originally Posted by 22B
Originally Posted by aquinas
On the ride home from swimming tonight, we were running through the alphabet and naming a dinosaur for each letter to occupy DS' attention. I blanked at "T", and he promptly suggested "titanosaur". I couldn't even think of t-rex or triceratops (or even a class like theropod) and he outclassed me.

I'm sure you know this:
Dinosaurs A to Z

Thanks for the share, 22B. I've only ripped the first season, so we didn't have the episode with that song. You've inspired me to trawl for more torrents tonight.

We play that alphabet game with lots of topics--trucks, tools, fruits and veggies, countries...highly recommend it to everyone.
Thanks for jogging my memory, Aquinas! We used to play alphabet games with our oldest and, while we do other letter games, I'd forgotten the fun we had alternating letters for fruits, flowers, etc.

Here's my anecdote from DS3's trip to the dentist this morning:

Hygienist: Would you like a toothbrush with dolphins or one with butterflies?

DS3, considering: That's interesting that you are offering me two creatures, neither of which walk on land. Dolphins swim and butterflies usually fly and I happen to like both swimming creatures and flying insects... or anything that flies, really. Was there something about me that made you think I'd like animals who move in those ways more than animals who walk... or are those the only choices?
So glad it brought back happy memories, mama2three. The games we invent when we become parents! Love the dialogue.

Squishys, isn't it a great way to learn without "learning"?
Dd4 to her imaginary friend," sorry your mom died. Sorry she is not alive. But don't worry. Dying is just fiction."
No idea what she meant but found it very amusing!
Originally Posted by Lovemydd
Dd4 to her imaginary friend," sorry your mom died. Sorry she is not alive. But don't worry. Dying is just fiction."
No idea what she meant but found it very amusing!

I could be biased because of my recent experience but there are so many stories out there with little girls without their mother. Maybe your DD was reassuring herself/imaginary friend that you are not going anywhere anytime soon. smile
A typical weeknight after homework usually involves some 1-on-1 time with DD8 and I, followed by some family movie time, if it's not too late. So it was pretty unusual when DD finished her homework and decided she was going to play dolls with her mom.

It was unusual enough that DD asked DW, "Do you think he'll get mad that I wanted to play with you?" She asked me directly later, when I was putting her to bed. I assured her that she's the daughter to both of us, and there's only one her, so we have to share her.

Then she explained it to me this way: "I wanted to spend time with Mom today because I'm going trick-or-treating with you tomorrow."

And then, she made up her mind to work out a schedule, so we'd have a daddy-day, a mommy-day, and then an all-of-us-day.

It's so cute to see that she's not waiting for old age to set in before she starts taking care of us.
Dude, that reminds me of something that my DD14 said to me the other day;

Mom, would it be okay with you if I asked you NOT to come to rifle practice with us, just for a while??

I responded "Of course!" but I guess she was still concerned that I'd take it the wrong way;

It's not that I DON'T want you to come-- but it's something special that Dad and I do together, and he and I don't have a lot of shared interests at this point. I think that he and I need to have more bonding time for just the two of us.

I reassured her that I understood completely-- and agreed with her. Since her dad is out of town this week, she's opted to skip practice until he gets back.

It's really nice to see how thoughtful she can be, in spite of being 14.
I was cajoling my DD14 into a trip to Costco this morning-- by luring her with a "surprise" for her and her dad.

{avidly} Is it an ACCORDION??



No, of course not. It's Costco. It would have to be a PALLET of accordions!!

{there was a pause in which she developed a look of wonder}

I wish that I were Shiva or Vishnu-- I could play all of them at once! Can you just imagine how AWESOME that would be?? I'll bet that Liszt wished that he was Shiva, too.




Me: It's not an accordion.

Oh. Nevermind then.


crazy Yes, yes, I know that she was punking me. It's what she does. LOL.
Originally Posted by mama2three
DS3, considering: That's interesting that you are offering me two creatures, neither of which walk on land. Dolphins swim and butterflies usually fly and I happen to like both swimming creatures and flying insects... or anything that flies, really. Was there something about me that made you think I'd like animals who move in those ways more than animals who walk... or are those the only choices?

I love it! I think he's going to grow up to be Sheldon. smile

DS and I went to see Ender's Game today, and then had lunch at Subway. I forget what it was that we were talking about, but I said something and ended with "sarcasm OFF". DS said, "I didn't know your sarcasm had an off button! Could you tell me where it is, so I can use it?"
DD3: "Why did the cashier person ask the lady where she was from?"
Me: "Oh, because she was visiting from another country and he was making a conversation."
DD3: "I know that, Mommy. I want to know why he had to ask. She was from Australia. She sounded just like (one of her classmates)'s mom."
Me: "Well, but what if she wasn't? When you make a wrong assumption about their background, people could get offended."
DD3: "Offended? Why?"
Me: "If people thought you were from Jupiter, wouldn't you be offended?"
DD3: "Why would anyone think I'm from Jupiter? There is no air for me to breath or water for me to drink."
Me: "Oh never mind."

My head hurts.
LOL, Nautigal!

Mana, that daughter of yours is precise. She reminds me of my husband, the lawyer. Whether that's a reason to celebrate or mourn, a nice glass of wine or a hot bath is in order either way.
Originally Posted by aquinas
Not academically impressive, but apt: DS2 was watching an episode of the TV show "Between the Lions" when a musmemical interlude came on. He said, "This is terrible music." He was right!

On the ride home from swimming tonight, we were running through the alphabet and naming a dinosaur for each letter to occupy DS' attention. I blanked at "T", and he promptly suggested "titanosaur". I couldn't even think of t-rex or triceratops (or even a class like theropod) and he outclassed me.
Good memories! We did this too. smile. It was soon followed by what shapes have X number of sides, and then what do you call a Y that has Z number of wheels/eyes/legs... Google is my friend.
We have two dogs, one is a mixed breed and the other is not. They were both rescue dogs so we really didn't care what breed they were. I have a tendency to call the Jack Russell a mutt when she is being silly. My daughter likes to correct me about that saying "well actually, she is not the mutt. Rocky is the mutt." He is a Dachshund/Beagle mix.
Originally Posted by SAHM
Originally Posted by aquinas
Not academically impressive, but apt: DS2 was watching an episode of the TV show "Between the Lions" when a musmemical interlude came on. He said, "This is terrible music." He was right!

On the ride home from swimming tonight, we were running through the alphabet and naming a dinosaur for each letter to occupy DS' attention. I blanked at "T", and he promptly suggested "titanosaur". I couldn't even think of t-rex or triceratops (or even a class like theropod) and he outclassed me.
Good memories! We did this too. smile. It was soon followed by what shapes have X number of sides, and then what do you call a Y that has Z number of wheels/eyes/legs... Google is my friend.

Ooh, great suggestions SAHM!
OMG, my husband, being a genius himself, tells me he has to figure out Greenwich time to reset his digital watch because it keeps track of fishing and hunting times. This is the same man who can't tell time on an analog watch. No wonder I have trouble figuring out our DD9.
Originally Posted by aquinas
She reminds me of my husband, the lawyer. Whether that's a reason to celebrate or mourn, a nice glass of wine or a hot bath is in order either way.

If that's the case then, your in-laws have my sympathies. How did they survive his teen years?

They are probably delighted to have a grandchild who doesn't interrogate them at every opportunity.

DD has been calling me by my first name for the last few weeks. I thought it was just a phase but it's sticking.

I don't mind it so I am not going to insist that she stops but it is rather strange.
Mana all three of my kids have had a stage lasting months, or even years, of calling my husband and I by first names, usually starting between one or two years old. I've always been surprised when people freaked out about it "She called you firstname!!" "Yep, that's my name..." I don't understand the fuss. They all still call us Mum and Dad, or some variation of such, at least some of the time. But even if they didn't and only used our names I still wouldn't fuss... Maybe that's weird of me?
Originally Posted by Mana
Originally Posted by aquinas
She reminds me of my husband, the lawyer. Whether that's a reason to celebrate or mourn, a nice glass of wine or a hot bath is in order either way.

If that's the case then, your in-laws have my sympathies. How did they survive his teen years?

They are probably delighted to have a grandchild who doesn't interrogate them at every opportunity.

They took the approach of virtually ignoring all their children and are doing the same with their grandson. FIL has commented that DH had effectively raised himself, which DH says is true.

Here's one of my own...

DS to DH: I need to watch toy trucks playing in a green turtle sandbox. [On YouTube.]

DH: Buddy, that's not going to be easy to find.

DS (insistently and slightly menacingly): Yes, it is. [DS then passes DH the iPad.]
Originally Posted by MumOfThree
Mana all three of my kids have had a stage lasting months, or even years, of calling my husband and I by first names, usually starting between one or two years old. I've always been surprised when people freaked out about it "She called you firstname!!" "Yep, that's my name..." I don't understand the fuss. They all still call us Mum and Dad, or some variation of such, at least some of the time. But even if they didn't and only used our names I still wouldn't fuss... Maybe that's weird of me?

When our DD tried that out, we nipped it in the bud. We told her that Mom and Dad are titles of respect, much like Father/Reverend, Officer, Your Honor, or Mr. President. She's not on a first-name basis with us for the same reason she's not on one with her teachers... it's a subtle reminder that, while we're perfectly happy to follow her lead in some things, we can and will pull rank when we feel it's necessary.

Maybe because the lesson took hold early on, it hasn't been necessary to reinforce this lately. But I can say that in her toddler/pre-K years, she needed regular reminders that she wasn't in charge. This was a child who was convinced that everything we did revolved around her, when the fact was that only MOST of what we did revolved around her.
Originally Posted by Dude
[quote=MumOfThree]Mana all three of my kids have had a stage lasting months, or even years, of calling my husband and I by first names, usually starting between one or two years old. I've always been surprised when people freaked out about it "She called you firstname!!" "Yep, that's my name..." I don't understand the fuss. They all still call us Mum and Dad, or some variation of such, at least some of the time. But even if they didn't and only used our names I still wouldn't fuss... Maybe that's weird of me?


my DS3 does that sometimes...not often enough to really make him stop, I think. I think he just thinks it's fun. Just like he now thinks it's fun to call everyone by their names backwards. aka: nana is anan and mama is amam, etc etc. ...sometimes, when i call him by his real name, he corrects me with the backward one: "no, mama i'm [insert backward name here]". what a silly kid.
Love this thread! Here's a Halloween themed one that happened here:

An older kid at school told my DD4 about "Bloody Mary" last week. DD came home and said "Mom, a girl at school told me about Bloody Mary. Why did she tell me that story? I don't like that story."

I said, "I have no idea why she told you that story but I hope you know that it's absolutely not real. What did you do when she told it to you?"

DD's response: Well I was thinking about what kind of medicine Bloody Mary would need because she needs help!
Originally Posted by aquinas
FIL has commented that DH had effectively raised himself, which DH says is true.

That's true for my SO and me as well. I wonder how much of that is generational or our parents knowing that we were going to do what we wanted regardless of parental input.

Originally Posted by MumOfThree
Maybe that's weird of me?

I remember reading Anne of Green Gables and Marilla telling Anne that as long as Anne calls her by her first name with respect, then it is respectful or something like that and that always made sense to me.

My Swedish friends called their parents by their first name and I didn't think that was odd.

So all in all, I don't mind DD calling me by first name and I don't think it's weird that it doesn't bother you either but we might be in the minority on this in our cultural context.
Dude I just don't have any sense of respect from it as a title. Possibly less so than actually acknowledging me as an actual person by using my name than "mum".... But then we call our drs Dr Firstname and often the teachers are firstname too (the kids teachers choose what the kids will call them and hey have no trouble calling people by the name they request)...

Respect has just got nothing at all to do with a title to me. We use Dr as an identifier with the kids, so they understand they're seeing a Dr; we just call them "Firstname" when going by ourselves.... Again except for older generation specialists who clearly don't use their first names ever, when the same as our children we use whatever name makes people comfortable because its polite to do so... Respect is in your behavior, not titles for the sake of them.

Interestingly, despite having wills of iron, especially my HG+ middle child, they are not currently inclined to test or disrespect random adults out in the world the way some of my friends kids do, who are far more obsessed with titles, obedience simply because an adult has spoke, and traditional manifestations of respect that we are...
I have been thinking more about this, I'll ask my husband later, but if anything I would say mum/dad is affectionate not respectful. I should also note I was raised in circles where most of my mums friends worked very hard to get their kids to use their first names and my own mother was deeply distressed that I stuck determinedly with Mum. She's gotten over still being Mum 30 years later...
Originally Posted by MumOfThree
Respect has just got nothing at all to do with a title to me. We use Dr as an identifier with the kids, so they understand they're seeing a Dr; we just call them "Firstname" when going by ourselves.... Again except for older generation specialists who clearly don't use their first names ever, when the same as our children we use whatever name makes people comfortable because its polite to do so... Respect is in your behavior, not titles for the sake of them.
I agree with Dude about children not calling adults by their first names. It's a matter of taste that will not be settled here, and I would not call people who don't mind their children addressing them by first name "weird". I do dislike enforced informality, which can be as oppressive as enforced formality. When I was in graduate school, the leader of our research group expected us to call him by his first name. It was practically torture for our Korean post-doc to call him "Jim" instead of "Dr. Smith". In Korea that would be unthinkable.
Yes-- we are quite informal ourselves, but definitely encourage our DD to refer to adults with their proper titles unless specifically asked to do otherwise.

Particularly earned titles-- to which I include Dr. as well as Mom, Dad, and to some extent Mr. and Mrs. (because adults DO generally speaking have life experience, and she should respect that until she has reason to lose such respect).

It has been difficult for DD to refer to adults by their first names in professional/formal/educational settings. I also think that to some extent it is culturally insensitive for some Americans to insist upon it.

On the other hand, I've had difficulties with the school personnel on occasion because I would FAR prefer to be on a first-name basis with a 25yo teacher of my DD's rather than use titles... and honestly, no WAY am I going to be {Howler} while I stick with "Ms. Stickler" for the teacher. I did have a school administrator that didn't learn this lesson the easy way, however...

It's either first names or titles there. Mine isn't Mrs. Sorry. That's not an attempt to establish dominance, it's a matter of proper title. Like I said-- I think that first names is better between adults. LOL.


At any rate, some people are REALLY offended by not using titles. I consider this to be the equivalent of using informal forms of address in French or German-- sure, among peers it may be encouraged, and with close family, again, might be fine-- but generally in a professional setting it needs to be erring on the side of formality.

It just makes a better impression when you're dealing with the unknown when one defaults to the more formal means of address.
I think for me it comes down to being able to tell what people want to be called, and we expect our children to name people as they indicated they'd like to be named. At the medical practice we use the Drs generally introduce themselves to kids as "Hi there, I'm Dr. Firstname", to Adults they'll say "Hi Firstname, I'm Firstname Surname." If they're using my first name and not using their title I'm not going to. Specialists from previous generation "Hi Mrs Surname, I'm Dr/Mr/Proff Surname" gets calle whatever they name themselves...

And I know my kids are completely able to refer to the same adult by up to three titles based on context with no crossover and difficulty... At a previous school all female teachers were Miss Surname, married or not (I have NO idea why), so teachers known outside of school were Firstname in social setting, Mrs Surname in certain settings and Miss Surname at school...

I have no investment in being called mum or not, my husband and I both talk about each other as both Mum/Dad or by name and I honestly don't even notice what my kids call me as long as they speak respectfully to me. Mum, Mama, Mummy, Firstname... They're all me... I'm pretty sure none of them are using my first name much at the moment by I can't honestly remember because it doesn't register.
Some people can be quite creative with what they want to be called:

http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/call_me_captain_justice_lawyer_requests_euphemisms/

I prefer "Your Most Supreme Excellency," myself.

wink
KJP, that is brilliant! laugh

I guess I don't tend to call anybody anything in conversation, so the whole doctor thing doesn't come up. My kids call me Mom, repeatedly and excessively. It bugs me when my daughter refers to me by my first name when she's being silly. When I was a kid, certain adults who were close to the family were "Uncle" and "Aunt", but eventually I gravitated toward first names because that's what everyone else called them. It's worked pretty much the same with my kids -- we had a couple of extra Uncle-and-Aunts, but they don't call them that now.
My best friend's parents when I was a teen wanted to be called uncle and aunt. I was there A LOT, they were a big part of my life and always good to me, so I always called them aunt/uncle because it made them happy. Felt pretty weird to me though because I didn't actually call my uncles and aunts by the title :-).... Was especially weird at my wedding, with my actual aunts and uncles there thinking "huh?"
Just your standard dinner time conversation:

DS2: (Making his toy excavator dig in his dinner) I think excavator is an omnivore.

Me: You mean it eats meat and plants? I guess it metaphorically eats dirt, which might contain both.

DS: No! It digs and scrapes dirt, not eats it. It digs with its teeth, Mummy. Eats is a metaphor.

LOVE it aquinas.
I'll admit I was more than a little surprised that he knew what a metaphor is, MumofThree. I find myself getting corrected a LOT lately. Guess it's just parent training. wink
My DS just described to me his creative process. I asked him how does he write stories, how does he make them up. His answer was this (I recorded it without him knowing):

Quote
I’m at school doing a worksheet and I see something in my mind, and an intense moment processes through me which causes me to lose my mind, and the story over takes me, takes place in my body and kicks my mind out. I run around as I absorb the creative shock, I can then sit back down to go back to my school work after the creative shock goes through me. There are times I didn’t even realize I got up and ran around. My memory works really well because I remember the whole story and I can dictate it to you later. It hits me like that – I absorb the story. Then, I come back to reality and continue working – my story is saved for later, absorbed in my memory. And I might not be able to get it down for awhile but, in the meantime, I can absorb more creative shocks to my story until it becomes a storyline. And the storyline doesn’t come in order… it often doesn’t come to me in any kind of order, I have to put the puzzle together later. When I solve that puzzle I say, “okay it’s time to write this story.” That’s what happens, that is how it works. How does it work for you?
Irena, remind me how old your ds is. Irrespective, he has provided such a beautiful insight into his amazingly creative brain. Loved reading it! He is going to be famous some day smile
What an insightful explanation from your son, Irena. He sounds so mature and thoughtful.
He just turned 8. He wants to be an author and screenwriter when he grows up. smile More than one person has thought something is wrong with him because of his "creative schock" experience (he does look a little weird sometimes) but I have always considered it creativity rather than pathology or disorder(though this is the first time he has explained in detail what is happening to him). At home, I would say to him when I needed him to come out of his "creative shock" (LOL) - "pause it, DS... pause the story for now." DH says to him "beep! it's paused!" smile I am sure his teachers love his "creative shock" expereinces...
Irena, I used to be able to stay in that state for hours and hours. The down side of that was, I forgot to sleep or to eat. I never understood why people needed to take drugs since the natural high I used to get from working on my projects was more satisfying than any chemical high I could imagine. I suppose this is (or rather, was) the positive side of my ADHD.
DD5 swings her folding tape measure close to my face.

Me: HEY! use some judgment with that thing, ok?
DD5: my frontal lobe is on vacation - after all, it's Fall Break.
Love it, doubtfulguest!
Conversations with a 24-month-old

DH and DS2 return from a walk, and DH relays this conversation to me:

Conversation 1

DS: Let's go downstairs and watch the subway trains.

DH: Sorry buddy, I don't have a pass anymore or any tokens, either. Mum has the tokens.

DS: Then let's walk home, take the elevator upstairs, get the tokens out of Mummy's wallet, take the elevator back downstairs, walk to the subway station, go downstairs into the station, put the token in the box, then go down to the tracks to see the trains.

DH: You know how tokens work?

DS (exasperated): Yes! You put the token into the box in the subway station and then you walk through the machine.

DS also wasn't told where the tokens were kept.
---
Conversation 2

Later, DS' mittens kept falling off, and DH would put them back on loosely to keep DS' hands at least partially warm.

DH: There! That's better than nothing.

DS: No, that isn't better than nothing.

---
Conversation 3

Me: Okay DS, we need to leave now to go swimming. Can you please choose 1 truck to bring.

DS: How about 3 trucks? Do we have a deal?

Me: I think one for each hand is reasonable. You're running out of hand space.

DS: I can hold two trucks in one hand.

Me: Okay, but you can't drop any. If you drop a truck, next time we take two. Deal?

DS: Deal. *Handshake*

He negotiates everything these days, and I like him to win when he offers reasonable terms. I hear the word "deal" a few dozen times a day.


oooh, aquinas, welcome to the slippery slope! our tiny human was so amazingly REASONABLE in her negotiations for years and years that we essentially never had a moment of conflict. it was a little creepy - she was so logical that most of the time her suggestions really improved a plan! this was great until her mental age outstripped what we could safely allow her to do - you know, wanting to walk to the corner store by herself to pick up batteries at the age of 3. she knew she could find her way, she knew she could ask the clerk for help, and she knew she could pay, so what was the problem?!

cue the screaming fits - it really was a lot like living with that girl from the Exorcist. brace yourself - your sweet little lawyer is going to give you a run for your money! smile

and i love that your DS2 can give an 8-part instruction. i think those development charts say kids should follow 3-part ones by what, about three years old? hee!
doubtfulguest, he goes one of two ways: negotiation or shriek. Negotiation happens in, oh, 95% of cases. Shriek is what happens when whatever he's doing is wrapped up before bed. It used to happen with brushing teeth until I waged an oral hygiene propaganda campaign, so maybe it's time I campaigned for sleep health, too. IDK.

Love your example of your DD's independence! I can just imagine her determined insistence that, "of course I'm perfectly capable of running errands independently, thank-you-very-much"! I'm fully anticipating push-back with DS in the later years. Heck, I have a decade with his lawyer dad, so that counts as some training, right?


squishys, so glad your DS could prove them wrong in spades! smile
Our son's 6th grade teacher is teaching climate science for the first time. She has handouts with climate science questions, but for some reason, she doesn't have the answers to the questions.

Fortunately she has a way out. She waits until DS finishes answering the questions, and then she accepts those as the "official" answers that get put on the board at the end of class!

You probably think we should leave the school system. Fortunately the Jr. High and High School are excellent.

DD5: can we go and walk around the graveyard today after you finish work?
Me: ok. how come?
DD5: i like thinking about the old graves and the people in them. who they were. what their lives were like. i really like the way we talk about dead people.
Looks like she's going to appreciate your namesake taste in literature, then, doubtfulguest!
So the other day my DD9 came out of her psychiatrist's office wanting to go to Sonic to get a shake and since she was doing so well with all the stuff going on this week I said sure. While we are there and drinking our shakes we start talking about science and the different types of scientists. I explained that if a word ends with ology it means it is some kind of field of study, such as Biology, Archeology, Paleontology, Anthropology, etc. Her older cousin wants to become a Marine Biologist and she asked if that meant he was going to be a Marine Scientist. I said yes that's right.

Somehow this lead to a conversation on Autobiographies (Yeah I am not sure of the leap on that one either) and she asked if there was a science that studied people who wrote books about themselves? Then I had to ask her if that would be a science that studied the people who wrote the books, or the study of the books themselves because they weren't always the same thing even in autobiographies.

Which led to a discussion about the difference in how we perceive ourselves and how others perceive us. All this over shakes at Sonic on a Friday afternoon when I am already exhausted from work and being sick this week. There really is no rest for a parent of a gifted child.

Oh and on top of that she wants to enter a writing contest for the Counseling center she goes to that explains how they have helped her through her anxieties this year. Especially considering one of her anxieties revolved around writing. Suddenly she is writing all the time now. (Apparently the medication is working.)

LOL that was just one day of this crazy week. I have to say that I love seeing this happier, less stressed daughter.
DS2 just came out with this statement: "Everything dies. Boys die. Girls die. Mums and Dads die. Eventually everyone dies." He said it so casually and with a matter-of-fact tone.

I affirmed that it was true that all living things die, but stressed that it would be a really, really long time before we're affected. I asked him where he got the idea from and he said, "Aligator Pie", a book of poetry. There's one line that says, "Alligator pie; if I dont get some I think I'm going to die." Somehow he generalized it. Definitely didn't expect to have that conversation yet. One moment we're building a tent out of sheets, the next he's turned existential on me.
Betty Bunny Didn't Do It

I borrowed this book from the library to talk about lying with DD. Her take on it was that Mama Bunny and Dada Bunny should have done a better job child-proofing their house in the first place. I told her to go to sleep.
Originally Posted by aquinas
One moment we're building a tent out of sheets, the next he's turned existential on me.

And aren't you glad that you were prepared?
Originally Posted by Mana
Originally Posted by aquinas
One moment we're building a tent out of sheets, the next he's turned existential on me.

And aren't you glad that you were prepared?

Ha! We're talking prepared as in, "brought a pair of flip flops on an Alaskan cruise", right? wink
This is quirky and outside the box, but it is not behavior that makes one remark "Oh, what an intelligent child!"

DD2 can get herself a cup of water, but then instead of simply drinking it from the cup, she tips it on the floor and then crouches down on all fours and slurps it off the floor.

We almost never eat out, but at a family-tolerant buffet recently she was more civilized. There she poured her cup of water on, and slurped it off, the table instead of the floor.

Recently at home she got a loaf of bread off the table and put it on the floor and repeatedly jumped and sat on it until it was as flat as a pancake, and then crouched down on all fours and bit away at it with her mouth (no hands) like a cat or dog. (We have no cat or dog at home that could have served as a model for this feeding behavior.)

Has anyone observed this kind of behavior in their child.

BTW DD2 appears fairly intelligent, knows her letters and numbers etc., but has a lot of hilarious though crazy behavior.

ETA: Here's another one. If you're sitting on the couch, DD2 will stand on the couch, then yell "TIMBAAAA!" and, standing straight with hands by sides, will crash down onto you like a felled tree.
22b - if you had a dog or cat your child would know to put their food and drink in a bowl on the floor and then slurp that up - like my child does :-).
Originally Posted by MumOfThree
22B - if you had a dog or cat your child would know to put their food and drink in a bowl on the floor and then slurp that up - like my child does :-).

If we had a cat or dog, maybe our DD2 would be a bad influence on them. grin
Well certainly the dog also vacuums the floor of lost food, but the kids, when "being a dog" always seem to use a bowl...
dd9 has been slow to get ready in the morning and we are forever falling behind. I have caught her reading books instead of getting dressed so she was told from now on no tablet, wii or computer time if she is not ready to go by 7:30 in the morning. Well yesterday she wasn't ready so I told her "remember not tablet or computer after school." Of course I forgot to stress the wii and I received a call at work from my husband last night asking me if that was still in the deal. My mini-lawyer caught the goof on my part but I told him, "nope. She knew that was the deal from the beginning for every morning." Then when I got home she asked if she was still awake after midnight could she have her tablet because it was a new day. We told her if she was still up after midnight she would get punished because we know that it was planned just for that purpose.
Originally Posted by Cassmo451
dd9 has been slow to get ready in the morning and we are forever falling behind. I have caught her reading books instead of getting dressed so she was told from now on no tablet, wii or computer time if she is not ready to go by 7:30 in the morning. Well yesterday she wasn't ready so I told her "remember not tablet or computer after school." Of course I forgot to stress the wii and I received a call at work from my husband last night asking me if that was still in the deal. My mini-lawyer caught the goof on my part but I told him, "nope. She knew that was the deal from the beginning for every morning." Then when I got home she asked if she was still awake after midnight could she have her tablet because it was a new day. We told her if she was still up after midnight she would get punished because we know that it was planned just for that purpose.


Who are you and why is my daughter living in your house?

laugh
DD6 pipes up from the back seat, out of the blue: "Pardon, est-ce que vous comprenez le Francais?"
After nearly driving off the road, I reply, and ask her the same. "En peu," she says breezily smile
Then, "Et, est-ce que vous comprenez l'Anglais?"
"Oui, je comprends tres bien," I say, and she doesn't know tres bien, so I explain.
"Ah, merci," she says then quietly practices a couple of other phrases - "S'il vous plait" and "Japonaise" etc - to herself.

Meanwhile I'm calculating that she once overheard me playing a half-hour language tape around three months ago. Later DH suggested she and I learn French together but I say no way! Non! She'll leave me for dust smile (Okay, maybe we will because she's lovely and will help me, lol)
DW and DD (4 at the time) were at a shop checkout waiting to pay with an immaculately turned out lady ahead of them in line. My DD caught this lady's eye and said 'I like your rings' to which the lady replied with thanks. For the next while DD proceeded to compliment the various things that this lady was wearing much to the lady's amusement.

On the car ride home DW asked 'why didn't you just tell her that you liked her outfit?'.

DD replied 'I didn't like her pants'!
DS2 has begun to use compliments disarmingly over the last few weeks. For example:

DS: *Scraping the carpet with a screwdriver to see what's underneath*

Me: DS, please stop scraping the carpet. It damages it. (Repeats a few times when DS ignores me.)

Me: DS, you're not listening to me, are you?

DS: I like Mummy. I like Mummy's beautiful green eyes. *Smiles expectantly until Mummy's resolve predictably melts 3 seconds later*
So this one is not just about my DD but my entire family at Thanksgiving dinner last night. We were sitting around the living room after eating and just discussing things as my family does (no we don't watch the football games and such) and we covered nearly every topic you could possibly cover. My niece discussed her College Algebra class with my father who is a College Algebra teacher (not her teacher) at the same college, after that we discussed her Chemistry and English Classes which would seem normal. But afterwards we moved on to discussing the different presidents, old graves and the stories that go along with them, and how donor body parts are harvested. I realized just where my daughter gets all this curiosity for odd information when my mother looked at me and said I think we need to make a program for holiday discussions to keep track of all the information. And where was my daughter in all this. She and her cousin were in the other room making origami birds and stars that he'd learned from a youtube channel.
So that was my thanksgiving. For those of you who celebrate, happy belated Thanksgiving. And am I the only one who notices my family has strange discussions at family gatherings?
Originally Posted by aquinas
DS2 has begun to use compliments disarmingly over the last few weeks. For example:

DS: *Scraping the carpet with a screwdriver to see what's underneath*

Me: DS, please stop scraping the carpet. It damages it. (Repeats a few times when DS ignores me.)

Me: DS, you're not listening to me, are you?

DS: I like Mummy. I like Mummy's beautiful green eyes. *Smiles expectantly until Mummy's resolve predictably melts 3 seconds later*

ha! like he needs more skills in charming women. look out, aquinas!

and mine for the day is...

i just found out more about DD5's imaginary friend - i've been hearing her chattering away to him in her room a lot these days so i asked her to tell me a little about what he's like.

not skipping a beat, she says (deadpan) - "you already know him, mum - of course it's Lucius Malfoy." i asked her what on earth they did together (what with him being a dark wizard, and all!) and she told me that she often reads to him and he sometimes helps her with her school work.

uh, yay? smile
I think I'd be inclined to find out a little more about that schoolwork.... laugh
ha - now i have yet another reason to be grateful we're homeschooling this year!
DS3 is inventing his own 'language', which he will talk in for great stretches of time...he calls it 'Portabra'. (he enjoys ballet, so I think that's where that is coming from...just with a phonetic vs. french spelling). It's mostly a lot of gibberish, though super cute gibberish.

He has written down some of the words and their definitions, but mostly it just devolved into silly time where DH and I have NO idea what he's saying (if anything), and DS laughs like a maniac. He's one silly kid.
I had to check on where DD was with Santa before we attended any holiday parties. I didn't want to unnecessarily upset other children or parents.

Me: "So, what do you think of Santa?"
DD: "He's still in North Pole."
Me: "Okay. So he is going to visit us with his reindeers?"
DD: "Oh yes. Did you know that reindeers use their ears to fly since they don't have wings?"
Me: "No, I didn't know that but that's most interesting."
DD: "Yes but it's just pretend."
Me: "Hmmm?"
DD: "Santa is only real like fairies are real in movies."
Me: "What do you mean?"
DD: "In real life, Santa and fairies are just pretend but in books and movies, they are real characters."

SO and I need to think about how to best approach this. I'm not surprised but it is a little sad nonetheless.
DD4 woke up this morning with a twinkle in her eyes as she declared," I had a dream about building my own flying machine. Do you have an old LL Bean box you don't need anymore?" And so started a busy morning for DD as she set about "invading" (honey, it is inventing. Oh, I thought it was invasion. No, honey, it is invention. Okay) her flying machine with LLbean shoe box covered with vaseline (it does get cold up there and I don't want dry skin while I am up there for a few days), lots of yarn, a belt (mom, safety first. I don't want to fall and hit my head), markers to mark + signs all over the box (plus for positive. I want this to be a positive experience). I am secretly enjoying watching all this from the kitchen. DD stops at a point and says," Awww. Too much confusion. Mom I need to have a discussion." Okay, what is it. " I want to carry a radio and speakers on the machine but if I add too much, the weight goes up. I may need more helium balloons. But I can't be up there for so long without music. I guess I will have to glue the radio and speaker to the box and add 2 more balloons." Discussion (monologue) over. After 2 hours, "mom, I am ready to test this thing". "Is it done". "No, mom. Have to test it at every stage. Cant be building it wrong." Yup, the belt fits nicely around her waist, it is tied tightly to the box with glued on stuff. It is working good so far. She took a break at noon to eat. I need to buy her lots of helium balloons this evening to finish the invention. The best part is it was snowing outside and DD has been waiting for this day but she decided to stay inside instead so " I can finish this machine before I have to go to college. Don't want to wait till the last minute." Sorry this got long but I had an entertaining morning watching DD build and talk continuously.
Originally Posted by Mana
DD: "In real life, Santa and fairies are just pretend but in books and movies, they are real characters."

SO and I need to think about how to best approach this. I'm not surprised but it is a little sad nonetheless.
How precious her observations are, and how gently expressed! You were wise to have a conversation before the subject comes up with others. With some kiddos, it was quickly agreed that it was fun to "pretend" and quietly observe what others may know, without bursting anyone's bubble. Possibly your child will feel this way, too. Some children easily realize that everyone comes to an understanding of what is real and what is make-believe, in their own time.

There is a song with lyrics including,
Quote
"Toyland, Toyland,
wonderful girl and boy land,
once you cross it's borders
you can never go back again."
That is a sad thought to some kiddos. Maybe a bit of what you are feeling at the moment, seeing your dd is growing in her realization of the world? Some families have decided they can be kids at any time, essentially challenging the song lyrics. Families may have an impromptu pajama day, eat dinner as a tea party, go sledding, or make happy family memories with other simple innocent fun that people do not need to "outgrow" or leave behind while becoming responsible adults. smile
Originally Posted by Lovemydd
DD4 woke up this morning with a twinkle in her eyes as she declared," I had a dream about building my own flying machine.
WOW! Hope you take a picture. MUST find a find a way to make it "work"... can you place her invention on a sturdy blanket and have a few adults carry her with it at least a few feet?

If your dd remains fascinated with flight, you may be very busy introducing resources and concepts and model planes, oh my!

BTW, Have you seen any of the videos of "helium balloon flight" on youtube? Not recommending trying that... as a bucket list experience, it may actually cause one to kick the bucket. Although some of the safer experiments have tether lines.
Originally Posted by Marnie
DS3 is inventing his own 'language'... super cute gibberish... DH and I have NO idea what he's saying (if anything), and DS laughs like a maniac.
laugh You may have a future politician there!
Indigo, just watched a natgeo video on helium flight on YouTube with dd and it was AWESOME! Thank you for your recommendation. I did take a video of dd explaining how her machine is going to work. The good news is dd really does not get disappointed with her failed attempts. She has been coming up with different ways to fly for almost a year now and the ideas just keep evolving. In fact after watching the video she declared that maybe helium was not going to work and she needs propellor fans instead. "Mom do you think we can find an old helicopter and rip its propellers for my flying machine?" Sure honey, anything for you smile
DD has identified THIS* as "the anthem of the child that I was."

(You know, now that she's all growed up.) wink




*
it's a frankly kind of terrifying mashup of Tom Waits' "God's Away" and Cookie Monster.

She also informed me today with some disdain that she doesn't care for how Bartok plays the Six Romanian Folk Dances. She likes A. Schiff's or H. Grimaud's interpretations better.

When I replied with horror that "You do know that Bartok is the COMPOSER, right? I think that he knows how it is supposed to go," she sniffed and said;

"Well, OF COURSE he's the composer. I'm sure it's fine-- but he's still not playing it the way that I like it. Schiff sounds better, that's all."

HK, I LOVE that girl's attitude. The world comes fully customizable. Bartok knew what Bartok wanted to hear, and that's one brand of consumption. To me, it's beautiful when a piece can spawn new interpretations. That reveals the underlying integrity of the original work.

For instance, I love Debussy's "Fille aux cheveux de lin"... the way I interpret it, which is considerably more rubato, has more murky pedalling, and more dynamic, Rachmaninoffian coloratura. My piano, my fingers, my rules. Sure, I can play it straight up, but it's not what my soul would have me do.
indigo, the funny thing is, DD is really into Christmas this year. She can't leave any ornaments alone and she loves rearranging her presents under the tree over and over. She is so excited that she can hardly contain herself. So the magic of the season seems to carry on for DD even without "real" Santa.

Lovemydd, you might already have seen the trailer but Miyazaki's new (and his last) film is about a boy who becomes an aerospace engineer. The film is rather dark and tragic so it's definitely not meant for young children but I'm already looking forward to watching it someday with DD. Your DD's passion for aircraft design reminded me of the film. smile

New DD episode.

DD: "Sophie (our family dog), see this sign?"
Me: "What are you doing?"
DD: "Sophie isn't allowed in my ballet studio (she means our living room)."
Me: "Yes and?"
DD: "So I made a No Dogs Allowed sign like the ones at the park."
Me: "And you think she can read it?"
DD: (confused)
Me: "You know the signs at the park are for humans to read. Dogs can't read."
DD: "Sophie, you're not allowed in my studio because you are a dog and dogs are not allowed."
Me: "I don't think she understands what you are saying to her."
DD: "Why not?"
Me: "Her brain isn't wired to understand sentences. "
DD: "...Then why are you always talking to her?"

Sometimes, I do forget that she is only 3. This was a good reminder.
Mana, laugh I remember many similar conversations with my DD at that age. It was all so disorienting.
So when you have a high school senior, they get a LOT of e-mails from colleges.

This, today, from UPenn:

[quote]

86% of students have an internship to compliment their studies while enrolled at Penn.

Yeah, well, nothing like a major usage faux pas to draw the applications from the 'best and brightest' eh?

DD remarks:

Who would my internship say all these nice things to, anyway? Is this like complimentary hotel chocolates? 'oh, you don't look fat! Eat me!'

grin

2 somewhat funny snippets:

Ds6 had finished almost all his math assignments from school on the computer. Last week, he took map testing. Monday, he asks, "mom, can I finish the math? I wanna know what happens when I'm done."
He logs in. (Map had linked to the program. He has new assignments.) "Mommy, look! I have new assignments. I can't wait to see what they are!" I had to peel him off the computer 2 hrs later.


Ds3.5- at the bookstore, talking to a nearby grandmother. He overhears her talking about Santa. "Santa's not real. Neither are the elves. He has no magic sleigh and can't really fit down our chimney."
(We have told him we believe in Santa. My 6 yr old does- or atleast tells me he does.)
DD14:


"Ferris Bueller is my spirit animal."




Originally Posted by Lovemydd
The best part is it was snowing outside and DD has been waiting for this day but she decided to stay inside instead so " I can finish this machine before I have to go to college. Don't want to wait till the last minute." Sorry this got long but I had an entertaining morning watching DD build and talk continuously.

Love the part about finishing it before she has to go to college.
Animal spirit brings me to this fun anecdote:

I am not living with a little human boy, but rather a batling. DS2 has spent the last 3 weeks fully immersed in his alter-ego role of a ghost-faced batling. When he half-wakes at night to nurse, I get, "Mummy bat, can I please nurse?" He even talks in his sleep about echolocation, finding nectar, and dodging around stalagmites in "our cave." I have to hand it to him, he's committed to the role.

At one point I forgot his species and mistakenly called him a Jamaican fruit eating bat, but I was given a stern talking-to about how he uses echolocation to eat insects, not find fruits. Yeeesh, Mum, try to keep up will you? wink
DS4 has been telling his three year old friends that they are going to die. "But don't worry," he reassured one little girl, "I'm going to die too."

Death has been on his mind a lot lately, and he's also concerned about growing up and having to move out of the house someday. He told me not to worry though, that he would call me every day.
Does this kind of reassurance work? I can so picture my DD3-6yo telling agemates that kind of thing... and me apologizing to their horrified parents. blush Not that such a thing ever happened. {ahem}



DD shared this with everyone this morning-- I thought about just PM-ing it around, but it was too darned funny not to share more widely with this particular group!


http://themetapicture.com/scientists-tell-the-truth/

I found the Fisher, Reviewer 1 and Tom Petty comments particularly amusing. They all sound like snarky things that I've actually heard (or thought).

In fact, I'm recalling a musing "So how do you say 'With all due respect, why was Reviewer 2 even ON this paper? Clearly s/he lacks the necessary background to understand the work,' without being obnoxious??"

This was apparently my function in most workplaces I've been in, actually; finding ways to state the unthinkable without actually doing so. LOL. There's certainly an art to it.



Originally Posted by HowlerKarma
In fact, I'm recalling a musing "So how do you say 'With all due respect, why was Reviewer 2 even ON this paper? Clearly s/he lacks the necessary background to understand the work,' without being obnoxious??"

Reviewer 2 was on this paper because I'd asked 6 other people to review, of whom 2 said an immediate no, 3 failed to reply to the review invitation despite reminders, and one promised a review "tomorrow" every other day for a month #overlyhonesteditors
LOL-- also true.

Reviewer 2 was actually the least senior graduate student in the lab, because the others already have research assistantships, thereby eliminating a meaningful means of coercion in terms of forcing a review of this paper, and it's not as though I actually review things myself, but I rationalize this as "training" for the students and post-docs #overlyhonestreviewers wink
If the reviewer has been reading my paper at one page per month they should be done with my paper any moment now. #overlyhonestauthors
Enjoyed HK's post and replies! Here is my funny brag:
After I said no to my dd4 venturing out in snow by herself
Dd: mom, do you know that in olden days, children used to go out without adults.
Me: really, what olden days?
Dd: days when Solomon Grundy was still alive.
grin LOVE that.
DD9 approached me yesterday and informed me that she wants to invent something. This was out of the blue, exciting news, so I asked what she was going to invent and if there was anything I could do to help. She told me she isn't sure what she wants to invent yet, but she has a really good name already picked out for it. (LOL)

She said the invention may have something to do with electricity, water, or light. I asked her what would happen if the name she has pre-chosen didn't really fit the invention after she figures it all out and she informed me she could easily change the suffix if she has to. (LOL again)

DD8 has now joined her in this endeavor, so I can't wait to see what they come up with.
On the invention front, DS2 followed up on his "cleaner gleaner" from last week with a "lighter brighter" last night, which was effectively a dimmer switch. It was fascinating to see him think it through out loud. He was talking about making the room brighter or darker with a button.
After ds6 picked out a desk for his room today, he quickly asked, " Does this mean I don't have to go back to school?"

