Aside from the predictable downsides, like changing poopy diapers (that sh*t literally never gets old, eh?), the joys of teething, and struggling to keep up with a crawling baby who seems to have more energy than the Energizer Bunny, it’s all a fabulous experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything. And it produces some wonderful little moments as I see the world anew through Destiny’s eyes.

Case in point: I was doing some Christmas shopping the other day and picked up what is unlikely to be the last of Destiny’s Christmas gifts.  And since babies grow at a rate far faster than seems humanly possible–even putting aside the fashionista factor– she always needs clothes. So, being my cheap frugal and thrift-minded self, I decided to look through the clearance rack for some bargains. I found a couple of really cute jumpers for only $3 apiece. Perfect! So I snatched them up and decided I’d give  the pink one to her now and save the brown one for Christmas.

I stopped by my daughter’s house on the way home, to drop off the jumper. Destiny sees me and comes crawling toward me at her usual bionic speed, and wearing her pretty-as-a-princess smile. So I pulled out the pink jumper as she gains momentum and she seems truly excited by her trendy new outfit. Then I handed it to her. And what does she do? She proceeds to wiggle the jumper off its plastic hanger…and drops the jumper on the ground…so she can play with the hanger. Apparently that was her plaything of choice for the next half hour or so. And now that hanger is part of her little living room toy stash.

You just gotta love a baby’s view on what’s important in the world, don’tcha? Plastic hangers? Yes.  Cute little pink jumpers? Not so much. And I definitely love the face that looks up at me from the baby who truly appreciates her prized plastic hanger. She is truly my Treasure.

There could be so many funny captions for this photo…here are a few I came up with. Would love to read yours if you have any ideas.

• “Please, Lord, not the peas…I hate peas!”

• “And please bless my big brother, even if he does smell funny sometimes.”
• “Please, no more headbands–they are messing up my hair!”

When I was in Kindergarten, I was learning how to tie my shoes,  say “please” and “thank you,” and play nicely with others,  all skills I still use today, mind you. But seriously, my report card did not say anything about reading. Reading??? WTH?! Moving on…

I was helping Dylan with his homework, something I do each week, since Grandma apparently has more patience than Mommy does. No biggie though, because I love to spend time with my not-so-little-anymore grandson.  Anyhoots…Dylan has started to read a short “book” each week (you know, the photocopied-and-folded-in-half-and-then-stapled variety of book), and then he has to write a sentence about it. OK, for real. Hold the phone. He has to read a book AND write a sentence? This is hardcore for Kindergarten, don’t you think?  Sheesh.

Part of Dylan’s process of reading is sounding out letters (you gotta love Phonics, don’tcha?!). So he does this a lot whenever he sees words he does not know. He was doing it while reading his little book and doing a great job.  Quite impressive what a Kindergarten kiddo can do these days. ..compared to, you know, the Old Days.

So, once we were finished with his book and sentence, we took a TV break , natch. And there are always words on TV, especially on commercials. Dylan can’t always read them because they often disappear before he finishes sounding them out. But on this day, he managed to see the word,  GLASSES And naturally, he begins to sound it out.

Ggg–Lll

He paused because the word disappeared when the commercial went away. Then he asked me, “how do you spell glasses, Grandma?”

I told him, G-L-A-S-S-E-S.  So he started sounding it out again. I’d tell him the letter, and he would sound it out.

Ggg–Lll–Aaaah

He was doing great…

Ggg–Lll–ASSES….GLASSES!

“Is that right, grandma? Ggg and Llll and ASSES?”

“Yes, honey,” I replied. “Ggg and Lll and ASSES sure does spell GLASSES.”

Help grandson read a book? Check.

Help grandson write  a sentence? Check.

Help grandson say ASSES, (in GLASSES, of course). Uh, Check.

I think my work here is done.

]]> http://www.tinalicious.com/wth/how-do-you-spell-glasses/feed/ 0 http://www.tinalicious.com/have-blog-will-babble/revamped-the-blog/ http://www.tinalicious.com/have-blog-will-babble/revamped-the-blog/#comments Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:54:03 +0000 Tinalicious http://www.tinalicious.com/?p=428 What can I say, I was bored with the look of Tinalicious and decided it was time for a redo. So I guess now it’s only fair to call the blog, Tinalicious 2.o? Hope you will stop by and take a peek.

I also wanted to share a funny little tidbit from the world of grandparenthood as well. My grandson, Dylan spent the night recently, which he doesn’t do so often anymore so it’s a treat when he does. Anyhoots, he needed a bath so I got him in my tub. This is something he really enjoys, because, well, I have a really big tub.  I also have a TV at the foot of the tub, and I’m sure the ability to bathe while watching Sponge Bob has a little something to do with his sudden affection for bath time at gramma’s house.  And FYI: Sponge Bob can be equally entertaining to bathing adults. Just sayin.

So he was in the tub and I decided to brush my teeth. So I’m brushing away when I hear him giggling repeatedly. I looked myself up and down to make sure that I was not the subject of his prolonged amusement, and I couldn’t find anything amiss (nothing out of the ordinary anyway). And just about the time I finished the rinse and spit routine in the sink, he finally enlightens me.

“Gramma, gramma…guess what? I can make my own bubbles. Watch.”

Can you guess where this is going, folks? Sure enough, Dylan has discovered that age-old practice of farting in the bathtub, which naturally creates bubbles…albeit temporary ones.  I couldn’t help but laugh as he beamed at his new-found discovery.  From the sound of his giggles echoing through the bathroom, I’d say this was the highlight of his day….and mine.

Face it: sometimes, farts are funny. Admit it. Come on.

I hear you laughing.

]]> http://www.tinalicious.com/have-blog-will-babble/revamped-the-blog/feed/ 2 http://www.tinalicious.com/have-blog-will-babble/excuse-me/ http://www.tinalicious.com/have-blog-will-babble/excuse-me/#comments Sat, 25 Jul 2009 04:04:45 +0000 Tinalicious http://www.tinalicious.com/?p=306 There’s that saying, “Kids say the darndest things.” It’s so true, and my grandson, Dylan proves it almost every day. His mommy, along with the Hubs and I, have tried to teach him proper etiquette. Saying please and thank you and a million other things.

One thing I’ve always been big on is the use of “excuse me.” You know, sometimes your body has natural functions that can’t always be controlled. (Better out than in, if you know what I mean). And when something sneaks out, we’ve taught Dylan to say, “excuse me.” It’s just good manners, after all. And he’ really good about saying it…in his own way.

You see, he will almost always say “excuse me,” but not without an explanation of what he’s done. So, for example, we were out to eat this evening, and a little something managed to sneak out of his pint sized body. So what does he say, and loudly enough for all the surrounding restaurant patrons to hear?

“Excuse me…I farted.”

And the Hubs and I embarrassingly add, in perfect unison, “Shhhhhhhhhh!”

Yep, that’s my grandson for you. He can’t just say excuse me, and stop right there. No, no, he has to let you know WHY he’s saying excuse me too. I guess it’s only fair, in his mind, to give everyone the proper heads up (especially in a restaurant). And right now, since he’s 5 years old, it’s still funny, even kind of cute. But heaven help us if he’s 15 and still doing that!

Uh huh, out of the mouths (and orifices) of babes.