11-12-2003 - Understanding English
Well the BoyChild got busted this weekend. He understands the English language. He might not be able to speak it, but he knows what you are saying and can't feign ignorance any longer. Gone are those days when he can look at me and grin that "I don't know what you are saying but if I give you that impish smile you'll let me do what I want" grin.
Last weekend we went to Panera Bread for lunch.
The Husband doesn't normally agree to go to Panera for meals. Bagels or muffins or other sweet carb laden bread snacks and he's game but for meals he wants REAL food. Panera is, in his opinion, fuffie stuff that doesn't qualify as REAL food.
It wasn't busy while we were there, so we took up one of the corners by the door. They have a sofa and two chairs and a coffee table. Next to that they have a round table with four chairs. The GirlChild wanted to sit on the sofa and since we could sort of keep the BoyChild contained, we agreed to let them sit there while we ate.
They did pretty well. They played together and shared a glass of water. At one point I got onto the BoyChild for trying to stand up on the sofa. The GirlChild smirked and appeared pleased the BoyChild was getting in trouble instead of her.
During our lunch, the BoyChild started to make a break for the open store and I said "You get back over there, now." And he looked at me and he slumped his shoulders and swung his arms and shuffled back over to where he was suppose to be with a "I'm only going because that's what I intended to do anyway" look. That was the first time I realized he was listening, understanding and responding to me.
On one hand I wanted to clap my hands and cheer that he'd followed directions. On the other hand it made me a little sad that he was losing that baby innocence and was heading into childhood.
I'm just psycho sometimes.
My children are jealous of one another. That came as a bit of a surprise to me. They are 8 years apart. Their lives are totally and completely different. They don't have anything to share, except the adults in their lives, so that's what they are jealous about.
If the GirlChild sits with the Husband the BoyChild becomes inconsolable. If the BoyChild sits in my lap to read the GirlChild has to come up and lay on or near me. If the BoyChild wants something off my plate, the GirlChild just has to have it too. And so it goes.
The GirlChild's class has formed a book club and we've been reading her book club book the last few nights. The Husband or I will read a chapter and the GirlChild will read a chapter. When the GirlChild reads she has to sit relatively close to one of us so we can help her sound out the words she doesn't know.
Tonight the BoyChild got one of his books and stuck it in my hands while the Husband was sitting close to the GirlChild while she read. He insisted I read to him and pointed at the pictures and talked. I guess if he's going to be prodded into doing something because he's jealous of her, reading is as good as anything.
The BoyChild's understanding of the English language is way ahead of his speaking skills. He says "Ha" for hat, "She" for shoe and this morning said "DeDe" for the GirlChild. He's said Dada and Mama and Baba for a long time, but I'm never sure he's actually referring to the right person when he does.
But this weekend he definitely followed my directions. His life will never be the same again.
M&Co.