Another step closer to convincing dh that homeschool is the way to go.
DD thoroughly enjoyed watching Frozen.

Now she won't stop singing. She makes up broadway-style songs (inspired by Frozen, Sinatra's Christmas songs, and Annie) as she goes about her day.

How do I get her to stop?
Originally Posted by Mana
DD thoroughly enjoyed watching Frozen.

Now she won't stop singing. She makes up broadway-style songs (inspired by Frozen, Sinatra's Christmas songs, and Annie) as she goes about her day.

How do I get her to stop?

LOL. I wouldn't. But then, DW and I recently spent a childless afternoon communicating and narrating our ordinary actions in the style of an opera (and we're not fans of the opera).
Originally Posted by Mana
DD thoroughly enjoyed watching Frozen.

Now she won't stop singing. She makes up broadway-style songs (inspired by Frozen, Sinatra's Christmas songs, and Annie) as she goes about her day.

How do I get her to stop?

My DH tries to get me to stop, and I just sing louder ;p lol

I wouldn't try... just maybe... get ear plugs or something. Or move to a different room.

Singing is very very very soothing. Telling someone who needs to sing that they should stop is kinda hurtful (no matter how gentle you are). I'd try the earplugs smile
Dude & CCN,

I was trying to hold out until DD moved on to something else but today, her musical theater performance went on for hours. You'd think that she would get tired of it herself but no, she just keeps on going.

It might indeed time for earplugs or a noise cancellation headset.
Mana, dd4 is much the same way. Singing (operatic renditions) are her favorite form of communication. I say enjoy it. Better yet, join her:)

Here is my funny story: DD declared that she was going to marry a boy (let's call him X) in her class. When I asked why, she replied that he has blue eyes and golden hair. I remarked that those are superficial and do not define a person's character. She immediately said," I know mom. The real reason why I like X is because he has an awesome brain. His amazing brain can solve all kinds of difficult problems." Then she added" Mom, don't tell X. I am going to marry him secretly." "But why?"" Because if I tell X, he might say he doesn't want to marry me and that he wants to marry someone else. Better to not tell him at all." "Yup, agreed! Good thinking"
:rofl: As Steve Martin would quip, here:

Ahhhh-- Good plan.
We were watching a documentary tonight as a family. Bronies. (long story-- it's about teen/adult fans of My Little Pony.)

Anyway, DH makes some sarcastic remark ("so it's all about a bunch of loser geeks who are lonely and isolated from all social contact with the outside world," or some such thing); directed at DD.

DD fires back, deadpan, with--

"Hey! That's really RUDE. This is a powerful and touching documentary about the plight of my people and their courageous struggle against cruel oppression."


grin Love that girl.

This morning's zinger-- follow-on to a kind of meandering conversation (okay-- GRILLING) about cardiovascular pharmacology, brain death, water-immersion "miracle" rescues, EMS equipment and hypoxia...

So...

the BEST place to anaphylax would be a walk-in freezer.


eek

Well, er-- yes... but.... hmmm-- let's not lose sight of the big picture here, shall we?
She has it all sorted... smile
So today's re-purposed object was foam earplugs...

...first, wedged in equally spaced rows along wire shelf. Those were villi.

...next, found some on the floor in an intricate, symmetrical design. DS3 pronounced those a "____agon" (remember image, already forgot name).

...last, others sprinkled with flour during cookie baking. DS thought those villi needed food.

In OE overdrive after reading the fantastic illustrations in "The Way We Work", DS3 set out to re-enact glucose balancing. Overheard him excitedly talking to himself during imaginary play about glycogen, insulin, binding, etc. Later on he was dejected because the book is only 7 chapters.

Throughout the day, I have to constantly stay in character for whatever is the imaginary play scenario-of=the-day and address him accordingly - am I Ms. Frizzle, the rat in Beakman's world, a water molecule?? By the end of the day, I feel like the foam earplug.
That's adorable and so creative, EmeraldCity. I hear you on the role play- DS2 went through a phase for several weeks before New Year's where he would refer to us only as bats; even in his sleep, I was "bat Mummy".

Keep those stories coming please! smile
Aquinas, even in his sleep?? LOVE!

I remember some of your posts on your DS, and I am AMAZED by his verbal skills and creativity!
Dd4 came to me with her drawing of a beautiful beach house and a small world map," mom, want to move into this house in brazil? It is right on the water. It will be so cool mom. Think about it, we can finally live like beavers!"
My idea of a good life too honey.

Originally Posted by EmeraldCity
Aquinas, even in his sleep?? LOVE!

I remember some of your posts on your DS, and I am AMAZED by his verbal skills and creativity!

He's quite the guy. It's so fun to get swept up by him in his reveries. The things he says in his sleep are pretty funny sometimes, too. He once accused someone of taking a cookie away from him, which is funny because DH remembers me saying something similar a few years ago about a cookie and lemon zest in my sleep!
Funny! I'm sure your DS will ferret out this cookie-snatching culprit grin

The wild imagination never rests. One time DS3 dreamed that he was running around the rings of Saturn.
I think the culprit might be our common denominator-- DH! wink
I loved reading these!

Some of them reminded me of some things my DD said/did.

At around 2.5 she was drawing a picture at school and an older child asked what she was making and she said "spirals". The older child (around 4) said "what are spirals?"

At a little over 3 she loved They Might Be Giants: Here Comes Science. She would always go around singing the Bloodmobile song. "We begin in the heart's right ventricle and travel to the lungs. Red blood cells get oxygen to take back to the heart. Then from the left side of the heart and out to every cell. Delivered by the Bloodmobile."

At around this age, I also gave her a periodic table and she responded, "This is so cool!" She then took it to show and tell at preschool. The other kids just kind of stared when she started explaining what was on the paper.

And also very regularly while we are driving she will ask some question and we will get into a conversation about that topic. "Why do we always have to put gas in our car?" So we talk for 20 minutes on the way to school about internal combustion engines. I don't think this is a conversation I would have with a typical 4 year old.
Aren't those moments of just-- ENJOYING your child's asynchrony priceless? I'm kind of enchanted by the sheer uniqueness of her perceptions sometimes. She goes places that no child-- or adult-- ordinarily would.
bmoore4, I really relate to your post. Our DCs would have one rousing play date!

We were at the playground when DS3 spotted a rock structure with fossils (all man-made, but nice for the kiddos). My DS3 pointed to the fossil and said to his park friend, "See that ammonite fossil. That means this park used to be underwater!" The other boy said "Huh? and ran off.

Yesterday, we played his newest game, atom. He put the quilt in the middle of the bed, and said that was the nucleus, and he was the proton and I was the neutron. I can't remember if this was before or after he created his "mega-heater-keeper-outer" outfit for our journey to the earth's core.

On our coffee table sits a half finished drawing of the circulatory system.
You guys should arrange an e-play date for your LOs! Google hangouts is kid friendly. smile
DD came home from school today and said, "I just love making Powerpoint presentations!" (She looked a little confused when I burst out laughing)
grin That was DH's precise response to that exact statement out of our DD, too.
An interesting discussion tonight with DS2.25.

DS: Mummy, what's in water?

Me: Hydrogen and oxygen.

DS: No, not oxygen! (He associates this with air.)

Me: Yup, water's two parts hydrogen, one part oxygen.

DS (incredulous): There's oxygen in water?!

Me: I know you're thinking about oxygen in air, like we'd talked about before. It's in water, too.

DS: So there's hydrogen AND oxygen in water. *Giggles away giddily and shakes his head at me*



DD14 observes (about our cats):

They hardly ever meow in complete harmony. But when they do, they sound like the twins from The Shining


grin I think she understands cats rather well.
That was clearly an accident -- she's not supposed to notice that. laugh
At an audiology test, DS3 had to select the correct word he heard on the headphones from a group of 6 pictures.

Repetitious page after page after page.

I saw the behavior start to disintegrate, and the tester would re-direct him. He noticed she was writing notes about his responses and folding her paper up to hide her notes, so, OF COURSE, that become the MAJOR source of interest.

Finally, he started selecting the correct box with his head. YES, HIS HEAD. Pounding out each answer like a chicken eating feed off the ground. Big red dot center of forehead. The tester and I struggled to contain our laughter.

Well, his hearing is excellent, but tolerance of boredom? Hmmm...not so much.
grin

Love that.
Very funny!!
DS2.25 has a sensational vocabulary, but what's even more entertaining are the two words he consistently doesn't say correctly:

1. Aurora borealis = aurora boreatlas

2. Argh matey! (Ala pirates) = argh matadey!
Too cute! Clear articulation wasn't DD's thing so this led to many funny moments. One of my favorites is:

DD: "I have an objuction."
Me: "You have a what?"
DD: "What I said."
Me: "I don't know what you said. Conjunction? Observation? Objection?"
DD: "I have an OBJUCTION"
Me: "Can you explain what you mean?"
DD: "It's not fair that I don't get to have juice with my lunch but you get to have sweet tea. So I object."
Me: "Oh, so you have an objection. Alright. If you can say the word objection, you can have juice."
DD: (death stare)

I still mourn DD's "uss-a-pie down."
We still enjoy a macaroni dish called "monkey and cheese."
around here we are "make-ed" when not wearing any clothes and we eat "corn on the bob."
corn on the bob! love it!

i always like DS's 'peeky boo'. i was almost a little sad when it became peek-a-boo.

whenever DS says something he didn't mean to say, (aka. if he means to say dada, but accidentally says mama), he goes 'BLEH! I mean..." and then continues on correctly. that 'bleh' is too funny.
Originally Posted by Mana
Too cute! Clear articulation wasn't DD's thing so this led to many funny moments. One of my favorites is:

DD: "I have an objuction."
Me: "You have a what?"
DD: "What I said."
Me: "I don't know what you said. Conjunction? Observation? Objection?"
DD: "I have an OBJUCTION"
Me: "Can you explain what you mean?"
DD: "It's not fair that I don't get to have juice with my lunch but you get to have sweet tea. So I object."
Me: "Oh, so you have an objection. Alright. If you can say the word objection, you can have juice."
DD: (death stare)

Where does she get the death stare from, Mana? wink
Oh, this one is embarrassing. We were at an aquarium a few days ago and a really lovely German gentleman, who I understood to be a tourist, saw how enthused my son was to observe a tank of lobsters. He began explaining to DS about how lobsters store and lay eggs, in quite some detail and very gently.

DS noticed his accent-- lobster sounded more like "lobsta". Clearly thinking this gentleman's information was of dubious quality, DS screwed up his face and said in such a contemptuous tone, "it's not called a lobSTA, it's a lobSTER!"

Thankfully the gentleman took it in stride, but I was a bit mortified and wanted to crawl under the lobster's rock. We had a little discussion about how there are many languages, how people have accents when they are speaking in another language, and how it's courteous to overlook perceived mispronunciation by foreigners.

It felt like that episode of the Simpsons with Freddy Quimby and the chowderr/chowda pronunciation debacle.
Our DD3.1 always cracks us up with the way she phrases things.

This morning, instead of coming into our room and saying "it's morning!" or "wake up!" she says, "Hey, Mom and Dad--I believe it's morning. You should probably get out of bed soon."

Instead of asking "Can I see the pictures of the snow?" She says, "Hey, Dad--I was wondering if I could see the pictures you took of the snow yesterday."

Maybe it's not that exciting, and part of it might be the delivery, but she always sounds like this grown up talking in a toddler voice.

This morning she also surprised us by preparing us breakfast. She had set the table with bowls and spoons and poured cereal for each of us.
My 3.5 ds always says "it's good morning time" when he is ready for us to open his door. It's so cute!

Love how they say things when they're little:)
A few funny statements:
Dd4 joins her dad in his basement den and says," dad, you are like a potato. You spend so much time under the ground!"
A few days ago, she declared that 2013 was the worst year ever. When asked the reason, she said," well spring was too windy, summer was too rainy, fall was too dull and winter was too cold with not enough snow. Not the best year!"
She added that it is sad that the year begins and ends with winter.
We had a funny mispronunciation yesterday.

DS6 was talking about a dog being a descendant of a wolf.

"Dogs are like the domesticated virgins of wolves"
DD: The instructions specifically state that for each slide I have to use a picture of a DIFFERENT room in my house. At least ten slides.

{pauses}


Me: I think that because of our open floorplan we technically only have nine ACTUAL rooms in our house...


DD:

Low SES = low GPA. I think I'm beginning to see why... smirk



Man, is she funny sometimes.
Geez, she'd be in trouble at our place, HK. We live in a loft. So other than the bedrooms, which are enclosed, everything is just open space-- that makes 3 rooms for 30%.
She's currently creating an... alternative assignment-- which, by the way, students were encouraged to do--

only I think that her version probably won't require a Robin Leach voice-over. She's using different photos of dumpsters for every slide. :evil:
Originally Posted by HowlerKarma
She's currently creating an... alternative assignment-- which, by the way, students were encouraged to do--

only I think that her version probably won't require a Robin Leach voice-over. She's using different photos of dumpsters for every slide. :evil:

Ha! This is great!
Not-quite 4yr old comes in to me and asks "Mum can I draw in this book?", I note that it's a colouring book that may not be hers but is not precious and say "Sure."

She wanders off to the other room where I hear her sit down at the table and then say to her older sister (who is playing minecraft) "Look what I've got!"...."Firstname! You're supposed to say 'You can't have that!'....In a BAD way!"

Deliberate, premeditated negative attention seeking to get her sister away from minecraft... We have a budding manipulator on our hands. Which we have known for a long time but this was particularly funny from the other room. Her sister, a far more subtle creature, just wandered in to us and had a cuddle...
DD14:

Is there REALLY a need for a Cliff's Notes of Alice in Wonderland?? REALLY??

Maybe not but the 'Annotated Alice' by Martin Gardner is a very fun read laugh
Originally Posted by MumOfThree
Not-quite 4yr old comes in to me and asks "Mum can I draw in this book?", I note that it's a colouring book that may not be hers but is not precious and say "Sure."

She wanders off to the other room where I hear her sit down at the table and then say to her older sister (who is playing minecraft) "Look what I've got!"...."Firstname! You're supposed to say 'You can't have that!'....In a BAD way!"

Deliberate, premeditated negative attention seeking to get her sister away from minecraft... We have a budding manipulator on our hands. Which we have known for a long time but this was particularly funny from the other room. Her sister, a far more subtle creature, just wandered in to us and had a cuddle...

She knows leverage when she sees it! smile
Originally Posted by HowlerKarma
DD14:

Is there REALLY a need for a Cliff's Notes of Alice in Wonderland?? REALLY??

Is there really a need for a Cliff's Notes of anything?
We somehow got started on teaching the kids new vocabulary words the other day at dinner. They liked it so much that I went and printed out a bunch of SAT prep words. We occupied most of dinner with this yesterday, and then when we told them they needed to leave the table to move on to other things, there was whining and sadness. "We want more vocabulary!!!!"

Vocab has sometimes seemed a bit of a weak spot for DD, but she knew more of the words than I thought she would.
Originally Posted by ultramarina
We somehow got started on teaching the kids new vocabulary words the other day at dinner. They liked it so much that I went and printed out a bunch of SAT prep words. We occupied most of dinner with this yesterday, and then when we told them they needed to leave the table to move on to other things, there was whining and sadness. "We want more vocabulary!!!!"

Vocab has sometimes seemed a bit of a weak spot for DD, but she knew more of the words than I thought she would.


Great idea! I signed up for Wordsmith.org "A.Word.A.Day" a while back and get daily emails with a new vocab word from them. We can use these to start some dinner vocab fun in addition to our usual "how was your day", "anything fun or interesting happen in school" chatter.
Thanks ultramarina!
Dd4 is starting to use sarcasm in her jokes. Here are two examples:
We were watching a paid program that was selling a make up that would make you look 10 years younger. I wondered aloud if I should get one. Dd with mischief in her eyes,"mom you do realize that it doesn't actually make you younger. You will stay as old as you are now even with the cream."

Her dad bought a new car and took us out for a ride. Proud of his car he asked dd what she thought. Dd," sure feels like I am in a racing car. One that always loses the race."
1frugalmom, make sure you have them use it in a sentence. That was the most fun part (although we had to make a "Do not disparage your sibling in your sentence, even jokingly" rule..."It was very TEDIOUS to listen to [brother] ramble on about chess for hours.")
Originally Posted by ultramarina
1frugalmom, make sure you have them use it in a sentence. That was the most fun part (although we had to make a "Do not disparage your sibling in your sentence, even jokingly" rule..."It was very TEDIOUS to listen to [brother] ramble on about chess for hours.")


Ahhh, yes...I can see this being an issue at our table also. Good call!
Originally Posted by ultramarina
1frugalmom, make sure you have them use it in a sentence. That was the most fun part (although we had to make a "Do not disparage your sibling in your sentence, even jokingly" rule..."It was very TEDIOUS to listen to [brother] ramble on about chess for hours.")

Are parents fair game for teasing?
DS2.25 came up with a cute DS original joke that I found funny yesterday based on a chat about echolocation:

What game do bats play?

Hide and squeak!
I rarely share my DD9's humor here, because I do so on social media. But here are a couple of her observations DW shared with me last night, as we were folding laundry.

"Why do they make underwear look so pretty? It's not like anyone's ever going to see it."

On one of their usual mall jaunts, DW once made the mistake of taking DD with her into the Victoria's Secret store. DD spied a g-string, and responded, "OMIGOD, WHO ON EARTH WOULD WANT TO WEAR THAT?! IT'S TOTAL WEDGIE-WEAR!!"

DW flushed with embarrassment and towed DD out of the store. I would have just collapsed with laughter.
My response would have been a wink and a response:

"Pretty clear why it's called butt-floss, huh?" grin

My DD, then newly 5, announced to the ENTIRE quilt store;

"Today is my mom's birthday!!" (Which is why I was there-- to use a 20% off on my birthday coupon, being no fool)

This all would have been quite adorable if she hadn't followed up with...

"Do you know how OLD SHE IS?? She is OLD. She's THIRTY-FIVE!!!"

For those unfamiliar with quilt shops, this had EVERYONE else in the store rolling on the floor, as I was the youngest person in there (barring DD of course) by at least two decades.

Still-- blush
Originally Posted by Dude
"Why do they make underwear look so pretty? It's not like anyone's ever going to see it."


HAHA! Why yes Sweetheart, this is true, and let's continue to remember that as you get older. I, as your parent, reserve the right to remind you of this very wise statement you made, later on down the road.
DD's new interests are weather and Abraham Lincoln. She watched the Lego movie and a clip on Brain Pop Jr then she found a book at B & N, which I should have pre-read but I let it go because it seemed to be more about his hat than his political life.

I'm going to see if I can get her to switch to Marie Curie. Talking about death by long-term radiation exposure with a three year old seems slightly more age-apprioriate than assassination.
DD14 says:

Remind me to keep my mouth shut at ____ tonight.

Uhm-- why??


Because I'm in that snarky, kind of irreverent mode where I never know quite what is going to come out beforehand. But it could be really offensive or disrespectful.



OH. blush eek

ETA: The fun continues.

{sigh} SouthPark is really quality television.

(No, really-- she means this.)

Today would be Steinbeck's 112th birthday.

DD saw the Doodle for today, and had to "share" it on her FB page, just for a very special teacher of hers. (who is on my DH's friends list, not DD's-- at least until June when she graduates).

She reminded me that her this AP literature teacher spontaneously told her that she would "forever treasure this moment as a teacher" re: my DD's quip about The Grapes of Wrath. Almost with a straight face, even. LOL.

What observation would that be?

I'm naming the tortoise Nietzsche, because it causes me to question the meaning, and really-- the value, ultimately-- of life itself, as I read.



grin

DD. Not such a fan of the tortoise chapters in GoW. wink But eloquent and biting with her opinion, as usual.

She did admit that Steinbeck's OTHER works are fine. Great, even. Just that this is a particular literary device that she prefers not to be clobbered with repeatedly. wink



Dd4.5 asked me if she can do something that I disapproved of. Her retort," don't like that answer. Sorry, just threw it in my word dustbin."
SNORT! I love it. Well, from here it sounds amusing, anyway. wink
DD, watching me sipping coffee from an equation-themed mug, is reading the mug and suddenly intones...


Euler? Euler?

(A la Ferris Bueller's Day Off)

Cracked DH and I both up completely.
DS7 eating supper last night "This is the best cheese sauce you've ever made. It looks like a non-Newtonian fluid."
Originally Posted by chay
DS7 eating supper last night "This is the best cheese sauce you've ever made. It looks like a non-Newtonian fluid."

So apt! That's high praise! It's hard to maintain a cheese emulsion at temperature. wink
Yesterday, we were all watching Jobs movie together about Steve Jobs. DD4.5 gets very excited midway through the movie and declares," All that matters is good design. You have to think of a problem and then solve it. I have an idea." She gets up to get her toy computer while talking," People always have great ideas in their heads. But when it comes out, it is not so great anymore. My idea is to get inside people's brain and get the idea right there. But how do I get inside the skull? Now that is the problem I have to solve." She opens her toy laptop with great pomp and then the 4.5yo comes out," Wait, does this thing even have a battery?" It was HILARIOUS and dh and I couldn't stop laughing at the anti-climax.
DS2.25 is OBSESSED with humanoid robots and MRIs after watching a Nova episode on robotics. He sat through the entire hour long show, asking questions about the structure of the robots and the function of their components.

As I type this, he's asking me to keep replaying a clip of an MRI scan and saying, "I really like this MRI. It peers into your brain to see how it works."

I definitely have to call some local hospitals to see if he can observe an MRI in action. He'd be elated!
Originally Posted by aquinas
DS2.25 is OBSESSED with humanoid robots and MRIs after watching a Nova episode on robotics.

Mindstorms for next Christmas?
1) DD was reading a book and laughing her head off. It turns out she finds this book irresistibly hilarious:

http://www.amazon.com/Toilet-How-Wo...5673&sr=1-1&keywords=toilet+how+it+works

2) DD has decided that it's about time I learned proper English:

Me: "Go wash your hands. Your hands are all sticky."
DD: "Do I need to use soap?"
Me: "No."
DD: "Then why didn't you tell me to RINSE my hands?"

Me: "Let's scrub these so they'll be shiny again."
DD: "You mean polish."

Me: "Look at those sparkly shoes!"
DD: "They are called light-up shoes."

DS24mos was staying the night at my parents' house. My parents both totally dote on him but my mother especially spoils him.

He would ask for one food item and my Dad would go to the kitchen to bring it to him, but as soon as he would come back, DS would say no and ask for something else ( in other words, typical toddler behaviour).
This went on for a couple of minutes, until my Dad, fed up told him firmly "No, that's IT, I am NOT getting up anymore, and you are not getting that cookie".

DS just shrugs, then gives a cheeky sideways glance to my Dad and simply says "Gramma will get it"
Originally Posted by Mana
1) DD was reading a book and laughing her head off. It turns out she finds this book irresistibly hilarious:

http://www.amazon.com/Toilet-How-Wo...5673&sr=1-1&keywords=toilet+how+it+works

Oh, dear, I'm sure I must need that book for DD7!

She hasn't quite grown into Motel of the Mysteries yet. laugh
Three DS stories:

---

DS2.25 came out with an amusing story after waking from his nap yesterday.

DS: Do you know what the neatest place in the world is?

Me: What's that DS?

DS: Grandma and Grandpa's house. Have you ever been there?

Me: Yes, sweetie! We visit their house together, and I used to live there when I was a little girl, from the time I was six until I went to university.

DS: I didn't know that. Mummy, do you know what I used to do when I was a little baby?

Me: I know many things that you used to do. What are you thinking of?

DS: I used to fly a green helicopter between [our city] and [my parents' city] to visit Grandma and Grandpa.

Me: That's news to me. It must have been when I was sleeping.

DS: Yes, it was at night.

-----

And today, the heart-warming:

DS: *Hugging me and smiling broadly* Mummy, I like nursing with you because I love you to infinity!

---

In the bath yesterday:

DS flings a handful of soapy bubbles at the wall of the bathtub

DS: Aha! Take that moray eel! I'm shooting my black ink at you. You'll think you're eating me because the ink smells like octopus, but I'll camouflage myself white and swim away. Ha ha ha!

(he was pretending to be an octopus)
Originally Posted by aquinas
Three DS stories:

---

DS2.25 came out with an amusing story after waking from his nap yesterday.

DS: Do you know what the neatest place in the world is?

Me: What's that DS?

DS: Grandma and Grandpa's house. Have you ever been there?

Me: Yes, sweetie! We visit their house together, and I used to live there when I was a little girl, from the time I was six until I went to university.

DS: I didn't know that. Mummy, do you know what I used to do when I was a little baby?

Me: I know many things that you used to do. What are you thinking of?

DS: I used to fly a green helicopter between [our city] and [my parents' city] to visit Grandma and Grandpa.

Me: That's news to me. It must have been when I was sleeping.

DS: Yes, it was at night.

-----

And today, the heart-warming:

DS: *Hugging me and smiling broadly* Mummy, I like nursing with you because I love you to infinity!

---

In the bath yesterday:

DS flings a handful of soapy bubbles at the wall of the bathtub

DS: Aha! Take that moray eel! I'm shooting my black ink at you. You'll think you're eating me because the ink smells like octopus, but I'll camouflage myself white and swim away. Ha ha ha!

(he was pretending to be an octopus)


Very sweet stories Aquinas. One of my son's favorite games is to pretend to be a moray eel. :-).
Originally Posted by SAHM
Originally Posted by aquinas
Three DS stories:

---

DS2.25 came out with an amusing story after waking from his nap yesterday.

DS: Do you know what the neatest place in the world is?

Me: What's that DS?

DS: Grandma and Grandpa's house. Have you ever been there?

Me: Yes, sweetie! We visit their house together, and I used to live there when I was a little girl, from the time I was six until I went to university.

DS: I didn't know that. Mummy, do you know what I used to do when I was a little baby?

Me: I know many things that you used to do. What are you thinking of?

DS: I used to fly a green helicopter between [our city] and [my parents' city] to visit Grandma and Grandpa.

Me: That's news to me. It must have been when I was sleeping.

DS: Yes, it was at night.

-----

And today, the heart-warming:

DS: *Hugging me and smiling broadly* Mummy, I like nursing with you because I love you to infinity!

---

In the bath yesterday:

DS flings a handful of soapy bubbles at the wall of the bathtub

DS: Aha! Take that moray eel! I'm shooting my black ink at you. You'll think you're eating me because the ink smells like octopus, but I'll camouflage myself white and swim away. Ha ha ha!

(he was pretending to be an octopus)


Very sweet stories Aquinas. One of my son's favorite games is to pretend to be a moray eel. :-).

Thanks SAHM. It's serendipitous their having such closely aligned interests. I bet they'd get along...swimmingly! (Silly pun, I know.) smile
I'm totally exceeding my reasonable quota of DS anecdotes, but I have to share two cute jokes he made up tonight after I posted the earlier stories.

Context for joke 1: we play tea parties in the bath. I was in the bath, and DS ran in with a tea cup to offer refreshment.

Joke # 1:

DS-- What do you call a tea cup in the bath? A sea cup! *Uproarious giggling*

Joke # 2:

Me -- DS, you're a cutie patooie!
DS-- No, I'm a cutie pie newt-y!
DD is transposing on the fly from uptempo Broadway showtunes as she "practices" the piano. Today we're going from major keys to minor and adding a little jazz on the side. Because "everything is better with swing. EVERYTHING."


I beg to differ when it comes to Bartok. Sorry kid, but that just sounds like... well, the audio equivalent of taking a Renaissance painting and running it through the "cubist" and "surrealist" filter.

Pretty sure that this is doing nothing to improve the neither the Chabrier nor the Scott Joplin work that she is (theoretically) working on. Oh well. It's improving theoretical knowledge and technique either way, right? (Somehow this actually seems to work for her, as bizarre as it sounds-- it doesn't matter WHAT she plays, as long as she practices mindfully at SOMETHING for 20-40 minutes a day, seemingly.)


Hey-- it beats tangling with her over practice time, anyway. wink
Acoustic dubstep, eh HK?
DD10 is obsessed with paradoxes these days. At dinner:

"This is a gruesome paradox, but if you went back in time and killed your parents, would you still exist?"

DS6 followed up with: "If you throw up while you're invisible, can people see the throw-up?"
I explained Schrodinger's Cat to her to the best of my ability. Her response: "No, you'd know if it was dead because you'd hear it meowing inside the box. Or not."

Ha!
Ultramarina, OMG - I am seriously laughing out loud! Those two are hysterical! And, yes, so very clever!
Clearly this is a young woman who is familiar with the habits of cats. wink

DD9 is delighted with her new vocabulary words, emphasizing latin prefixes/suffixes/roots, and has been quizzing us throughout the exercise.

"Dad, are you antediluvian, or antiantediluvian?"

Then I caught her singing the theme from Star Wars in the style of Bill Murray.

DD14, reading a problem on an AP stats quiz, which provided the normal distribution for 13yo SAT scores for Duke's talent-search.


Wow-- so, um-- is 400 like an 'average' SAT section score?? I thought that was, like, REALLY bad...


She seriously had no idea that most 13yo's wouldn't even score that well, and that this is like a "MG" population to begin with. NO. clue that her scores at 13yo were at or beyond TIP's top reported scores.

So what does it mean that my scores were over 700, then? Is this normally distributed data? {calculator punching}

{gasp}

NO. WAY!!!



blush

I think that someone just figured out that she's, like, REALLY different from her MG friends who got those scores at 17yo.

In related news, I think that she just figured out that she's several standard deviations from the mean.

It's not like we've hidden this from her, or that she wasn't aware that she was brighter than the average (bright) bear, or anything-- just that the combination of running into this problem, THIS particular data, in THIS particular context made her come face to face with a stat that suggests that she's probably at the 1:10000 mark. This epiphany only happened because 13yo wasn't that far in her own past, and because she's in AP statistics-- in other words, as a result of being HG+ and grade-accelerated.

I think it shocked her. She seems to be more than a little bit surprised by how far out it places her-- and yes, I'm well aware that since she was grade-accelerated, it's less meaningful since at 13yo, she was a high school junior already, and not a 7th grader...

it's just wacky to me that she sees herself as "pretty bright, I guess" but doesn't necessarily assume that she's brighter than others, or really all that extraordinary as a result.

I'm not sure how I feel about that, honestly. I guess I'm glad that her ego is not tied up in being "smartest person" in the room, but at the same time, it feels as though she has an unrealistically low impression of her own cognitive ability.



DH is usually pretty casual about the kid's abilities and most of the time thinks I'm obsessing too much about, well, everything education related. I've often complained about how they are STILL doing "topic x" in math class and it has been 5 weeks, etc.

DH was in charge of last night's Beaver meeting and did paper airplanes. He had paper with 5 fold lines clearly numbered. He had 1 adult per group of 5 kids (most of which are in grade 2 like DS, DD5 is the only girl and one of the youngest).

His response to my "how'd it go?" -
"I started off and showed them to find the number 1 and fold on the line like this (and showed them). They all stared at me like I was speaking martian. Then they proceeded to crumple them up, fold them in every way but on the #1 line or just threw their hands up and said "I can't - you do it" and ran around in circles. It was crazy. I then tried and tried to walk them through it but eventually I folded all of their paper airplanes and we moved on to the decorating and throwing contests. It didn't even occur to me that this might be hard, seriously?? DS has been building fleets for years (often with his school worksheets...). Well that was an eyeopener, I guess that is why they have to do time for 5 weeks in math class."

TBH, I was a little surprised as well, I mean boys and paper airplanes, how can you go wrong? They were pretty basic ones (as compared to some of the crazier origami ones that DS usually builds). Last year I cleared out 97 planes of many different designs from under his bed and there were still enough left that he didn't notice. I realize not everyone shares his obsession but not being able to do one plane?
Chay, PM'd you.
Last night DS4.4 said "None of my friends understand what I talk about". Thinking maybe he meant his speech isn't clear enough I asked what he meant. His response "Today I told my friend that if I am running and he runs past me, it would look like I am going backwards. He didn't understand..."
My son is thoughtful in an unusual way sometimes. Tonight at dinner he shared that one thing he likes to do at school is draw a nice picture and then find the trash can with the most trash and put it on top of the pile very carefully. His reasoning is that the janitor comes at night and does so much work keeping his school looking nice that he wanted her to have a nice picture to look at when she takes out the trash. He said he wasn't sure if she really looks at the contents or not but if she did, he wanted her to see something nice.

I really like both your anecdotes, 1111 and KJP. They show a level of thoughtfulness that is unexpected and totally charming.

KJP--maybe your son could create a class initiative to have everyone make a caregiver appreciation picture?
KJP -that story really made me smile. What a special, sweet boy you have!
KJP, that is just too precious. It's something I wish we could teach DD - to be genuinely caring of others without expecting anything in return.
One of these days, I'm going to write down all the funny things DS, now 8, has said... but here's a recent one. We went hiking with my parents at a local nature preserve, and before we left, I needed to use the restroom. I spent a good two minutes trying to convince DS that he should come along to at least "check."

Well, in the car later, DS says, with all seriousness:

"Mom, you used the bathroom 2X, Grandma used it once, Grandpa not at all, and ME, I had to use it once," [a slight pause here as if for a drumroll], "against my WILL!"

My parents and I laughed until we cried.
My DD10 and her friend came up with this song to the tune of "Let it go" I put it on this thread because although only gifted kids would come up with these lyrics, their giftedness is clearly not in the realm of song writing:

Let it burn, let it burn
We'll be more destructive then Vesuvius
Let it burn, let it burn
The objective form of "we" is "us".
Love those! laugh
Two in two days: DD10 and I were talking in the car:

DD10: I can't believe I can't wait for school to end.
Me: That's usual this time of year. You are usually sick of _____ by this time.
DD10: No but this time its because I am bored with the schoolwork. Oh NO!...I am becoming more like a normal person...AAAAAHHH!
Me: Don't worry. For some reason, I just don't think that will ever happen.

--Why we are homeschooling next year--
DD4.5 asked me three major questions yesterday:
1. What is prison and why are some people sent to prison?
2. What does believing in God really mean?
3. What are fractals (she heard it in the Let it Go song)
I think I did a lousy job on #2 but answered the other two with simple 2-line explanation. This morning, when we are in the car, she looks out and exclaims," Oh, now I get it. Look how the tree outside is just a Y fractal. Each part looks like a Y and joins together to make the whole tree look like a Y." I was super impressed with how she took a basic definition and found a concrete example to understand it on her own. Another quip from her (because it was bitter cold this morning),"Spring is just summer without sun and Fall is just winter without snow."
Trying to put DD2 to sleep last night, this happened:

DD: I need my zombie. (struggles to get up)
Me: What?
DD: I need. My zombie.

I let her get up and she comes back with a naked dollar-store Barbie with no arms and no head.

DD: This my zombie.
Quote
The objective form of "we" is "us".

Quote
DD: I need. My zombie.

LOL!
I read a book on Abraham Lincoln to DD4.5 yesterday. The book mentioned his famous Gettysburg speech and the line "All men are created equal." After we finished the book,DD asked me," Mom, why did he say all men and not all people. Was it back in the time when men believed that women were not equal to them." So we spent another 10 minutes talking about women's right and equality.

PS. We had read a book on Amelia Earhart a few weeks ago so she was aware of the women's rights movement.
PPS. For some reason, she loves biography. She picks them out at the Library. I OTOH have never found biographies interesting so this is all very exciting and new for me as well.
I homeschool DS8 in the morning and he goes to brick-and-mortar school in the afternoon. When I dropped him off today he said,

"Farewell to all, for I am about to enter a dreaded world."

It sounds lugubrious but it was actually pretty comical because of the tone of his voice (think medieval monarchy). It cracked me up.
Ha! You reminded me of how DS6 recently exclaimed, before he did a crazy jump off the high dive, "Painful convulsions!"
Ha ha! DD6, who has been watching too much Pride & Prejudice, walks around the house saying "Insufferable man!," "You delight in vexing me!," and "You have no compassion for my poor nerves!"
Oh, and I should mention, our in-depth discussions of character and motivation alternate with the game of watching for horsie butts.
A few days ago, I was preparing DS2.5 to go to the park with DH when DS began to deliberate out loud how to negotiate sharing his toys with other children. (NB: A few days prior, DH had reiterated to DS the importance of being gentle with other children, as DS is quite a strong and physical child. He has taken to referring to his age-mates as "weak babies"...his cringe-worthy choice of words.)

This is what DS had to say:

Mummy, if a weak baby wants to share my shovel and says ( DS raises his voice to a falsetto ), "DS, may I please use your shovel?" I will say, "Yes, weak baby, you may. I would be delighted to share my shovel with you. Would you like to play with me?"

But if the weak baby doesn't ask nicely, I will say, "No, weak baby, you may not use my shovel. I'm busy using it." If the weak baby tries to snatch it from me, I will say, "Excuse me, weak baby. You're crowding me. Please step back."

If the weak baby still keeps grabbing my shovel, I will get Daddy and he will say ( DS lowers his voice to impersonate DH), "Weak baby, please give that shovel back to DS." And he will look at the weak baby's parent to get them to make the weak baby give it back to me.

Me: It sounds like you have your plan all figured out. So you'll only play with polite children?

DS: Yes.

Me: I think that's a good policy.

Originally Posted by aquinas
Mummy, if a weak baby wants to share my shovel and says ( DS raises his voice to a falsetto ), "DS, may I please use your shovel?" I will say, "Yes, weak baby, you may. I would be delighted to share my shovel with you. Would you like to play with me?"

This had me laughing uproariously! A 2 yo raising his voice to imitate another small child... I love it! I love all of your stories about your DS, aquinas! He sounds so wonderfully special.
I haven't been on here in a while but I had to share this. We were coming from my daughter's doctor's appointment in a nearby city. The doctor appointment was for possible PDD-NOS and she is being tested by a specialist. Anyway there are billboards for a law firm on our way home (I will leave out their name to protect the 'innocent') Anyway it reads, "Texting Kills (law firm)" without the punctuation. My DD reads this and states, "Poor (law firm)" then she giggles and says "Punctuation matters!"

I am beginning to wonder if it's not that she has problems with social skill but that her humor is on a much higher scale than other kids her age?
This whole thread is delightful. Keep'em coming!
Kazzle, I love that one that you posted above-- I can just hear the doleful voice, too. They can sure come up with some zingers, huh?

grin
They sure do! :-)
Originally Posted by Cassmo451
I am beginning to wonder if it's not that she has problems with social skill but that her humor is on a much higher scale than other kids her age?

I can still vividly recall the crestfallen look on my DD's face after she had chortlingly tried,to share humor from Tomfoolery with age peers at CCD ( catholic indoctrination ) over a year ago so this is very probable IMO.
Our library has a dress up area. My 3 year old son was asked what he wanted to dress up as... He said he was trying to decide between a suspension bridge and an embryo. The other parents were horrified and kind of shuffled their kids off to other areas. He was being genuine and we figured out ways to use the costumes to do both and had a grand time.

An out of town museum had a display on amniotes that fascinated him, so he thinks embryos are interesting. To my son, embryo => person is no more embarrassing than tadpole => frog or caterpillar => moth. This is not necessarily consistent with our current community, which also largely rejects any thought related to evolution.

He is also excited to discover his food looks like various countries, US states, or shapes. Look Mom, it's Australia!... Look, Idaho!... Look, a hexagon! It is fun, but sometimes lunch takes a really long time.
Originally Posted by Kazzle
Originally Posted by aquinas
Mummy, if a weak baby wants to share my shovel and says ( DS raises his voice to a falsetto ), "DS, may I please use your shovel?" I will say, "Yes, weak baby, you may. I would be delighted to share my shovel with you. Would you like to play with me?"

This had me laughing uproariously! A 2 yo raising his voice to imitate another small child... I love it! I love all of your stories about your DS, aquinas! He sounds so wonderfully special.

Aww, thanks Kazzle! I love that boy to bits.

I struggled to keep a straight face when he came out with that stream of consciousness, but my resolve broke when he got to the second impersonation! smile
Originally Posted by SAHM
To my son, embryo => person is no more embarrassing than tadpole => frog or caterpillar => moth.

That's a healthy perspective to have, I think!

Originally Posted by SAHM
The other parents were horrified and kind of shuffled their kids off to other areas.

What's wrong with some people?! I think he was being totally charming! If we had a child like your son nearby, you can bet I'd be chatting up the parents to arrange a playdate with DS, because that kind of creativity is delightful!

Originally Posted by ColinsMum
This whole thread is delightful. Keep'em coming!

ITA! This thread is one of my favourite places on the internet!
Originally Posted by aquinas
A few days ago, I was preparing DS2.5 to go to the park with DH when DS began to deliberate out loud how to negotiate sharing his toys with other children. (NB: A few days prior, DH had reiterated to DS the importance of being gentle with other children, as DS is quite a strong and physical child. He has taken to referring to his age-mates as "weak babies"...his cringe-worthy choice of words.)

This is what DS had to say:

Mummy, if a weak baby wants to share my shovel and says ( DS raises his voice to a falsetto ), "DS, may I please use your shovel?" I will say, "Yes, weak baby, you may. I would be delighted to share my shovel with you. Would you like to play with me?"

But if the weak baby doesn't ask nicely, I will say, "No, weak baby, you may not use my shovel. I'm busy using it." If the weak baby tries to snatch it from me, I will say, "Excuse me, weak baby. You're crowding me. Please step back."

If the weak baby still keeps grabbing my shovel, I will get Daddy and he will say ( DS lowers his voice to impersonate DH), "Weak baby, please give that shovel back to DS." And he will look at the weak baby's parent to get them to make the weak baby give it back to me.

Me: It sounds like you have your plan all figured out. So you'll only play with polite children?

DS: Yes.

Me: I think that's a good policy.

I love your story.

My DS was pretty non verbal at two. We would bring one bucket or large dump truck but a half dozen plastic shovels and rakes to the park. We wanted kids to interact with ds but we didn't want him to have to give up his shovel...he didn't have the verbal ability to negotiate with the other children. Having those toys in the car at all times was perfect and they were magnets inviting the other kids to play.
DD had a HORRIBLE tantrum fit yesterday. She went crazy over nothing.

When it was done and over, she tried to convince me that it was her alter ego. That didn't fly so she claimed that it was all a dream. I gave her a look so she made a correction: "Okay, it was a nightmare."
DS11 ditched school yesterday. To hang out at the administration building.

He has two e-school classes, which take the place of his first two regular periods at school, so he goes in to school at 10 am -- and it's 10:30 on alternate Wednesdays. He wanted to go in and see his e-school buddies that he met on a field trip recently, and so I dropped him off on my way to work -- the e-school office is in the school district's administration building, a few blocks from his school building.

I found out last night that he "forgot to leave" and stayed there all day, skipping his regular school classes. They didn't know there was reason to doubt his explanation that he didn't have to go to school. They will next time!

