recent posts at the new blog :: Adventures in Daily Living ::

Yup, this blog is on the move. All the news is now at :: Adventures in Daily Living ::

Here is a sneak peak at what is happening over there.

Saturday, September 30, 2006

Conversations at our house

transcribed from the English/Russia/Sign Language which has become our household norm

Andy: "Can I do the dishes now?"
Papa: "We are still eating, please wait."
Andy: "Can I vacuum then?"
Mama: "Too noisey, please wait."
(Andy then clears the table and wipes down all the parts that he can reach -- Jamie and Suzanne are lingering over coffee.)
Andy: "Dishes now?"
(Jamie and Suzanne notice the rain clouds rolling in.)
Mama: "No you may not do the dishes or vacuum; you must go outside and play."
Andy: "Please?"
Mama: "Outside. Play. Now."
Andy: (tearing up) "Please please Mama? I don't understand."
(Suzanne points the clouds and draws raindrops.)
Mama: "Hurry if you want to play outside."
Andy: "If I play outside now can I vacuum and do the dishes later?"
Mama: "Maybe."
Andy makes a very long and passionate speech in Russia which results in them frantically assembling themselves for outdoor play and racing out the front door.

Did I mention that they make their beds in the morning and love to sort laundry and neaten their drawers?

11 comments:

kate said...

Hilarious. I wonder if you'll have the same "problems" getting them out to play this time next year.

Suz said...

I would wager that this won't last long! You may even want to record it for when he's a teenager!

Ani said...

I can't wait to see if these exchanges will still be going on when he's 13 :)

Melissa said...

Hey, don't fight it. If the kid wants to clean, let him clean. Do you think this is going to last forever. Enjoy it while he is young and thinks it is cool. Before you know it, he will be leaving his dirty socks around for you to pick up and a load of dishes on the counter. lol. He is too cute.

Rhonda said...

Wow. What a wonderful problem to have!

Maggie said...

Relish it. My bet is it won't last. :-)

Anonymous said...

Oh sad. it makes me feel so bad for them working not learning to play and no mommy & daddy.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you are encouraging them to go play. We get so much rain around here it's good to take advantage of the sunshine (remember I only live about 90 minutes from ya)....

I hope the kids like to stomp around in rain gear & puddles? We'll find out soon ;o)

Really positive to see as well that the kids are into their routines, organization, etc in your home. Andy has probably been almost totally responsible for himself, so it will be nice for him to see the balance you've created in your home of parents being responsible, creating a safe environment, yet everyone chip in & be responsible for their messes ;o)

You guys are off to such a great start!!!!! Fabulous fabulous!!! Cheers ;o)

Also, when you guys went to UW, did you check out the Baskin Robbins just east of the north side of campus? (I graduated from UW). Just curious if that's where you got the icecream.
Take care, Alison

6blessings said...

Sounds like they like to work. That is a really good trait to continue to foster. It is a little sad though. It reminds me of the movie Annie where she gets to Daddy Warbucks' house and they ask what she wants to do. She begins to list floors, windows, etc. They have to explain she doesn't have to do all of that, they want her to pick something fun.

Deb said...

Wow what a kid. I hope he learns to play more but continues to help.

Elle said...

can we switch kids for an afternoon? Mine will happily play and pull all of your dishes out of the bottom drawer and yours can come and clean mine up.