How do you ground a kid for ditching school to spend the day at school? laugh
Originally Posted by aquinas
[Quote=SAHM]
What's wrong with some people?! I think he was being totally charming! If we had a child like your son nearby, you can bet I'd be chatting up the parents to arrange a playdate with DS, because that kind of creativity is delightful!
We would love to play. Wish you were nearby too. My kiddo is no weak baby, at 97th percentile for height, he might be able to hold his own. wink
Mana, that one made me laugh. I could hear it in the voice of my DD8 because it is absolutely the type of argument she would make.
Me to my first grader this morning: "Please express 1/9 as a decimal and a percent."

DS7 (instantly in his head): "It's .1111 and 11.11%"

Me: "Yes, but you need to do the math."

DS7: "I just did."

I guess next time I need to specify "show your work."
I'm laughing about the weak babies even though it is not what one would hope the child would say in actuality. When my DD was about 1.5 and very verbal, she intercepted some older child (5, 6?) at a playground and started yammering on to him. The child did not know what to make of her and tugged my sleeve. "Is she a BABY?" he asked. "Yes, I guess so," I said. "Then WHY is she TALKING to me?" he said.
Originally Posted by Chana
Mana, that one made me laugh. I could hear it in the voice of my DD8 because it is absolutely the type of argument she would make.

Oh I hope I can have a sense of humor about this when DD is older.

DD really seems to live in her fantasy world right now. According to her, she's involved in a very complicated and intricate love triangle at school (she's only 3!) and I'm just not buying it.
At Mass today:

Priest: "...and my soul shall be healed."

DS2.5 (with a mischievous gleam in his eye): And my sole shall be heeled? Does he mean like the back of your foot?

Good thing we'd talked about homonyms a few days ago! Cue a discussion about the soul and spiritual healing.

DD3.10 was talking in her sleep and said:

"Possibly implicated. Most likely guilty."

I don't know what she's been reading.

Originally Posted by Mana
DD3.10 was talking in her sleep and said:

"Possibly implicated. Most likely guilty."

I don't know what she's been reading.

She's a mysterious young lady! I hear the strangest things from DS in his sleep, too. Isn't it neat (and maybe a bit unnerving at times) to glean insight into their sleeping thought process?
Last week in the bath Nathan (5) insisted that I get in with him. I felt flattered as he usually likes his quiet alone bath time to regroup before bedtime story routine altogether.

So I complied feeling very smug until he made me sit and stand about 35 times over while he measured the water levels. He was figuring out displacement after reading about it online and in a book he has and I was the test subject as I could clearly displace more water than his little body could.

Originally Posted by aquinas
At Mass today:

Priest: "...and my soul shall be healed."

DS2.5 (with a mischievous gleam in his eye): And my sole shall be heeled? Does he mean like the back of your foot?

Good thing we'd talked about homonyms a few days ago! Cue a discussion about the soul and spiritual healing.

As a young child, I always wondered why we never went sewing with the priest:

Priest: May the peace of the Lord be with you all
Everyone: And I'll sew with you.

wink
Originally Posted by lilmisssunshine
Originally Posted by aquinas
At Mass today:

Priest: "...and my soul shall be healed."

DS2.5 (with a mischievous gleam in his eye): And my sole shall be heeled? Does he mean like the back of your foot?

Good thing we'd talked about homonyms a few days ago! Cue a discussion about the soul and spiritual healing.

As a young child, I always wondered why we never went sewing with the priest:

Priest: May the peace of the Lord be with you all
Everyone: And I'll sew with you.

wink

Adorable lilmissunshine!

My dad says he always thought, "Herald be thy name" was actually, "Harold be thy name." He said his parents finally caught on one day when they asked him who Jesus' father was, and he said Harold matter-of-factly.
Originally Posted by Madoosa
Last week in the bath Nathan (5) insisted that I get in with him. I felt flattered as he usually likes his quiet alone bath time to regroup before bedtime story routine altogether.

So I complied feeling very smug until he made me sit and stand about 35 times over while he measured the water levels. He was figuring out displacement after reading about it online and in a book he has and I was the test subject as I could clearly displace more water than his little body could.

The book wouldn't happen to be "Mr. Archimedes' Bath", would it? smile
Originally Posted by lilmisssunshine
Originally Posted by aquinas
At Mass today:

Priest: "...and my soul shall be healed."

DS2.5 (with a mischievous gleam in his eye): And my sole shall be heeled? Does he mean like the back of your foot?

Good thing we'd talked about homonyms a few days ago! Cue a discussion about the soul and spiritual healing.

As a young child, I always wondered why we never went sewing with the priest:

Priest: May the peace of the Lord be with you all
Everyone: And I'll sew with you.

wink

And then you turn and shake hands and wish them all "pizza, be with you!"
Originally Posted by Mana
DD3.10 was talking in her sleep and said:

"Possibly implicated. Most likely guilty."

I don't know what she's been reading.

Oh maybe this goes along with my DD9 discussing, in her sleep very angrily, "The ice cream is all gone, Johnny ate it all." I still don't know who Johnny is but if our children's minds are linked in their sleep I think we are all in trouble!
Originally Posted by Chana
Mana, that one made me laugh. I could hear it in the voice of my DD8 because it is absolutely the type of argument she would make.

Absolutely. It made me chuckle, as well. laugh
My DD has been raised here so she speaks English with an American accent but will often sleep talk with an English accent LOL
Originally Posted by aquinas
Originally Posted by Madoosa
Last week in the bath Nathan (5) insisted that I get in with him. I felt flattered as he usually likes his quiet alone bath time to regroup before bedtime story routine altogether.

So I complied feeling very smug until he made me sit and stand about 35 times over while he measured the water levels. He was figuring out displacement after reading about it online and in a book he has and I was the test subject as I could clearly displace more water than his little body could.

The book wouldn't happen to be "Mr. Archimedes' Bath", would it? smile

LOL No but that sounds fascinating. It was a book on science something or other - I'm not sure, he doesn't like to show me all his library books as then I ask if I can read with/to him and apparently I read too slowly.
Watching Star Trek TNG.

Show: "We cannot beam up the away team with the shields up."

DD10: They really need to work out some problems with the Enterprise
Originally Posted by Cassmo451
Oh maybe this goes along with my DD9 discussing, in her sleep very angrily, "The ice cream is all gone, Johnny ate it all." I still don't know who Johnny is but if our children's minds are linked in their sleep I think we are all in trouble!

DD talks about someone eating her ice cream in her dream too! She doesn't know who it is yet but maybe she'll find out someday that it is indeed Johnny.
Originally Posted by Portia
Originally Posted by aquinas
Mummy, if a weak baby wants to share my shovel and says ( DS raises his voice to a falsetto ), "DS, may I please use your shovel?" I will say, "Yes, weak baby, you may. I would be delighted to share my shovel with you. Would you like to play with me?"

But if the weak baby doesn't ask nicely, I will say, "No, weak baby, you may not use my shovel. I'm busy using it." If the weak baby tries to snatch it from me, I will say, "Excuse me, weak baby. You're crowding me. Please step back."

If the weak baby still keeps grabbing my shovel, I will get Daddy and he will say ( DS lowers his voice to impersonate DH), "Weak baby, please give that shovel back to DS." And he will look at the weak baby's parent to get them to make the weak baby give it back to me.

Me: It sounds like you have your plan all figured out. So you'll only play with polite children?

DS: Yes.

Me: I think that's a good policy.

I read these to DH pretty much every night. We both love it. He asked me if there were any updates to how the park date with the "weak babies" went.

Aw!

I can't speak to that particular day as I stayed back, but I do know about the next day. He played "soccer" with a sweet little 4 year old boy. I use quotes because he grew indifferent mid-play once he was satisfied he knew what he was doing, went limp like a rag doll, flopping down on the ground, requiring me to pick him up and carry him to the ball to keep his interest up. That is SOOO DS...interest is maintained until he perceives "mastery", then it's onto the next great thing. (As an aside, I was a bit shocked to see his ball handling was better than a 4yo's.)

He shared his favorite purple shovel with an older girl voluntarily, "because she looked like she needed it more."
Originally Posted by EmeraldCity
Aquinas, that weak baby story is quite sticky...I still giggle to myself days later.

Madoosa & Mana - hilarious!

Me: "_____, I love you for infinity!"
DS4: [dejected sigh]"I love you until the Big Crunch."

Glad you like it! My boy makes me chuckle, too...little character! Today he had me giggling when he called a female mannequin a wo-mannequin...the little feminist.

We also say, "I love you to infinity," though DS hasn't retorted with any counter-cosmological offers... wink
I think I just found a cheaper solution to my child's anxieties than therapy (not really but it's working for the moment)

BUBBLE WRAP!!!

She just told me, "It's hard to be angry at stuff when you are popping bubble wrap."
A funny conversation with ds 3.5 tonight at dinner.
L: When does my school end?
Me: 2 weeks.
L: So, when I go back to school, it'll be a new school for Kindergarten?
Me: no,you have one more year in preschool first- pre-k.
L: can't I skip to K? (Laughing)

Funny thing is I think he's only half laughing/ half serious.
I think things are going to get real interesting- round 2
Originally Posted by Portia
Originally Posted by Madoosa
So I complied feeling very smug until he made me sit and stand about 35 times over while he measured the water levels. He was figuring out displacement after reading about it online and in a book he has and I was the test subject as I could clearly displace more water than his little body could.

Goodness Madoosa. Tears rolling down my cheeks, I am laughing so hard. This is SOOOOO something DS would do.

Yeah it's cute and funny the first time. Not so much now that he wants to try the same experiment. With a tub full of ICE CUBES.

I said no. He asked if we could do it in summer then so I won't get as cold... (it's heading to winter here)
One of the oddest conversations just happened with my DD9. She is packing for a weekend trip with her aunt and looking for a snack at the same time and blurts out, "I think it's odd that we start counting at one instead of zero. Why is that?"

This lead to a discussion about what zero is and isn't and how it can't be positive or negative but is also both at the same time. Which leads to a discussion about freezing points are also melting points and how absolutes are not really absolutes.

My husband said she didn't really understand it but when I talked to her again she explained it back to me in her own words and said, "It makes perfect sense to me."

This coming from a child who is working on the "colors" in between black and white in her concrete thinking. Score one for the parent team! We may have just made a connection.
DD6 insisted on having Hamlet read to her recently (I still don't know what triggered that one). When Voltemand entered she started giggling. Because his name was so similar to HP's Voldemort...

I can't wait for the first grade one 'make a connection' assignment!
CoastalMom that is such a great connection smile You should try the Shakespeare association for "Bottom" and see what happens smile

Every other 5 year old (and most adults) that we know hears Bottom and thinks "Minions".

My 5 year old hears it and laughs - because it's like Bottom in Midsummer's night dream. And apparently there is nothing funnier than a guy with a donkey's head stuck on his er... head...
My DD looked up the Venn Diagram distinguishing Nerds, Geeks, Dorks, and Dweebs to determine she is a Geek and now insists that "Geek" be put on the back of her sport jersey as her nickname.
Chana I love that she wants to own it!! laugh
Me and DH (paraphrasing): Blah blah talky blah

DS2.7: Excuse me, may I interject?

Me: Of course! What would you like to say DS?

DS (shifts eyes coyly): BIG BOXES! Hahaha! It's my non-joke, Mummy! Hahaha! But seriously, I just wanted your attention.

As I've said before, asynchrony much?
Discussing Venn Diagrams, my DD9 has definitions for nerd and geek, and says there is a difference and she is a nerd. Cracked me up! Apparently her father is a geek. And I am just Mom. I am not sure that is a good thing.

Also, DD and I were discussing her clothes for an upcoming trip she is going on and I asked her if her new flip-flops fit right (I did not buy them). She stated "they may be a centimeter too big but they should work." I sarcastically stated, "Oh then you have growing room." She does not understand sarcasm very well and said, "Yes, but I shouldn't grow that much in the next three days."
.... That awkward silence in the room when in a quiz on The Lion King with other 5 and 6 year olds your 5 year old pipes up thoughtfully how the Lion King story is just like his favourite story: Macbeth. he then gives a comparison of the two stories, including matching characters by name and characteristic. And ends it with "but I honestly feel that the three hyenas are a bad match for the three witches of fate. Cause they (the hyenas) are rather stupid
mother: "Look at that interesting cloud."

child: "altocumulus lenticularis."


(I am loving the stories above...)
Originally Posted by Cassmo451
I think I just found a cheaper solution to my child's anxieties than therapy (not really but it's working for the moment)

BUBBLE WRAP!!!

She just told me, "It's hard to be angry at stuff when you are popping bubble wrap."

Hey, Cass, they have a bubble wrap keychain on ThinkGeek.com -- it's got four little bubbles on it, and I believe it makes the noise when you squish one. I don't actually have it, but I've thought about it as a stocking stuffer for my addicts. smile

My silly boy is working frantically on the last (or, rather, the first, because he didn't do them the first few weeks of class) four extra credit projects in his e-school video game design class, to bring his grade up. From 103.7 percent. Because it's "not high enough". He wasn't worried about his C in science that he got because he rarely turned anything in, but the video game design grade is killing him.
Originally Posted by DeeDee
mother: "Look at that interesting cloud."

child: "altocumulus lenticularis."


(I am loving the stories above...)

haha! I love this laugh I'd have been like "oh, I thought it looked like a bunny"
DS6 brought home a K math workbook (end of school, etc) and was cutting out some little flashcards on size, weight, etc. I found DD staring at the one on height, which had a picture of two identical trees, one "taller" than the other. It said "taller."

"This tree isn't really taller than the other one," she pointed out. "Look at the patch of grass under it, and the size of the branches. It's the exact same picture. They just enlarged it. It's really more like we walked from farther away from the same tree to closer to the same tree. Stupid book."
DD, upon completing her analysis of how the post-9/11 air travel in the United States could be (at least) partially explained by the dot-com bust and economic factors which correlate nicely in other instances within the past 25 years...

I think I'm beginning to understand the Roman and Nazi obsession with data collection...

Uhhhhh... honey?? eek



It really irks me that I lack complete employment statistics prior to 1947. The Teddy Roosevelt years-- would I ever like to see that data.



Then she pauses, and adds, thoughtful...


You know, Miss Frizzle is the ultimate SCIENCE teacher.... but I think The Doctor would be my pick for History and Social Studies...


grin

DS2.7 "outed" himself to a neighbor on the elevator yesterday. I'm never quite sure why he chooses the moments he does.

Neighbor: Which floor do you need?

DS: X please. We live in XXXX. We're the [surname]s [spells out name]. Thanks!

You never know what you're going to hear with DS. The other day when DH returned from work, DS ran up to him and announced in the tone of an Apache war cry, "Ahhhh-ga-ga-ga-ka-ka! Smart feller, fart smeller!" and ran away in a fit of giggles. So random.
Originally Posted by ultramarina
DS6 brought home a K math workbook (end of school, etc) and was cutting out some little flashcards on size, weight, etc. I found DD staring at the one on height, which had a picture of two identical trees, one "taller" than the other. It said "taller."

"This tree isn't really taller than the other one," she pointed out. "Look at the patch of grass under it, and the size of the branches. It's the exact same picture. They just enlarged it. It's really more like we walked from farther away from the same tree to closer to the same tree. Stupid book."

I love this. In case you aren't familiar with the Irish show "Father Ted":

Originally Posted by aquinas
DS2.7 "outed" himself to a neighbor on the elevator yesterday. I'm never quite sure why he chooses the moments he does.

Neighbor: Which floor do you need?

DS: X please. We live in XXXX. We're the [surname]s [spells out name]. Thanks!

You never know what you're going to hear with DS. The other day when DH returned from work, DS ran up to him and announced in the tone of an Apache war cry, "Ahhhh-ga-ga-ga-ka-ka! Smart feller, fart smeller!" and ran away in a fit of giggles. So random.

BWHAHAHA smile
HK - how do you even respond to something like that?? laugh
With confusion and mild dismay, I think. Well, that's what happened, anyway. It was clearly a look that called for some rapid explanation on her part, anyway. LOL! wink
Random thoughts from the backseat...

DS6 "It is interesting to think what we might be evolving into. I wonder how intelligent the next version of human will be? I am pretty sure I am a human but it seems hard to tell how far along we might be towards something new. Plus, without knowing what the future species would be like, any one person wouldn't know whether they fit better with that group or the past. But yeah, I am pretty sure I am still a human"

"What are you doing with that die, honey?"

"Randomizing my trials."
laugh Love those!!
These are great!
Not a brag but definitely quirky....

After doing the whole tooth fairy thing for his first lost tooth DS has refused for the past four. He wants to keep them and build a model of his jaw to stick them in so he can study it and he wants to compare them to his adult teeth that are growing in and there were a couple more plans he had that I'm now forgetting. He said all of that was better than the money he would be getting from the tooth fairy. Uhhh sure.
Originally Posted by chay
Not a brag but definitely quirky....

After doing the whole tooth fairy thing for his first lost tooth DS has refused for the past four. He wants to keep them and build a model of his jaw to stick them in so he can study it and he wants to compare them to his adult teeth that are growing in and there were a couple more plans he had that I'm now forgetting. He said all of that was better than the money he would be getting from the tooth fairy. Uhhh sure.

If it makes you feel any better, my mum told me that, as a child your DS' age, I once suggested that in the unlikely event that I ever needed an amputation, I wanted my body parts to be used for an elaborate Hallowe'en joke. I'm both cringing and laughing at the thought.
To lighten the mood after that lead balloon I just dropped...

DS2.7 asked yesterday for a "delecta-bowl" of ice cream. He's learning to use humor to disarm regularly these days.
Did you have any particular prank in mind, or did it depend on what was amputated? laugh
Originally Posted by Nautigal
Did you have any particular prank in mind, or did it depend on what was amputated? laugh

It was all very ghoulish and theatrical, definitely Edward Gorey-esque, like staging being run over by one of my parents in the car and having body parts go flying. Or going trick-or-treating and "accidentally" losing a limb on someone's porch, having them hand it back to me, and then their freaking out when they realized it was real.

lol aquinas - that is awesome!!!!
My DD4 has started singing songs by singing every other word - like the Frozen song below.

"The glows on mountain
Not footprint be
A of
And looks I'm queen.
wind howling this storm
keep in, knows I
Don't them , don't them
Be good you have be
don't , don't them
Well, they
Let go, let go
hold back
Let go, let go
away slam door"
So yesterday DD10, DD9, and I were having another talk about sex while we were driving home (can’t remember how it came up, but I was warning them that in middle school they would hear a lot of weird totally wrong information about sex, like kissing might get you pregnant). So, DD9 (our quirky one) says that sex is like a vending machine. The sperm are like the coins. They go up to the egg, and then at some point the baby comes out like a candy bar.
I swear – I started laughing all over again this morning!!!
Originally Posted by greenlotus
So yesterday DD10, DD9, and I were having another talk about sex while we were driving home (can’t remember how it came up, but I was warning them that in middle school they would hear a lot of weird totally wrong information about sex, like kissing might get you pregnant). So, DD9 (our quirky one) says that sex is like a vending machine. The sperm are like the coins. They go up to the egg, and then at some point the baby comes out like a candy bar.
I swear – I started laughing all over again this morning!!!


LOL! My niece gave her mother a Mother's Day card this year with a carefully detailed drawing of a uterus and ovaries on the front. It said "Of all of these in the world..." and then on in the inside "I'm so glad I fell out of yours!"

She's going to have a nasty surprise in a few years. eek
Originally Posted by ElizabethN
LOL! My niece gave her mother a Mother's Day card this year with a carefully detailed drawing of a uterus and ovaries on the front. It said "Of all of these in the world..." and then on in the inside "I'm so glad I fell out of yours!"

She's going to have a nasty surprise in a few years. eek


that's brilliant!
Originally Posted by SAHM
He is also excited to discover his food looks like various countries, US states, or shapes. Look Mom, it's Australia!... Look, Idaho!... Look, a hexagon! It is fun, but sometimes lunch takes a really long time.

DD7 does this, too. She was cutting up old shirts last week, ostensibly to help me make dust cloths. She labelled several of them with the states she thought they resembled. Oddly enough, there were none in the shape of Wyoming, Colorado, or any other rectangular states. smile
Originally Posted by ElizabethN
Originally Posted by greenlotus
So yesterday DD10, DD9, and I were having another talk about sex while we were driving home (can’t remember how it came up, but I was warning them that in middle school they would hear a lot of weird totally wrong information about sex, like kissing might get you pregnant). So, DD9 (our quirky one) says that sex is like a vending machine. The sperm are like the coins. They go up to the egg, and then at some point the baby comes out like a candy bar.
I swear – I started laughing all over again this morning!!!


LOL! My niece gave her mother a Mother's Day card this year with a carefully detailed drawing of a uterus and ovaries on the front. It said "Of all of these in the world..." and then on in the inside "I'm so glad I fell out of yours!"

She's going to have a nasty surprise in a few years. eek

Greenlotus, I can see how you would still be laughing! That's a riot!

ElizabethN...wouldn't we all like it that way? wink
Originally Posted by SAHM
He is also excited to discover his food looks like various countries, US states, or shapes. Look Mom, it's Australia!... Look, Idaho!... Look, a hexagon! It is fun, but sometimes lunch takes a really long time.

Oh boy! Maybe you need to cut his food into squares for a meal every so often as a break! wink

OT, but great recommendation on "Here Comes Science". DS is in love.
bmoore, that's so creative. Does she ever do that in regular speech, or does the music being it out? smile
Does anyone else's kid just randomly sleep in other places in their room besides the bed? I never know where I am going to find my DD9 when I go to wake her up in the morning. I swear I put her to bed IN her bed and the next morning she winds up in the floor (not falling in the floor) either beside the bed on one side of the other or at the end of the bed in her bean bag chair. When she is on the far side of the bed it scares me because I can't see her at first. Should I let her continue to do this because she says she sleeps better in the floor than on her bed?
Originally Posted by Cassmo451
Does anyone else's kid just randomly sleep in other places in their room besides the bed?
Yes. Other places. Other rooms. At the moment DD5 has taken over DD3's crib, and DD3 is displaced and wandering aimlessly around the house.
Bean bag chair
Homemade tent (blankets, pillows, etc.)
Rug
Closet (not a walk-in)
Sibling's bed
Much younger sib's toddler bed
Hallway outside bedroom

And on another note: new lyrics for "Let it Go"

"no right, no wrong,
no rules for me--
I'm three!"
Originally Posted by aeh
And on another note: new lyrics for "Let it Go"

"no right, no wrong,
no rules for me--
I'm three!"

Too cute!!!!!! smile
Originally Posted by polarbear
Originally Posted by aeh
And on another note: new lyrics for "Let it Go"

"no right, no wrong,
no rules for me--
I'm three!"

Too cute!!!!!! smile

Especially when the pronounciation isn't changed. (I.e. "How old are you?" "I'm free.")
aquinas,
She just does it when singing (without music).

Also, we love "Here Comes Science" too. smile
DD was playing a toy keyboard at a bookstore very loudly so I told her we are leaving immediately unless she stops what she is doing. DD's response:

"I'm not done composing my song. You are interrupting my creativity. This is not fair. This is not right. I HAVE TO FINISH MY SONG."

We might have to get her a used digital piano soon so we don't get banned from the bookstore.


DS2.7: Daddy, what is that big book?

DH: That's the Canadian Income Tax Act.

DS: I think it would put any normal human being to sleep.
Loving all the posts. This is not a quirky brag but didn't know where else to post. Does anyone have a good video link or book suggestion that explains human evolution. Dd4.8 asked me out of the blue last week where humans came from. " mom, where did the first human come from? how was he born without a mommy?" I showed her a few evolution videos that I googled but she has more questions now. So looking for a kid friendly resource. Thanks.
Ps. Maybe we need a thread titled "random questions- need quick input".
Originally Posted by aquinas
DS2.7: Daddy, what is that big book?

DH: That's the Canadian Income Tax Act.

DS: I think it would put any normal human being to sleep.
I would just like to say that this sounds not in the least quirky, but like the response of any rational human being of any age to the tax code. wink
Originally Posted by 22B
Originally Posted by Cassmo451
Does anyone else's kid just randomly sleep in other places in their room besides the bed?
Yes. Other places. Other rooms. At the moment DD5 has taken over DD3's crib, and DD3 is displaced and wandering aimlessly around the house.


Thank you and to aeh as well. Just making sure my kid was still within the "normal" range for the "not so normal" LOL. She has trouble sleeping so I wasn't sure if I should let her continue to explore what might be better for her on her own or if I should be strict and make her stay in bed. But I think I am just going to let it go for now and see. Pick my battles for the important things. Thanks again.
I told dd4.8 today that she should spend some time doing creative writing everyday- write and illustrate your own stories. She asked me if it needed to be fiction. I said no, it can be non-fiction. So she went up to her homeschool and 1/2 hour later came out with a two page story titled "Newton and Gravity". The illustration depicted Newton standing under an apple tree with an apple falling (arrows showed exactly how it fell on his head). A dialog bubble above newton read," Hey! Why is the apple falling down instead of going up?" The text on the next page read: the apple fell on Isaac newton. And he found out there was a force.
Ps. She has been doing a lot of experiments lately to understand the relationship between gravity and friction, which she believes are two opposing forces. The bragworthy part is she is discovering a lot of the concepts without any prior exposure and I am just labeling them and adding historical context.
Lovemydd, that's charming!
dd 4.1 wants new animals for her imaginative play so asked me about desert birds. I suggested we google some and up came a gila woodpecker. Baring in mind we live in NZ which does not have any form of woodpecker and they are not part of our popular culture, I thought I had an excellent opportunity to teach her something new. I called her over and said look honey here's a new bird for you, oh yes she says, that's a gila woodpecker, I can tell because he is on a cactus and has a red patch on his head. right...... I'm blaming Diego for this
This is more about my quirkiness as a child.

My dear mother sent us a package for DD's birthday, which I truly appreciate but included in it was a book that is appropriate for 1/2 year olds. My DD is turning 4. She read it in less than a minute and sort of looked puzzled but it was not a big deal.

This however reminded me that my mother gave me a book on Monet for my 6th birthday. I was horrified that 1) I was stuck with this book and 2) I had a mother who couldn't tell Monet and Manet apart.

I feel for my mother. I don't think I was an easy child for her to raise, just as I have no idea what I'm doing with DD.
Mana, I think history really must repeat itself, if only to make us appreciate our parents in hindsight. smile
Originally Posted by aquinas
Mana, I think history really must repeat itself

Yes, I'm sure my DD is thinking "I have a mother who cannot sing on pitch. This is tragic." Actually, she doesn't just think it, she tells me all the time. grin
Originally Posted by Mana
Originally Posted by aquinas
Mana, I think history really must repeat itself

Yes, I'm sure my DD is thinking "I have a mother who cannot sing on pitch. This is tragic." Actually, she doesn't just think it, she tells me all the time. grin

Fortunately, singing on pitch is about as central to parenting well as is collecting rare argyle socks. You're a good mother for her. laugh
I have some of my own.

Today at the park, DS2.8 vehemently refused to play on the equipment, and instead initiated a game of "mathematical hotdog vendor". He created little arithmetic problems using hotdogs he made out of sand. The highlight for me was, "If I cook 6 hot dogs and Daddy eats 4 (!!), how many will be left?" He proceeded to impersonate DH bolting the hotdogs. In all fairness, DH is no glutton

We also built a pyramid in the sand, and DS told me he was carving out the Nile next to it.
You're so sweet. I wish my off-key pitch singing didn't bother DD but she has cried over it. When DD met her music teacher, she sang a couple of songs for DD and she has absolute pitch and a beautiful singing voice. I think DD fell in love with her then and there.

Originally Posted by aquinas
"If I cook 6 hot dogs and Daddy eats 4 (!!), how many will be left?" He proceeded to impersonate DH bolting the hotdogs.

If my DD had been there, she would have said something like "You stop eating more than your fair share RIGHT NOW. You're going to get FAT you know." wink
I'm a pretty good singer, but clearly DD9 was, to put it mildly, unimpressed. Then we recently took a cruise, and DD and I were wandering the ship alone one evening when we stopped to listen to a performance of "When September Ends" with acoustic guitar. As we walked off, DD asked me what I thought of the singer, whose preferred style was clearly country, and his twanginess put me off a bit, so I said, "Not bad, but I could do that song better."

DD was outraged by that statement, which she clearly felt was unjustified by any evidence, and then I was mildly outraged by her outrage, because I sing all the time at home, and DO YOU EVEN KNOW ME ANYMORE? ;-)

In her defense, when I'm at the house and I randomly start singing, I'm in a goofing off mood. So if I'm not singing punk rock (which has awful vocals) or hair metal (she doesn't care for the style), I'll take a song with perfectly good vocals and mess it up. Like, if "Let It Go" is stuck in my head, I might start doing it in the style of bad opera, or say to myself, "Let's see what it sounds like if Elsa is a bass."

The outrage on both sides continued into the next night when we went to the karaoke lounge, and DD had to begrudgingly concede that I had some ability in that area... and although she still wasn't impressed with one of my selections, she did take note of the fact that other people clearly were. Her lack of appreciation of the range and beauty of Axl Rose shows that, even halfway to her adulthood, I have a lot more parenting to do.

Along those lines, I'd often wondered how DD's talent would present itself, given that I'm quite good, and DW is quite tone deaf. DD has developed slowly in this area, with a lot of off-tune singing mixed in with flashes of good quality, and so much embellishment of style throwing her off that you had to wonder whether she had an ear for it at all, or was just getting too "creative." So, even though it's a rather ordinary accomplishment, I'm rather pleased to note DD was selected to join the school choir next year.
Dude, that made me chuckle. DH has been solely responsible for DD's passion for Judas Priest and Black Sabbath. He has also made it a joy (well, okay-- almost since "joy" here is probably pushing it) to listen to such dreck as Katy Perry, Mylie Cyrus and Justin Beiber. He, um... well, he's what you'd get if you crossed Benny Hill with Weird Al. Heheheh... I'm also proud to note that the latter was DD's first live rock concert. wink She thinks that her dad's (scatological) version of "You Light Up My Life" is funnier than much of Weird Al's stuff, but nonetheless has a soft spot for "One More Minute" as a sort of graduation anthem.

We ran out of syrup one Saturday morning, and as I was watching the last few drops come out of the bottle I said, "We'll have to get more syrup at the store."

Without hesitation DS3 said, "Aisle 4."

Fast forward to the grocery store... He was right.
Dude, my father thinks he sings well and insists on signing his rendition of "Love Me Tender" at every wedding he's invited, even at a fancy black-tie wedding with a string quartet playing Vivaldi. Your DD should consider herself very fortunate that you have too much common sense to have taken over the stage because you think you can sing better.

KathrynH, it's taking me awhile to accept that DD is more often right than not. Our conversation often goes like this:

Me: "Oh, I guess you were right, I should have trusted you."
DD: "When are you going to learn?"


Originally Posted by Mana
Dude, my father thinks he sings well...

Interesting word choice there (italics). Do the two of you disagree?

One reason why I try not to bring this up very often is because, as my high school music teacher used to say, "Some people want to sing in the worst way. And they do." Much like having a gifted kid, being able to sing is one of those claims that is often made inaccurately.

Originally Posted by Dude
Originally Posted by Mana
Dude, my father thinks he sings well...

Interesting word choice there (italics). Do the two of you disagree?

One reason why I try not to bring this up very often is because, as my high school music teacher used to say, "Some people want to sing in the worst way. And they do." Much like having a gifted kid, being able to sing is one of those claims that is often made inaccurately.

Or then there's this: (and BTW, one of us is a trained musician, and one is an industry professional...not the same person, naturally!)

Me to spouse: "Do you think DC has better intonation than I do?"

Spouse: [momentary hesitation]

And I think that answers -that- question!
Originally Posted by Dude
"Some people want to sing in the worst way. And they do."

That pretty much sums up my father's singing. He is a very talented person overall but he cannot sing on pitch to save his life although he can carry a melody. My mother is even worse. My sister is an amazing singer so sometimes, it can skip a generation.

I'm pretty hopeless. My SO has relative pitch. My DD has absolute pitch. She loves screaming different key notes to the tuner and see it hit the middle of the pitch.

I feel left out.

ETA: Dude, you might want to sing a simple song with a tuner text to you. This is how SO proved to DD that he's not as off pitch as she accuses him to be.
So my DD10 said, out of the blue, "I wonder what a discussion between Sherlock from the BBC's version and Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory would be like?"
After picking up DS5 from his acting class, he announced that he had reached his full potential.
grin That's AWESOME, Khombi.
Originally Posted by Khombi
After picking up DS5 from his acting class, he announced that he had reached his full potential.

Golden!
Quirky anecdote 1:

Yesterday, DS2.8 recited a passage from a recent library book from memory, intentionally removing the first syllable/sound from every word, and he was only a touch slower than if he were reciting it word perfect:

uper orm is uper trong
uper orm is uper ong
atch im iggle
ee im uirm
ip ip ooray or uper orm!

(The original is:
Super worm is super strong
Super worm is super long
Watch him wiggle
See him squirm
Hip Hip hooray for super worm!)

He was very pleased with himself.

Maybe not-so-quirky, but morally satisfying anecdote 2:

Also, today DS read in front of his skeptic Nana (my MIL), who was forced to finally believe that yes, he can read, his mother isn't just a fabricator of lies. (He did read the label off a gift at his 2nd birthday party, but I guess that wasn't convincing enough.)

Quirky anecdote 3:

Yesterday, DS was doing some experiments with his trains while I was emptying the dishwasher. I looked over and said, "Hey, why do you think that train got stuck around the bend?"

He looks up and says in the tone of an exasperated teenager, "It's FRICTION, Mama. You know that."
DD4.8 and I were playing Uno and she pulled a wild right after I did. She said," Two wilds in a row. That is too wild!" And not getting the laugh she was expecting out of me, she continued," Mom, did you not get it. Homophones?"
#2 child to #1 child: Will you play school with me and teach me algebra?
DD: "I love you Mommy. You are the best Mommy in the world."
Me: "Oh, I love you even more. You're the best little girl in the world."
SO: "...And I'm the best...Papa..in the world?"
DD: "No."
SO and Me: "No?"
DD: "That is what I said."
Me: "Why would you be so mean?"
DD: "I'm not being mean. I'm being honest. He can try harder."
SO: (trying not to laugh)
Me: "What do you mean?"
DD: "Have you ever tasted his Mac'n Cheese? He tried to make me eat it."
Me: "Well, he might not be the best cook in the world but he is good at many other things."
DD: "Name a few."

Mana I am seriously cracking up right now... smile
Aquinas - you gotta love those sceptical grandparents hey? (Do you also get the "let him be a child" thing when he wants to build a puzzle/read/breathe?"

Mana - I am laughing so hard!
Me: How was school today?

DS6: Good, I am studying erosion.

Me: (thinks about curriculum, not sure where erosion would fit) Is anyone else studying erosion?

DS6: No, everyone else is playing tennis then. I noticed it looks like there is an erosion problem near the tennis court. If they don't do something about it, I think one corner of the court might start crumbling soon. I just don't know how quickly it is eroding.

(Found him outside later experimenting pouring water on a dirt mound)
LOL, KJP.
On a day when DS15 is dealing...again...with fallout from his disastrous freshman year (yes, Virginia, teachers will give an F for the quarter), he receives an invitation to the NUMATS ceremony. He did no prep for the ACT other than taking a practice test (from a Kaplan book, where he found an error in their answer key). He took the ACT back in 6th grade, too, and while he didn't qualify for the ceremony then, he did quite well and we were glad to see his score rose 3 years later.

He doesn't usually care about this kind of thing, but on this particular day, he appreciates the boost. Thanks, NUMATS!
grin It's enough to give a parent metacognitive whiplash, isn't it?? I find the old Sesame Street song running through my head at such moments, where if I didn't laugh about it, I'd cry:

One-of-these-things-is-not-like-the-other-ones....

I'm so glad that you both got such a needed boost to morale!
At dinner last night:

DS4: See mama? I made a pattern. (He describes the pattern of food.) It goes around and around. Just like the water cycle!

Me: Yes! Water rains down from the clouds, goes into streams, then rivers, then the oceans, then back into clouds. Around and around.

DS4: You mean it evaporates, mama. It doesn't just go back into the clouds. It evaporates.

Me: Yes, yes it does. Of course.
DD4.9 quizzes her dad on something. When DH replies correctly, she seems surprised. So I say," DD, have you ever stopped to think that maybe your parents are as intelligent if not more intelligent than you are?". To which she promptly replies," As intelligent, yes."
Dentist recommends waiting a year to see orthodontist. Child insists on going now. Child is correct.

Originally Posted by HowlerKarma
grin It's enough to give a parent metacognitive whiplash, isn't it?? !

LOL! Does anyone know a good metacognitive chiropractor? I think this will be the title of your memoir smile
Me: Hey, how was school? Learn anything new?

DS6: I learned how the people of Pompeii were irresponsible dog owners and that if the poor Pompeii dog were not tied up, he might have at least had a chance to run away.

Me: Is your class learning about Pompeii?

DS6: No, I read a book about it during class today.

...while driving in traffic.
DS3: I want lizards and beetles for dinner! Mmmmm
DD5: mom, can lizards fly?
Me: um, no I don't think so.
DD5: pfft, uh, mom, what about those lizards who spread their ribs out and use them as structure to glide?
DH: guess you just got told! (Laughing)
I've mentioned a time or two that DD was anxious about getting the teacher she dubbed "the vampire" for the second year in a row. DD named her because "She sucks all the fun out of school!"

We went to the meet-and-greet last night. DD found out her homeroom teacher was a new teacher. Yay!

Once there, we found out that they're doing something new with 5th graders. They'll be splitting them up in two groups. DD's class will have language arts and social studies with her homeroom teacher. Then they'll move next door for math and science with another teacher.

Naturally, that's the vampire.

DD digested this surprise quickly, and responded with, "That's fine. Some of the other 5th grade teachers are mean."

Looking on the bright side? Who is this child, and what has she done with my daughter?
Upon finishing my DD's knitted white rat and presenting it to her (this was her request for a dashboard "totem" for her car-- a nondescript small sedan that is otherwise like at least 20% of other vehicles in any parking lot):

{Squeals with delight} Thanks Mom!! She's adorable!!

SHE? I thought you were naming this one "Turing."


I have. Turing is a girl. She wants you to respect her life choices. She is a Ukrainian girl. She's about 13.

She paused and shot me a long, sly glance... which went completely over my head.

Moooo-ooom-- get it?? Ukrainian?? Because she's not a REAL rat??


Finally the penny dropped and I started to laugh. blush It was quite a clever joke-inside-a-joke.

Originally Posted by HowlerKarma
It was quite a clever joke-inside-a-joke.

Your DD must be brighter than me, because I don't get it. shocked
I'm slow, too. Is this about hackers?
Turing test.

DS2.10: "In the 1960s, they used pliers to catch small flounders.

Said in a deadpan, followed by a peal of giggles 30 seconds later.
DD4 is really getting into composing songs. She's doing great but I don't know where she's getting her song titles. Her latest one is titled "You Have My Love." The one before that was "Grace for America." Other ones are quite similar. We only listen to classical and jazz so she isn't getting this through exposure.
In the car last week

DD(just turned)5: "I'm blue now!"
Me: "Huh?"
DD: "I'm 5 now so I am blue."
Me: "Huh?"
DD: "Red is 1, orange is 2, yellow is 3, green is 4, blue is 5. And I'll be violet when I'm 7! I live in a rainbow, so now I am blue. And [little brother] is only orange."
Originally Posted by bmoore4
In the car last week

DD(just turned)5: "I'm blue now!"
Me: "Huh?"
DD: "I'm 5 now so I am blue."
Me: "Huh?"
DD: "Red is 1, orange is 2, yellow is 3, green is 4, blue is 5. And I'll be violet when I'm 7! I live in a rainbow, so now I am blue. And [little brother] is only orange."

I like the "only" orange!

Initially, I thought you were leading into a synesthesia anecdote. One of my younger siblings has persistently maintained (into adulthood!) that the number four is kind of a lime green color. (I can't remember what color the other numbers are.)
This morning DS9 asked me if he could have a pet coelacanth. Actually he would like an entire tank of coelacanths...
The definition of asynchrony:

DS2.10 joined me in our gym while I worked out. I brought the laptop with some old "Reading Rainbow" episodes for him to watch. He's charmed by Egyptology lately and was watching an episode called, "Mummies made in Egypt."

He insisted on being cradled for the first 15 minutes until another exerciser at the other end of the gym left. Then, once I was able to separate and squeeze in some dead lifts he says, "Mama, put down your barbell, you have to see this! They're featuring the Sphynx (pronounced sa-finx) and the River Nile!"

When your DS6 bawls his head off for hours at the emotions in.... The Lego Movie. Yes, we can't take him to see any of those popular kids shows. We have no idea what the whole Frozen hysteria is about and probably never will. Because just about every movie that attempts to capitalize on any sense of emotion will completely short circuit his mind.
Originally Posted by MT_momma
Yes, we can't take him to see any of those popular kids shows. We have no idea what the whole Frozen hysteria is about and probably never will. Because just about every movie that attempts to capitalize on any sense of emotion will completely short circuit his mind.

We have a very similar situation with our DS6. He has primarily been raised on documentaries since he can't handle dramatic tension of fictional movies or books (although he is doing a bit better). He has no problem watching a lion take down a gazelle, but if the gazelle talks, then we have a problem.

He has left a trail of unfinished books because they just became "too intense."
DD6 sobbed her way through Kiki's Delivery Service! The dirigible crashing and endangering people's lives didn't bother her at all, but the idea that Kiki would leave her cat alone for the night was too sad for her.
The "scary movie" known as Cars. The moment when Lightning McQueen wakes up on the highway and can't find Mack. And many, many years later, we still haven't gotten past the opening scene of Finding Nemo.
Kind of funny, kind of wacky, just needed to share it: My wife was carrying on this conversation with our dd 2 1/2:
dd says "mommy, daddy, (her name) and (dogs name) can swing from the trees like monkeys."
Mommy says "(dogs name) might have a difficult time with that."
dd says "(dogs name) can use her mouth instead of her paws."
DD4: "I bet you didn't know that I didn't know that you could do that."
Me: "What?"
DD4: "I said I bet you didn't know that I didn't know that you could do that."
Me: "What are you talking about?"
DD4: "Are you having trouble with the double negative?"
Me: "What?"
DD4: "Oh Mommy, never mind."

I still don't know what she was talking about.
lol@ Mana
I have three to share -

DS' first grade teacher telling me that when she was preparing to give the lesson on the universe, she took care to get all her facts straight and up to date because she didn't want DS to be disappointed in her.

DS was very interested last year in factory farming and the poor eating habits of most Americans. I saw one of his teachers from last year and she said he made such an impression on her, her whole family changed how they ate.

DS has also been interested in viruses and bacteria and immune responses to these invaders for a long time. A kindergarten classmate was diagnosed with leukemia this summer. His mom told me she felt that what her son learned from DS last year really helped him process what was going on and made it less scary.

So some nice examples of how being intellectually curious and excited to share your knowledge can have a bigger impact than just high test scores. smile
Originally Posted by aeh
The "scary movie" known as Cars. The moment when Lightning McQueen wakes up on the highway and can't find Mack. And many, many years later, we still haven't gotten past the opening scene of Finding Nemo.


For us, this is the scene in a particular Teletubbies short in which one Tubby is being chased by the other tubbies (for refusing to share the some item of clothing or something, as I recall). We had to fast-forward through it when DD was tiny-- her distress was pretty extreme.

(And no, in my defense, we did NOT actually encourage our 13-18mo DD to watch a lot of television... until she was virtually immobilized for two months by an RSV-penumonia one-two-punch, that is... at THAT point, Teletubbies were fair game as a means of keeping her quiet and resting.)


I was curious-- I looked it up after asking DD about it-- she still remembered it well.

(Recall-- this is my 15yo DD, and this was WELL before 9.11.01-- about a year prior, in fact)




Even then, my DD hated the idea of others forcing their will upon someone else and found it intolerable. Wow. This is still one of the few things that really rouses her to overtly aggressive/agitated behavior; stripping another person of agency/rights/autonomy. I hadn't ever thought of it in those terms, but this has apparently been a thread that stretches back to even THEN. shocked


HK we tried to teach our first child to watch TV after an unexpected surgery at 18 months old, when we were told to keep her quite on the couch for a week or so. We failed, miserably. And then actually did actively teach it as a skill for next time we needed her to be able to be still for a while.... It felt weird and took a long time.
AEH we were deeply scarred by Nemo too... Possibly me and my parenting more than my children. It was the first time I had ever taken one of my children to the cinema and I had naively believed all the people who told me how wonderful it was....
I had a really hard time with Mother Gothel in Tangled. And Toy Story 3. All these films for kids are getting so dark. However I used to be fascinated by fairy tales, and those were all really really dark. Anderson especially. My mom used to say Anderson was grimmer than Grimm wink
Originally Posted by LAF
I had a really hard time with Mother Gothel in Tangled.

Man, she totally had me questioning my parenting at every turn.
Originally Posted by HowlerKarma
Originally Posted by aeh
The "scary movie" known as Cars. The moment when Lightning McQueen wakes up on the highway and can't find Mack. And many, many years later, we still haven't gotten past the opening scene of Finding Nemo.


For us, this is the scene in a particular Teletubbies short in which one Tubby is being chased by the other tubbies (for refusing to share the some item of clothing or something, as I recall). We had to fast-forward through it when DD was tiny-- her distress was pretty extreme.

(And no, in my defense, we did NOT actually encourage our 13-18mo DD to watch a lot of television... until she was virtually immobilized for two months by an RSV-penumonia one-two-punch, that is... at THAT point, Teletubbies were fair game as a means of keeping her quiet and resting.)


I was curious-- I looked it up after asking DD about it-- she still remembered it well.

(Recall-- this is my 15yo DD, and this was WELL before 9.11.01-- about a year prior, in fact)




Even then, my DD hated the idea of others forcing their will upon someone else and found it intolerable. Wow. This is still one of the few things that really rouses her to overtly aggressive/agitated behavior; stripping another person of agency/rights/autonomy. I hadn't ever thought of it in those terms, but this has apparently been a thread that stretches back to even THEN. shocked
And in our case, the thread is high security needs (not nearly as altruistic as your dd's!)--can't remember if I already told the alarm story: around age six
child: "what's that little light?"
parent: "the motion sensor for the house alarm"
child: "it goes on if there's someone moving in the room?"
parent: "yes"
child: "how can it tell the difference between us and a bad person?"
parent: "it can't. we just disarm it when we're at home"
child: "but I don't know the alarm code!"
parent: "that's okay, we wouldn't leave you home alone without someone who knew the code"
child: "what if something happens to both of you?"
--from here we head into a series of questions that cannot be satisfactorily answered without describing our whole estate/guardianship plan. Oh, and assurances that the appointed guardian would absolutely know how to fly across the country, acquire and drive a rental car (even if it's an unfamiliar make and model), use a map to reach our house, and, most importantly, TURN OFF THE ALARM!
Will not show Kung Fu Panda 2 ... ever. I saw it years ago and was a little freaked out. Kung Fu Panda 1 was well received by DS4 though. Do agree that the falling out of of Mack on the interstate scene was pretty upsetting.

Oddly we have watched BBCs "Planet Earth" and the giant great white sharks jumping out of the water and eating cute seals scene was greeted with nonchalance. (The artic fox stealing the egg from the nest was met with horror though - go figure).

My kids must be calloused and unfeeling because nothing cinematic phases them.

One has a pretty good anxiety disorder in real life sitautions....flush a toilet or ride an elevator at age 8, panic attack, but Harry potter movie, cartoon movies, super hero movies...no problem.
Cookie, DD has no problem with cinematic violence or emotionally distressing content-- she watched The Boy in Striped Pajamas without a major problem when she was 7 or 8, I think, and Schindler's List not that long after that. Harry Potter was no problem. smile

It was only before she was able to distinguish fantasy/reality well (really, <2yo) that we saw this effect. That's why I mentioned it as a goofy thing that appeared, and then submerged, only to reappear later on in other forms.



It wasn't until she was around 3-4 that she realized that some things on screens ARE real, and some are not.

My DD's situation is opposite cmguy's DS. Extreme violence in fantastic situations doesn't bother my DD9 in the slightest. Sometimes she'll even laugh at it, and root for the bad guy. But realistic fiction, with characters she can identify with... no. And don't even think about discussing disturbing current events.

DD was constantly asking us, "Is that real?" beginning around 2yo, so that's the major reason.
Oh my-- DD is going through 10 years' worth of stashed schoolwork and related detritus, and I kept a LOT of weird stuff-- asynchronous stuff-- from when she was little.

One coloring page (from a 'social studies/occupations' coloring book):

picture is of a young woman in a dentist's chair, with the dentist leaning toward her, instruments in hand, both of them smiling jovially there at the happiest dental practice on earth.

She carefully colored a few things in some strange psychedelic shades, added a cup dispenser to one corner, and (gulp) added captions.


The woman is asking "Do you LOVE ME??"

and the dentist is responding with; "YES!"

Creepiest cartoon EVER from my 4yo.

She had not yet seen Little Shop of Horrors, but this nicely explains why she has such an affinity for Steve Martin's role in the film. {sigh}

DS ran up to me after school with a little girl from his class and introduced her.

"Mom, she wants to be a scientist but she doesn't know anything about science!"

The little girl was all owl-eyed nodding along with what he was saying.

"Can you call her mom and set up some play dates? She wants me to teach her stuff but it is going to take a long time!"

Originally Posted by KJP
DS ran up to me after school with a little girl from his class and introduced her.

"Mom, she wants to be a scientist but she doesn't know anything about science!"

The little girl was all owl-eyed nodding along with what he was saying.

"Can you call her mom and set up some play dates? She wants me to teach her stuff but it is going to take a long time!"

Oh so cute!
Originally Posted by KJP
DS ran up to me after school with a little girl from his class and introduced her.

"Mom, she wants to be a scientist but she doesn't know anything about science!"

The little girl was all owl-eyed nodding along with what he was saying.

"Can you call her mom and set up some play dates? She wants me to teach her stuff but it is going to take a long time!"

Adorable! A protege!
DS2.11 is really getting into Egyptology, and we constructed an elaborate tunnel system, complete with false entrances and dead ends, culminating in a burial chamber and sarcophagus. DS assigned me the role of "Egyptologist" and DH was instructed to play "tomb robber".

I'm thinking of joining a local homeschool group to meet like-minded friends for DS. At what age might other children want to play games like Egyptologist or Medieval knights in a historically accurate manner?

Thanks Portia. We had success with DS teaching a 6 year old boy about bats and cave spelunking this weekend. I think we will have to build an activity ourselves!
This is more a parent thing, but I think our parents group for gifted class overwhelmed our new teacher a bit. He came in and told us a little about himself and we introduced ourselves and when he asked if we had questions we pretty much jumped into our normal routine of 'What's our plan, and what's our goals, and lets get fundraising.'
He just looked at us stunned for a second, and said "Wow I think we are going to need another meeting." Although I think he was excited to have parents who were ready to go...LOL.
During a recent trip to a hotel, we had the opportunity to ride in a crowded elevator. DS was standing near the button panel. An elderly couple was watching him and made an indication he could press our floor before they chose theirs.
I was a proud mom when DS spoke up indicating the panel and nodding for them to go first, "No, please. I insist."

I couldn't help remembering back when DS was still being strolled around and was
T-E-R-R-I-F-I-E-D of going into elevators. What a long way from the days of screaming, "No! No! No!" smile
That IS a proud moment! And what a lovely, considerate child you've raised.
Originally Posted by aeh
That IS a proud moment! And what a lovely, considerate child you've raised.

Thanks, but I have to give credit to his dad on this one. I was proud of him, too. wink
Originally Posted by KJP
DS ran up to me after school with a little girl from his class and introduced her.

"Mom, she wants to be a scientist but she doesn't know anything about science!"

The little girl was all owl-eyed nodding along with what he was saying.

"Can you call her mom and set up some play dates? She wants me to teach her stuff but it is going to take a long time!"

So now this girl asked him to be/told him he was her boyfriend! He says, "She is very impressed with how much I know about science so she said she wanted me to be her boyfriend."


Originally Posted by KJP
Originally Posted by KJP
DS ran up to me after school with a little girl from his class and introduced her.

"Mom, she wants to be a scientist but she doesn't know anything about science!"

The little girl was all owl-eyed nodding along with what he was saying.

"Can you call her mom and set up some play dates? She wants me to teach her stuff but it is going to take a long time!"

So now this girl asked him to be/told him he was her boyfriend! He says, "She is very impressed with how much I know about science so she said she wanted me to be her boyfriend."
Can someone send the new girlfriend up to the high school to give them some tips on partner selection?
This evening when DD2 was told it was time for her shower, replied "How about I take a shower tomorrow and Sunday instead?"
I was surprised to hear times had changed as well. When I was in first grade I liked a boy because he wore a Gizmo t-shirt to school several times a week and I thought Gizmo was cute.

I learned tonight that his buddy had to explain to him what having a girlfriend entailed. Apparently this is the first grade understanding -

It means you are in love but probably not enough to last until you are a grown up and can get married. Probably about two months worth of love is all. 😄



woohoo just officially became one of those mums at gym, when for the 15th time hearing another woman telling me my school choice for dd4 wasn't based on sound wisdom because all of her friends liked it, dropped the G word. Got an immediate, well I don't mean to offend you but you do know they all even out, not to say yours will of course. Just you wait a year in a composite class will see her on track.

I didn't bother telling her exactly how far advanced dd is...

I feel like I've just joined a club :-)
Has anyone ever asked a "they all even out" believer when the kids become uneven again? Surely these people don't think all adults have equal intelligence.
I prefer to keep asking probing questions about their position until it's plain for all to see that they're deluded.
I'm pretty confident DS-almost 3 came out with a statement today that none of the other billions of inhabitants of Earth said today after learning about the Titanic: "this is my friend, rusticle"
rusticles - hahaha

DD3 is starting to pick up some simple arithmetic (maybe from watching PBS kids and listening to bigger siblings). Our conversation:

DD3: What's 2+3?
Me: What do you think 2+3 is? [A week or two ago I would just answer the question. Now I'm checking she really knows.]
DD3: Five! Look! Five fingers! [Holding up one hand with 5 fingers.]
DD3: What's 5+5?
Me: What do you think 5+5 is?
DD3: Ten! Look! Ten fingers! [Holding up two hands with 10 fingers.]
[Then DD3 starts sucking her thumb.]
DD3: Wopf fibe pwuf four?

This definitely isn't a sign of 'giftedness' but I wanted to share with some fellow parents. Two days ago DS 3.5 went and played in the backyard for about 30 minutes on his own. When he came in he was being very shifty and trying to hide from us which made us think he must have done something but we couldn't figure out what it was. Yesterday I realized he had a ton of mud in one of his ears, luckily it wasn't very deep into his ear (yay for having an otoscope even if I can't use it well). Took until today to get him to admit that he tried to put a rolly-polly (pillbug) in his ear but it fell out, thank goodness. About a year and a half ago he put a pinto bean up his nose, I'd hoped we were done experimenting after that. He makes me tired.
DS8 told me last night that he had started reading the first Harry Potter book at school. "I'm surprised, it is really a lot shorter than I thought it would be -- I thought it was supposed to be a long book, but it is shorter than the Redwall books I've been reading."
Why do you think our preschooler thought claiming to have licked a blue marker was a more parent-pacifying explanation than secretive-blue-candy-eating, for the blue stains in and around the mouth?
Asynchonicity of the day:

DS, having leapfrogged into AoPS Algebra, is whipping through the word problems at a speed I am having trouble keeping up with. Until the money problem. "Mommy, what's the difference between nickels and dimes again?"
Trying to save money we bought generic spaghetti. We put it in the name brand box though hoping ds wouldn't notice. Nope...one bite in and he pushed it away because it tasted weird. This kid and his pallet...
Originally Posted by Cola
Trying to save money we bought generic spaghetti. We put it in the name brand box though hoping ds wouldn't notice. Nope...one bite in and he pushed it away because it tasted weird. This kid and his pallet...

That's an all-too familiar refrain in our home.

For example, our DD had decided she would eat rice in the form of her mom's pilaf from scratch or in no other form. She was 5 or 6 when DW began preparing it, realized she was out of onions, and decided to do without. DD sampled it, and pushed it away, because, "it tastes weird." If you'd asked her right away if she liked onions, she'd have given an emphatic no.
I share your pain. DD6 is extremely picky. One night we had quesadillas which for her is melted cheese between two torrillas. She gets to the middle and takes a bit and freaks out saying it tastes weird and refuses to eat the rest. I try to persuade her saying there is nothing wrong with it, it is exactly the same as usual, etc, etc. Later I find out DH had put a 1mmx2mm piece of chicken in trying to get her to eat meat. Seriously, it was the tiniest piece and she figured it out. Grrrrr.
I understand that! I made meatloaf a few days ago. I usually roast mushrooms and onions, then purée and incorporate them into the meat mixture before baking. As I was pressed for time, I pan fried chopped onion and mushroom and mixed them into the meat without pureeing. Sure enough, even after picking out the visible onions and mushrooms, DS managed to find one micron of onion mid-bite and spit out only the onion without losing any meat.

He also had two experiences with hot foods--kebab and gnocchi--and it's been hard to override his memory of those foods. For about 8 weeks after kebabgate, DS literally asked if EVERY bite of food was cold. To get him to eat a nice pea and morel gnocchi, we had him eat each piece with a small ice cube. {face palm} DS is a child with a low tolerance for parental errors.
We just bought a pizza for one of the kiddos that was just crust and olive oil. So basically round thin bread. We will start adding items when we are feeling brave and foolish.
Originally Posted by aquinas
He also had two experiences with hot foods--kebab and gnocchi--and it's been hard to override his memory of those foods. For about 8 weeks after kebabgate, DS literally asked if EVERY bite of food was cold. To get him to eat a nice pea and morel gnocchi, we had him eat each piece with a small ice cube. {face palm} DS is a child with a low tolerance for parental errors.

My younger brother was 3 or 4 when he got hold of my mom's meatloaf sandwich, which had a liberal coat of grandpa's homemade salsa. As a result, he refused to eat anything red (except for marinara sauce) well into his teenage years.

Now he eats raw peppers by the handful because he thinks we're supposed to be impressed by his manliness or something.
Originally Posted by Dude
Originally Posted by aquinas
He also had two experiences with hot foods--kebab and gnocchi--and it's been hard to override his memory of those foods. For about 8 weeks after kebabgate, DS literally asked if EVERY bite of food was cold. To get him to eat a nice pea and morel gnocchi, we had him eat each piece with a small ice cube. {face palm} DS is a child with a low tolerance for parental errors.

My younger brother was 3 or 4 when he got hold of my mom's meatloaf sandwich, which had a liberal coat of grandpa's homemade salsa. As a result, he refused to eat anything red (except for marinara sauce) well into his teenage years.

Now he eats raw peppers by the handful because he thinks we're supposed to be impressed by his manliness or something.

Stimulus generalization! It's an annoying pill to swallow as a parent. I try to use stimulus generalization to encourage trying new foods. I'm convinced gateway condiments are the way to go to encourage reluctant eaters to try new foods. For DS, the gateway condiment of choice is balsamic vinegar. All new vegetables are first introduced roasted with a balsamic glaze.
Originally Posted by aquinas
{face palm} DS is a child with a low tolerance for parental errors.
The preschooler also declines to eat anything until it has been clearly demonstrated to be no warmer than room temperature, for similar reasons. Mostly by sitting on the dinner table for inordinate amounts of time. Parent blowing on it or testing it on self is not enough.

And I am still being reminded every time we cut our fingernails of the time I accidentally nicked a little finger, resulting in literally a tiny red dot--not even a full drop--of blood showing up. This happened at least six months ago. Forgiven, but not forgotten!
My kids are also exquisitely sensitive to taste, texture, and temperature. Both refused to have pizza with tomato sauce for a number of years (DS6 still does sometimes), which meant cheese-only (no other toppings allowed, of course). DD10 has just started experimenting with mushrooms on her pizza, but this is a recent development.

Also, hot-chocolate is really luke-warm chocolate. LOL

DS has finally discovered he likes certain salad dressings, so hoping for more vegetable-eating around here. DD still will only eat veggies if she can slather them in peanut butter (which - ugh, but at least nutritious...)
in an attempt to get DD2 to let me go one morning so I could wash up, DH said "Mama is all sweaty so she needs to take a shower right now". Fatal mistake - now, if I show up in workout clothes, she will squeal "no, Mama! take a shower! you are all sweaty!" and runs to DH but often refuses to cooperate with DH for some things and will wait until I am all cleaned up and available. I wonder how long it will be before this phases out.

Originally Posted by notnafnaf
in an attempt to get DD2 to let me go one morning so I could wash up, DH said "Mama is all sweaty so she needs to take a shower right now". Fatal mistake - now, if I show up in workout clothes, she will squeal "no, Mama! take a shower! you are all sweaty!" and runs to DH but often refuses to cooperate with DH for some things and will wait until I am all cleaned up and available. I wonder how long it will be before this phases out.

You could always press the issue... TICKLE FIGHT!

But then you get a kid who says "you're stinky" whenever they want to play.
Originally Posted by aeh
And I am still being reminded every time we cut our fingernails of the time I accidentally nicked a little finger, resulting in literally a tiny red dot--not even a full drop--of blood showing up. This happened at least six months ago. Forgiven, but not forgotten!


Count yourself lucky. I am still hearing about the time I made DS6 take a bite of meatloaf (which he had loved up to about a month before the incident) and he "threw up." (I think he didn't actually swallow it all he way and then coughed it up.) I think it's been about a year and a half now.
I pinched DD once while putting a helmet on her, 2 years ago. From that day on, I have to reassure her for good 5 minutes that I am not going to do it again.

DD is such an expensive child to feed. Once she finds a version of a dish she likes, that's it and almost always, it's the most expensive option. It's getting to the point where I have to think very carefully about not letting her try something if we can't afford it on a regular basis.
In daycare my ds only ate two things. We did the whole "he will eat when he's hungry" thing but nope he went without eating for almost three days. After the hospital visit since he just about passed out we were told give him what he will eat. Stubborn lil dude almost got us in trouble!
The horrors of not eating! I'm convinced that's something parents never get over. A child refusing to eat anything except breastmilk until after 2? *Raises hand* shocked
Oh yes! Daycare! - DD was still nursing a lot and not eating many solids when she started daycare at 11 mos. Also refused to drink breastmilk from a bottle! For some reason my in-laws still have one of her first daily reports from daycare pinned to their fridge - it says she ate ~2 tsp of rice cereal. I still laugh (well, cry) when I see it.

She did get better eating at daycare but mostly waited until I picked her up to nurse. Somehow, I did manage to wean her at just over 2 yrs...

And yes, she's stubborn. I've no doubt that we would also end up at the hospital if we tried to play "you will eat what we serve".

Out of necessity I've developed a more relaxed attitude to what she eats - I offer a meal, she eats it (or not) and if not gets herself something else.
That's what we do now and thankfully the school knows if he buys something he likes and wants three then he can have it lol. We don't say no to food in our house lol. Thankfully he's healthy just a bit thin but not too bad.
Our experience was not quite like this, because DD swiped a pear DW was sure was out of her reach when she was just a few months old. I'm not sure how to describe the intensity DD displayed over her enjoyment of her first taste of food, but she was making animal sounds that suggested taking it away would be a bad idea. Months later, DW started cooking school, and DD would greet DW at the door with, "Mama... NUM NUM!!", because it didn't take DD long to recognize that DW always came home with interesting food. DW began making her own baby food, and "baby food" became things with risotto, polenta, and other words I didn't understand.

Later things became more routine, and DD suddenly decided she was a picky eater, so we went through all the normal food issues anyway.
Originally Posted by Can2K
She did get better eating at daycare but mostly waited until I picked her up to nurse. Somehow, I did manage to wean her at just over 2 yrs...

I'm on a 100% child-led weaning schedule. The benefit of nursing DS3 is I now have learned from him that my milk is, by his account, better than any of: chocolate, ice cream, or meat (his favorite food group).

This is an oldie but a goodie: when DS was maybe 8 or 9 months old, my parents were visiting us from out of town. Amid the hubbub, DS decided that he needed some peace, so he shouted out, "Mama, nurse! Boob! OUT!" The laughter that ensued was enough to cement that particular phrasing as his choice nursing request for a few months.
It was not uncommon for us to get sheets showing that the baby sipped 5-8oz (attempted) from bottle from daycare as the total day input for both kids until they moved to cups and solids. yep, that meant all night nursing sessions.

and once on solids, we had issues with constipation for DS due to his love of bready food and diarrhea from too much fruit and veggies for DD. Daycare used to hide the oranges until DD had eaten some other food before they showed the oranges, otherwise she would refuse to touch any other food for that meal.

DD was going through the "Open the shop! Right now!" phase when she wanted to nurse... at a little over 2, she still loves to nurse and I am wondering how or when I am ever going to wean her.
Originally Posted by aquinas
Originally Posted by Can2K
She did get better eating at daycare but mostly waited until I picked her up to nurse. Somehow, I did manage to wean her at just over 2 yrs...

I'm on a 100% child-led weaning schedule. The benefit of nursing DS3 is I now have learned from him that my milk is, by his account, better than any of: chocolate, ice cream, or meat (his favorite food group).

This is an oldie but a goodie: when DS was maybe 8 or 9 months old, my parents were visiting us from out of town. Amid the hubbub, DS decided that he needed some peace, so he shouted out, "Mama, nurse! Boob! OUT!" The laughter that ensued was enough to cement that particular phrasing as his choice nursing request for a few months.
And this is why, in our house, all the vocabulary used for nursing is not in English. At least only our bilingual friends (in that language) have to hear about it!
Originally Posted by notnafnaf
Daycare used to hide the oranges until DD had eaten some other food before they showed the oranges, otherwise she would refuse to touch any other food for that meal.


We had this problem with DS and bananas (very constipating for him). They were banned in our house for several years, and still are purchased in very small quantities.

When he was about 3, we went to a friend's house for a party (so there was lots of food available). He took a banana, went to an adult, and asked, "Will you open this for me, please?" So polite, and of course the answer was yes. When he finished it, he went and got another one, and asked a different adult.... By the time we noticed what was going on, he had eaten five bananas. He didn't poop for five days after that. eek
Originally Posted by aeh
Originally Posted by aquinas
Originally Posted by Can2K
She did get better eating at daycare but mostly waited until I picked her up to nurse. Somehow, I did manage to wean her at just over 2 yrs...

I'm on a 100% child-led weaning schedule. The benefit of nursing DS3 is I now have learned from him that my milk is, by his account, better than any of: chocolate, ice cream, or meat (his favorite food group).

This is an oldie but a goodie: when DS was maybe 8 or 9 months old, my parents were visiting us from out of town. Amid the hubbub, DS decided that he needed some peace, so he shouted out, "Mama, nurse! Boob! OUT!" The laughter that ensued was enough to cement that particular phrasing as his choice nursing request for a few months.
And this is why, in our house, all the vocabulary used for nursing is not in English. At least only our bilingual friends (in that language) have to hear about it!
Understandable. I'm a lactivist, so I actively promote talking about nursing and nursing openly, even if the language is conspicuous. I want DS to know that there's no shame in breastfeeding any more than there is in drinking a glass of water or asking for a hug. I'm on a mission to de-sexualize and de-objectify breasts! smile

Me 4-years-ago would probably not be so enthusiastic or shameless.

/exit soapbox smile
Originally Posted by ElizabethN
Originally Posted by notnafnaf
Daycare used to hide the oranges until DD had eaten some other food before they showed the oranges, otherwise she would refuse to touch any other food for that meal.


We had this problem with DS and bananas (very constipating for him). They were banned in our house for several years, and still are purchased in very small quantities.

When he was about 3, we went to a friend's house for a party (so there was lots of food available). He took a banana, went to an adult, and asked, "Will you open this for me, please?" So polite, and of course the answer was yes. When he finished it, he went and got another one, and asked a different adult.... By the time we noticed what was going on, he had eaten five bananas. He didn't poop for five days after that. eek

That's a riot!
Originally Posted by aquinas
Originally Posted by aeh
Originally Posted by aquinas
Originally Posted by Can2K
She did get better eating at daycare but mostly waited until I picked her up to nurse. Somehow, I did manage to wean her at just over 2 yrs...

I'm on a 100% child-led weaning schedule. The benefit of nursing DS3 is I now have learned from him that my milk is, by his account, better than any of: chocolate, ice cream, or meat (his favorite food group).

This is an oldie but a goodie: when DS was maybe 8 or 9 months old, my parents were visiting us from out of town. Amid the hubbub, DS decided that he needed some peace, so he shouted out, "Mama, nurse! Boob! OUT!" The laughter that ensued was enough to cement that particular phrasing as his choice nursing request for a few months.
And this is why, in our house, all the vocabulary used for nursing is not in English. At least only our bilingual friends (in that language) have to hear about it!
Understandable. I'm a lactivist, so I actively promote talking about nursing and nursing openly, even if the language is conspicuous. I want DS to know that there's no shame in breastfeeding any more than there is in drinking a glass of water or asking for a hug. I'm on a mission to de-sexualize and de-objectify breasts! smile

Me 4-years-ago would probably not be so enthusiastic or shameless.

/exit soapbox smile
Well, I have to admit that, though our intent was to be somewhat discreet, the actual result of this, after 10 years and counting of cumulative nursing, is that there are people now who know only those few words in that language...since nursing on demand doesn't mean disappearing into another room in our house, it was pretty easy to learn those words...
Well - I weaned because DS was on the way and it was just too uncomfortable. Otherwise, we would probably have continued. Still, DS pretty much weaned himself around 2.5 yrs
LOL! At least you get a good answer to that question.

If I ask DS how many he wants of something, he just says "all of them!" Sometimes he eats that many, but mostly it's just to be contrarian.
Readermom DS at age 3 had what we thought was a grape stem up his nose, but it was a little weapon from his Start Wars figures. Once it was out (that's the day he really learned to blow his nose!) we asked why. "Because i didn't have any pockets." We nearly busted a gut trying not to laugh till he left the room. And yes, forever after his pants had pockets!
DS15 just took the ACT for the 3rd time (not the same DS from the above story, BTW). He got a lower score on the reading portion, and I commented on it. He said there were some really interesting passages this time and he took time to savor them, so he had to rush on the less interesting ones. Of course, he doesn't usually read the passages at all, because you can go right to the questions and then just find the answer in the passage.

This was a "practice" ACT administered to the sophomores by the HS, scores are not submitted to College Board, so he took advantage of that to enjoy the test, and he still got 99%ile (even against juniors).
DD's desk at school is organized and neat. Almost to the point that you can tell she deals with OCD. But I have to help her clean her room because it is a complete disaster and she doesn't know where to start. And she panic's because she know it needs to be done but can't figure it out. Anyone else have this issue?
DS3 was splashing water out of the bathtub and onto the floor of the bathroom during last evening's bath. When asked to stop, he replied, "Mama, I'm just making a painting on the floor to look like a Jackson Pollock."
Have you been looking in my office and my house? wink

And mine just live in a constant state of moderate disorder...

I have noticed, though, that sometimes people who have organizational issues can only maintain extreme order. It's all or nothing. I think that's because it requires more executive function to create order than to maintain order, and the easiest form of order to maintain is the simplest, where there are very few moving parts. Her desk is a very small, limited, utilitarian field, where everything belongs to the same large category, and the subordinate categories are fairly simple (by subject, by class period, by stationery category, etc.). External sources of order are also being constantly imposed on it (i.e., teachers). Her room has many more variables and possible classifications, including lots of things without specific functions, but with emotional value, which makes them challenging to classify.

I know this is an anecdote thread, and not a question thread...but you might try giving her the same standard "bucket" categories, using a handful of consistent labels for them every time, either by function (clothes, toys, schoolwork), or by action you have to take (discard, do, store). Then just start with whatever is closest to you.
Did you point out that he might be making a Jackson Pollock on the ceiling of the level below you? wink
Originally Posted by aeh
Did you point out that he might be making a Jackson Pollock on the ceiling of the level below you? wink

...also ours, but it bears repeating! We opted to Pollock (now a verb) the bath stall wall with shaving cream instead provided he wiped up the floor with a towel, which he did.
Me: (speaking with my mouth full)
DD4: "Mommy, I can't read your mind."

*****

Me: "What did you want Santa to bring you this year?"
DD4: "I don't understand why you insist on this Santa charade but if it means SO much to you, fine, I'll play along but really, I am too old to be playing with toys."

*****

DD4: "E is my secret boyfriend."
Me: "Oh really, why not S?"
DD4: "He whines and cries too much. I don't want to have to listen to that."
Me: "And you don't whine and cry too much?"
DD4: "At home, I do, but that's different."
Me: "How so?"
DD4: "You're my mommy and it's your job to listen to me whine and cry."
Originally Posted by Mana
DD4: "You're my mommy and it's your job to listen to me whine and cry."
Love that! Has she been talking to my kids?
this was a few months ago... DD's teacher told us that DD was sitting on a friend and it was not clear to the teacher why DD sat on her.

DH: Who did you sit on?
DD2: I sat on S.
DH: why did you sit on S?
DD2: because I knocked her over
DH: Why did you knock her over?
DD2: S tell the teacher
DH: What did S tell the teacher?
DD2: I took her toy.

and same DD refuses to talk to my mother on the phone. She will only talk to my dad... we ask "do you want to visit grandma and grandpa?" and she would say "not grandma. Just grandpa". Luckily my mother just thinks it is hilarious (my father is very serious by nature, and DS4 even once commented "grandpa is kind of stern, isn't he?").

Originally Posted by notnafnaf
DH: Who did you sit on?
DD2: I sat on S.
DH: why did you sit on S?
DD2: because I knocked her over
DH: Why did you knock her over?
DD2: S tell the teacher
DH: What did S tell the teacher?
DD2: I took her toy.


When my DD was in kindergarten, one of the other girls was chasing boys on the playground at recess to kiss them. DD knew she wasn't supposed to kiss the boys, so she just chased them and held them down for the other girl to kiss. eek shocked smile
4yr old: Mummy when will I be as old as my big sister?
Me: In 8 years you will be as old as she is now
4 yr old (wailing): But I don't want to DIE!!!!

Also quite regularly:

4yr old: Mummy, when will I get to go on stage and hold the microphone?
Me: When you are in school you will get a turn too
4yr old: Mummy, why is everyone looking at me?!?!? Make them stop looking at me!!
If and when you discover a way to get them to stop, please let me know. I am reaching my personal limit.
MumOfThree, that reminds me of what DD said yesterday:

DD: So I have to be a teenager to learn to drive?
Me: Yes, I believe you have to be at least 16. Why? You want to learn to drive?
DD: Yeah, so when you die, I still can get around.
DS3 when he encounters a new word: "Unexpectedly, Daddy, I don't understand what you mean by ----. Can you please explain it to me?"

And

"Unfortunately, that word is not in my vocabulary, Daddy. What does it mean?"
Our piano tuner comes in (who sometimes attends our quirky church that seems to attract free thinkers, retired professors, teachers and doctors) sizes up our living room (piano, dulcimer, chess boards, art/ building projects, numerous books, field guides, binoculars, etc.) Tunes our piano, then sets down without any prompting at the table and teaches our daughter a lesson on chess strategy. Grabs his bag, coat and heads to his next appointment.
Originally Posted by aquinas
DS3 was splashing water out of the bathtub and onto the floor of the bathroom during last evening's bath. When asked to stop, he replied, "Mama, I'm just making a painting on the floor to look like a Jackson Pollock."

I do not miss the "Jackson Pollock" phase! What a mess.

The librarians commented once about dd, then 4, checking out 30,000 Years of Art from the library (we literally wore the spine out). "There's naked people in there."

I replied, "Yep and it's all I can do to keep clothes on her. She couldn't care less." They know her now and just roll with it.

At 9, she still loves and appreciates art. When she was 8, we took her to a "gallery town" and she was entranced, spending two days going through good quality galleries.
We had a traditional Thanksgiving dinner at a friend's house this year. DD4 is mostly a vegetarian. We had carefully prepped DD about not saying anything about other people's dietary choices and we thought she understood but apparently, she didn't. Next year, we're having our Thanksgiving dinner at a vegan restaurant.






This was one that completely left me stunned. I thought my daughter was joking but she was not. I bought a different kind of Microwave popcorn this time, and it's the kind that you tear off the side and it makes a bowl instead of opening at the top. DD10 completely freaked out and couldn't figure out what she was supposed to do with it.

Me: "Just read the directions and pop it like normal then open it like it says."

DD10 went off and put it in the Microwave. The directions said to pop for 2 to 2 and a half minutes. She came back and complained that not all of it was popped.

Me: Did you read the directions?
DD10: yes
Me: how long did you pop it?
DD10: 1 and a half minutes
Me: So you read the directions you just didn't follow them?
DD10: This whole bag is confusing! Who opens the bag from the side? How am I supposed to trust the instructions if the bag opens the wrong way?

I love the side effects of the gifted. Yes she is adjusting slowly to the different popcorn. Wonder if I should switch back or if I should stick with it now that she's figuring it out.
Similar story: A few years ago, when they came out with new Oreo bags that open from a pull tab on the top (instead of at the end), the child who was working three years above grade level in math could not figure out how to open a bag of cookies.
I got my DH a card on the occasion of his oral qualifiers in grad school-- it was a Far Side card, with a young man pushing with all his might on a door.






The door was marked "Pull."



Right below the inscription on the window that prominently stated "Institute for the Mentally Gifted."

grin I usually think of that card on occasions like that. Luckily, everyone in our household has a pretty good sense of humor about it, but there really IS something to it when your over-powered brain just plain runs over some aspect of reality, which then grabs an axle and hangs on while you spin in place.

I was thinking about this earlier in the week as I read the thread re: telling time and getting in one's way with an assumption or belief that turns out to be completely incorrect. It can be SO hard to switch gears when it feels all wrong. LOL!
Today my 5 yr old designed a manned Mars rocket (while watching the Orion launch, why do you ask?), fussing quite a lot over fuels, colourcoding the electrical and life support systems, and drawing the innards of the rocket engine (which to be fair is simpler than, say, an automobile engine).

Then he put on his gloves to go outside and washed his hands. In that order.
Ha ha ha!

(Good to see you back, Michaela, even if it was troubles that brought you back.)
My DD took a very brief IQ test at a private K admission office. I was too curious about what went down so I asked her to tell me what it was like. She recalled all the questions as well as her answers.

Her answers were very creative. They weren't technically wrong but I don't think she could get credits for a lot of them. I asked her why she gave such strange answers and she said she was trying to demonstrate her sense of humor.

:banging my head on the wall:
grin Well, um-- mission accomplished ?


Sounds like my DD's recap of baboons or monkeys or something-- as an integral part of her SAT essay. Yeah-- I had the same response. eek
Now that I have calmed down a little bit, yes, I'd say mission accomplished. Some of her responses were rather witty.

If she pulls anything like this on her SAT, I'm going to ship her off to somewhere civilized but miserable like spending a whole winter in Norway.
Originally Posted by aeh
Originally Posted by Mana
DD4: "You're my mommy and it's your job to listen to me whine and cry."
Love that! Has she been talking to my kids?

Well, it might be our job but I wish I were paid better...
(bump)
Ds decided he was going to "believe" in Santa like his friends. So he went about discussing how to catch Santa in the act, and talked about what he would ask Santa for Christmas, and so on.
This went on for maybe a week of contemplating all the what if's.
In the end he concluded that he was glad Santa wasn't real because he didn't like the idea of a stranger entering our home while we slept and that now he's dealing with bad dreams all because he wanted to try to be "normal."
my kids are playing outside, without me, without being forced!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Right there with ya, Mahagogo5!
Originally Posted by MegMeg
Right there with ya, Mahagogo5!


Height of summer and they want to stay inside all day long, driving me batty! Anyway progress is good.
DD met a new friend (age 5) at a play structure. They decided to play tag.

NF: You can't tag me here.
DD: Why not?
NF: This is a safe zone.
DD: We are playing the ORIGINAL game of tag.
NF: What?
DD: Original, meaning no modifications or special rules.
NF: What?
DD: I can tag you anywhere since we didn't agree to having a safe zone prior to starting the game.
NF: I don't understand you.
DD: Is English not your first language?

Originally Posted by Mana
DD met a new friend (age 5) at a play structure. They decided to play tag.

NF: You can't tag me here.
DD: Why not?
NF: This is a safe zone.
DD: We are playing the ORIGINAL game of tag.
NF: What?
DD: Original, meaning no modifications or special rules.
NF: What?
DD: I can tag you anywhere since we didn't agree to having a safe zone prior to starting the game.
NF: I don't understand you.
DD: Is English not your first language?

Yup. DS3 has gotten so frustrated after trying to communicate with other children that he's come back to me and declared, "I don't think that child is ready to communicate with me yet." I feel your DD's pain.
Our son (DYS 6.5) got an Anna doll (from Frozen) for Christmas. He has changed her dress and now refers to her as Athena.
DD2 is very particular about her pull up diapers (the ones we get comes in variety packs, so it has her favorite princess mixed in with other characters not as interesting). The ones she abhors is the set that mixes in the monsters diapers. She goes through her favorites first, then next favorite and so on (her teachers have the children bring over their diapers at changing time)... until she only had the monster ones left.

Then she showed up with her favorite one instead of the despised monster one, and her teacher asked her where she got that one (her teacher knew she was down to the monster ones). Apparently she despised the monster ones so much that she was swapping those with her favorites from the cubbies of the other girls who have the same brand. (none of the other girls care at all about which diapers they have).

And I just found out that she is now calling the parents of the other children by their real names when they pick up their child, surprising them (I don't think I even know the real name of any other parent - they are all "XX's mom/dad" to me).
aquinas, I'm sure for your DS, it's truly a case of mismatch between him and other children he encounters but I'm starting to suspect that my DD might be doing some of this on purpose. I don't know if she is being sincere or putting on a performance.

Getting ready for bed in the bathroom. DS8, is picking on his toothbrush, complaining about an "invisible bit of thread" sticking to it.
DD4, in great indignation: "But DS, that is INCREDIBLE! The only thing in the world that is truly invisible is air!"
DS8, in even greater indignation: "DD, there are LOADS of things that aren't air that are invisible!" And he starts listing colourless gases. DD4 runs out oft he bathroom while he is still muttering about the density of sulfur hexafluoride.

I have had exactly one year of chemistry in school and most of these days I have no idea what he is talking about.
DS7 said something to DH last night that seemed so ... out there ... I just feel like he must be parroting something he heard. But I googled and can't find it.

He said, "Time is the most powerful thing of all because if there never was time, there could never have been anything." He went on to explain more about what he meant, and DH surreptitiously caught a little on a recording. So he wasn't ONLY repeating what he heard. But I wondered if somebody else gave him the idea.

Has anybody heard this idea in something a 7-year old might come across? In case it's relevant - we aren't religious at all, so that sort of text wouldn't have been his "source."
Sue, just a guess without more context, but I can imagine several places my DS might have found such concepts at that age, such as physics books, or some of the more conceptual science or science fiction. Has yours been reading the Stephen Hawking novels, perchance? Your DS is quite exceptional - I would imagine it wouldn't take a detailed prompt to get his brain spinning on such a concept!
Carl Sagan or NdG Tyson would be my guesses at the genesis of the commentary.

I recall DD doing similarly eerie, almost echolalic-like things at 2-5yo, with these full phrases/pronouncements that I just knew had come from somewhere-- though she would expand on them or use them completely appropriately. It was kind of fun to try to ferret out where they'd come from. smile
I've been converted. We've been binge watching My Little Ponies.

Now that I know who is who, I asked DD4 which pony she is most like and she gave me an interesting answer:

DD: I am a little bit like all the ponies. I can be fun loving like Pinkie Pie but I can also be quite shy like Flutter Shy. I can be bossy like Rainbow Dash but I can also be thoughtful like Applejack. I can be a fashionista like Rarity. I like reading books like Twilight Sparkle. I am a real human, not a pretend pony, so I am more than just a character but if I were to pick one, it'd be Princess Luna.

Me: But she used to be so evil and power hungry.

DD: I know but that doesn't matter. She raises the moon. I want to have the same power.

I don't think she has been reading anything on Jungian archetypes but she seems to be getting close to developing her own theory based on MLP.



Originally Posted by Mana
I've been converted. We've been binge watching My Little Ponies.

I don't think she has been reading anything on Jungian archetypes but she seems to be getting close to developing her own theory based on MLP.
Mana, it's a slippery slope wink

Tonight, DS4 lost DH's fitbit.

DH: DS, you have to help me find it.

(After DH has searched in vain for 10 min, he finds DS lounging on the floor reading a book while looking at a human body poster)

DH: WHY aren't you helping me look for the fitbit?!?

DS: I AM looking for it...just in really odd places.
EmeraldCity, did your DS truly misplace the fitbit or did he hide it on purpose? My DD hides things and enjoys making us look for them. This was cute when she was 18 months old but these days, it makes me really really frustrated.
DD has always been fascinated with time--she asked me where it came from around age 3 and has used as an answer in 20 questions (my kids are known for their impossible targets in 20 Questions). That doesn't sound unlike something she would say. She also has always asked a lot of wild questions about the universe that make everyone's heads hurt.
EmeraldCity, that response is delightful.


Of course, it wouldn't have been to the frustrated parent, I am sure-- I can remember wildly arguing with my spouse when DD was about 2yo-- he was CERTAIN that it was irrationally outside of all expectation for me to lean on our toddler-aged DD over a missing library book.

I can remember turning to him and saying "You just watch-- she knows where things are."

Sure enough, once I had fully emphasized the importance of finding the book, it took her less than 90s to go up the stairs, and return with it.

Not really quirky, but it was too adorable not to post. While snuggling DS3 to sleep, he came out with this line:

"Mama, you take good, good, good, good, good care of me. You're an excellent Mama. You snuggle me when I need hugs, you make me warm when I'm cold, you are so comfortable. I love you. You do a really good job and you work hard to be a good Mama."

I am officially on cloud nine. No praise could be better!

I just unlatched him from nursing and, in his sleep he said, "You're so good." Awww!



Awwww - that's lovely!
So lovely, on so many levels!
Our asynchronous games night -

My DS just turned 7. He received a few games as gifts, so last night we sat down to try them.

He first picked a card game I had purchased called "Moose in the House" thinking it was humourous and he would enjoy it (each player has a 'house' and you try to put a moose in other people's houses). We opened it and I read out the rules - you can block the rooms with doors to keep out the moose, or use a 'Moose trap' card to try to get rid of a moose in your house.

As soon as he saw the 'moose trap' card he no longer wanted to play. He said he would feel too sad for the moose!?!

Then we opened a fancy domino game that was set up with a train track. I happened to push the button and it triggered a very loud train sound! OK - that was it for that game, even though I removed the batteries.

Lastly we opened a Tetris game - he enjoyed this one, and used his plastic pieces to create a complex symmetrical shape in between turns. However the game ended when he decided to try to lose as many points as he could, thus blocking the other players.

Hoping we get to at least play the Tetris one again - it was fun for a while...
What a shame - but it does sound cute. :-) Just curious - is the "Tetris" game Blokus? That is really fun, although it's best with four players.

We lost our copy of Moose in the House at some point, which makes me sad, because I loved the silly pictures of the moose in the different rooms. I can tell you that it would play just fine without the moose trap cards, if you want to try that. It's an entirely luck-based game, though, that may be a little below the mark for a gifted seven-year-old. This article has some good choices, and there is a long thread pinned in the Recommended Resources thread that talks about games.
Can2K, ah yes, the "change the goal of the game without breaking the rules" stage! My DD is doing that with Crazy-8s right now. She's decided she prefers drawing as many cards as possible so she can slam me with with "pick up 2 cards" or change the suit on me, rather than actually try to win!
LOL - sounds like my DS7 all right. He often changes how he plays a game so as to deliberately lose. I wish I knew why - perfectionism? because he's bored? He won't say of course!

Last weekend we were bowling with my in-laws and he decided he was going to lose at bowling, so he rolled the ball as slowly as possible down the lane. Made for a slooow game. ;-)

Elizabeth - thanks for the suggestions. The Tetris game is this one: http://www.amazon.ca/Unknown-01600-Tetris-Link/dp/B005RBVE8E

I did convince him to give the Moose game a try, but of course he decided he wanted as many moose as possible in his house. LOL!
On a long car ride with lots of hills, the preschooler says: "Whee!" on the declines, and "Eew!" on the inclines.
On the way home from daycare today, dd asked why I stopped, at every red stoplight, and asked why I didn't stop every time the light was green.
Every stop light? This reminds me of a car ride we took a few weeks ago, picking up an older sib, during which I heard: "Look, it's 4:08...4:09...4:10..." etc., for the whole trip. Aagh!
At age 2.5, my middle child used to complain every time we were on the freeway that the freeway made his back hurt. So, we'd hear, "The freeway makes my back hurt. When are we getting off the freeway?" over and over again, until we exited. Sometimes, we would try to convince him that we were really on side streets even though it looked like we were on the highway in the hope that he would quiet down. It never really worked.
DS2 called out every. Single. Triangle. Between our house and preschool. When he was 3 he was fascinated by the difference between the posted speed limit and the car's actual rate. We learned to let it go, but we heard from his carpool drivers that he sounded like their mother was in the back seat.
NotherBen, I'm laughing about this. It made me remember all the times dd would say "you're going 36 mph and the speed limit is 35 mph" etc ad nauseam. Just a few months ago, now at 11, she recalled this herself and admitted that she must have been a "pretty annoying child."
DS7 and I had a rough night last night. He was crabby, I was cranky. We ended up with detente and DH tucked him in for the night. I went in to wake him this morning. His first words: "I love you Mom. I just think you need to know that."

He's more grown up than me ...
Every time DD (now 12) visits me at my office I hear the following monologue:

"Office parks make me depressed. Every time I drive past an office park, I just get down. And carpet stores... carpet stores are very depressing. And stores that sell paintings, not galleries, but stores that sell those prints of paintings -- those make me depressed too..."

Seriously, I've been listening to this litany since she was tiny. Recently, I started using it as a jumping off point for discussing possible future careers.
My DD has several toobs of plastic animals. Lately, she has benn taking bath with the insec set with a roach, a fly, and a centipede. She lines them all up on the tub and has some kind of narrative going on.

Isnt that a little too weird?
Mana, that sounds totally normal to me! :-)
Ivy, that sounds soooo much like something my DD11 would say.

As to weird animals in the tub, that has been our life for years! smile
Mana,

If it makes you feel any less weird my DD10 was having her own cuddly toy Oscar awards show last night LOL
Suevv - that's sweet!

Ivy - I can see my DS saying something similar.

Re: careers - we were discussing this topic at dinner last night. DS7 said he couldn't think of what he wants to be, because he couldn't think of an easy enough job - because he doesn't want to work hard! He said he wanted something 'easy' like a letter-carrier (which to me sounds like a lot of hard physical work - but anyway...).

So I told him that if he found a job where he was doing something he enjoys it wouldn't seem like hard work. Then DD10 said "like, you could be a mathematician"! DS asked what that was and she said "You solve hard math problems all day".

DS: "Wow - that's like a real job? That's what I'll do then. Either that or a grade 3 math teacher - because I like grade 3 math!" (He's in grade 1).
I don't know why but I find it more than just odd or peculiar. I forgot to mention that she keeps her creepy plastic bugs in her Frozen treasure box along with valentine day cards her friends gave her. She makes so little sense to me sometimes but it's comforting to know that she isn't the only one around here with weird...habits.
mana my dd does the same thing. I forget NT girls tend not to do that. She has a colony of caterpillars in the back yard and makes sure to greet the daddy long legs every morning - god forbid we kill them. She hates flys though, apparently they serve no purpose and are dirty yucky things, and as we have antibiotics now it's irrelevant that the maggots can be used to clean wounds. right......
DS3 is playing "construction" with two construction worker action figures, trucks, pattern blocks, and construction signs/barricades.

DS acts out construction worker 1 dreaming that the signs are animated and walking all over him while construction worker 2 sits by, oblivious. I ask what is happening and he says, "Construction worker 1 is having a nightmare."

He then acts out construction worker 1 being awake and having the signs pester him while construction worker 2 is, again, unaware. He animates construction worker 1 as freaking out. At my asking, he says, "This is what construction worker 2 sees," and he removes the signs and makes construction worker 1 act like he's freaking out.

Then he repeats construction worker 1 being bothered by the signs, only to have construction worker 2 start acting startled. I asked how construction worker 2 could see the signs, and he replied, "Construction worker 2 is having a nightmare about construction worker 1 being attacked by walking signs." When I asked if construction worker 1 could see that scene unfolding, he said, "No, he's asleep."

Finally, he animates the signs taking over vehicles and driving them away, while the construction workers are variously dreaming about each other dreaming a few iterations in. He comes over to me slyly and says, "The construction workers are stretching their amygdalas." (I suppose because they were afraid in their dreams.)

So, that's what construction play looks like here.
Oh, those boys and their trucks....!
That's hysterical!

ETA: Or, I guess not, since he's a boy. wink
Originally Posted by squishys
When I was little I was obsessed with caterpillars, moths and butterflies, and spiders. I had many as pets, and one time I collected about 20 giant moths and I kept them hidden in my draw (since my mum forbid me to keep them). Then they all laid many, many eggs and my mum found out LOL. Good times.

O.M.G. What a nightmare for your mom! LOL.
I'm back with another. We're in a fun/exhausting phase.

We had a horrendous day for behaviour with DS3, I would say the worst behaviour he's ever had in his life. He was sent to time-out four times and lost toy or book privileges three times. In total, that's more discipline than he's faced in the last few months. He's making some substantial cognitive leaps, so I suspect the outbursts are a product of a brain in a heightened state of change.

Case in point with weird behaviour/cognitive growth: a half hour long oral exposition of an imaginary creature called a "Boo". Boos, I learned at DS' "symposium on Boos", are characterized by the following:

- they are much taller and fiercer than yetis, as proved by three imaginary side-by-side photo comparisons, with hair (as distinct fro yetis' fur)
- Boos' hair is akin to feathers, is stiff, descends from theropods' feathers, and is blue on the exterior. When viewed under magnification greater than 2,000x, you can see fissures of yellow behind the blue.
- Boos are cannibals, but do not eat their nuclear or immediate extended family (to a common grandparental ancestor), and they are solitary hunters.
- Tribes of Boos gather after a hunt in blue nests shaped like the creatures themselves.
- Boos hide spookily in human homes, but are no threat to humans, other than for the fact that they like to steal desserts.
- exactly 10 juvenile Boos are hatched out of eggs in each litter.
- Boos cannot die, except through suicide, which follows a common ritualistic pattern across the species. Boos never bathe until the moment of death, at which point they take a mud bath,then spin themselves until they are so dizzy that their brain self-destructs. The impetus for death is inordinate boredom.
- A 9 year old juvenile Boo named Harold, who is shorter than DS, visited us bearing gifts of chocolate and poison. His father had just committed ritual suicide and his mother had hatched 10 new babies.

I found this development on the Boo concept both frighteningly ghoulish and fascinating.
DS clearly found the Boo character hilarious. He even imitated the Haka face Boos make to intimidate yetis.
DD just turned 3 and I were out eating and I asked her to keep her feet below the table. Instantly with a demeanor indistinguishable from a too cool teenager, she responded "You know dad, I am not really all that big into following rules these days." She did then do what she was supposed to do.

She said it in such a funny and spontaneous way that I could not reprimand her.
Originally Posted by it_is_2day
DD just turned 3 and I were out eating and I asked her to keep her feet below the table. Instantly with a demeanor indistinguishable from a too cool teenager, she responded "You know dad, I am not really all that big into following rules these days." She did then do what she was supposed to do.

She said it in such a funny and spontaneous way that I could not reprimand her.

How do you not burst into uncontrollable laughter at that?
Originally Posted by Cookie
Originally Posted by it_is_2day
DD just turned 3 and I were out eating and I asked her to keep her feet below the table. Instantly with a demeanor indistinguishable from a too cool teenager, she responded "You know dad, I am not really all that big into following rules these days." She did then do what she was supposed to do.

She said it in such a funny and spontaneous way that I could not reprimand her.

How do you not burst into uncontrollable laughter at that?

I did chuckle a bit before I controlled myself.
It's significantly more charming at that age than when they really are teenagers and they say such things right before they ask to go off and be out of any adult supervision for hours... with your car. whistle

I recall those days pretty fondly-- your anecdote sure made me laugh!

DD said many similar things that make me smile and remember her sweet little voice as she said them. Completely surreal, that. grin



A couple minutes age she told me that she is a girl from planet Earth. Yes, in a sweet little girl voice. That made me melt.
This morning I found DD6 on the floor with my wall calendar and a sharpie, elaborately working out the weeks and days between something and something else. (For some reason, the counting had to be done by 3's.)

A short while later I found her smashing a used printer cartridge in a mixing bowl with a hammer in order to extract the remaining ink.

I've been waiting for years for attention-hound DD to figure out how to entertain herself. Be careful what you wish for.
DD was taking her bath with the wife, and she told her that she needed Mrs. Potatoe Heads Ear. As my wife heads out of the bathroom she yells "Her left ear." Just happened, and I was sitting here, so I had to share.
DD taught herself how to rap.





DS3.5 adores the Wes Anderson version of Fantastic Mr. Fox, which uses the generic "cuss" in the place of any salty language. He just referred to a scene in the movie as a "total clustercuss" and said "Mr. Fox wants to cuss with their heads". Language in our house is otherwise G-rated, but this had me laughing!
That is really cute. I love that movie too.
The kids and I started watching Stargate SG1. The come upon the planet's temple DD11 says "I wonder what culture this will be" Me: maybe egyptian. stargate has a lot of that. DD11:No, I think its Minoan. Yes, Minoan.
Of course, its clear after a minute that she's right. So she says
"I love SG1. I love to figure out what culture the episode is about. It's like a kid show, but not for kids."
Ds11 does not like to read. He is an excellent reader, and reads a lot at school - but out of school, reading just isn't his thing frown Last week, he had to read "Hunger Games" for school - and once he was finished with it, he decided to read "Catching Fire". We traveled out of town this past weekend, as he had a soccer tournament 4 hours away - he read ALL the way, read again once we got into our hotel room, read at every opportunity between games, and read all the way home again. Yesterday, he read before school, and after school (he's now on to "Mockingjay"). Happy mom here !!!
More of DS3.5's philosophizing (said out of the blue while settling before bed, which seems to be his favourite time for musings): "We can only ever really know ourselves, not other people."

And for toilet training, DS on recognizing when he's got to go: "I'll let you know as soon as I feel peristalsis."
aquinas, if your DS can truly know himself, he will be ahead of most of us. I wonder what he would think of that? smile

Things are finally working the way they should for both my kids, after 3-6 months of therapy:

DD13 - the one with real difficulty writing, especially with idea generation - is holed up in her room writing the novel she's been working on for the last month!
She chose, applied to, and was accepted at a private school that should make her very happy next year. She's finding her people. (Nearly everyone IRL, that would be NOT YOU. So I can't say it out loud.)

Meanwhile, DD8 - who was reasonably accurately assessed at 1st grade reading level at the start of the year, since she couldn't bring a whole word into focus at once - is now frustrated that the 3rd grade chapter books she's chosen aren't taking long enough to read. She's moved up to 6th grade level stuff, which is where her interest is anyway.
Where else can I say that with relief, instead of as a boast?
Yesterday we received a new Beast Academy shipment. She carried the book with her everywhere and read it in the grocery store (!), then quizzed me on logic puzzles all the way home. She was amazingly pleasant all evening! Full, happy brains.
DD7, playing the Dragon Box geometry game, when rotating a radius around a circle to "prove" that the radii are equal, chanted "Brachiating! Brachiating!" It took me a moment to realize how apt an analogy that is.
DD's new obsession is Minecraft, which is rather age-appropraite given that she is almost 5. The quirky part is, she talks to the animals non-stop. She's just so, so weird sometimes.
When we had DS6 in to take the WISC, the psychologist asked him if he spoke any languages other than English. He replied that he spoke this language where you take each word you say and replace the first consonant with the sound the letter B makes. Then he asked if that is what she meant.
DS3.5 and I were reading Shrek last night before bed. When DH came in to wish DS goodnight, DS objected to a kiss and recited from the book:

Harken, stranger!
Shun the danger.
If you plan to stay the same,
You'd best go back from whence you came.

When he sees children acting up in public, he's taken to saying with a tone dripping in disdain, and often quite loudly, "What a revolting child!" (thank you, Roald Dahl, for this description of Augustus Gloop.) He said this about some friends' 2 year old when we were at their house for lunch this past weekend, as the child was getting ready for nap. I winked at him secretively and said, "Oh, you must be thinking of Veruca Salt from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", to which he replied with a w ink, "Of course." Oh dear.
DD 3y 4m has had an ongoing joke for probably a year of her insisting the car is hers. This has taken many strange turns, but today's I thought was very clever.
DD: Dad?
me: Yes?
DD: What is your car's name?
me: Make Model (I said the real make model, but I do not want a side debate about cars, so I won't post that.)
DD: Oh! That is the same as mine!
Makes sense to me-- car has her name all over it, apparently. wink


You know that you have a gifted teen when she doesn't tell Chuck Norris jokes....


nope.


She tells GAUSS "facts."

Sure there's no Nobel prize in mathematics, but it doesn't matter.... Gauss already won the Nobel Prize in math.


Yeah. That was the day after he played himself in a zero sum game... and won.


grin

Actual statements made by DD15.
HowlerKarma, I really love hearing about your DD. She is a gem.
That series of statements was because she has been self-studying Swedish, for reasons that make no sense to anyone but her. She seems to be sort of picking at N. European languages in general as a thing-- not sure if she is sifting and looking for "the pattern" or what, but that would be well in keeping with her nature as a learner.

So her dad was teasing her that if she were going to move to Sweden (because she is fundamentally completely socialist in her worldview), she needed to like COFFEE a lot more than she does...

and I pointed out that Stockholm almost certainly isn't in her future with her current major...


It's just that kind of household. Snark begets snark.
I think we've hit a new low.

DD4: College is a place to go so you can get a job?
Me: Not exactly, well, yes, some people do.
DD4: If I want to be a soloist, I'd go to college?
Me: Hmmm. I think becoming a soloist is a bit complicated but sure, some soloists go to a music conservatory.
DD4: Then that's what I want to do.
Me: Hmmm. I think you should go to a place where you can double major.
DD4: Just two?
Me: Two is plenty enough.
DD4: Ok, if I have to choose, I'd choose G major and A minor but why just two?


Originally Posted by Mana
double major... choose G major and A minor but why just two?
LOL, caught by multiple meanings of the word major!
Originally Posted by HowlerKarma
and I pointed out that Stockholm almost certainly isn't in her future with her current major..
so has she changed? SICS was not at all bad last time I was there, which admittedly was a while back... and there's always Chalmers...or better yet she could learn Danish (harder!) and go to BRICS...
Oh, we weren't teasing re: studying there-- more like being, um-- invited there, if that makes sense. She can't win a Nobel in a category that doesn't award one, after all. I don't think that there is one for groan-worthy puns and Gauss facts. wink

Yes, actually-- she abandoned CS. Long, long story, some of it gender-based.


LOL Mana, that's hilarious!!

Originally Posted by HowlerKarma
Oh, we weren't teasing re: studying there-- more like being, um-- invited there, if that makes sense. She can't win a Nobel in a category that doesn't award one, after all.
Ah, now I'm with you. Of course from that far away it probably does look as though there'd be only one reason to go there!!

Originally Posted by HK
Yes, actually-- she abandoned CS. Long, long story, some of it gender-based.
Sigh. Sorry to hear that. Hope she's enjoying whatever she's doing more of in its place.
I'm so proud of DS3.5, who I'm teaching to swim one-on-one. We have a membership to a lovely gym that offers a shallow instructional pool kept warm for young swimmers. DS exhibits many sensory challenges that make swimming an often overwhelming experience for him. Couple that with his astute, well-honed BS detector, and distraction is challenging. My philosophy is to gently motivate him to stretch himself outside his comfort zone voluntarily. Even if we make 1% progress each session, a long-term positive trend will result in him learning to swim.

We've been attending open swims together for one hour 2-3 times per week for the last 6 weeks. Most of the time we play silly games on the steps or pretend to be marine biologists. Today, for the first time, DS willingly accepted wearing a life vest. (We started out with him wearing it dry in the deck.) He was splashed in the face accidentally by another swimmer passing him and, instead of melting down, he turned his head, wiped away the water and calmly said, "No big deal!" He even agreed to lie (mostly) on his front and kick as I raced him around the pool. The best part was his rippling giggle as we played. He was SO proud of himself and clearly delighted at his progress!

To put the magnitude of this development in context, this is a child who is uncomfortable with inversion (even tilting backward) and having water on his head. Yay DS!!!
aquinas, this definitely goes in the brag! Getting him comfortable enough to relax and try new things in the water is a way huge deal. Shrugging off a splash in the face - - - well, that's truly epic! Congrats to you both.
That's great, aquinas! And kudos to you for patiently giving him the time to acclimate.
Here's a trick I used to use during one on one lessons when I used to teach kids to swim to help them get over their fear of immersing their faces/getting water up their noses and when I had long hair.

First wait for them to be relaxed and start a splashing 'fight' 9 times out of 10 they will enjoy splashing you more than they hate getting splashed. Obviously, allow them to give more than they get. In the midst of the splashfest, Dip your face into/under the water and get your hair sodden.

Now, get in close to them (almost face to face) and waggle your head to allow the water in your hair to spray out onto them including their face. While doing this laugh as though you have found the ultimate trick. After a few times most kids will try to do it and forget their fear while they are doing it. When they do this, ham it up and act as though they have really got you this time to encourage them to repeat the exercise. Eventually you can point out that they no longer fear getting their face wet.

YMMV
Thanks folks! smile

Madeinuk, thanks for the idea! I suspect there will be a downstream opportunity to use it. We made progress yesterday by pretending to "paint" each others' faces and heads in wild animal prints with water.
That's awesome aquinas!

DS7 also has sensory issue that were making it hard to learn to swim (actually, both my kids did). DS has refused up until now to either jump into the pool or put his face and head into the water. This is after many, many private lessons and many instructors encouraging him to do so.

He finally seems to have overcome this, and I'm not sure why or how. At the start of the latest session he just decided he was going to learn to do this - he spent the whole 30 minute session putting his face, and then his head in the water - on his own! And he was clearly not enjoying it - the look on his face each time was priceless! But he was determined to do this, for whatever reason. Now on the third lesson, it seems easier for him and he's actually floating on his front and made it across the (small kiddie) pool with hands out front and kicking his feet.

Now if I can only convince him to wear his goggles....
We were walking the new dog and came across a opossum carcass that was really a flattened rug of fur and bones - only the tail indicated that it had once been a opossum.

DD10 immediately exclaimed:

"I don't think he was playing possum!"
DD12 had to take the new common core exam for our state (called Smarter Balanced, which makes me think of a fake butter product). She'd been doing homeschool brick and mortar classes but then joined an online charter in the latter half of the year. The teacher made an impassioned plea for taking the test so as to avoid penalizing the school. DD won't be attending next year (she gave it a good try, but online is just too isolating for her) but we appreciate what the school offers, so she agreed to take it.

The teacher made it clear that they didn't expect anyone to pass, that it was testing the test more than the students, that the students would not have had a chance to learn the new material to go with the test... and, that she'd sat through the test with a student who required accommodation and many of the questions, particularly in math, didn't make any sense to her either... but please try your best.

I find this highly ethically questionable, but the affront to logic for DD was just too much. "So I'm supposed to try my best, even thought it doesn't count and they don't expect me to do well and a lot of the questions won't make sense?"

So we picked her up:
"How was the test?"
"OK, some of the math questions were really confusing... also, I was supposed to write a fiction story for language arts, but I didn't want to so I wrote a letter to the district telling them how much they suck instead."
"Er... well, I hope you used correct punctuation and grammar."

One completely unexpected and unintended side effect from homeschooling is that DD is completely over the bureaucracy and politics of public schooling. She's just not buying what they're selling.
Ivy, that's a hoot! Glad your daughter can see through the BS and still have a good sense of humour about it.
DS3.5's existential phase continues. Today he was talking to me about how nothing is really something because, if we can conceptualize something, it must exist in some way as embodied through us. He seems nonplussed by the concept of absolute nothingness and seems to be doing experiments to compare relative and absolute nothing.

These thought experiments take some interesting and disturbing turns, but my impression is that he is testing the placement of various scenarios along a shock/horror continuum. When he is emotionally overloaded or is quite displeased that he isn't getting his way, he often talks about death (usually his own because, as he reasons, if he didn't exist, his current suffering also wouldn't exist.) Today he seemed particularly pleased to have come up with what he thinks is the ultimate bad scenario for me: me being forced to kill him, then being required to live a time in his absence with my guilt, followed by my own death. Thankfully we were at home when DS, displeased at not getting his way, loudly compelled me to kill him repeatedly, complete with brief pauses in pathos to check my reaction. My dispassionate, "No, I'm not going to kill you or allow myself to be killed," would probably have been met by raised eyebrows in public.

DS is not a child for faint-hearted parents, and I would be terribly unfulfilled with a less, shall we say, experimental child. Life is always interesting here. smile
Originally Posted by aquinas
Today he seemed particularly pleased to have come up with what he thinks is the ultimate bad scenario for me: me being forced to kill him, then being required to live a time in his absence with my guilt, followed by my own death. Thankfully we were at home when DS, displeased at not getting his way, loudly compelled me to kill him repeatedly, complete with brief pauses in pathos to check my reaction. My dispassionate, "No, I'm not going to kill you or allow myself to be killed," would probably have been met by raised eyebrows in public.

DS is not a child for faint-hearted parents, and I would be terribly unfulfilled with a less, shall we say, experimental child. Life is always interesting here. smile
My son's version of this (when younger): if you HAD to kill either me or DD, who would you choose? He would insist I answer--but I don't think my answers were ever very satisfying.

Yes, thankful these were private conversations.
Wow aquinas - that's something else. Good thing you are able to see it as experimentation!

My DS7 got the after-school staff all worried by his thought experiments with 'nothingness'. For several weeks he kept asking us (and others, I guess) what it would be like to feel nothing. Not just having your eyes closed, because then you would still see black and that wouldn't be nothing. I think the after-care staff thought he was depressed.

Actually, because he's not super talkative, and it's hard to know what's going on in his head, we were a bit worried as well. All we get are these (seemingly) random questions over a period of days, with no explanation.
Looking at the school work DS brought home yesterday (last day of school). They were making a booklet of 'school memories'. The last page he completed said "Something you remember from this year", and DS wrote "This second" and drew a picture of himself saying "1 mississipi".

LOL!
Originally Posted by eco21268
Originally Posted by aquinas
Today he seemed particularly pleased to have come up with what he thinks is the ultimate bad scenario for me: me being forced to kill him, then being required to live a time in his absence with my guilt, followed by my own death. Thankfully we were at home when DS, displeased at not getting his way, loudly compelled me to kill him repeatedly, complete with brief pauses in pathos to check my reaction. My dispassionate, "No, I'm not going to kill you or allow myself to be killed," would probably have been met by raised eyebrows in public.

DS is not a child for faint-hearted parents, and I would be terribly unfulfilled with a less, shall we say, experimental child. Life is always interesting here. smile
My son's version of this (when younger): if you HAD to kill either me or DD, who would you choose? He would insist I answer--but I don't think my answers were ever very satisfying.

Yes, thankful these were private conversations.

Eco, how did you answer? It's a harrowing question.
Originally Posted by Can2K
Wow aquinas - that's something else. Good thing you are able to see it as experimentation!

My DS7 got the after-school staff all worried by his thought experiments with 'nothingness'. For several weeks he kept asking us (and others, I guess) what it would be like to feel nothing. Not just having your eyes closed, because then you would still see black and that wouldn't be nothing. I think the after-care staff thought he was depressed.

Actually, because he's not super talkative, and it's hard to know what's going on in his head, we were a bit worried as well. All we get are these (seemingly) random questions over a period of days, with no explanation.

It sounds like a similar thought process. I have the benefit of being at home with DS 23/7, so I get to witness the global context in which the darker "musings" are taking place: usually preceded and followed by lots of smiling, giggling silliness. It also helps that DS seems to have no internal monologue (;)), so I'm privy to the intermediate steps in logic and DS' reactions to them.

I can easily see outsiders missing the context of DS' statements and thinking he's severely depressed. (Red faced crying, screaming, "Kill me, kill me, I want to DIE!") In reality, it's the natural intersection of emotional OE, inquisitiveness, and hyperbole in the moment. If the downward spiral isn't broken, he has a tendency to get even more disconsolate and act out further. I find the best way to defuse it is to gently acknowledge the underlying feelings and events that are triggering the over-reaction, then let DS sit and snuggle with me and feel those emotions safely as long as he needs. Then we launch into logical discussions and strategize better ways to express frustration or avoid triggering situations. Harsh punishments don't work with DS-- he needs even more gentleness than usual to break the loop. I once saw the line, "My child isn't giving me a hard time, he's having a hard time," and it's a mental touchstone in those moments.

Last night I talked DS down from the "I don't want to exist/I want to die" to "I want what I want when I want it" (don't we all?) and "I'm frustrated that you took away my mask when I hurled it at a mirror." When he arrived at, "I need to stop and think before I throw something indoors", we pretended he had a time machine, and I asked him to act out sharing his findings with his past self in the moment. I give him a LOT of credit for being able to switch over to rationality so quickly.

I LOVE this forum! Thanks Eco and Can2K for sharing similar experiences. smile
Originally Posted by Can2K
Looking at the school work DS brought home yesterday (last day of school). They were making a booklet of 'school memories'. The last page he completed said "Something you remember from this year", and DS wrote "This second" and drew a picture of himself saying "1 mississipi".

LOL!

Love it!
Originally Posted by Ivy
... I was supposed to write a fiction story for language arts, but I didn't want to so I wrote a letter to the district telling them how much they suck instead
No doubt they'll take it as fiction...! wink Someone will have an interesting time grading that response.
Originally Posted by aquinas
Eco, how did you answer? It's a harrowing question.
I tried several approaches.
Rational: I have never heard of any such scenario in real life. This will not happen.
(that one was met with serious eye-rolling, bc I'd missed the point)
Emotional: Are you worried about something?
(more eye-rolling)
Final response: If this were to happen--I'm pretty certain the stress of the situation would cause me to have a heart attack, so I wouldn't have to choose, after all.
(sighs, gives up)

On a similar note (and NOT for the parenting books), I came up with a horrifying but perfect way to respond when sibling-bickering, "it's not fair," "why does DS/DD get to do/have X and I don't?" I used to spend an inordinate amount of time explaining that equal isn't fair, different strokes for different folks, etc., a complete waste of breath.

Then I hit upon the response, complete deadpan:
"Why, because he/she is my favorite, of course."

[I KNOW that sounds absolutely despicable--and wouldn't do it now that tweendom/hormones/sensitivity are upon us...but for a brief, blissful period of time...this would stop both dead in their tracks, and then they'd erupt in peals of laughter. I called it a win.]
Originally Posted by aquinas
Originally Posted by Can2K
Looking at the school work DS brought home yesterday (last day of school). They were making a booklet of 'school memories'. The last page he completed said "Something you remember from this year", and DS wrote "This second" and drew a picture of himself saying "1 mississipi".

LOL!

Love it!
Me, too! Oh my gosh. And it's so cute when they do that when young. Unfortunately, this sounds an awful lot like my DS12, still. In middle school. Not so cute any more.
Here's one from this year. First thing out of DS' mouth one morning (early, I hadn't had my coffee!)

"Mama, do I exist...or am I a figment of your imagination?"
Originally Posted by Can2K
That's awesome aquinas!

DS7 also has sensory issue that were making it hard to learn to swim (actually, both my kids did). DS has refused up until now to either jump into the pool or put his face and head into the water. This is after many, many private lessons and many instructors encouraging him to do so.

He finally seems to have overcome this, and I'm not sure why or how. At the start of the latest session he just decided he was going to learn to do this - he spent the whole 30 minute session putting his face, and then his head in the water - on his own! And he was clearly not enjoying it - the look on his face each time was priceless! But he was determined to do this, for whatever reason. Now on the third lesson, it seems easier for him and he's actually floating on his front and made it across the (small kiddie) pool with hands out front and kicking his feet.

Now if I can only convince him to wear his goggles....
Sorry I'm responding one by one, it's just too time consuming to quote a lot in one thread.

We've always been big swimmers and DD was a water-baby. DS at that age "knew" how to swim from lessons but did NOT like his face getting wet, so recreationally, he'd gear up in a ski-vest AND a swim ring AND water wings, if I recall correctly. It was one of those kinda cute/quirky at age 4 but son, you're starting to really look strange now that you're older. Still, he didn't care and I couldn't convince him. Until...

That fateful day when one of his former kindergarten classmates, and a GIRL to boot, visited our neighborhood pool and was hurling herself off the diving board with reckless abandon. He stayed out of the pool (and his various flotation devices) but I could tell he was *really* uncomfortable.

One private lesson later, he was going off the diving board without all the *gear* and has not been touchy about water in his face since. I think he realized getting splashed in the face is actually more uncomfortable than submerging, maybe...not sure, but I was grateful. Because he really did look a little goofy, kinda swimming without making any actual contact with the water...
This doesn't quite fit but I have to share it somewhere and well this isn't the kind of thing you can laugh about with just anyone.

DS got a year end note from the teacher (grade 3) -

X,
It's been fun teaching you! You've taught me alot!
Happy Summer
Mrs. X

I'm still laughing.
Ha! Chay, how funny and lovely.

DD8's Shakespeare camp teacher asked me if she went to normal school, or? I thnk assuming we homeschool. This led to me hearing a story about the first day: as the teacher went into rhythm etc but didn't want to overwhelm the kids with lots of terms, dd raised her hand and said quietly, isn't that called a trochee?

I was glad DD felt comfortable enough there to offer that info. I feel at school she hides that kind of thing. And she certainly learned poetics at home!
Ha! I got a similar note from DS's preschool teachers, Chay, only she listed several new science and nature facts she had learned from him ("Thanks to DS, I now know that...")
Thank aquinas! Also, I really appreciate how patient you are with the swimming. I too was very water sensitive as a child and some extremely traumatic "learning experience" in the pool didn't help. I still find that I don't like water in my face or to put my head under, even though I enjoy swimming.
I really appreciate hearing about everyone's experiences with the existential stuff. DD often does this and it can be hard for other people to understand.

For example, when DD first really registered that people could be unhappy enough to commit suicide, she got very worried that one day she could become that unhappy. So it's not that she was unhappy, but that she was worried that the state existed and could somehow come to her at some point. We focus on dealing with the anxiety rather than worrying about the having a preteen thinking about suicide. Of course we had the 'do all things die' walk when she was, oh, 3ish? So we're getting better at coping. Certainly the parenting books are of no help.

She also says things like "we are all connected because all the atoms in my body touch other atoms that touch the atoms in your body..." that sort of thing.
Late last night, in what I believed was another stall, DS7 called out saying he was "too bored to go to sleep." I stomped in to his room ready to give him a piece of my mind. But when I got there he was actually a little teary-eyed and frustrated about not being able to get to sleep. He literally jumped in my arms for a rare, long and lovely snuggle. When I tucked him in, he took in a deep breath and said "Mom, you smell like love."
Originally Posted by Ivy
Thank aquinas! Also, I really appreciate how patient you are with the swimming. I too was very water sensitive as a child and some extremely traumatic "learning experience" in the pool didn't help. I still find that I don't like water in my face or to put my head under, even though I enjoy swimming.

Aw, thanks Ivy. I see my job as making available opportunities to swim in a pleasant environment and offering fun ways to practice skills. DS' job is to determine our activities and how much of any given activity we do. The only limit I set is that we must be in the pool for at least 2 half hour sessions per week. Comfort and skill will come from many positive experiences and positive associations with the activity. smile
Originally Posted by suevv
Late last night, in what I believed was another stall, DS7 called out saying he was "too bored to go to sleep." I stomped in to his room ready to give him a piece of my mind. But when I got there he was actually a little teary-eyed and frustrated about not being able to get to sleep. He literally jumped in my arms for a rare, long and lovely snuggle. When I tucked him in, he took in a deep breath and said "Mom, you smell like love."

This is the best anecdote I've ever read!!! Love melts hearts. smile
Originally Posted by suevv
Late last night, in what I believed was another stall, DS7 called out saying he was "too bored to go to sleep." I stomped in to his room ready to give him a piece of my mind. But when I got there he was actually a little teary-eyed and frustrated about not being able to get to sleep. He literally jumped in my arms for a rare, long and lovely snuggle. When I tucked him in, he took in a deep breath and said "Mom, you smell like love."


I love it!!!
Studying the nation's founding in US History, class discussion centers around about pursuit of happiness and right to be happy. DS and his partner in intellect and theater launch into Sondheim's "Everybody's Got a Right to be Happy" from Assassins. Always ready to add that little extra element to the class.
Originally Posted by NotherBen
"Everybody's Got a Right to be Happy" from Assassins.
Interesting choice, as some may say a key line from the song, "everybody's free to fail", highlights the difference between the actual right to "pursuit of Happiness" and a supposed right to be happy.
The whole song is like that, isn't it, with the head-jerks, both explicit and implicit. I especially like how that line is a face slap after "don't be scared you won't prevail".
Exactly. The very premise of assassins considering rights, when the first of the unalienable rights is Life... confused
I just remembered this- around Valentine's Day I got my DD7 a balloon. Well as all balloons do, it lost its float after a while and so I asked her if I could throw it away. She said no you can't throw "Sally" away. Then she proceeded to tell me she wanted to have a funeral for Sally… she insisted on bringing the kids table and chairs outside, put different types of food on the table, etc. She then made me and her brother sit on the chairs and she said a eulogy for Sally the Balloon, describing how each food item somehow related to qualities of Sally (the pickles were sassy like Sally, the cookies were sweet like Sally, etc.). She made a little tombstone out of popsicle sticks, and insisted on burying the balloon. Sally will be missed.
DS is 5. He's so vastly different from his older sister that I sometimes get into that state where I wonder if I'm just fooling myself, maybe he's really quite happily average and not very G at all...yadayadayada self-doubt etc.

So yesterday I found a note in DS's handwriting, taped to his bed, in which he used a hyphen on a line-break, proper capitalization, and two possessive apostrophes. Everybody else swears they didn't have anything to do with it, he wrote it all by himself.
You can never go wrong with Sonheim!

LAF, my condolences wink That is too much!

Aufilia, how awesome! I relate: the librarian today called DS4 precocious and I felt the same, that DD was so advanced a reader at this age that we don't probably give him credit... I get into that state about DD8, too, until DH laughs at me. Anyway, that punctuation eludes many of my high school students!
LAF, that sounds so much like my DD. I cruelly insisted on throwing away the glow sticks we'd had for the 4th of July on the grounds that if we kept everything, our house would be full to the rafters, and these things Are Not Useful anymore. There was quite a bit of crying as she told me how she just so, so sad to think about them going into the garbage truck and getting crushed up and then buried in the landfill forever.
It's not every 16yo who campaigns passionately and with the ferocity of a masterful litigator for a third-party presidential candidate, extolling the virtues of this person to a skeptical and only moderately interested (but VOTING) parent while undergoing emergency treatment for a massive and out of control asthma flare. Yes, she whipped out her smart phone and gave me quotes and everything-- voting record, even. I'm awed that she even knew to LOOK.

But hey-- she was pretty persuasive and impassioned re: healthcare as a human right during this process. She didn't like the candidate's immigration views or stance on nuclear energy, however. But on the other hand, she was talking to me more about politics much more coherently than 90% of other voting adults I've known in my life, quite honestly.

It was funny when she sighed deeply (thanks, nebulized meds, for that at least) and informed me that it is deeply unfortunate because there's little chance that such a person CAN be elected given the electoral system as it stands, however...


wink

I'm not even going to bother noting WHO this candidate is, since the unrepentant socialists among us (my DD included) probably already love him, and everyone else won't care. Besides, the anecdote isn't really about the person's politics so much as the tenacious and precocious behavior of my DD under fairly bizarre circumstances.



I'm laughing out loud at the Sondheim gem above. Wow. Who knew that my DD had so many kindred spirits in the world? grin


I also routinely throw away glow sticks that have gone to the freezer for a little "R&R" in the morning. Usually she forgets about them in about a month. They will sometimes last for as long as a week if you keep them cold, though. Just noting. wink
So we're not the only people with a freezer-full of partially used glow sticks! Which, btw, last much longer than a few weeks at -20C.

Well, the way my kids use them, anyway, which involves brief uses, only in complete darkness, followed by rapid restoration to the freezer.
Ten year old Son spent two/three days cleaning his really trashed room. All by himself. Bags of garbage, items removed for donation, go to lowes and buy some storage containers, broom and dust pan level cleaning. Now he can play Legos. After he finished dinner he said "off to build (some Lego item) with my eyes closed". Lol okay you do that.

I remember as a kid getting so good at Perfection that I learned how to do it with my eyes closed because I loved the game but needed to up the challenge.
DS4 has started "precision eating" - he will, for example, eat half a biscuit, and does it so precisely it looks like it was cut with a knife.

If nibbling becomes an Olympic sport he will be going for the gold.
Just awesome. This made me laugh out loud.
You can restore glow sticks in the freezer?!?
Originally Posted by Tigerle
You can restore glow sticks in the freezer?!?

Yep. When DD was younger and whenever there would get to be too many in the freezer, her mother or I would flip off the light in the bathroom and toss a handful in bathtub with her. As soon as they warm up, the start glowing again.

Have fun,
-S.F.
Last night, DS woke me in the middle of the night because he needed to tell me his latest ridiculous joke:

Mom, I am the most humble person in the entire universe.

(This is the sort of humor that results in Big Trouble at school. I think it's funny.)
I went into DD's bedroom to see where she was. She popped up off the bed and asked for a hug. She said she "needed to be calibrated."
!!!!! I always get unusual outpourings of love from her!!! smile
My DYS DS is a hoarder. In an effort to declutter his room I asked which stuffed
animals we could donate. He got tears in his eyes and replied none. He said
He needed to keep them because he was trying to hang onto his childhood because it goes by all too quickly. He's six!
DD5 has started sleeping with her calculator, along with her stuffed octopus, which she pretends is a giant comb jelly.
Originally Posted by Ellie
My DYS DS is a hoarder. In an effort to declutter his room I asked which stuffed
animals we could donate. He got tears in his eyes and replied none. He said
He needed to keep them because he was trying to hang onto his childhood because it goes by all too quickly. He's six!

Oh! How sweet! What is it with stuffed animal collections? Our son (PG as well) is also a huge collector, they all have names and personalities. He is 8 and still sleeps with all 20+ of them.

YDS is also a stuffed animal collector, but he gives and loans his more freely. And when I try to pretend they are real, he sets me straight. lol
DD16 was one of those kids-- she had the WEIRDEST stuffed animals, too. And yes, each and every one of them had a specific given name, and a life story to go with it. Ellie, fair warning-- the hoarding sort never really outgrow the behavior, I fear. eek


Loving these last few-- bmoore, my DD had a stuffed (blue-ringed) octopus. She pretended that hers was a baby giant pacific octopus, however. grin

Quote
And when I try to pretend they are real, he sets me straight. lol

I'm not allowed to pretend anything is real either - even as a joke. sigh
We're lucky that ODS is not a paper/schoolwork/art hoarder, at least. We can barely get him to keep any art he creates. YDS, on the other hand... piles and piles. He's prolific and attached!

His mother may or may not still have notes from high school.
DD10 has been less than impressed with her Common Core-aligned Everyday Math programming thus far. This year we're giving the public school a miss, and she's doing Connections Academy from home.

A box of school books arrived at the house from Connections, and she was excited to open them. She tore into the box like she was opening a Christmas present, looked at the first book on the stack, and said, "Puh. Common Core."
We've been working on self-care with DS3.5 and, when he was running around for a few minutes laughing his head off at having his bum half out of his pants, I began to grow exasperated, as we were planning to go out.

DS noticed my frustration, ran up to me, and said (to himself aloud), "is Mama happy? She looks angry."

To me: It's okay Mama, you're feeling angry. Just breathe out for me, okay? Let the anger go. Now breathe in happiness. One more time: breathe out the anger, breathe in the happiness. Now, how do you feel?

At this point, any memory of impatience had long since disappeared. I told him I felt much better and thanked him for coaching me. We hugged, and then I watched in amazement as he returned to age-typical antics. He is very much a sweet little boy with old soul moments.
LOL, Dude, that is hilarious. It's too bad DD graduated last year-- your DD might have gotten to know her as a math tutor. smile She used to tear into the big box each fall, too-- and in high school, we got wise and bought books so that she'd always have a physical copy of her own-- her usual trick was to read everything cover-to-cover between when materials showed up and when classes officially started. blush



finca, I love that story. So funny-- and true! Pop culture really doesn't reflect the world that our kids actually inhabit, does it?

Re: stuffed animals. DS has quite the collection as well.

One notable time when he was really into his stuffed peregrine falcon, he took her along with him on a trip, and, inexplicably, a stuffed rabbit, too. When I asked why he brought the rabbit, he said, "It's her lunch!"
My DD has at least half an Ark load of stuffed animals (she has duplicates of some species that she insists are couples) that she has acquired over the years - even some of my old Steiff animals LOL. Every single one has a name - over the years the names went from only a single gender; female, to some male names as well. Even the unicorn was female according to her and no amount of persuasion was enough to change her mind LOL

She would also insist that they all came alive every night.
Originally Posted by George C
Re: stuffed animals. DS has quite the collection as well.

One notable time when he was really into his stuffed peregrine falcon, he took her along with him on a trip, and, inexplicably, a stuffed rabbit, too. When I asked why he brought the rabbit, he said, "It's her lunch!"

So very practical! Love this!
dd 3 1/2 has always created songs complete with her own unique lyrics, but now has started creating her own lyrics to songs in German. Although, I have spoken a little German to her whole life, she only started getting serious about learning it 3 months ago.
DYS DS6 was informed his homework had to be finished before he could play
Minecraft. He replied that he was not going to do homework anymore .He does not want to be gifted anymore as it is entirely too much responsibility . He claims he has changed and he is moving on with his new life.
Originally Posted by Ellie
DYS DS6 was informed his homework had to be finished before he could play
Minecraft. He replied that he was not going to do homework anymore .He does not want to be gifted anymore as it is entirely too much responsibility . He claims he has changed and he is moving on with his new life.

So much like!
I turned on a cartoon for my DD6 while I went upstairs to get ready and when I came back down she had turned that off and was watching a Planet Earth documentary instead.
laugh I really love those!
This reminds me of a story from my own childhood: as a preschooler, my younger sib watched way more television than the older sibs did (they always get away with more, don't they? wink )--consisting of a daily hour of Sesame Street, followed by the McNeil-Lehrer News Hour.
Originally Posted by Ellie
DYS DS6 was informed his homework had to be finished before he could play
Minecraft. He replied that he was not going to do homework anymore .He does not want to be gifted anymore as it is entirely too much responsibility . He claims he has changed and he is moving on with his new life.
Ha ha ha! This is awesome. Poor little guy, it's a blessing and a curse, isn't it?
Do other kids look at this forum? My younger one found it one time under "Favorites". She is quite irate that it states "Gifted Issues" at the top. She said using the word "issues" made the kids sound like they had an arm sticking out of their head. She wants me to tell you all that!!! FYI - she does NOT know my forum name.
Next, she reads all the time and so uses words from her books and uses them in offbeat ways. The latest:
"That woman sounds like her nose is constipated." (well, the woman did sound rather stuffed up).

Last week, DS8 and I were discussing the upcoming school year. Somehow, we got on the topic of how people learn at different speeds, etc. and how it was too bad that school was all by ages. We talked about the idea of grouping by level for each topic instead, which he really liked. Then, he brought up that it might make someone feel badly if they were really a lot older and still in a lower level. He ended up saying something like "maybe, when I am older and have made a lot of money, I will start a special school for kids like me who learn faster."
Originally Posted by greenlotus
FYI - she does NOT know my forum name.

Eeek! Folks - I'll be changing my screen name soon. Not meaning to be mysterious, but I don't think it would take DS more than a minute to spot me. And he HATES - in a visceral way - when I talk about him when he's not part of the conversation. Immutable baggage from the old days when a pre-school teacher would dash up gleefully at pick up to iterate DS's "failures" of the day.

He would take this board as a total betrayal (which on one level is probably a not-really-brag-as-much-as-quirky-anecdote in and of itself).

Thanks greenlotus for the nudge.
My DD 3 1/2 has started giving us money for helping her with things;) It is so cute.
Woke up this morning to children laughing and singing, while engaged in a rowdy game of...chess?
Have I ever mentioned....

{shiftily looks around}

Pirate Chess?

This is a holdover from my own childhood and a PG dad, incidentally. It's only tangentially related to the Christmas Wolf, also a heartwarming artifact of being raised BY a PG person.

grin
Do tell?
Think Wizard Chess meets Monty Python and you'll have a rough idea.

The "Cap'n" got to make an additional rule after each capture of a "royal" game piece, that's also my recollection. My dad hated to lose. LOL.

There were also rules about needing to state "Yer in check, matey" in a good Pirate-voice, too.

The loser had to sing a pirate song on some occasions. There were also songs to remember the moves and strategies that I (at 3-5yo) was being taught, as well. I do recall that.

My father was an interesting person, as is probably obvious. But this was WAY before any cute YouTube instructions existed for anything. Before cable TV, actually. He did teach me basic chess rather well using this method. grin

Originally Posted by HowlerKarma
There were also rules about needing to state "Yer in check, matey" in a good Pirate-voice, too.
I think we may have to institute this rule! wink
The English language has gone rogue, and must be bent to DD10's will.

She was updating me on her progress in "Divergent," which she restarted the night before:

DD: I'm at the part where they're having dinner the day after the appitude test.

Me: Hehehe... "appitude."

DD: Well, that's how you say it!

Me: Hey, don't give me no appitude.

DD: Wait, is it... (flip-flip-flip)... aptitude?

Me: Yep.

DD: THAT SOUNDS SO STUPID!!
I just can't help it - I need to post another. Who else can I tell?
DD has always always always drawn cartoons that are snarky, funny, and quirky. She also ends up making these statements that I hope to see in a book someday. Today she was looking at our new puppy's hair after DD's big sister smoothed puppy's hair into a Mohawk and announced "I just love "puppy's" mousse infused hair!"
What kind of 10 year old uses the word infused? It brings to mind the time she used the phrase "stereotypical girls" and all the other kids at the 9 year old birthday party stated that she was so weird. Yep - she's different, and it's just so cool.
DS just turned 4 (not gifted as far as we know) has a speech delay and is still mixing up she and he pronouns. He used the wrong pronoun for his grandmother today and I asked him "Is Nanna a he or a she?" He replied "A she, because she has XX in her cells!" DS6 pipes up "yeah, and we have XY chromosomes. Not fair! Why do girls get a match!"
This is too hilarious not to share:
My daughter was singing German songs when:

My wife: "I am so proud of you for learning German"
DD3: "I can teach you German"
My Wife: "I would love that."
DD3: "Say 'Deutsch'."
My Wife: "Deutsch"
DD3: "Now you know how to say German."
Those are so sweet!
My 4yo at breakfast told us he finally knew how Daddy became a Daddy. We waited very anxiously to see how on earth he'd anything about the birds and the bees.

DS then reports, "Daddy, while you were asleep, Mommy bought you glasses. Then when you woke up, you put them on and you were a Daddy!"

Whew, our very innocent four-year-old is still blissfully innocent.
DD5 is getting to know her classmates at her new school. Today, she came home and told me she had to ask one of her new friends for some quiet time since she kept on asking DD one question after another.

I almost wanted to say karma is a xxxxx but I think she already knew that.
When DD6 came home from one of her first days in first grade, I asked about some of the kids in her class this year. She said K and Z were in her class again. But this year K isn't running all around and Z isn't pinching her. Then said, "Maybe last year they were just too young to understand what they shouldn't do."
DS is in a graphic design class and has an assignment to create a font. His is orange, and his potential names (so far) are:

Orange Fonta
A Fontwork Orange
Fonty Python and the Holy Grail

He also, evidently, created an Adobe Illustrator "bowling game" during free time, in which he drew pins and somehow uses a drawing tool as the bowling ball--he said this was a big hit with his classmates.

His teacher reports he is "very imaginative, but needs to focus a bit more on his classwork." smirk
Originally Posted by eco21268
Orange Fonta
A Fontwork Orange
Fonty Python and the Holy Grail

Your DS is adorable.
Originally Posted by DeeDee
Originally Posted by eco21268
Orange Fonta
A Fontwork Orange
Fonty Python and the Holy Grail

Your DS is adorable.
Thank you! I think he's pretty great. The font names gave me a much needed mood boost. smile
DD6 just ran up to me yelling, "Mommy, I heard the Doppler effect!"
On a slightly related note: I remember one of our kids, as a preverbal 1.5 yo, sitting on the front steps, very intently clapping or vocalizing (all very short impulse signals), then listening to the sound reflecting off of the house opposite. Good for a solid ten minutes of toddler amusement.
That's funny, I remember being tickled when my DD (just turned 9 at the time) was watching the opening scene to the 2005 Dr Who series with me and openly wondered whether or not the red and the blue time vortexes that you see the Tardis traversing indicated via the Doppler effect whether the Tardis is traveling to or from you in Time!
My DS10 is reading a new book and excitedly told me that it is about 80s technology in a post apocalyptic world with blah blahbblah and something else. I am no slouch and was also a big reader at ten but you know nancy drew and wrinkle in time and island ofvthe blue dolphins and little house books and little women. Um in 1970s I don't think I knewvtheword post-apocalyptic.

Sorry about the typing from my phone.
Two weeks after school started, DS16 decided to drop AP Psych to take AP Computer Science. 3 days later at open house the teacher commented that DS is way ahead of the class. Two weeks in, he suggested that DS take the weekend to look over all the AP materials for the class, and maybe take some of the practice test on Monday, to consider a move into the NEXT level. Same teacher. If he moves up, the teacher will support any gaps. If he stays put, the teacher will differentiate up.

I love this: the teacher and the student, the real stakeholders, get to figure this subject acceleration out!
laugh What a GREAT story, NotherBen!
I know! The CompSci teacher is also DS' APCalc teacher, and I think that's where the idea came from to change to CompSci in the first place.
DD11 was telling me about the IQ test she took last fall. She said the tester asked her about racism. DD gave some kind of definition, and I guess tester prompted her for elaboration, something like "is racism good or bad?" Not sure exactly.

DD said she asked tester, "Are you from the South?"
Tester said, "No."
DD said, "Well, then...you *know*."

(Thank goodness she qualified. Many of her answers were equally strange. She also, evidently, described circles, triangles, and squares in terms of their emotional characteristics. Circles are lonely, for example.)

smirk
DD6 was finishing her math homework this morning.
There was a simple word problem and it said, "Explain how you can solve this problem."
DD6: "I thought it in my brain."
I let her turn this in.
Not sure where else I can tell this story without it sounding weird, so I'll tell it here...

At my DS7's gifted school, they have broken into ability groups for math this week. Math fluency isn't his strong suit, so I suspect it's a slightly less advanced ability group than the other one.

The kids in the group get to agree on a name, and apparently they chose DS's proposal... which was to call the group "The IQ 60s." He explained to me that "60 was just a random number," but that didn't really stop me from chuckling uncontrollably.
The "PPVT (Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test)" post reminded me of a humorous anecdote showing DD's vocabulary was way ahead of reading ability.

Long before she was reading, we were going through letter flashcards - the type that have a letter and a picture of an animal that starts with that letter. So the "M" card will have a monkey on it. Since DD(now 14, so this was a long time ago) was just learning her letters, she would look at the picture and to figure out the letter on the card, she'd name the letter making the sound that started the animal's name. So, using the "M" card, she'd say, "Monkey...(pause)...M."

When we got to the "B" card, she said, "Rabbit...R."

I replied, "Not rabbit, what's another word for rabbit?"

"Hare...H."

Chuckling, I then ask, "OK, what's yet another word for rabbit?"

Can't name her letters yet, but already has synonyms (and the definition of the word synonym) down. Yep, we should have suspected things about her much earlier than kindergarten...

--S.F.
I recently had an epiphany.

I am raising a real-life version of Anne Shirley (of Green Gables, not the actress) plus a touch or two of Calvin (of C & H).

On the plus side, I used to suffer from low blood pressure just about all my life but it is completely within the normal range these days, especially in the morning when I have to get her ready for school.
Mana,

Ha! This post made my morning. We've got a budding Anne with an e at our house too. We took a family vacation to PEI this summer. The other day DD6 said, "You know mom, you're kinda like Marilla. Sometimes she's tough but really she's nice."

And here I was thinking my whole life that I was Anne. At least she didn't call me Mrs. Lind.
DS not-quite-4 has given me quite a bit of fodder lately. Here are a few that have stood out:

1. At a funeral last week, he worked the room at the reception by shaking hands with other attendees, making introductions, and offering condolences. At one point, he approached a group of elderly ladies who looked sad, introduced himself, and said, "I'm so sorry for your loss. How did you and [deceased friend] know each other?" He also referred to the armed guard at the interment as, "appropriate and tasteful". LOL!

2. We are a political family and have been campaigning for a local candidate for the upcoming federal election. DS has helped install lawn signs and will personally go up to homeowners and shake their hand to thank them for supporting [candidate's] campaign. He keeps track of our opponents' lawn sign count near us and has made some insightful comments about different neighborhoods' political leanings.

3. This morning, DS was enacting a military training and defense mission with his toys. I asked which sides were fighting and he replied, "it's a Canadian anti-terrorist mission in Syria." He seems to understand some of the dynamics among Russia, Syria, and Iran.

4. While painting some Halloween sun catchers yesterday, DS decided to paint his vampire's tie with a "marbled effect" and he sprinkled red paint over the vampire's face to represent arterial blood spatter.
Originally Posted by eyreapparent
Mana,

Ha! This post made my morning. We've got a budding Anne with an e at our house too. We took a family vacation to PEI this summer. The other day DD6 said, "You know mom, you're kinda like Marilla. Sometimes she's tough but really she's nice."

And here I was thinking my whole life that I was Anne. At least she didn't call me Mrs. Lind.

I have not been to PEI and it's on my bucket list. Did your family enjoy the trip?

I'm afraid on DD thinks of me as her Diana on good days and Mrs. Lind on bad days.
I love reading updates about your DS. It's almost like I'm getting news about a nephew who lives far away. smile
Originally Posted by Mana
I love reading updates about your DS. It's almost like I'm getting news about a nephew who lives far away. smile

Aww! What a wonderful way to put it, Mana! smile

I feel similarly about your daughter. It's a real pleasure to hear about her development through your posts!
Quote
I love reading updates about your DS. It's almost like I'm getting news about a nephew who lives far away. smile

I second that! Every time you mention your son's age I always jump a little -- I always picture him around three but not so much anymore! smile Such lovely stories too -- always something interesting going on!
Originally Posted by FruityDragons
Quote
I love reading updates about your DS. It's almost like I'm getting news about a nephew who lives far away. smile

I second that! Every time you mention your son's age I always jump a little -- I always picture him around three but not so much anymore! smile Such lovely stories too -- always something interesting going on!

Thanks FruityDragons! Hugs all around! smile

He feels somewhat ageless to me, honestly. He looks 6, feels very much like an old soul, yet has his fair share of moments to be his age. It's as though he's straddling childhood and adulthood, capturing the best that both have to offer.
Originally Posted by aquinas
He feels somewhat ageless to me, honestly....It's as though he's straddling childhood and adulthood, capturing the best that both have to offer.
I can so relate to this! DS is turning out to be quite the philosopher and says the most mind blowing things... yet still wants me to wrestle with him on his bed in the mornings. Definitely the best of both worlds. smile
Originally Posted by Mana
Originally Posted by eyreapparent
Mana,

Ha! This post made my morning. We've got a budding Anne with an e at our house too. We took a family vacation to PEI this summer. The other day DD6 said, "You know mom, you're kinda like Marilla. Sometimes she's tough but really she's nice."

And here I was thinking my whole life that I was Anne. At least she didn't call me Mrs. Lind.

I have not been to PEI and it's on my bucket list. Did your family enjoy the trip?

I'm afraid on DD thinks of me as her Diana on good days and Mrs. Lind on bad days.

Yes! Absolutely loved PEI and would go back in a heart beat. The people were so friendly and the scenery was breathtaking. The kids (DD2 and DD6) had a blast. I recommend renting a car if you can. The island is small and the roads well marked so it's easy to navigate. We did all of the Anne related sites and went to several beaches. It was amazing how different all of the beaches were - no two were a like. We also visited a lot of the historical sites, lighthouses and the confederation bridge. These were great because the interpreters at the sites took the time to talk with DD6 and answer her questions, so she learned a lot on the trip. It was very rural and the pace of life there was very relaxed. PEI had been on my bucket list since I was a child and it did not disappoint. If you ever decide to go, let me know, I can recommend some of the lighthouses and beaches we went to.

ETA: Wanted to add that if you're outdoorsy, PEI is fantastic. Lots of places to camp, rent bikes. There are also whale watching tours. Okay I'll stop gushing now. PEI tourism should hire me.
Oh, I so wish you'd have taken us with you! I would love to go but for now, watching the DVD would have to do for me for now. My dream is to stay in a lovely B & B, eat picnic lunch, and indulge in afternoon tea. I think I could happily retire on PEI.

Montgomery's books were a big part of my childhood and I hope they'll become DD's as well. As recently as this summer, whenever I took her to the book store, only the book she showed any interests was Plants vs. Zombies: Official Guide to Protecting Your Brains but thankfully, she has grown out of that phase and is devouring any books she can get her hands on. Still, I might hold off introducing her to the first book until she is 7 or so.
Originally Posted by Portia
I love these. Thought I'd share one today...

DS8 had to create his own version of the Bill of Rights. First on his list...

"Everyone has the right to learn whichever way they want."


What a novel, and wonderful, idea!
YDS5 last night, on the topic of small details and differences in praying mantis types: "I'm just going to ask ODS9. He knows everything. Daddy just knows some things."

When it comes to facts, he's not far off. ODS is a walking fact book.
DS seemed lethargic and warm a few days ago. I asked him how he was feeling. He answered, "I'm a pony," then wiggled into a lump on the floor.

I stared at him incredulously, exasperated. He often doesn't answer questions, or gives answers that seem (to me, at least) disconnected from the discussion at hand.

He noticed me waiting and said, "I'm a little hoarse," in what was, admittedly, a gravelly voice, his eyes twinkling.

Okay, kiddo, well played. Thankfully he got over the cold in a little over a day.
Originally Posted by aquinas
DS seemed lethargic and warm a few days ago. I asked him how he was feeling. He answered, "I'm a pony," then wiggled into a lump on the floor.

I stared at him incredulously, exasperated. He often doesn't answer questions, or gives answers that seem (to me, at least) disconnected from the discussion at hand.

He noticed me waiting and said, "I'm a little hoarse," in what was, admittedly, a gravelly voice, his eyes twinkling.

Okay, kiddo, well played. Thankfully he got over the cold in a little over a day.

So funny!
This has absolutely nothing to do with your anecdote, aquinas, except ... by association: one day several years ago, I comment that DC#1 (playing horsey) is trotting around the house. I get back, "no, I'm cantering", followed by a narrated demonstration of the exact sequences of steps that constitute trotting, cantering, galloping, etc.

No one in our family rides, nor have the kids been on horseback even at a zoo more than two or three times in their lives.
Originally Posted by ConnectingDots
Originally Posted by aquinas
DS seemed lethargic and warm a few days ago. I asked him how he was feeling. He answered, "I'm a pony," then wiggled into a lump on the floor.

I stared at him incredulously, exasperated. He often doesn't answer questions, or gives answers that seem (to me, at least) disconnected from the discussion at hand.

He noticed me waiting and said, "I'm a little hoarse," in what was, admittedly, a gravelly voice, his eyes twinkling.

Okay, kiddo, well played. Thankfully he got over the cold in a little over a day.

So funny!

He cracks me up. He's such a good-natured boy, even when he's under the weather.
Originally Posted by aeh
This has absolutely nothing to do with your anecdote, aquinas, except ... by association: one day several years ago, I comment that DC#1 (playing horsey) is trotting around the house. I get back, "no, I'm cantering", followed by a narrated demonstration of the exact sequences of steps that constitute trotting, cantering, galloping, etc.

No one in our family rides, nor have the kids been on horseback even at a zoo more than two or three times in their lives.

It's amazing how kids will gravitate to topics they enjoy. Has the passion for horses persisted? I definitely lack the equestrian nuances of your #1 and would be left flat-footed, making pathetic whinnying noises if asked to make a similar demo.

One more piggyback--I promise this will be my last today!

We see a similar sort of love of detail with DS. He doesn't let a lack of actual information stop him. He really enjoys making up detailed pseudo-information and relating it with an official air. (trolling, maybe? wink ) He recently convinced a museum docent that an inflatable model of a jellyfish was actually an obscure type of (non-existent) macrophage ("aminapestis", I think inspired by the bacteria behind the plague, yersinia pestis.)
You know, what's funny is that #1 really didn't have a huge horse fascination (although a favorite cousin does). Stray bits of information just stick. Though oddly, instructions to clean one's room or put away laundry don't...

My PG sib used to troll us constantly. Anyone heard of the early keyboard instrument called a clavicle? (Curiously, this only works during that small window when your sibs know that there were early keyboard instruments called claviers, but do not yet know the names of the major bones of the human body.)

And would your DC enjoy plush pathogens, do you think?

http://www.giantmicrobes.com/us/products/blackdeath.html
Wow!! I suddenly feel like I've been living under a rock! DS would LOVE those!!! Thanks aeh! How did you discover them?

Gosh, they have tetanus, too. If they have rabies, we're made.

Annnnd, they do. Well, there's part of his Christmas shopping taken care of.
Aren't they fabulous? (I want to say adorable, but somehow that seems wrong...) I think I first saw them at the Museum of Science in Boston.
Well, I think you can get away with calling the hematology (squee!!!) and reproductive cells adorable. Nobody will hate on a plush ovum the way they might a life threatening disease. I showed DS a few and his favourites were the neutrophil and plasma cells, though he did appreciate the plague and, curiously, e-coli.

For a laugh, let's just imagine the ways the line, "he did appreciate the plague" could be misconstrued. I love this forum.
Originally Posted by Portia
DS8 had to create his own version of the Bill of Rights. First on his list...

"Everyone has the right to learn whichever way they want."

It's election season here in the North, and DS11 had to produce his platform as Prime Minister. I expected the 'invest in lots of S&T to address environmental issues', was pleasantly surprised by his plea for open immigration, and lost it when I got to something to the effect of "every kid should be allowed to learn at the speed and depth best suited to them".

I am actively lobbying this teacher for harder math. There is no way she's not going to think I put him up to this.
Originally Posted by aquinas
Well, I think you can get away with calling the hematology (squee!!!) and reproductive cells adorable. Nobody will hate on a plush ovum the way they might a life threatening disease. I showed DS a few and his favourites were the neutrophil and plasma cells, though he did appreciate the plague and, curiously, e-coli.

For a laugh, let's just imagine the ways the line, "he did appreciate the plague" could be misconstrued. I love this forum.
DS told me his science teacher has a "stuffed herpes" toy and will occasionally say OKAY, PASS THE HERPES. He thinks this is hilarious but it did also cause him to ask a bunch of somewhat uncomfortable questions. smirk

I had no idea what he was talking about, until this post.
Last night I was helping DS7 with his French homework, and there was one question that neither of us could figure out. I told him to leave it and ask his teacher.

This morning I reminded him to hand in his homework and he didn't want to because of the unfinished question. So I said "Well ask your teacher - that's what teachers are there for".

DS: "That's not what they're there for - they are there for their careers!"

No idea we had such a cynic in our house! I swear that neither DH or I have said anything like this to him (despite the current labor dispute with the teachers where we are)!

Speaking of obscure costumes. On Thursday, DD12's new school had a Halloween party. She was excited to go, but did not want to dress up. When we picked her up afterward she said: "Guess who won best homemade costume?" Seems it was awarded by applause volume and she made an impassioned plea for having made a costume of a "regular person" by growing the cotton and spinning the thread and weaving the fabric... and so on. She basically charmed her way into a bag of m&ms (the prize).

In years past, when I was struggling with the sewing machine trying to make her some outfit, I used to dream of a time when she'd be able to handle her costume herself. Guess we are there.
DS's teacher, during my parent-teacher conference: "I always go to to DS when I can't remember something, like what page we're on in the book or where we left off or whatever, because he always knows. Actually, he just knows a lot of things generally. If I don't know the answer to a question, I sometimes just ask him because he might know. He just has so much general knowledge."

BTW, this is in a class composed only of gifted kids. She's really sweet and a good teacher, but my jaw did drop just a little.
For all the difficulties in parenting kids like this in so many ways, it merits pointing out the converse:

DD10 described how she's been getting angry very quickly and easily at Minecraft lately... one little mistake, and she's blowing a fuse, where she used to take it in stride.

Me: "Do you think that maybe it has nothing to do with Minecraft, and there's something else that's making you upset?"

DD10: "Yes." [cue five-minute oral self-analysis on all the different ways she's reacting to being in the active planning phase of a cross-country relocation]

That was easy.
Originally Posted by aeh
And would your DC enjoy plush pathogens, do you think?

http://www.giantmicrobes.com/us/products/blackdeath.html

Now if someone could point me to plush galaxies for Christmas...
DS8 was doing homework last night. I was anxious for him to finish and get to bed:

Me: You see right here it says ...
DS8 (interrupting): Mom, STOP. If you start explaining my brain stops working.

Note to me - get the heck out of the way!
Out of the blue in the car the other day:
DD6: Has anyone ever built a real time machine before?
Me: I'm sure some people have tried, but not successfully. Why? Do you want to build a time machine?
DD6: Well a time machine, a rocket ship, an airplane or a magic school bus. I haven't really decided yet. But I do know I am going to need lots of buttons.

DS4 asked that we "never, ever talk about the impacts of daylight savings time" because he "knows all about it, and the discussion is redundant."

Yeah, good thing we homeschool.
Originally Posted by Tigerle
Originally Posted by aeh
And would your DC enjoy plush pathogens, do you think?

http://www.giantmicrobes.com/us/products/blackdeath.html

Now if someone could point me to plush galaxies for Christmas...
These plush planets are the best I can come up with so far:

http://celestialbuddies.com/shop/
http://www.supernormalobjects.com/product/natural-linen-fabric-cushion-astronomy-collection

http://www.supernormalobjects.com/product/natural-linen-fabric-cushion-astronomy-collection-2

And these are quite nice for a more grown up version smile
This is just a sweet moment thing, but it makes me feel good about my kid not acting conceited (in fact, I think he still underestimates himself). DS told me that he thinks he can get along with pretty much anybody, because he thinks everybody has something special about them, all he has to do is find out what they have in common.
Originally Posted by Can2K
DS: "That's not what they're there for - they are there for their careers!"

No idea we had such a cynic in our house! I swear that neither DH or I have said anything like this to him (despite the current labor dispute with the teachers where we are)!

When my DS had a homework issue in a math word problem ("Amy divided all the candy she had amongst 4 friends ..." and DS was not sure if it meant 4 friends including Amy or excluding Amy) I told him to go to the teacher during "extra help" time where they help kids who have homework or academic issues. And he said almost the same thing to me - "Teachers are at school because it is their job to be there. I need to figure this out by myself." Yes, I am raising a 8 year old cynic, it seems. We have always encouraged DS to approach teachers and engage them in discussions, so I am not sure where that attitude comes from.
Originally Posted by longcut
This is just a sweet moment thing, but it makes me feel good about my kid not acting conceited (in fact, I think he still underestimates himself). DS told me that he thinks he can get along with pretty much anybody, because he thinks everybody has something special about them, all he has to do is find out what they have in common.


This is precisely how my DD moves through the world. She *never* lacks for friends.
Mostly they can't truly go where she can, and she knows it. Still, she always hopes, and she genuinely likes everyone (the sociopaths excluded-- those she loathes and goes out of her way to punish, or at least keep busy so that they don't bother her other homies).


She has a classification system, actually-- it divides at the EG level and beyond, though, because those people may either be globally capable or more specialist types. MG+ people gravitate to her, though the ones who are pretty invested in their intellectual superiority find her a tough person to be around intensively, much to her dismay.

When she really takes the mask off, she wows.

For an example, she recently learned to play SET while at a college math club meeting. After observing 2min of play (coming in late), she proceeded to clean the floor with everyone else in the room. She even beat the faculty advisor. Twice. Her speed was apparently downright superhuman.

Then she did a discrete proof that the other Wunderkind had been struggling with for two days. It took her 20 minutes, and then she went off to play rehearsal, happy as you please. She's never had any discrete math or any real instruction in how to construct proofs, never done competition maths, nothing. This is just raw ability.

The club president and advisor are eyeing her for a Putnam team next year when she'll be seventeen.

So yeah, mine is one of those sweet souls that is so pro-social that she isn't "dumbing down" so much as genuinely looking to make other people feel great about themselves, and wishing for true peers. So she searches for ways that she is LIKE others, not ways that she isn't. smile It's a terrific gift, that.

Originally Posted by longcut
This is just a sweet moment thing, but it makes me feel good about my kid not acting conceited (in fact, I think he still underestimates himself). DS told me that he thinks he can get along with pretty much anybody, because he thinks everybody has something special about them, all he has to do is find out what they have in common.

This is lovely! Such a great attitude, and so true!
Total gifted moment.

DD16 is assistant director for a college theater production-- in other words, management. She's also serving as an extra since this particular production has a lot of them, especially in the early scenes. They have to stay in makeup and costume until curtain call, however-- which is about 2h. So she's in charge of "babysitting" the dudes in the green room/dressing room to keep them quiet and well-behaved during performances...

they play cards, mostly. Someone had the bright idea to play casino games. For money. I think that they anticipated that sweet, clean-cut, preppy 16yo DD would be an easy mark-- and she has (mostly) wiped the floor with them at everything else they've played. She's a GIRL, even if she is a sort of dude-bro kind of girl. And she's way young.

The other young woman (wisely) opted out... but stuck around to watch it all unfold rather than going to gossip in the girls' dressing room. They nominated DD to be the dealer, since she's quick and quite expert at dealing and shuffling both (which should have been a tip-off, right?)... and then furthermore adopted her suggestion that play would be faster-paced if they didn't reshuffle after every hand...

yeah. She cleaned out their pockets. About the third deal, the young woman piped up; "You DO know that she's a math major, right??" eek

DD has the devil's own luck at cards. Truly. As if that were not sufficient, she can also count cards while keeping up a running patter/conversation. Entirely too easy with only one deck and not even reshuffling-- she can manage up to about 3 decks at once, this I know for a fact.

They now have a rule that if DD is playing cards, they don't play for money. cool

She kept the money, though. (It was less than $10, to be fair.)







Speaking as someone whose friends used to introduce her to people as, "This is Elizabeth. Don't play cards with her for money," I say it's a good rule. smile
We had DS9's parent-teacher conference. Even his teacher finds that he gets so into reading that at times he has to tell him to stop reading. And DS's own chosen reward for not reading when he's supposed to be doing other things? Staying in for part of lunch with the teacher - reading.
My first grade DYS is homeschooled except for attending the neighborhood school for a Gifted class. When we entered the office to sign he in today he
Somehow managed to do a near perfect Grand Jete' in the lobby. He does not nor has he ever taken ballet. The Secretaries gasped and after they recovered from the shock they applauded. I didn't know whether to be profoundly embarrassed or proud. After I gave him the time and place for everything speech
I had to ask him where he learned to do the move. He replied, Billy Elliot, don't
You remember watching that a while back.
DS7 likes to make up alternative lyrics to popular songs

Last night he came out with this, which made me LOL!

"Hello from the other side
This bathroom is occupied..."

I'm going to think of this whenever I hear it now...

grin

Sounds like he is in touch with the same, er-- muse-- that regularly makes house calls around here. Of course, as they get older, much of the content becomes NSFW. Or anywhere else, for that matter. blush



When we have wine with dinner, we pour DS4 a tablespoon or so into his own dessert wine glass to sip with his meal. He loves wine! Like, actually, genuinely appreciates the different tastes and enjoys savouring the sips.

The other day, he was snacking on some Brie when I told him, "You know, DS, you'd love this kind of adult party called a wine and cheese, where you stand around talking while drinking wine and eating cheese."

His eyes lit up and he said, "Can we make my 5th birthday party a wine and cheese?"

When I told him that most parents don't let their children drink wine, and that most children don't like it, he seemed nonplussed. Without missing a beat he replied, "That's okay. We can make it adults only. We want to make sure the party is appropriate for the people we invite."

Is it wrong that I'm glad he thinks "wine and cheese" rather than "Chuck E Cheese" for parties? Bad Aquinas!
No, Aquinas, it's not wrong!! I think Chuck E Cheese could be more tolerable with wine, though smile

DD, in grade one, came home really upset from school. They've started a new unit on money (identifying coins). DD already knows all of the material but she's happy because the teacher has been differentiating/exempting her from tasks that are way too easy.

Anyway, she was mad because they were supposed to talk about money but then the teacher gave the students a choice: watch a Franklin video or learn about money. They voted and watched the Franklin video. DD was so frustrated. She said she was the only one who wanted to learn anything and "Why would anyone want to watch a Franklin video instead of learn?"

She was also frustrated when the Space unit turned out to be about identifying 2D shapes instead of calculating the time it takes to cross the galaxy.

Her expectations are a bit different than the actual curriculum...

Ditto here! This term DD's class did technology. Which meant they made pencil holders out of cardboard and papier mache. Which DD has already done at home by herself for fun about 3 years ago. She said, "I thought technology would involve some actual, well, technology." frown
Aquinas, my DD also loved wine. I let her have a sip thinking she would hate it and nope. wink

I can't remember if I posted this yet, but my DS11 decided while playing twenty questions that instead of is it Animal, Vegetable Mineral, he would rather use the names used within Animal Kingdoms specifically Phylum. I admit he lost me when he wanted to know if it was a Chordata or a Cnidaria….
Poor DS16. He often comes home from school so excited about a calc or physics or comp sci concept a few chapters ahead that he figured out himself, then proved (they are all AP classes) Or today the homework he found from the class above his, that he proceeded to do. He can't wait to tell me all about it. I listen, I ask questions, I really do get interested, but he can tell: I just don't quiiiiiite get it the same way he does. So he switches into another gear...like to tell me the history of the Lucky Charms marshmallow bits ("marbits" is the technical term). Did you know there have been 133 different marbits? Yum!
DD6 while listening to a Magic Tree House audiobook:
"Mom, it's about Leonardo da Vinci. He's even more amazing than I thought!"
DS7, when asked whether the new friend he made yesterday reminded him of other kids he knew, responded with, "Every kid is unique."
Speaking of 20 questions, in our house it's not animal/vegetable/mineral but animal/vegetable/mineral/abstract concept. laugh DH and I have learned our lesson after playing with the kids..too many games where they chose things like "time" and "syllables."
Oh ultramarina - 20 questions becomes a completely different thing, doesn't it smile

My DS11 is interested in habitats, so he had us fill up a sterlite container full of water, add some dechlorinator, and he grabbed a couple of water plants from our pond. He said he couldn't wait for life to come to his little habitat. Fast forward a couple of weeks, he started yelling excitedly - we have life we have life! I go out to look and yep, we have life all right- massive amounts of mosquito larvae! I told him that he himself had told me that mosquitos were the most dangerous insects in the world (he said oh mom that's just the malaria ones, and they aren't here) I told him that where we live it's illegal to breed mosquitos (it is, but he said I can't kill innocents). So I said, okay, let's see what is missing from your ecosystem- predators! He agreed to let me get some mosquito fish, and along with a net over the container to keep any opportunistic mosquitos from escaping into the wild, we have balanced the food web. wink

DD10 is learning about Islam in 6th grade. We were having a discussion about Christianity vs. Islam and then veered into food rules for different religions. I mentioned that her grandfather on my husband's side was a devout Baptist who did not believe in drinking. DD then began wondering what it would be like if God got drunk and perhaps he would turn the sky pink and then trailed off as she got re-pulled back into Minecraft.
I don't know how "gifty" that conversation was, but I sure had some weird ideas in my head after trying to imagine a drunk God!!
Originally Posted by ultramarina
Speaking of 20 questions, in our house it's not animal/vegetable/mineral but animal/vegetable/mineral/abstract concept. laugh DH and I have learned our lesson after playing with the kids..too many games where they chose things like "time" and "syllables."

Oh, the flashbacks to kindergarten "Alphabet Surprise". It was a kind of show-and-tell where kids were supposed to bring (hidden in a bag) a household object starting with a specific letter, with three clues for the other kids to guess what they had. Not once did 4YO DS select an actual, physical object for his word. The times we had, trying to figure out what to put in that bag! (never mind the poor kids trying to guess from his clues).

And since I'm here smile DS, now 11 (math monster, avid avoider of all things Language Arts): We should play haiku charades. You create a haiku as a clue for each word, and then once the other team guesses all the words, they have to put them in the right order to create another haiku that is itself the clue for the final answer...
The first time my son played 20 questions, he was just 4, he chose an animal. One leg. Yep, a flamingo.
ODS9 created a very thorough plan to teach YDS5 chess. He also made a teacher's notes page for himself, which includes spaces for what his brother does "great" at already and what he needs to practice. YDS was literally bouncing as this plan was read off to him and is so excited, it's really adorable. This morning after breakfast, the plan was put into action. There was no fighting! smile
At DS9's catholic schools Christmas service, I sat behind him and a friend in the pew. They were quite chatty and mischievous, and their teacher sitting in the pew in front had to turn around a few times to admonish them into silence.
After the service I went up to her to say goodbye and merry Christmas. She told me how pleased she was with DS9s development. I said I was rather embarrassed by how often she had to turn around and say something and she exclaimed: "but that's just it! He is finally relaxed enough to clown around with friends and get in trouble! He never did so, he was always so tense, but right now he is so well integrated into the classroom that this is happening as well. I have to tell him off of course regardless, like I have to do with the other kids, but secretly I am so pleased!"
I am rather glad now that we did not push for the second acceleration into middle school last year - I did have a feeling there was room for social growth there which was not going to be completely cancelled out by the comparable stagnation in academics. Now we can decide on whether to let him start at a middle school for high achievers (around 60% percentile and up, will later be closer to 75% percentile due to attrition) together with friends from elementary which is geographically close or the actual gifted program (around 95th percentile) which will involve an hourlong bus ride each way. Horribly hard choice but it also feels good to know that there are choices, both of which might work socially.
What a delightful anecdote! And I love the teacher's attitude.
DD 6 decides to watch a documentary about Einstien on the history channel. All of a sudden you hear her yelling, "Why do you keep saying the same thing over and over? We get it. He published four papers in the mircle year. Say something else." Then she starts wondering aloud, "Have I seen this before?"
Eyreparent I love your story!

My DD11is pretty upset about the extinction of quaggas....
That is my pet peeve about the History Channel too!

10 minutes of distinct content repetitively delivered over 60 :-(

Having to deal with breaks for adverts and cater to channel surfers who may have just started watching x% of the way through just does not help the poor people making these shows.

I have sometimes wished - given that they have random access these days to all to all of its media - that they would also allow 'distilled' 10 minute versions to be made and shown on streaming media like Netfix.

Just imagine how cool that would be!
While eating our gyros at Greek Fiesta, DD10 begins a discussion on the DNA of major Disney characters. She goes on a long monologue about eye color, magical powers, etc and how those characteristics relate to Elsa and Anna from "Frozen" and several others. DD11 just looks puzzled and asks "What in the world are you talking about????" DD, of course, found it online in her never ending quest for knowledge of all things.
By the way - did you know that Tarzan MAY be related to Anna and Elsa? Their parents did not die on the open sea but were swept along to Africa where they had a baby boy who grew up to be Tarzan. I just learn so much hanging out with DD!! grin
That's fantastic, greenlotus! smile
This morning I had this conversation with DS9 while I was laying in bed and he was running around the room, turning the lights on and generally not going along with my plan to delay Monday for a a few minutes.

me: DS, I'm not feeling very well, can you please shut the lights off and run around somewhere else
DS: how do I know you're not feeling well?
me: I have a sore throat, my voice is funny and I'm telling you that I'm not feeling well
DS: well if I say I feel weightless it doesn't mean it is true. If I'm in a forest and it is so dark I can't see the trees, how do I know if they are still there, they might be gone and then I'm not in a forest, ....

not sure what else he managed to go on about because DH kicked him out but oiiii, 6am Monday is too early for these conversations.
As an Asian/Caucasian family we discuss race on a regular basis. Tonight before bedtime DD11 announced that a boy in band could not figure out why some people are not happy with Trump. I know the boy's family is not voting for Trump (they are Asian) so I expressed surprise and stated that some people of color fear Trump and are worried about his views. DD popped out "Well, black is the absence of color so African Americans shouldn't be afraid of Trump."
I've run that through my head quite a few times now.
I grinned for quite awhile after reading this!!!
My husband's car was broken into one night and he came in and said,

"my car was broken into last night"

My son said "oh no! How did your car get broken in two?"

I laughed so hard….
chay, I love your story! and I have a lark too (that's what I call my DD who likes to get up at the crack of dawn). Thank god she doesn't want to talk in the morning (at least, not yet)
It's so much fun how much ODS loves to play with words, but it sometimes doesn't work out so well!

ODS4 to YSD3: "You're being Loud Loser".

Me (thinking this was something he had heard at school): "Where did you hear that?"

ODS: "I made it up. Like Rude Randy and Polite Pete. And I'm Quiet Quack."

Mommy: "Oh, it's really great that you made it up, but maybe we should say Loud Larry instead."

** We had been working with a child behavioural specialist who was helping us with some of ODS's behavioural issues by introducing the characters "Polite Pete" and "Rude Randy".
DS7, last night: "If you don't finish reading to me, I will stay up and read it myself!"

It was the first part of the Fellowship of the Ring. Sure enough, he fell asleep with the book (the entire trilogy bound into one volume) balanced on his knees.
(DD playing a lengthy piece of music on her instrument--sounds pretty good but she's having to guess and fix some notes here and there. She has a piece of sheet music in front of her.)

Me: Hmm. I thought you said you knew all your band music and didn't need to practice. (DD has been practicing other music since she says her band music is too easy.)

DD: Oh, this isn't THIS music. (gestures to sheet music)

Me: So you're playing the music for the other band again? (DD wants to be in the higher-level band even though she just started playing, and keeps ogling other sax players' sheet music and remembering it.)

DD: Well, the other band is playing it...buuuut this isn't the sax part.

Me: Whose part is it?

DD: I don't know. It's how it sounds, though.

DH despaired of the fact that this child did not seem to have musical talent (he's very musical). I think he's going to have to eat his words.
Originally Posted by ultramarina
(DD playing a lengthy piece of music on her instrument--sounds pretty good but she's having to guess and fix some notes here and there. She has a piece of sheet music in front of her.)

Me: Hmm. I thought you said you knew all your band music and didn't need to practice. (DD has been practicing other music since she says her band music is too easy.)

DD: Oh, this isn't THIS music. (gestures to sheet music)

Me: So you're playing the music for the other band again? (DD wants to be in the higher-level band even though she just started playing, and keeps ogling other sax players' sheet music and remembering it.)

DD: Well, the other band is playing it...buuuut this isn't the sax part.

Me: Whose part is it?

DD: I don't know. It's how it sounds, though.

DH despaired of the fact that this child did not seem to have musical talent (he's very musical). I think he's going to have to eat his words.
By ear is definitely the best way to learn. smile
Dd4, suspected gifted: Mama, what does happy mean?

Me: well, it's an emotion. The opposite of sad.

DD: rolls eyes. I knowwww that. But what does it actually mean, to be happy?

Me:...........
Originally Posted by JBD
DD: rolls eyes. I knowwww that. But what does it actually mean, to be happy?

Very philosophical!

It's amazing how they always operate on a deeper level, isn't it? When he was 5, DS asked me about plants and when I started to explain their life cycle, he said "No, mommy! I know that. I want to know how the first plant grew. Where it came from." Ah, evolution then. smile
Before reading Harry Potter Book 1 & 2

DD5: Oh, Mommy, I know this isn't real. Harry Potter isn't real. Voldemort isn't real. I'm not scared so don't worry.

After reading Harry Potter Book 1 & 2

DD5: Mommy, there is a huge problem.
Me: Yes?
DD5: They don't have a music teacher at Hogwarts.
Me: Why is that a huge problem?
DD5: When I attend Hogwarts, I don't want to have to quit music.
Me: Why are you attending Hogwarts?
DD5: So I can become a Gryffindor.
Me: Are you sure courage is your defining quality?
DD5: What are you trying to imply, Mommy?

So apparently, my child who has often been skeptical about Santa believes in Harry Potter. The magic of childhood.
LOL! So my DD is not the only one!

She also gave up on Santa Claus very early, but cried on her 11th birthday because she didn't get an owl. :-(
DS4, true to our Canadian heritage, is composing his version of Bob and Doug McKenzie's parody of the 12 days of Christmas.

"On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Three angry Darth Vaders,
Two frozen anuses,
And a beer."

Well, apparently our taste in gifts diverges. Dramatically. I'll keep this on file for his future spouse's reference.

aquinas - that one really takes me back!

i definitely did the exact same thing as a child with that exact song. i *wish* i could remember the lyrics more than the last line which for some reason was embellished to include a really big operatic finish - "rotten old stinky bananas..."

i've got one from the other night, when DD heard some details about the film Batman v. Superman...

DD8: "...But Jeremy Irons was Henry IV - what is he doing in a DC movie? i mean - besides WASTING HIS LIFE?"
At the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, I wanted to watch the Disney parade. My DS8 looked at me at one point and said, "All of this noise and these floats are making it hard for me to concentrate on my book."

My husband and I just burst out laughing, because our friends and family act like we "force" DS to read. They would never believe that he would chiose read at the most magical place on earth! I'm new to this forum, but I imagine that the parents here can relate.
ha, JessicaJune - yes, i think most parents here would say nearly everyone assumes that we're all strapping our kids down and generally flash-carding to them to death when nothing could be farther from the truth!

it's good to find your people, isn't it - welcome!

DG
We had so many books in DS11's carry on when we flew to visit family recently that security had to hand search it. On the way back we knew that would happen so he removed his books and put them in several bins, which avoided the wait which a hand search would have entailed. I really understand about the reading thing - my son has tried on numerous times to take books to read at a restaurant. That would be okay except they are huge hardbacks so they take up too much space…
You mean everyone else's kids DON'T take books to restaurants? smile
We have table rules, actually, including no reading materials at dinner. 'Cause the whole family dining thing doesn't work quite the same if everyone just sits at the table with their own books in front of their faces! When I was a child, we tried numerous legalisms to get around this, such as reading magazines or newspapers instead of books (which is how the rule became no reading materials, not no books), and laying books or mags open on the floor (not technically at the table!). Exceptions for menus and such already on the table in restaurants, of course.
This reminds me of a memorable trip to east coast & NYC when DS was 11/12. Most of the trip was about looking at colleges for my DD. DS spend the entire trip reading HP from cover to cover. Almost all my pictures of him from that trip have him plopped down in some odd place with one of the HP books.

What I did to keep our luggage to a minimum was bought him used paperback copies of the books. I bought a few as we went along even though we owned an entire hardback set and then some. (It's helped it was HP he was reading because it was easy to find.) And sent some home with DH as wasn't along for the whole trip. I bought DS one of those small 'string' backpacks' and he would carry his current book everywhere. It was cute...

If HP had been available as an ebook I would have gone that route. Sounds like time to get the kids who is traveling with tons of books an e-book of some sort.

P.S. As to eating at dinner. We all read the newspaper during breakfast/lunch. Dinner reading matter isn't allowed. There were exceptions like when my kids were younger and were were eating out where there would be a lot of waiting time or grownup talk. And then reading was only for the waiting time, not eating time.
Originally Posted by doubtfulguest
i think most parents here would say nearly everyone assumes that we're all strapping our kids down and generally flash-carding to them to death when nothing could be farther from the truth!
Welcome, JessicaJune.
I had the second trimester parent-teacher meeting last Friday with the math teacher. She went on and on about how my DS has only 2 more years left to be a kid (he is in 3rd grade) and that middle school meant heavy responsibilities and could I please let DS play in the summer at least this year instead of doing math? And could I stop all those unnecessary after school math classes because she teaches awesome math? And that DS seems to know every thing already and it is unfairly ruining the "discovery" aspect of math for the other kids when DS blurts out the answers.
I told her that DS attends camps in the summer (hands on science camp and sports camp) and we have never sent him to after school math classes. She does not believe me crazy
To get DS6 and DS4 to eat breakfast a bit more quickly during the week (takes forever otherwise), one of us sits down with them and reads books to them - I don't turn the page unless they take another bite. It works like a charm. I know, we spoil them. And heaven forbid I keep reading if one of them has to run to the bathroom!
Littlest DC just stumped high school older sib and elite college-educated parent at 20 questions..."that wall" (in our house).

Of course, the same little person had hysterics earlier today because the waistband on some new clothing needed to be taken in RIGHT NOW.
aeh - books on the floor during dinner! That is so funny! I've had books on the lap, but so far, my kids haven't tried the floor. I used to mention to neighbors or friends what I thought were funny stories about DS and his reading obsession. Until I realized that everyone thought I was crazy and told me that they can't get their kids to read under any circumstance. For instance, bedtime is around 8, and DS is allowed to read quietly until around 9, but sometimes I set an alarm to check his room around 11 to make sure he isn't still up reading. Sometimes I'm even the 'mean Mom' who physically removes all new reading material from his room late at night so he'll get some sleep. (But only when he's been really tired and I can tell he's been staying up too late reading.) And once, I told another Mom that I don't really have to punish DS because I just have to threaten to not take him to the library or to take away books.

Ashley - I'd say that I'm shocked that your child's math teacher said that, but even my own mother once made a comment to me that elementary school shouldn't be academically rigorous and that I should just be happy that DS wasn't struggling with the schoolwork.
DD5 is only in Kindergarten but I feel so blessed that her teacher understands that her love of reading comes within. When she was coming home with literature books that seemed over her head, I asked her teacher to bring it down a bit because I wasn't sure how much she was actually comprehending but her reply was that DD is very good about monitoring her own understanding and when she doesn't understand something, she almost always asks.

I know we won't always be this lucky with teachers so I'm going to enjoy this while I can. How I will MISS her next year.

I hate getting mad at DD for wanting to read but she definitely prefers reading to sleeping and she needs to sleep.
I once punished 8yo DD by taking away all her Warriors books (wretched series about warrior cats) and hiding them in a very difficult location. There really wasn't any other consequence that meant anything to her. She would sneak around the house before we got up looking for them.
DD3 is full of one line zingers... and I worry what she will be like in a few years...

for instance, as we are trying to get the kids to the car to go home for dinner, she takes off for the playground, hollering "I have to go to the playground because I did not get enough exercise!"

and then last week, we applied sunscreen before checking the UV forecast - DD asked to see it, so DH showed it to her, and oddly, the UV forecast was low. She immediately asked for paper towels, stating "I have to wipe off the sunscreen - I don't need it"
DS7 doesn't like to read that much but he's obsession with the puzzle games are just like how some of your kiddos reading books. Just last night, it was already bed time, he insisted that he wanted to do more brain/puzzle games on this big book we bought him for b-day gift. I told him it's too late but he would not listen and brought the book upstairs anyway. I allowed him to do a few puzzles before he was finally satisfied and put the book down to sleep.
Ajinlove, DH asks me how I can do a puzzle at bedtime, even after reading. For me it seems to organize and settle my mind. Likewise our DS17 likes to do his math homework or explorations just before he goes to bed. So maybe your DS is on to something smile
I am a night person have always been more focused at night time than during the day so maybe DS is going to that direction too wink
I recall our parents in their desperation flipping the fuse for the upstairs bedrooms at 11pm. No, we didn't have flashlights.
Originally Posted by Tigerle
I recall our parents in their desperation flipping the fuse for the upstairs bedrooms at 11pm. No, we didn't have flashlights.

I used to sneak over to sit by the door to my bedroom so that I could read by the hallway light. I never actually got caught (unless of course, they knew but just let me do it). smile
Originally Posted by RRD
Originally Posted by Tigerle
I recall our parents in their desperation flipping the fuse for the upstairs bedrooms at 11pm. No, we didn't have flashlights.

I used to sneak over to sit by the door to my bedroom so that I could read by the hallway light. I never actually got caught (unless of course, they knew but just let me do it). smile

My DYS10 has been having what he calls "midnight reading parties" for years.
Originally Posted by JessicaJune
Sometimes I'm even the 'mean Mom' who physically removes all new reading material from his room late at night so he'll get some sleep. (But only when he's been really tired and I can tell he's been staying up too late reading.)

I have thought about doing this, but I was afraid that was too severe!! I sit in the hallway until my kids go to sleep(anxiety issues), but it also allows me to make sure DD10 does NOT read. The minute I go to the bathroom or downstairs for something, she is out of bed and grabbing a book to read (or pulling it out from under her pillow!!!).
Originally Posted by greenlotus
Originally Posted by JessicaJune
Sometimes I'm even the 'mean Mom' who physically removes all new reading material from his room late at night so he'll get some sleep. (But only when he's been really tired and I can tell he's been staying up too late reading.)

I have thought about doing this, but I was afraid that was too severe!!

I don't have to take the books away, I only have to remind them that it's the consequence if they don't put them away once we turn the lights out. Isn't it a great problem to have?! And it's so adorable to check on them later and see that one of them has fallen asleep clutching a book! I always hoped our kids would end up being readers. smile
For those of you old enough to remember glow-in-the-dark watches, I discovered as a child that with enough patience and determination, it was actually possible to read by one...
We just subscribed to Dreambox. DS5 has zoomed through lessons and really impressed DS8.

DS8 on DS5 "Once he stops progressing so quickly we'll know the level he should be at in school. His work needs to be challenging but doable. I'll print out his grade level and take it to his teachers (DS8's former teachers who adore him) and get them to adjust his work level so he isn't sitting around doing easy stuff."





KJP, that is absolutely adorable! Your ODS has clearly got this advocacy thing down.
I like, KJP!
Originally Posted by Flyingmouse
Originally Posted by RRD
Originally Posted by Tigerle
I recall our parents in their desperation flipping the fuse for the upstairs bedrooms at 11pm. No, we didn't have flashlights.

I used to sneak over to sit by the door to my bedroom so that I could read by the hallway light. I never actually got caught (unless of course, they knew but just let me do it). smile

My DYS10 has been having what he calls "midnight reading parties" for years.

In the category, Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree: At 10:30 last night DH was huffing about DS8 still being awake and reading. "Most people read to fall asleep. You and DS are the only people I know who get MORE AWAKE the longer you read." I guess I should show DH these posts wink
I can't say much to dd12 about reading late. A week ago, I started reading a book at 10:00 pm and finished it at 5:20 am. It hurt getting up 20 minutes later, but the book was GOOD.
^ That. The only one that I seriously regret was the all-nighter to read Follett's sequel to Pillars of the Earth-- World Without End-- only to find that nothing particularly horrible happened to any of those awful people that he'd been making me feel profound apathy to disgust over for a thousand pages and change. If it hadn't been a library book, I might have lit it on fire at the conclusion of that 1100 pages and 12 hours of my life that I'm never getting back... mad I waited over a month for that copy, too.

--Ahem. blush

But mostly, I never regret my late-night reading. DD is guilty of it, as well, and has been since she learned to read. Oops. Apples, trees. I can recall reading by hallway light at night-- in the gap under my bedroom door. I can even recall reading by moonlight a few times when I was in elementary school. My mother was convinced it was going to ruin my eyes. It seems not, since I only need reading glasses even now in my fifth decade of late-night reading.
Originally Posted by HowlerKarma
I can recall reading by hallway light at night-- in the gap under my bedroom door.

I sort of figured I wouldn't be the only one on here to have read by the hallway light... smile

And speaking of apples and trees, DS6 asked about photocopying the pages of a library book last night since he loves it so much. Of course we explained the whole copyright thing, but it was so adorable!
Watched the kiddie movie "Beethoven" with DS4 over the weekend. When the story features a boy being bullied over lunch, I ask DS what he thinks the bullied boy should do, and what bystanders should do. Without missing a beat, he answers, "Put lots of laxatives in the bullies' food."

Talking about animals at risk of extinction, DS6 could see absolutely no moral dilemma in killing people who kill elephants for their tusks.
I lost the first one - hope this doesn't show up twice:

When we returned from dinner tonight I moaned that house was already a mess again (it was clean yesterday). DD11 said just one word:
"Entropy"
It's true!! In our house it's almost pointless to stop the descent into disorder.

Next, DD pulled the ol' late night "Mom, I have a question." She began discussing what it would be like to live in a 2 dimensional world; what are dimensions, really; that some think there are 11 dimensions...... I then insisted it was time for sleep!!!
This is after she spent some time earlier discussing how some folk believe that time is not really linear,but all things happen at the same time. Our brains cannot fathom that so we perceive time as moving forward.
Sheesh. I so do not have my child's brain. I Googled the 11 string idea and found myself on "Physics Forum". Then DD11 came out of her bedroom saying she couldn't sleep so I had to carry her to bed and give her mommy pillows to help her sleep.
Originally Posted by RRD
DS6 asked about photocopying the pages of a library book last night since he loves it so much. Of course we explained the whole copyright thing, but it was so adorable!
Update on this: So we bought the book for him, thinking he actually wanted to own it. But as soon as we gave it to him, he asked if we could now photocopy those pages for him. Apparently, his purpose in asking for the book was strictly to get those photocopies. He only asked us to buy the book to respect the author's copyright (we had loosely explained that he couldn't just photocopy the library book otherwise the author wouldn't be paid for his work).

So DS6 now has a full handle on trademarks, patents and copyright.

And a few bonus sweet/funny comments (because I can't share them anywhere else):

"I love water, because I can see things that have happened in the past reflected in the water. Bad or mean people would see things that frighten them, but I see good things. Like when I would be petting our cat, or snuggling with my family."

and:

"You know why blue is my favourite colour? Because it’s a sad colour, and I don’t like to feel too much. Blue helps me feel calm. I like happy feelings too, and sometimes they make me feel calm. But blue is still my favourite colour."

Oh, how I love to listen to him (when he isn't driving me crazy).
Originally Posted by RRD
So DS6 now has a full handle on trademarks, patents and copyright.


"I love water, because I can see things that have happened in the past reflected in the water. Bad or mean people would see things that frighten them, but I see good things. Like when I would be petting our cat, or snuggling with my family."


Oh, how I love to listen to him (when he isn't driving me crazy).


It's Galadriel's mirror!

I am very impressed - I used to do copyright law, and I can tell you, a lot of grow ups don't get it!
Originally Posted by greenlotus
Next, DD pulled the ol' late night "Mom, I have a question." She began discussing what it would be like to live in a 2 dimensional world; what are dimensions, really; that some think there are 11 dimensions...... I then insisted it was time for sleep!!!
This is after she spent some time earlier discussing how some folk believe that time is not really linear,but all things happen at the same time. Our brains cannot fathom that so we perceive time as moving forward.
Sheesh. I so do not have my child's brain. I Googled the 11 string idea and found myself on "Physics Forum". Then DD11 came out of her bedroom saying she couldn't sleep so I had to carry her to bed and give her mommy pillows to help her sleep.


Our DDs should be friends! Mine likes to pull out the late night philosophical and scientific questions too - and my poor old brain has to struggle to pull out a dusty old grasp of concepts like karma and reincarnation, or whether the sun rotates smile I also do a lot of late-night googling to tell her the answer next morning (yes, the sun rotates!)

Has your DD read A Wrinkle in Time? There's a nice little scene where the characters jump through time and space and accidentally stop over in a two-dimensional world
Ha! Last night, my DD11 mused that nothing in the world could be identical, because two things that might look identical are made of different molecules, so they can't be truly identical.
Originally Posted by AvoCado
Our DDs should be friends! Mine likes to pull out the late night philosophical and scientific questions too - and my poor old brain has to struggle to pull out a dusty old grasp of concepts like karma and reincarnation, or whether the sun rotates smile I also do a lot of late-night googling to tell her the answer next morning (yes, the sun rotates!)

Has your DD read A Wrinkle in Time? There's a nice little scene where the characters jump through time and space and accidentally stop over in a two-dimensional world

We are reading A Wrinkle in Time right now! Poor old Charles Wallace has just been overwhelmed by the bad guy with the red eyes. We can't wait to hear how Meg, Calvin, and CW save Meg and CW's dad!
DD could use some friends right now - I can't imagine what conversations she would have if she could find her "peeps".
What is it about nighttime? DD5 does all her random learning at bedtime. We'll be sitting in bed and she starts asking theological and philosophical questions. and last night I taught her how to tell time which led to explaining multiplication two hours after official bedtime. And it's not just to avoid sleep. Since she was so awake I offered to read to her or color with her but no. She wanted to learn her times tables.

She throws me off because during the day she's such an extraverted 5 year old obsessed with pink and glitter and princesses. And then at night she's like, "Okay. Let's get down to work."
BTDT!

And adding another quirk to our version of this story: Up at 1 am with small child who fell asleep prior to taking a bath, woke up hours later, and now insists that bathing must be accomplished, or, apparently, catastrophe will ensue. Bathed, and I'm exhausted and well past ready for bed. Tucking in, and small child says, "But I planned to read my history book (on colonial America) first!"
*Never mind*
Sounds like a maglev.
Yes. Wasn't intending to imply DD had invented an entirely original technology in a weekend. She did research that during her project. Oh well - I thought it was cool anyway smirk (Gosh that took the wind out of my sails a bit! )
But I love the fact that she wanted to build it, and invested so much time and energy into seeing her vision come to life! I say you should put your anecdote back. smile
Do put it back, or put it on the Ultimate Brag Thread, because it's wonderful!
Originally Posted by NotherBen
Do put it back, or put it on the Ultimate Brag Thread, because it's wonderful!

Yep. Been smiling about that story all day😉.
*Trying* to help DS study for a science final (this is new to us, the whole "study together" concept).

Me: So, what is the relationship between solar energy and temperature, precipitation?

DS: Frenemies.

smirk
Originally Posted by NotherBen
Do put it back, or put it on the Ultimate Brag Thread, because it's wonderful!

Seriously, that story is many shades of awesome. I, too, kept getting random grins all day thinking about that one.

(Admittedly, alternating with head banging on keyboard for the likely inability of most of the world your daughter lives in to believe such a story.)

But bring back our grins! It's truly the kind of brag that makes us all happy.
Yes, +1 for putting it back. Those stories are delightful!!

On the personal front, here are two from DS today:

1. Learning about the Battle of Agincourt, DS kept teasing me and insisted on calling it the Battle of Middle Agincourt. The first time he did it, I thought he had honestly mixed up the period and battle, but quickly came to realize that I'd been had.

2. Upon DS waking from his afternoon nap, I asked if he had slept well. He replied adamantly, "I did NOT nap. I was collecting data." (He did nap.)
Mine at that age consistently denied napping, too. Little one has recently decided to take it an additional meta step, and now pretends to fall asleep on nearly every car ride, which means that sometimes we are denying that we fell (actually) asleep, sometimes that we fell (faux) asleep, and sometimes that we fell (actually-while-pretending) asleep.
Mine would also deny falling asleep. Additionally he refused to believe that he slept with his eyes closed.
Sorry if my post did that, I wasn't trying for that effect all all blush
I gathered what you meant, I just wanted to say that it sounded more like a mag lev (opposing magnets) versus an actual hovercraft (blowers).

Maglevs are very, very cool and the fact that your child was creative and intelligent enough to think about and then build it is very cool indeed!
Here's a pretty cool magnet video - stay with it because it gets better...

See video here
This may not fly here, but DS has been spying on my board activity and has come up with the following spoof:

"I believe my gifted dog may have trouble distinguishing between (the colors, not the numbers) red and blue. I've already tried contacting X but he's somewhat unresponsive, and lives in X so that's a really long drive. Can anyone recommend a good dog psychotherapist, within about 127 miles round trip, because that's how much gas I have left in my car?"

He had more. This one is the least obnoxious.

smirk
Hee hee!
Yesterday DS4 collected a handful of small rocks when we were outside and then adamantly resisted the next activity we tried to get him to do. He got really upset and started yelling, "I need to do Valium experiments! Valium!" I asked what he meant by Valium and he explained to me, exasperated, that he needed to put the rocks in water and see how much the water level rose. "Ah," I said, "volume."
Sometimes I think I need to do Valium experiments...
Originally Posted by ultramarina
Sometimes I think I need to do Valium experiments...


LOL Ultramarina. I've been there too smile But since I haven't actually done those experiments, I was quite baffled by where my kid picked up the word Valium!
The HP thread reminded me that DD somehow seems to know something is up with Professor Snape.

She has been practicing a rather emotionally intense piece and when I asked her if the piece reminded her of something or someone, she said Professor Snape. When I asked for an explanation, she said "it goes well with him because he is angry, sad, and has a lot of passion but mostly, he is very sad. There is a tragedy in him."

This was after watching the first two movies so she is probably reacting to how Alan Rickman portrayed the character.
Yesterday, DS6 decided he should write a poem. It took him two seconds:

Of all the darkness of the monsters,
There is a light that grows the biggest fright.
That is a very deep, insightful poem. Fantastic.
DD11 is currently charting the levels of popularity in her middle school. She lists primary and secondary characteristics. I was happy to see that she indicates a few of them are her friends (because she struggles so much with that aspect of her life). Anyway, the main reason for being popular listed under the primary column........Fertility.

Has she been reading too much about reproduction? smile
Originally Posted by greenlotus
DD11 is currently charting the levels of popularity in her middle school. She lists primary and secondary characteristics. I was happy to see that she indicates a few of them are her friends (because she struggles so much with that aspect of her life). Anyway, the main reason for being popular listed under the primary column........Fertility.

Has she been reading too much about reproduction? smile

Maybe I should clarify in case her reasoning was odd. Pretty male birds get all the attention(and thus make lots of baby birds) Handsome strong lions get their pick of the lady lions and father lots of baby lions. Pretty middle school girls get their pick of boys and friends. Luckily I have been around her long enough that I get her connections.
Love it. It makes perfect sense from an evolutionary perspective. smile
My three year old's last day of preschool (for the year) was yesterday. We had a picnic/celebration and I was trying to prompt him to say goodbye to his teachers, who were hugging him, so I said, "do you have anything you want to say to _?" My son replied (to the teacher), "I don't think I like this program. I like to do my own thing and I don't appreciate it when you are always making suggestions about what I should do." Well, that's a goodbye she probably won't forget for a while!
Lepa, the teacher probably knew that already lol!
It's all perfectly hilarious until you end up as the parent of a child at an LOG that makes them a freak in their community LOL
Originally Posted by Lepa
My three year old's last day of preschool (for the year) was yesterday. We had a picnic/celebration and I was trying to prompt him to say goodbye to his teachers, who were hugging him, so I said, "do you have anything you want to say to _?" My son replied (to the teacher), "I don't think I like this program. I like to do my own thing and I don't appreciate it when you are always making suggestions about what I should do." Well, that's a goodbye she probably won't forget for a while!

Oh my! Makes you wonder how long he had been waiting to say something like that to her.
A few months ago I told my DS5 a story about my mother at her local golf course. She was planting some geraniums at the snack shack between the 9th and 10th holes -- on her own dime I might add. A man came walking/running across the nearby practice green towards her (total faux pas to motor across a green like that). He was waving his arms and shouting at her "Sausage on a bun! Sausage on a bun!" He had clearly mistaken her for a snack shack employee and was in urgent need of sustenance. I always thought it was hilarious because I used to work there as a teen and I often found some of the golfers to be similarly ridiculous. Yesterday morning DS5 was eating breakfast when he spilled something and started saying "serviette! serviette!" I told him he could have one but that there are better ways to ask for one. Without missing a beat, he got a wickedly wonderful smile on his face and shouted "Serviette on a bun! Serviette on a bun!" He has such an amazing sense of humour!!
Originally Posted by ConnectingDots
Originally Posted by Lepa
My three year old's last day of preschool (for the year) was yesterday. We had a picnic/celebration and I was trying to prompt him to say goodbye to his teachers, who were hugging him, so I said, "do you have anything you want to say to _?" My son replied (to the teacher), "I don't think I like this program. I like to do my own thing and I don't appreciate it when you are always making suggestions about what I should do." Well, that's a goodbye she probably won't forget for a while!

Oh my! Makes you wonder how long he had been waiting to say something like that to her.

Or whether, given his outspokenness, he had previously expressed that to her and she didn't change her approach.'

Either way, you have an articulate little self-advocate there. Good for him!
As a follow-up to the "how much our DC read" posts: I overheard DS6 and DS4 at bedtime last night negotiating which books they would swap from the piles currently on their beds. I had a huge grin on my face, knowing that we've passed on our love of books to both of them.

Oh, and we always get audiobooks from the library for when we're travelling by car. Yesterday, we introduced them to the A to Z Mysteries. They finished The Absent Author in the car and begged to bring in The Bald Bandit to listen to it at home. They sat quietly through the whole book and at the end, DS6 said "We have to get all of them!". smile
The other day, we were at a large family event, and there was a magician to entertain the audience. My nine year old being one of the few kids there, he was selected to "assist" with a trick. The magician asked him how old he was and then asked "so what do you want to be?" The idea behind the gag being that the kid, beyond the age of answering "fireman" or "race car driver" is unsure and says nothing, the magician says "ten, right?" - cue laughter from the audience.
Only, my kid, not missing a beat, clearly and confidently said "astrophysicist". The magician went "Ten....what?!!". Kid, pleasantly and confidently, repeats "astrophysicist". Magician, nonplussed, looks at the audience, which, mostly composed of the kid's physician grandfather's old friends, doesn't bat an eyelid and pleasantly and confidently looks back at him, waiting for the show to go on. Magician goes "so, um, astrophysicist. Haven't had that one before." Another pleading look at the audience finally elicits a few laughs and he goes on with the show, and kid, who does have comedy bone in his body in addition to his interest in science, does great at assisting him.
Only mom, a few rows back, almost falls off her chair with suppressed laughter. Poor magician.

My nine year old wants to do physics at Oxford, UK, then go on to work at CERN in Switzerland. I can totally see him at both places. Hope we can afford the former!
lol, love it! - I've seen that stunned look from an adult after they ask DS10 what he wants to be when he grows up. He's answered "particle physicist" since he was about 6 or so. Astrophysicist, mathematician and engineer are also sometimes thrown in the mix and none of the above would shock me. Maybe they can work together at CERN smile
Given what's going around here lately, I think this thread needs to make a comeback.

I'll go first.

DD6: I have invented a new language.
Me: Really? How does it go? Is it hard?
DD6: Oh, no, it is really easy since it's totally random.
Me: Then I can learn it too.
DD6: No, it cannot be your randomness. It has to be mine.
Me: What?
DD6: You know, organized chaos and method to madness and all that.
Me: What?
DD6: Oh Mommy, you know I love you so very much.
Random stranger talking to her friend on the street: "Everything is wonderful and new."

DS5, walking by and apparently seeing some flaw in logic: "Actually, that's not true."

Both women muttering after a few moments: "That's a smart kid..."
Hee hee that reminds me of one for DS5

Friends were over with their 4 year old and the boy started to have a tantrum over not getting his way. DS5 went over to him and said, "Listen. All your dreams are not going to come true. You should stop crying."
You know how we complain about teachers who differentiate by asking the gifted kids to tutor the struggling kids (regardless of whether the gifted kid likes to, wants to, or can effectively, do it)?

DS17 is in a supportive, SpEd study hall. His caseworker tells me that when he (the caseworker) was helping another student with math homework, DS started glancing over, leaning in, and would quietly get up, write the math on the board, and sit down.

I asked DS about this, and he said yeah, they have a new rule in the class that no one can ask DS for help anymore because he has his own work to do. I asked what he thinks about that. He says, it would actually be better to help them because he can't help listening and working on their math in his head anyway, and he just has to get up and write it on the board to help the caseworker.
**
At the risk of sounding humourless, I don't think using this board to gratuitously denigrate public figures is either appropriate or in keeping with the purpose of this forum. One of the great strengths of this board is the range of viewpoints represented. Preserving that range and all the benefits it brings requires respect and civility.

Originally Posted by Mana
Given what's going around here lately, I think this thread needs to make a comeback.

I'll go first.

DD6: I have invented a new language.
Me: Really? How does it go? Is it hard?
DD6: Oh, no, it is really easy since it's totally random.
Me: Then I can learn it too.
DD6: No, it cannot be your randomness. It has to be mine.
Me: What?
DD6: You know, organized chaos and method to madness and all that.
Me: What?
DD6: Oh Mommy, you know I love you so very much.


this is funny, I do sometimes get a nice verbal "pat on the head" from my son, like I'm just a pet kitten or a 3 year old, my brain is so small. Sigh, I USED to be pretty smart!!! wink wink




DS10, who subscribes to many magazines, received a discount offer from "The Economist" in the mail. After looking over the offer carefully, he looked up and said with disgust, "What do they think I am--some sort of capitalist?"
It's so fun to read about all the ways these kids are constantly surprising us!

I've always been a talker, narrating my daily life, but now with DS2 around, this turns into amusing conversations. When we return to the house after being out, I often say "Hi House, we're home" and one day DS decided to personify the house. He lowered his voice to a deep grunt and said, "Hi, welcome home!"
hahaha
Originally Posted by Flyingmouse
DS10, who subscribes to many magazines, received a discount offer from "The Economist" in the mail. After looking over the offer carefully, he looked up and said with disgust, "What do they think I am--some sort of capitalist?"
This may provide a great opportunity to enlighten him with the concept that one may first need to be a capitalist in order to later be a philanthropist. For example, the Davidsons created educational software, which enabled them to fund the Davidson Institute of Talent Development (DITD), including this Gifted Issues Discussion Forum. smile Benevolence, ethics, and social benefit are not mutually exclusive with capitalism.
Very true! We just thought that his immediate response to the offer was hilarious, especially because he had never shown any dislike of capitalism in the past.
DD6 whilst drying her hands: iPad, iPad, iPad.
Me: You've had your 30 minutes already.
DD6: I said, I pat, I pat. See, I am patting my hands on the towel. BTW, I knew you'd react that way. You are so predictable.
DC#3, on a meal being announced: "Oh good. Now the digestive enzymes in my stomach will have something to digest."
I took a look at the letter my DD7 and DS5 wrote to Santa this year. They portrayed their wish list with a Venn Diagram.
laugh I love that, DAD22.

My DD6 is head over heels in love.
DS5 on being asked to not sit on the coffee table:

Me- DS, please get off the table. It's for things only.

DS- Well, I'm a living thing, aren't I? So it seems fair for me to sit on the table, since living things are a type of thing.

Me- Good reasoning. I buy it. Let me revise that: only inanimate things are allowed on the table.

---

DS on one of his school friends:

"[Friend] is pretty crusty in the morning, so I generally feel out his mood before determining whether I want to play with him, someone else, or do some solo play. I find by the afternoon, he's usually more pleasant."
Often heard at the dinner table at our house: "I won't give you another math problem until you have another bite."
Me: I never got why people find Wesley Crusher so annoying. I like him.

DD6: I think the problem with Wesley is that he makes people feel less special.

Me: He makes you feel less special?

DD6: Of course not. Are you serious? He is just a fictional character.

Me: Right.

DD6: Right.
Every Christmas we travel a long distance to visit family. The car ride is tiresome so the last few trips have involved "Play Doh Wars", our family's version of Food Channel's "Cake Wars". DD12 and D11 compete in the back seat using DH's ideas (best decorated Christmas stocking, for example).

One competition this year featured Christmas cookies. DD12 made these intricate Play Doh creations. DD11 made 2 lumpy cookies, 1 big, 1 medium. The larger cookie had an unhappy face. DD12 told a story about decorating her cookie. DD11 related that Play Doh Wars made her think of personification which made her think her cookies had thoughts so they had morals as well. These thoughts led her to believe that her biggest cookie was sad because the middle cookie ate the littlest cookie.

DH and I just gave each other "the look". This kid never fails to spout stuff that is just quirky.
DD11 is attempting to analyze middle schoolers just as years ago she tried to figure out grade schoolers. She is 11 years old and stuck with a bunch of hormonally crazy 13 year olds (who are sweet, but boy are they outrageous and emotional, including my almost 13 year old).

In grade school DD produced many documents trying to decipher the secrets of popularity.
Last night she showed me flow charts she is creating. They are elaborate flow charts of everyone's love life. As you may imagine, they are very complicated!!!
DS8's first "written math proof".

Question: Genet multiplied a 3-digit number by 1002 and got AB007C, where A, B, and C stand for digits. What was Genet's original 3-digit number?

DS8's answer (I transcribed his exact words): The answer is 539. y=3 because in the 7C, 3+3 is 6, Z has to be a number 5 - 9 to make the 6 a 7. x is 5 because the number under 2x is a 0, so it has to be 10 no matter what. 10 divided by 2 is 5 so x is 5. The number under Z is zero, but since the 2x is added up to a 10, z has 1 more, so z has to be 9. so xyz = 539.
DS created an exosuit on an action figure and left it sitting on the couch. DH tied a string to it and taped it dangling from a ceiling fan blade so it would surprise DS when he looked up from his book. DD came along and saw it first, giggled, immediately turned on the ceiling fan and it went flying. Just one of those moments when I utterly adore my goofy family!
Two odd things that makes me realize my kid is becoming her own person.

DD12 was on the middle school academic team and one of the boys from the team was talking to her at an event my store had a booth at. When the boy said he didn't like to read my daughter shut him down so fast his head spun. She wasn't mean to him but you could just see her thoughts like, "We are done here." She said she wasn't sure how he made the team since most the questions are over things that are not in regular education classes. I said maybe he watches documentaries, there's other ways to learn.


Then she was looking on youtube at trombone music (Her instrument in band) and she came across Nyan Cat produced as trombone music but played on a keyboard. (It's super fast for those who don't know.) She was so excited she asked me if I thought she could do it. (I also played trombone in school) I told her if she slowed it down at first and worked on it who knows what she could pull off. It's summer vacation and she found something that inspired her to practice over the summer.
So I'm sitting at the table the other day explaining factors to the primary-age little one, including some of the little "tricks" one can use to determine if a number is a factor, such as that if you add up all the digits of a multiple of 3, they will sum to 3, 6, or 9 (given enough iterations). A few minutes later, I ask, is 4 a factor of 72?

LO says "yes" immediately (even though LO does not have the multiplication facts memorized, and still does repeated addition to divide multi-digit numbers by 2). Surprised, I ask how LO knows this. Answer: the tens place is an odd number, and the ones place is a 2. I had to think about that for a minute.

I don't believe I had ever observed this, and, though math is not my personal strength, I am considered to be reasonably decent at math (I have a graduate degree in a STEM field). To top it off, the next child up quickly demonstrated that this is true for all whole numbers.
DD: I am going to be a soloist.
Me: Sounds great sweetie. Any other goals?
DD: Like what?
Me: Like finding a cure for cancer?
DD: Shouldn't the focus be on prevention?
Me: Yes but some people are genetically predisposed.
DD: How do we go about finding a cure?
Me: You have to ask the right questions.
DD: (talking into my phone) Siri, how do we find cures for cancer?

She has just turned 7 and as you can see, still as snarky and sassy as she can be.
YK, it's hard to argue with her question!
I am not sure when the school teaches Roman numerals. Obviously it wasn't third grade because my DS10 has not learned anything about it (He's going on fifth). However, DS8 "just know" them when he picked the third grade math topic on Roman numerals on IXL to work on last night. We were all surprised and asked him where he learned it? Videos? School? Books? He said no to all of them but could not tell us where else. This kid just surprises us like this :-)

Oh, he was also 72% complete on the 8th grade geography on Oceans and Continents on IXL last night, before going to bed.
This doesn't surprise us though because he memorized the world map since he was five.
Originally Posted by ajinlove
I am not sure when the school teaches Roman numerals. Obviously it wasn't third grade because my DS10 has not learned anything about it (He's going on fifth).
It's great that your kiddo picked up knowledge of Roman Numerals as if by osmosis. smile

Common Core standards do not include Roman Numerals. A quick perusal of the Common Core Math Standards, a search of the 93-page downloadable CCSS Math Standards PDF file, and a use of the Common Core search tool for "Roman" in Math Standards do not find this topic.

If schools do not go beyond Common Core to teach this concept, then parents hoping for their children to become familiar with Roman Numerals may want to expose their children to the concepts and/or simply point out Roman Numerals when they see them IRL. This old blog post from 2013 mentions several contexts for the use of Roman numerals... including the Super Bowl, Olympic games, names of persons (such as Queen Elizabeth II). I can think of a few more: some styles of analog watches, clock faces (especially grandfather clocks), page numbering in book prefaces, formal outline formats.

A few resources:

1. Life of Fred covers Roman Numerals in 5th grade, along with Fractions.

2. I like this RapidTables Roman numerals[/color] chart as it contains all I need to know, in a concise format.

3. Another resource for learning [color:#660000]Roman Numerals is a video (length 5:49) currently found through HippoCampus. Current navigation to the topic is as follows: Select MATH... Arithmetic... WHY-U Collection: Pre-Algebra Foundational Concepts... Roman Numerals: Sign-Value versus Positional Notation.

Wikipedia has a page on Roman Numerals here, which unfortunately seems to dismiss Roman Numerals as being somewhat obsolete... which may be reflective of Roman Numerals not being included in Common Core.
Indigo,

Thanks for the information. No wonder my fifth grader didn't learn the Roman Numerals in school. It is not included in the CC standard! eek

I will have DS10 learn this topic on IXL.
Sounds like a plan!
IXL lists Roman numerals for grades 1 (A.23), 2 (C.8), 3 (A.8), 4 (A.9), 5 (A.6), 6 (A.4).
Thank you!
We have moved overseas, and life is very different nowadays, but DD12 never fails to remind me how different her interests are from "typical" 8th graders...

I walked into her bedroom the other day to give her a good morning hug and found her reading an article on her phone. I asked her what it was, and she said she was reading about Ebola. Just the thing to start her day!!
DD12 on deciding to knock out the last 100 pages of her book at bedtime: "I ended up reading past midnight again. I regret nothing."
I asked my ds6 what 27*13 equals. His logic used to solve the question was to square 13, double it, then add 13. Probably not the most straightforward way,
DS3 is bored to death with many typical preschooler games. He can't make it through a game of candy land or chutes and ladders, but will happily focus for 20-30 minutes on learning to play chess. He started asking to play at 2.5 when he saw his older cousins playing, and I got him a set for his 3rd birthday. Grandpa used to do tournaments, so maybe DS is following in his footsteps.
DD7 is no longer a cute little child who says amusingly precocious things. In fact, she acts more like a sulky tween most of the time so while I don't have much to share, she told me a few days ago that she plans on adopting an orphan rather than having a biological child since she believes no child should grow up without a family.

She asked me if I would be disappointed if she adopts a toddler or an older child as opposed to a baby. I told her I would be the most proud grandmother around but this is something she should be thinking about in 20+ years when she is done with school and has established a career.

No idea where this came from since we haven't even been discussing adopting a pet.
DD4 figured out humour this morning. She's been watching Doodie Man (don't judge me). She says to me, 'It's funny because he thinks he's brave and strong, but really he's just gross'. Well done kiddo. Juxtaposition of two incongruent elements = basic formula for humour.
Parent teacher evening at DS10's school. The school offers a choice between Latin and French for FL from 6th grade. For some reason, the majority of the gifted track (one of five) always chooses Latin, but since there is only one class offered, just under half of the class are kids from the other (regular college prep) tracks.
The teacher explained that he was happy with the class so far but that sadly, he couldn't teach to the level of the brightest kids in the classroom and to let him know if a kid needed more challenge for him to provide on the side. "There is one kid already learning Ancient Greek in Greek club, too, I just can't teach at the level that kid would need".

Later that evening, I needed him to unlock a bathroom for me and we got to chatting. I said it was a pity that the school offered a gifted level class for most subjects with the one exception of French and Latin, and that I was hoping he'd be able to engage the gifted kids in his classroom regardless. He then explained to me that he knew he couldn't meet that one kids needs in a sixth grade class when after the first session of Greek club, that kid had quoted parts of the Iliad and the odyssey in the original Greek at him because he'd had a vocabulary question. "No way could I teach the class at the level that kid needs!"
Oh well. After we'd established that "that kid" was mine and he'd gushed a bit about his capabilities and interest, telling me that he could go far in the classics and asking whether that was a possible career interest (sadly, I had to tell him it was astrophysics all the way) I told him that I was glad that at least his abilities and interest were appreciated, even if they might not necessarily be fed. He said: "well why wouldn't I love a student who is so very bright and motivated and well behaved to boot?"

Yeah, why wouldn't any teacher, LOL? No matter the level he thinks he must teach at, with teachers like this one, who even takes a sixth graders career aspirations as seriously as he should, I'm not worried!
Originally Posted by greenlotus
We have moved overseas, and life is very different nowadays, but DD12 never fails to remind me how different her interests are from "typical" 8th graders...

I walked into her bedroom the other day to give her a good morning hug and found her reading an article on her phone. I asked her what it was, and she said she was reading about Ebola. Just the thing to start her day!!


Dear me, I do hope it won't have a practical application in your new place of residence!
Tigerle, that is a truly lovely thing to hear. So happy there is at least one teacher at your DC's school who appreciates him, and isn't threatened by his abilities!
Fun with 2E, aka why my daughter is the joy of my life:

Doing spelling remediation, dyslexic DD’s most hated activity. She’s desperate to be done, begging to be finished, and yet…. and yet…. she just can’t help herself.

I dictate: The tiger cleaned her paws.

She writes: The fluffy and adorable babby tiger liked clean her delekit paws and needly claws.

I dictate: The brave man pointed at the sky.

She writes: The brave young man pointed at the sky and lifted a golden apple to the pegasis flying down tords him.


I dictate: We were camping for three days.

She writes: We were camping enjoyably for three delectable days in the time of the hight of the aichent Egyptian empire!


DD earnestly explains to me: “A plain sentence is like a cupcake without flavour, icing, sprinkles or a colourful wrapper.” I add this to her whiteboard because, well, I love it so. DD contemplates for a moment, then announces, “I think that’s my new motto.”
Gotta give her credit...her sentences include almost every single word you dictated (except for "clean" instead of "cleaned")! Spelled correctly, too.
Platypus, that is amazing!
Platypus, your DD is simply delightful!
Platypus, she sounds wonderful and will go far with this attitude.
Not sure how old she is but her future teachers will absolutely love her essays.
Originally Posted by Tigerle
Dear me, I do hope it won't have a practical application in your new place of residence!

No, no. We do not have that problem here. If anything we will have an overdose of shopping and food!!! laugh

Platypus, I love how your DD has taken something that could be dry and made it into something delightfully her own!
DD6 proposed a bargain to DS4: If he would put on a show with her, she would play Letterpress (a Scrabble-like word game) with him. DS looked a little startled (they haven't played against each other before), then delighted, then a little confused. The difficulty is that DD is not yet reading or writing much, while DS is a crack player who can regularly beat adults. Finally he said, "OK, (DD), I'll play short words that you can read. And I won't try to get territory." I was a little concerned that DD would see this as condescending, coming from her little brother, but she responded happily, "Thanks, (DS), that's so nice of you!" He said it so kindly and thoughtfully, and she took it in just the spirit it was intended.
Emigee, I didn't see this earlier...I just have to say how lovely this was to read. One of the most heartwarming things to me is seeing siblings loving, appreciating, and supporting each other. They do you great credit!
Thanks, aeh! It was very heartwarming.
DS6 on wanting to become a vegetarian: "How would you like to be cooked in an oven? You wouldn't, would you?"
Empathy with plants!
DD4 visited her grandma last week, and Grandma took her to see a shop with Christmas decorations - a new route, on new streets. Yesterday, DD4 asked if she could take me to the shop with the Christmas decorations. We were coming from the opposite direction, but DD4 remembered all the steps in reverse order and navigated us to the shop. Once we got there she started to beg me for a toy she had seen, which was her devious plan all along!
Originally Posted by LazyMum
DD4 visited her grandma last week, and Grandma took her to see a shop with Christmas decorations - a new route, on new streets. Yesterday, DD4 asked if she could take me to the shop with the Christmas decorations. We were coming from the opposite direction, but DD4 remembered all the steps in reverse order and navigated us to the shop. Once we got there she started to beg me for a toy she had seen, which was her devious plan all along!

That reminds me of my niece! She was a bit older than your DD, but could navigate amazingly well. This was years ago, but I still remember being astounded she could give turn-by-turn directions. (I'm so "directionally challenged".)
Here's a fun example of DS6 self-advocating when his teacher chose to collect the students' library cards for safe keeping after visiting a bookmobile. The teacher explained her decision to the students as being based on a need to share the library cards. This is what DS said, as relayed to me by the teacher and school director, who happened to be there at the time, and thought it was a hoot.

DS to teacher: "I think I should get to keep my library card to show that I'm able to be responsible for myself. I also think we need to learn to respect the value of private property."

Love it!

Our school had a Thanksgiving luncheon this week, and DD12 walked up to me, and said she had made a mistake on a craft. She explained that everyone was supposed to create an ornament on which they wrote what they were thankful for. DD said she didn't realize the ornaments were for kindergartners, and she had written "I am thankful for net neutrality". Well, maybe some 5 year olds might appreciate the thought.
DS7 on how to remember the cardinal points:

"I use 'Never Enter Santa's Washroom' or occasionally, I use 'Never Eat Shredded Wheat'"

I don't think he invented the first and I know he didn't invent the second, but I loved the casual use of "occasionally". Both DSs have always used that kind of vocabulary, even from a young age.

And at DS6's parent teacher meeting: The teacher's only complaint was that he sometimes/often tries to read his own book during class, such that he isn't paying attention.

And after reading A Passion for Elephants (The Real Life Adventure of Field Scientist Cynthia Moss), DS6 asked me if I thought elephants would be extinct in about 20 years. When I asked him why, he explained that he wanted to work to protect elephants when he is old enough. He figured 26 was about right.

There's some pretty fun stuff going on with DSs these days. Isn't it great to watch them develop? smile
“Occasionally”. Cute!

My ds12 when he was just learning to talk learned mama, dada, his name for his brother, and basic nouns and verbs, no, and I swear his next two words were “actually” and “because”.
Originally Posted by aquinas
DS to teacher: "I think I should get to keep my library card to show that I'm able to be responsible for myself. I also think we need to learn to respect the value of private property."

Love it!
Yes! Kudos to your kid for speaking up, and kudos to you. IMO, this is a kid being raised right, and the world would be a better place if there were more like him! smile
Originally Posted by RRD
There's some pretty fun stuff going on with DSs these days. Isn't it great to watch them develop? smile

Yes, it is.

I do wish, however, that DD7 would take it easier on reinforcing sustainable living practices.
Originally Posted by Mana
Originally Posted by RRD
There's some pretty fun stuff going on with DSs these days. Isn't it great to watch them develop? smile

Yes, it is.

I do wish, however, that DD7 would take it easier on reinforcing sustainable living practices.

We get that too! And DS6 also has a very (very!) strong moral compass. He gets it from me, but even I find he can go a bit overboard.
It's a public holiday today. At 9am I said to DD4.5 'Oh no! You're going to be late for school!'. She looked worried and confused. I laughed and said I was joking, it was still a holiday. So she says sarcastically 'Oh no, Mum! You're going to be late for work!' and starts laughing at me (I have no job). Solid burn, kiddo. They say sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, but I thought it was a pretty smart comeback.
DS9 chatting with same-age cousin: "Depending on how you look at it, 1+1 is either a really easy mathematical question or a really difficult philosophical question."
It's been forever since I was on here, but today's... um... quirky anecdote was fairly epic.

DS 8yrs has ASD, and doesn't follow fiction all that well, especially when the storytelling is kinda touchy-feely. Lately, he's been having a heck of a time even figuring out which class he's in. Science? Math? English? It all seems a bit murky... and the staff aren't getting it that a kid could actually be having trouble guessing, so they tell him just about anything EXCEPT what the heck is going on (this is how I came to be in the classroom today)

In any case, social studies starts, and the teacher reads a book that keeps talking about the colour of taxi drivers. The book is about a conversation between a mom and a kid about systemic racism, but it never mentions racism or discrimination by name. DS didn't follow.

The teacher was very polite about DS's comment about the reflectivity of black versus white, though, so DS thought he was on the right track... and it was about taxis... moving vehicles and colour, right? He knows where this is going...

DS now explains Doppler shifting to the third grade.

Teacher looks confused.



(I later explained it wasn't science class, and DS came up with some good solid stuff about incarceration rates...)

Fabulous vignette, Michaela, thanks for sharing. As your story illustrates, context exerts huge influence on our interpretation. How difficult for those lacking contextual cues! So glad you could provide context... and enjoy watching his paradigm shift in response to that. smile
DD12 is an obsessed artist and writer spending hours on brush stroke, shading, etc on her computer art tablet. Somehow she finds the time to inhale politics and history as well. I occasionally wonder just how these varied interests will be used in her future career.

The other night she and I watched a black hole documentary on NOVA. She raced off after the show to pull up a periodic table which I assumed would lead to some science research. I found her hunched over her desk writing furiously while she intently studied the elements. When I asked what she was doing she excitedly stated she was tweaking all the element names so they could be used as character names in her next book.

Future science fiction author??
With gorgeous illustrations!
Originally Posted by Platypus101
With gorgeous illustrations!

Definitely!! laugh laugh
LOVE the element names as character names!

DS6 may have an interesting thing going on with visualization... He has said before that he sees everything in his head, and I’m starting to think it’s true. Today, he asked me if I could help him zip up his c-o-a-t. I said “That’s some pretty good spelling, DS6.” He is learning French at school, not English at the moment. He replied: “Yeah, I just picture the word in my head and I see how it’s spelled.” And he gave me the example of window, and he was basically gesturing as though he were looking at an invisible screen. Is that a bit odd? Has anyone else experienced this with their DC?
My five-year-old used to fake cough, then mutter c-o-u-g-h, then cough again.
RRD, that's what my boys and I do. I believe it is good visual-spatial ability.
One of my parents and one of my sibs visualize words for spelling as well. Actually, both of them can visualize books. Ask what happened (or even for a quote) at some point in a familiar or recently-read book , and if they can't name it off the top of their heads, they mentally "look" at the page and re-read it. Which is why they both dislike new editions of old classics!

And yes, both of them have good visual spatial skills.
Same here- my kids and I all do this as well. It was weird when we figured out not everyone “sees” the page of a book or notes in their mind. My daughter is particularly good at remembering exactly where in a text a snippet of information is. I have wondered if it is akin to a form of eidetic memory- it’s the main reason we find note-taking useful, because we can retrieve (or “see”) most of what is needed pretty easily. And yes, my kids have strong vs skills as well.
That's amazing to me. I have aphantasia, which means I don't have a mind's eye, can't form mental images, etc. I'd love to be able to remember books and things (study notes!) just by recalling the image. What a gift!
Originally Posted by LazyMum
That's amazing to me. I have aphantasia, which means I don't have a mind's eye, can't form mental images, etc. I'd love to be able to remember books and things (study notes!) just by recalling the image. What a gift!
I'm in between - I have a solid mind's eye but not an eidetic memory. I didn't think that eidetic memories actually existed, to be honest. It was so cool to see him gesturing as though he could see it as clearly as if it were on a computer screen! He literally pointed to each letter as he spelled out the word "window".

It's no wonder human beings are constantly in conflict with one another. This is such a minor example of it but ultimately, we're all stuck seeing the world from our own vantage point/reality, not knowing what other people's worlds are truly like. Though I suppose competing interests might have a role to play in it too. In any case, I digress. smile
RRD, one day I was giving a friend driving directions to a place, and I pulled out a map. She said no, don't give me directions with a map, I'm not a visual thinker, give me turn-by-turn directions. I said, but I AM a visual thinker, I don't know the turn-by-turn directions! We worked it out, though, adding her following behind me lol.
NB,

That is pretty much an ongoing conversation between my SO and myself regarding directions!
LazyMum, my husband has aphantasia. It's extremely rare, and tbh I didn't (couldn't) believe him at first because my mind's eye is so extreme.

I can look at anything and then raise it in the air, flip it over, and I can see through things. At times it can be a bad thing to visualise so well.
Oh, the navigating! My husband and son are way off-the-charts visual spatial. I have aphantasia (never knew until a discussion in this forum, thank you folks!). Two years later, they are both still seriously freaked out by my inability - and I'll readily admit, I'm often rather jealous of theirs smile
Originally Posted by RRD
LOVE the element names as character names!

DS6 may have an interesting thing going on with visualization... He has said before that he sees everything in his head, and I’m starting to think it’s true. Today, he asked me if I could help him zip up his c-o-a-t. I said “That’s some pretty good spelling, DS6.” He is learning French at school, not English at the moment. He replied: “Yeah, I just picture the word in my head and I see how it’s spelled.” And he gave me the example of window, and he was basically gesturing as though he were looking at an invisible screen. Is that a bit odd? Has anyone else experienced this with their DC?

I gave my DD8 a simple algebra problem
4X + 4 = 2

She solved it without writing it down, and my wife asked her how she did it. DD explained that she did it by manipulating a number line in her head. I can't verify that of course, but I have no real reason to suspect she's lying.
Originally Posted by Platypus101
Oh, the navigating! My husband and son are way off-the-charts visual spatial. I have aphantasia (never knew until a discussion in this forum, thank you folks!). Two years later, they are both still seriously freaked out by my inability - and I'll readily admit, I'm often rather jealous of theirs smile

I think that goes both ways. As a visual thinker...

- Give me turn-by-turn directions ahead of time, and unless I'm already familiar with most of the roads, you just wasted your breath. I forgot the first turn before you even finished describing the second one.
- Give me turn-by-turn directions in-transit, and unless I'm already familiar with most of the roads, I'll never find the place again.
- Give me a chance to look at a map, and not only will I be able to find the place forever, but I'll even be able to ad-lib if there are any obstructions.
Originally Posted by Dude
Originally Posted by Platypus101
Oh, the navigating! My husband and son are way off-the-charts visual spatial. I have aphantasia (never knew until a discussion in this forum, thank you folks!). Two years later, they are both still seriously freaked out by my inability - and I'll readily admit, I'm often rather jealous of theirs smile

I think that goes both ways. As a visual thinker...

- Give me turn-by-turn directions ahead of time, and unless I'm already familiar with most of the roads, you just wasted your breath. I forgot the first turn before you even finished describing the second one.
- Give me turn-by-turn directions in-transit, and unless I'm already familiar with most of the roads, I'll never find the place again.
- Give me a chance to look at a map, and not only will I be able to find the place forever, but I'll even be able to ad-lib if there are any obstructions.
Interesting! By way of contrast, give me turn-by-turn directions ahead of time and I plot them on a visual map in my mind. That way, I can refer back to it as I go along.

I love exchanging like this. I actually wish part of this forum were designated just for "chatting" like this. We are in a pretty good place for our DSs right now, so I don't "need" to come on here. And since I don't have that much experience, I can't contribute that much. But I love this sort of stuff and I wish there were more opportunities to just exchange points of view, random thoughts, etc. I am always eager to comment on all posts just to add my two cents' worth/engage in the conversation, but feel like I am too "chatty". I sort of feel like a pest. smile
Originally Posted by RRD
Originally Posted by Dude
Originally Posted by Platypus101
Oh, the navigating! My husband and son are way off-the-charts visual spatial. I have aphantasia (never knew until a discussion in this forum, thank you folks!). Two years later, they are both still seriously freaked out by my inability - and I'll readily admit, I'm often rather jealous of theirs smile

I think that goes both ways. As a visual thinker...

- Give me turn-by-turn directions ahead of time, and unless I'm already familiar with most of the roads, you just wasted your breath. I forgot the first turn before you even finished describing the second one.
- Give me turn-by-turn directions in-transit, and unless I'm already familiar with most of the roads, I'll never find the place again.
- Give me a chance to look at a map, and not only will I be able to find the place forever, but I'll even be able to ad-lib if there are any obstructions.
Interesting! By way of contrast, give me turn-by-turn directions ahead of time and I plot them on a visual map in my mind. That way, I can refer back to it as I go along.

I love exchanging like this. I actually wish part of this forum were designated just for "chatting" like this. We are in a pretty good place for our DSs right now, so I don't "need" to come on here. And since I don't have that much experience, I can't contribute that much. But I love this sort of stuff and I wish there were more opportunities to just exchange points of view, random thoughts, etc. I am always eager to comment on all posts just to add my two cents' worth/engage in the conversation, but feel like I am too "chatty". I sort of feel like a pest. smile

You're not a pest, you're delightful! smile

Here: I started a virtual patio for us to lounge and chat at. All posters, all OEs, all topics welcome! http://giftedissues.davidsongifted.org/BB/ubbthreads.php/topics/241292.html#Post241292
Originally Posted by RRD
Interesting! By way of contrast, give me turn-by-turn directions ahead of time and I plot them on a visual map in my mind. That way, I can refer back to it as I go along.

That's exactly what I do if I already know the roads, because I already know what that map looks like.

Originally Posted by RRD
I love exchanging like this. I actually wish part of this forum were designated just for "chatting" like this.

Oh, I'd say several areas of the forum are given over to this sort of "chatting," and it indirectly influences our understanding of what giftedness is and how it manifests, so it's not a complete distraction.
DS6 is home sick from school today for the second consecutive day. He's admittedly feeling much better, but it's still best for him to recover at home for today.

Here's a conversation around how the decision was reached.

DS: Am I staying home today? I think it would be a good ideas as a precaution. I don't want to get my classmates sick before the long weekend.

Me: I think that's a good idea.

Later, DS is enjoying his morning bath.

DS (singing): Ferris Bueller....Ferris Bueller!

Me: DS, do you feel like Ferris Bueller today?

DS (shifty eyes): No...

Aquinas: hopefully the day didn't end with a wrecked sports car. wink
If it's not our children, it's our parents. My 91-year-old father had a hemorrhagic stroke last summer. His physical rehab has been so-so, but his cognitive recovery has been good. He has spent the last 6 months in a rehab facility, three of those on the skilled nursing floor, and he will continue to need that physical care.

His fellow "inmates" as he puts it, are/were high achievers (chemist, opthalmologist, professor, head coach, school board president, and so on), but have been affected by physical and/or cognitive decline greater than my dad's. So now I am trying to convince his facility to let him participate in the activities with the folks on the assisted living floor, because he needs that mental stimulation. I just can't be there every day to discuss the stock market, politics, golf, engineering, history, with him. I bring his computer when I visit, but I hesitate to leave it with him because even before this, we got a call once a week to resolve something he had inadvertently changed, and for security reasons of course.

It's like advocating for my kiddo all over again.

I know this is outside the realm of the topic, but this is the only place where I know you'll understand!
Oh NotherBen, it must be so tough for your father. Is he able to read at least? If not, would you maybe be able to supply him with audiobooks? They’re very expensive to buy but most public libraries have great selections! All he would need is a basic CD player, so fewer complications and less risk of theft.
He'd fall asleep with podcasts and audiobooks, not to mention he'd need to learn the technology. He's been asking for the newspaper so I do bring that, and he's picked out a book from their large-print library, but his attention span isn't so great. He goes to "joggin' the noggin" and trivia time, but it's things like "name a word that starts with K". Yawn. I try to be there for Jeopardy which is on at 3:30 in our area, which is good as it tends to be between activity and dinner.

The other day he told me that in morning chair exercise, the leader always asks where they should "march" to. He suggested an intersection our city, because he knew his friend--the ophthalmologist in the room next door--was from that neighborhood and he wanted to "get a rise" out of him; that is, perk him up. I'm so glad he's being supportive of his fellow "inmates". Although, because he's not 100%, the intersection he named is really two parallel streets, but hey! close enough, and I know the leader got a kick out of it and was from a nearby neighborhood and so they got to chatting about it.

I'm also going to suggest that they bring in some artwork that is representative of our area, instead of the anonymous hotel-style "art" on the walls. Maybe some local scenery, landmarks, or fine art from our museums. But it's a private company, so I'm sure it's all "corporate approved" frown And I've suggested a local history speaker, in addition to the "travelogue" and art history they sometimes have. I also suggested a poker group for "the guys", but they didn't go for that lol.

One of the fellows leads a Spanish class once or twice a week! I love that!
NotherBen, my heart and thoughts go out to you and your dad. What unnecessary loneliness can be created by the artless and hapless grouping of people... whether students or "inmates." I see all of our futures in your story. Just like kids, our vulnerable gifted elderly populations need appropriate academic challenge, and intellectual peers, in order to thrive.
The Spanish class sounds great! I'm curious - do high school kids have to log volunteering hours in your area? They do in Ontario, but I have no idea whether it's standard elsewhere. Maybe they could get some high school kids to come read/teach/interact with some of the "inmates"?
And a quirky anecdote:

A little while ago, I listened in on DS8, DS6 and a friend who were discussing how far back up the evolutionary chain you'd have to go to hopefully have a given species evolve into a unicorn. DS8 argued you'd in fact have to go right back to the Big Bang instead of somewhere up the chain, since that would surely be the point at which the universe would need to take a turn in order for unicorns to develop their magical powers.
My brother had a job for most of high school visiting and interacting with a resident of one of the local nursing homes. The staff couldn't really give enough individual attention to Frank, so my brother used to come in and feed him, then walk with him all over the home. They would stop in every room to say hi and chat, so he developed close relationships with all of the other patients, too. Frank (a retired stockbroker) used to try to give my brother investment advice, but was stymied by the fact that my brother had almost no money to invest. smile I'm sure it was fairly inexpensive for the family who hired him, and I think it was a job that contributed in a pretty major way to my brother's personal development, too. NotherBen, if you can't be there every day yourself, you might want to see if you can find a high school student who could spend some time with your father after school.
Elizabeth, that's a great idea. Actually, DS is home for a semester, that would be good for him. One gentleman was hanging out in the dining room this afternoon. The activities director told me that was huge because he never wanted to leave his room except for meals. He's one of my dad's dinner buddies and a nice guy. I wanted to go get my dad to join him, but he was sick today. When he's better I will make a point of getting them together outside of meals.

RRD, around here schools vary on whether they require volunteer hours, but they all allow students to log them for awards. But staff told me today that the problem is volunteers and employees need a TB vaccination, and not everyone has had it. Oddly, though, they do not require it of families. Hmm.

We were talking about a Lego program today, and the activities director told me they'd like to start one but they need Duplos, not Lego, to prevent accidental swallowing. I told her I still have a binful of Duplos if they want them!

Turns out the guy who teaches Spanish was in for rehab, he lives in the independent living apartments across the street. He was a Spanish teacher before he retired, and after his rehab he wanted to offer the class to "give back".

And RRD, that is very insightful about unicorns and magic! I suppose that would apply to all creatures with magical powers? The possibilities of the universe taking that turn boggle the mind.
Isn't it a lovely notion? Makes me smile to think about it.
I love eavesdropping on the kids. My son's middle school science and homeroom teacher used to love to eavesdrop on him and his buddy ignoring the class and talking quietly about math.
We've finally caught DS6 in his first ever known infraction of "reading a book under the covers after bedtime".

My work here is done. smile
DS6 on his science teacher's feedback that he needs to be more open-minded with classmates' ideas in their discussions.

"It's all just a bunch of kids randomly saying, "I think this, or I think that." I'll be more open to other kids' ideas if they're actually supported by evidence."

Ain't it the truth!
Not sure who is more quirky in this one...

DD13 is greatly expanding her understanding and appreciation of music through a variety of outlets - flute practice/performance, self-teaching of piano rudiments, browsing sheet music, exposure to new group of friends and their tastes, etc. A notable side-effect is her blossoming contempt for what passes for modern pop music, and a gravitation towards some of the music I'd been playing for her for years that she never disliked, but never fully appreciated, either.

DD: "Aren't you glad that I'm liking more of your music now?"
Me: "Sure. I knew you'd be cool one day."
Ha! Where's the like button?
#2 just spent the weekend re-editing video and audio, creating graphics, titling, transitions (not the music/underscore, though; #1 wrote that)--general audio/video post-production--on a brief multimedia presentation generated by an adult (volunteer amateurs, admittedly) team from our community organization, because it did not meet #2's standards. To their enormous gratitude and appreciation. I give the adults a lot of credit, that they were willing to hand it over to a kid.

The kids had a great time with this self-inflicted project, and I must say part of the pleasure was likely that it was a "real" project with a short deadline, that was being judged on adult community standards (not professional, but skilled amateur).

I, of course, can't quite shake the thought: Better get used to this, kid. You'll be fixing other people's work for many years to come!
Spy sent in to discover if DS6 is smart, or just annoying to DS: "Was that a better day?"

DS6: gives thumbs at 7/8ths up

Spy: "So so?"

DS6: "well, it was better, just not all the way"

Spy: "half better?"

DS6: stares

Spy: (looks at thumb) "three quarters?"

DS6: "Well, I'm saying 7/8ths"



DH to DD5: Call the elevator.
DD5: (calls) Elevator!
DH: (sighs) no, with the button
DD5: (pinches button on her shirt and speaks into it like a lapel mic) Elevator!

Later at dinner, I was letting DD5 eat her dinner in front of the TV, I called over to her to ask if she had nearly finished and she answered "I just have a few things on my plate". I looked over and she had finished her food but put a few small toys on her plate, just waiting for me to ask her, so she could say her line.

What a crack up, this kid smile
I realize I only just posted this morning, but this afternoon DS8 pulled his own stunt. This one is more of a brag than a quirky anecdote, but I'm not sure where that thread went...

After getting kicked off the bus twice as far from home as the school is (long story, don't ask, amongst other things, the bus driver was misgendering him and he refused to put up with it -- yes, he's queerspawn, no, he's not gender-non-conforming) He sat though a 2.5 hour political meeting at a currently struck university, and came out asking better questions than many of the undergrads.

Although I wish he would kick transphobic ass somewhat less literally, I figure three hours of activism is a pretty good workday for an almost 9 yr old, and I can't really brag about this to anyone I know in person because... school politics x2. I can't really even tell *him* how proud I am because there's a bigger picture requiring him to be less strident at school.

I think he's going to be formidable someday... which might not be encouraging for his future happiness, but still kinda makes me happy.

Also: he officially got into the gifted programme yesterday, so there's that.
Originally Posted by Michaela
I realize I only just posted this morning, but this afternoon DS8 pulled his own stunt. This one is more of a brag than a quirky anecdote, but I'm not sure where that thread went...

After getting kicked off the bus twice as far from home as the school is (long story, don't ask, amongst other things, the bus driver was misgendering him and he refused to put up with it -- yes, he's queerspawn, no, he's not gender-non-conforming) He sat though a 2.5 hour political meeting at a currently struck university, and came out asking better questions than many of the undergrads.

Although I wish he would kick transphobic ass somewhat less literally, I figure three hours of activism is a pretty good workday for an almost 9 yr old, and I can't really brag about this to anyone I know in person because... school politics x2. I can't really even tell *him* how proud I am because there's a bigger picture requiring him to be less strident at school.

I think he's going to be formidable someday... which might not be encouraging for his future happiness, but still kinda makes me happy.

Also: he officially got into the gifted programme yesterday, so there's that.
Bravo to your DS, Michaela. Everyone should be able to be accepted and respected for who they are. Hopefully fighting for his rights now will help him find his place in the world and be able to find peace and happiness once he’s there. You should be proud.

On a very quirky personal note - I am originally from a small coastal town where lobster was a practically a mainstay when I was a child. I am so immensely distraught that scientists are now pronouncing that the live (!!) cooking of lobster is cruel and should be banned. That, and I happened to see a fishing show on a tv screen while walking through an airport and was incredibly distraught that a fisherman was showing off a live fish that was “gaping for water”, as far as I could tell. OEs much? crazy
Earlier this week, DS6 started reciting two prophecies he had memorized from the first Wings of Fire book. Thing is, he hasn't actually been taught how to read in English yet (he's learning in French first). And when I told him that it was probably a book for 4th graders, he started to brag about it to anyone who would listen. I told him it was rude to brag, so he asked me if he could advertise it instead.

And apparently, his two besties are envious of his reading abilities. So glad he has friends who value reading! smile
Reminds me of when one of ours was in K, reading chapter books fluently (that was also the summer of TinTin)...and was very eager to teach age peer friends to read. DC would sit with the other little 5-year-olds and help them sound out their Bob books. I love that none of them seem to have viewed the range of skills as anything remarkable.
Originally Posted by aeh
Reminds me of when one of ours was in K, reading chapter books fluently (that was also the summer of TinTin)...and was very eager to teach age peer friends to read. DC would sit with the other little 5-year-olds and help them sound out their Bob books. I love that none of them seem to have viewed the range of skills as anything remarkable.
Cute! And actually, DS6 has also suggested he could teach his friends. So great when they love to read so much that they want to share it, isn't it? To date, my biggest accomplishment with our boys is having imparted a deep love of reading. smile
Yes, it seems that the little ones readily accept a range of skills without the judgement or jealousy that can sometimes occur with older children. My son reads to the other children in his preschool class. They'll bring books over and ask him to read, or if he happens to be reading a book that interests them they'll ask him to read it out loud. They just view him as another resource and he enjoys helping. So sweet and natural. Hope it transfers to Kindergarten next year.
I'm not sure if this is a brag, a quirky anecdote, or both, but it sure was a fun thing to see:

DS-just-turned-5 was close to beating me at a game of chess, but he ended up needing to pull off a rook king checkmate in order to win. He didn't know how, although he did know enough to avoid a stalemate (I tried!). After about half an hour of me leading him on a merry chase around the board (and facing the prospect of a game that might never end!), I finally suggested that we could take a break so he could go learn how to do a rook-king checkmate. With zero assistance or input, he got our Ipad, typed in "rook-king checkmate" into the search box of Youtube, selected and watched an appropriate video, came back, and checkmated me in very short order.
I love these reading and chess brags!
DD13 decides she is going to create a YouTube channel with gaming videos - it's an activity she's already doing and enjoying, so if she captures videos and those put anything in her pocket, it's essentially found money. All good points. She asks me to help her with the technical challenges involved. I have no experience specifically in this, but I'm a technical guy, we can work together, search around, and figure out what she needs in software (and hardware, if any), analyze different products and their feature sets, price shop, etc.

Just then, a friend becomes available to play, and nothing more is said about it.

Two days later, out of the blue, DD says, "Dad, I've been working with a video capture and editing product, and I've made a couple of videos with it already. It does what I need it to do, I find it easy to use, and I've already invested time in learning it. The free trial ends tomorrow, but there's a limited-time offer to buy it at a third of its listed price. I've looked at several other products, and they all go for around the full price of this one. What should I do?"

After a couple of short questions are answered, I say, "Buy it."

So glad I could... help?
So quickly do we become mere decorative accessories!
DYS10 had finished his piano lesson and we were waiting on his sister, when a girl came in for a make-up lesson. She sat down and started sketching. My son was quietly talking to himself and I wasn't paying attention.

The girl looks up from her sketch pad and starts saying the same numbers as my son, in unison. When they finish, she says, "I like Pi." He says, "I do too. Let's start again." The girl got to 30 digits and my son 45. Then they happily chatted away until it was time to go.

It always makes me so happy when my son meets someone who appreciates his quirks.
Adorable! I'm sure she appreciated the moment as much as he did.

One of my children may or may not have a favorite shirt that says "cutie [pi]" on it...
JessicaJune, that's an adorable story!
This was not my kid but I thought it was funny.

DS10’s teacher was talking about how teaching gifted kids is different. On a recent math test the question included the instructions “defend your answer”. One of my son’s classmates wrote his answer and then surrounded it with a drawing of barbed wire, towers, and a moat.
DD13 and I were at the movie theater, and were treated to a preview of the upcoming Incredibles sequel, which included this dialog:

Originally Posted by preview
Dash: Dad, you're doing it wrong. We're supposed to do it like this! [shows book]

Bob: Why did they have to go and change math? Math is math!!

DD says, "Dad, that's YOU!"
Oh Dude, she’s got your number!
Went to DD7’s third grade parents night and the teacher talked a bit about the kids’ book reports.
DD7 had insisted on doing HP5 (we talked her out of doing HP7 on account of its not being fair to spoil the ending for the large majority of kids in her grade who hadnt read the series yet). A boy did HP1 so he went first and DD7 after. English not being our first language, and formal English lessons only having started at the beginning of third grade, the boy mispronounced Hermione’s last name as Grung-gahr.
DD7 gets up for her report, turns to the boy (who’s probably 9 or going to be soon) and tells him “[dude], it’s Hemione Grainn-jjer!” And, the teacher said, she did this in such a charming and endearing way the boy totally accepted it!

I know I still haven’t completely gotten over my compulsive corrector’s habit, and would have been completely incapable of stopping myself at DD’s age, so I am very happy that somehow at least she is managing to do it in a socially acceptable way.

Probably helps that she is much cuter than I ever was...and teachers like her and have been in complete support of the grade skip.
DS6’s handwriting has been slow to progress, and slow to be produced, but is getting there nicely thanks to a great effort on DS’ part. Yesterday, he tried cursive for the first time, and his writing turned out beautifully! Why didn’t I think of that before? Of course it’s easier to make a fluid motion than several disjointed ones. Duh, aquinas!

A) DD13 (just barely) creates her own fonts for fun. She took it a step further by creating a new alphabet with it's own upper and lower case letters which has now morphed into a new language (past tense, future, etc)

B) DD will not study and truly does not see the need so I often ask her to "practice studying" so when that day comes that she needs the skills she will have them.

C) I walked into her room today, and she had sheet after sheet of writing in a notebook. She had used her new language to write out her math notes for the geometry final.

I just love this kid!!!!!
That. Is. Awesome!
Originally Posted by aquinas
DS6’s handwriting has been slow to progress, and slow to be produced, but is getting there nicely thanks to a great effort on DS’ part. Yesterday, he tried cursive for the first time, and his writing turned out beautifully! Why didn’t I think of that before? Of course it’s easier to make a fluid motion than several disjointed ones. Duh, aquinas!


It is a great disservice to children that most educational systems have stopped teaching children cursive from the get go. Print, with the constant stopping and changes of direction, is harder to produce and doesn’t engage the brain in the same way, and it’s been proven, but „making things easier“ for children by teaching print first and cursive as an afterthought, if at all, is one of those educational myths that just. Won’t. Die.

I recall from another forum that parents raved about how well Handwriting Without Tears worked for their children who had struggled with graphomotor skills. Maybe worth a look.
Originally Posted by greenlotus
A) DD13 (just barely) creates her own fonts for fun. She took it a step further by creating a new alphabet with it's own upper and lower case letters which has now morphed into a new language (past tense, future, etc)

B) DD will not study and truly does not see the need so I often ask her to "practice studying" so when that day comes that she needs the skills she will have them.

C) I walked into her room today, and she had sheet after sheet of writing in a notebook. She had used her new language to write out her math notes for the geometry final.

I just love this kid!!!!!


I love reading these stories about invented languages and scripts, reminds me so much of my own childhood!
Originally Posted by Tigerle
Originally Posted by aquinas
DS6’s handwriting has been slow to progress, and slow to be produced, but is getting there nicely thanks to a great effort on DS’ part. Yesterday, he tried cursive for the first time, and his writing turned out beautifully! Why didn’t I think of that before? Of course it’s easier to make a fluid motion than several disjointed ones. Duh, aquinas!


It is a great disservice to children that most educational systems have stopped teaching children cursive from the get go. Print, with the constant stopping and changes of direction, is harder to produce and doesn’t engage the brain in the same way, and it’s been proven, but „making things easier“ for children by teaching print first and cursive as an afterthought, if at all, is one of those educational myths that just. Won’t. Die.

I recall from another forum that parents raved about how well Handwriting Without Tears worked for their children who had struggled with graphomotor skills. Maybe worth a look.

That’s the program we’ve used. smile
And for the gifted who are tired of the printing and cursive practice but still need it...they have it in Spanish too (well except the letter w has English words) so they can work on handwriting in a foreign language.
DS11 just bought a workbook for historic cursive. I told him I taught myself and wrote in it when school was extra boring, so he wants to try that.
I walked in to DD13's room tonight, and, as usual, she was drawing. She excitedly told me she was researching religions of the world so she could create a comic strip where all the founders of religions lived in the same neighborhood. The neighborhood did have a rule though that the founders had to be accepting of others.... She had a multitude of characters drawn out with information about each written off to the side of his/her head.

It was like pulling teeth to get her to eat dessert and then brush her teeth. She just needed to keep researching, "Just one more minute!!"

PS - maybe, someday, this much energy will go into school work??
Adorable!
And, on school work, well, anything's possible, right?
Lately, there've been commercials on the radio advertising a national drug store chain in which the announcer claims, "We been serving the public faithfully since 1901". The 5 year old daughter in my back seat then declares, "Daddy! He's lying! We just passed one of those stores and it wasn't very old at all!".
First grade 7 science class and the teacher passed out a "Reflect on Science" sheet. I laughed when I got to this one from DS -

Describe something you did this summer that was science-related:
Observed thermonuclear reactions by looking into the sky.
Here's one involving Legos, (and there's a dilemma in it for me) : Since the age of two I've gotten her small legos kits to assemble. By the time she was three she was assembling kits "designed for 8-12 year olds" and sometimes 14 year olds. Not being able to read very well, the age brackets went unnoticed. Now that she just turned 6 and can read, she sees that the kits I get her are for 10-14, or older. She's got this incredible sense of right/wrong and so she hands the kits back to me without even trying. She tells me she's too young for a particular kit. The ones for 6 year olds (if we can find one she didn't do when she was 2 or 3) are not even challenging. I wish they didn't put "6-12" or "8-12" so boldly on the boxes.
Mmph. So from experience, I'll mention that you might want to watch out for gendered signage on public or school bathrooms, as well!

On Legos: perhaps you could remove them from the boxes first? Though, of course, the bigger conversation is over age guidelines as ballparks or averages only, not rules set in stone. Like sizes on clothing. If she were a really tall six-year-old, would she refuse to wear size 8 clothes because she was "too young"? If she's on the smaller side, is she "too old" to wear size 4T? Obviously not. If those are the sizes that fit her body, she should wear them; we don't need to be bound by the size expectations for her age. Likewise, these Legos are the "sizes" that fit her Lego skills. (Not that there's anything wrong with playing with "younger" Legos.)
Oh, we've been going through the gender thing with bathrooms for a while now. I've been having to wait outside for a couple of years now.

Thanks for the ideas re-legos. Sometimes she goes over board with rules in general. We were at the swimming pool recently and at one point she refused to go to a certain area with me because she's not allowed to go to that area during camp (she went to a YMCA camp during the summer). She was reprimanded by a teacher because she yelled at a volunteer car driver not to text and drive. ( I told her I was proud of that one)

I know HG kids have a sense of justice (and she does, believe me) but do they sometimes also go over board with rules?
Overboard? They sure do!

Once, one of mine was at school when my spouse happened to go in to take care of something. When the class went past the office while passing from one period to another, my spouse waved, but didn't get a response. That night at dinner, SO asks DC, "I saw you at school today and said 'hi', why didn't you wave to me?" To which the answer was that the class had been instructed to be quiet and keep their hands to themselves, "but I looked at you!" Which apparently was the closest one could get to greeting one's own parent without breaking a rule, at least in DC's mind.
Wow. That's my daughter!

As an adult, I just associate this kind of stuff with the famous "Soup Nazi" episode on Seinfeld.

Has your child grown up and out of that stage? Is it a stage?
Turned out it wasn't a stage for me. So I'm being real cautious with establishing rules for DD. When she got the first couple she would go into this cute 'rules mode' where she waves her hands back and forth and recites all of the rules she knows. (No biting people or animals. etc.)
Let's just say that our child has learned that there are more grey areas in life, but would prefer that there weren't. So we haven't exactly outgrown the rules-orientation, but have picked up a bit more flexibility. I don't know that I would consider it a stage so much as a kind of asynchrony (cognitively high understanding of rules, but developmentally age-typical social skill set), combined with a certain temperament (anxious and people-pleasing, in our case).

Another child had exactly the same cognitive understanding of rules at the same ages, but responded differently to them. That's the DC who, at 18 months, was told to eat only in the kitchen, and immediately responded by deliberately standing in the kitchen, right at the edge of the tile floor, and leaning over the living room (hardwood) floor, eating. All while looking me right in the eye. Still following the rules, right? wink
DD13 spends all her free time drawing and writing. Several months ago she was creating a language (present, past, future tense, etc) which she used to write her math notes. My husband just left her room and rolled his eyes because she is currently using an alien language she found somewhere online to "translate" her Chinese language homework.

Her other passion is writing a comic strip where language is used to differentiate social levels just as, DD says, language was used during the apartheid era in Africa to separate White and Black Africans.
LOL. I -love- this!

So I've always told my kids that "plants" (in the gardening sense) are the ones we choose to have in our garden, and weeds are the ones we don't. It's totally arbitrary (which it is). Except I am not a particularly assiduous weeder of my planting beds. Which I think is why their idea of which species are weeds is very unlikely to line up with that of any habitue of a garden center!
DS11 loves creating stories. At school they have daily writing time. He created a series that had all the kids in his class passing around his journal each day to see what would happen next.

After a while, he got bored with writing those characters though. Some kids were doing fanfics with his characters so he offered to sell temporary rights to the series to the classmate with the best fanfics. He’d maintain ownership but would allow this other kid to continue the official series while he explored other projects. They have a classroom currency so they were able to work out a deal. He took some time off from that series but lately has been helping out the new author because “We are losing readers. He needs more conflict. It’s boring for the characters to just win win win with no problems to overcome.”
So I thought that was cool and I was impressed with his deal making.

Also, he is doing this game with another friend that is basically a D&D style choose your own adventure. His friend is the character and makes decisions based on the scenarios DS creates and DS weaves it all into a very elaborate story. Where the series he wrote in class is like a Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Captain Underpants style story, this one with his friend is a post apocalypse epic. The boys are both in the gifted program and get bussed to a school on the other side of our district so they spend about 2 hours on the bus each day playing this game. DS was thinking through scenarios last night and it was fascinating to hear how his mind works. It is really good story that’s all in DS’s head right now.
He says he might write it out at some point but isn’t ready to do that yet.



Was just reading aquinas's brag post...which being from our Northern friends reminded me of small DC:

During a lesson on spelling French loan words (mainly, I admit, because an unnamed homeschooling parent who may or may not post to this forum feels a compulsion to finish the last level of AAS, even though DC knows all the pretest words for every lesson--we only have four lessons left!), it is observed that DC insists on spelling "honor" as "honour" (and so on). Accompanied by a tiny asterisk, and a footnote "British spelling". We've also had discussions about the appropriate number of "l"s in words.

Thank you, JK Rowling, Roger Lancelyn Green, et al!
This Northern friend wants to say a whole page of humungous YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for being THIS close to the end of AAS. That's gotta feel good!

p.s. Don't tell DC, but I could never take sides between Britain and the US, and long ago decided valor and honor lied in taking the shortest, cleanest allowable route to the end of the word smile
p.s. Random quirky language thought: my kids love using "funner" and "funnest" because it gives their Dad screaming conniptions every. time. and they get to gloatingly wave the dictionary at him. Was surprised to notice when I finally read Rowling aloud, just how many adjectives she "er's" and "est's" that we would "more" - the kids were gleefully gorging on all the ammunition :P
I have to admit that I would very likely have fallen prey to exactly the same conniptions, despite my own extensive early diet of British novels!
Aeh, you are very much welcome to use all the "u"s you see fit. (Dontcha just love morning onomatopoeia!)
And just because we're having a chat about Northern ways, I feel this is a good time to mention that my screen name was always intended to be pronounced as a long-a vowel sound, as in "eh"... wink
So no "AH-eh"? wink Too fun.
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