Monday, December 20, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Stranger Danger
This is my life with Donovan. (Big sigh)
There was an incident near school - a girl was grabbed at the bus stop. Good news is, she screamed and the guy ran. But, they sent a letter home to warn of the guy and let everyone take the chance to talk about stranger danger. Simple, right?
Me: So, there was this letter about a girl getting grabbed at the bus stop.
Donovan: It wasn't me! (we've had some issues lately)
Me: I know, but I wanted to talk to you about strangers.
Donovan: Yeah, I know!... Never go with them even if they offer candy... (apparently they talked about it at school).
Me: Or if they ask you to find a lost puppy.
Donovan: Yeah. But... what if he's hanging signs? Then he might really need help.
Me: Well, even if he's hanging signs always ask me or Daddy.
Donovan: But, really, I wasn't even at the bus stop.
Me: I know! We know it wasn't you.
Donovan: But, what if he is hanging signs and has a leash...
Me: No, that could be part of the trick. Just always ask me. (etc)
Donovan: But, he could have a leash, but then there could be a dog, but maybe it's an invisible dog... and you can see the leash, but not the dog... and...
Me: Ugh! Just don't go anywhere with anyone unless I tell you it's okay!
There was an incident near school - a girl was grabbed at the bus stop. Good news is, she screamed and the guy ran. But, they sent a letter home to warn of the guy and let everyone take the chance to talk about stranger danger. Simple, right?
Me: So, there was this letter about a girl getting grabbed at the bus stop.
Donovan: It wasn't me! (we've had some issues lately)
Me: I know, but I wanted to talk to you about strangers.
Donovan: Yeah, I know!... Never go with them even if they offer candy... (apparently they talked about it at school).
Me: Or if they ask you to find a lost puppy.
Donovan: Yeah. But... what if he's hanging signs? Then he might really need help.
Me: Well, even if he's hanging signs always ask me or Daddy.
Donovan: But, really, I wasn't even at the bus stop.
Me: I know! We know it wasn't you.
Donovan: But, what if he is hanging signs and has a leash...
Me: No, that could be part of the trick. Just always ask me. (etc)
Donovan: But, he could have a leash, but then there could be a dog, but maybe it's an invisible dog... and you can see the leash, but not the dog... and...
Me: Ugh! Just don't go anywhere with anyone unless I tell you it's okay!
Monday, September 13, 2010
I thought to myself...
September 13, 2010
Me: I noticed Bella was holding your hand in the hallway this morning.
Donovan: Yeah, and while she was holding my hand I thought to myself, "I think I made a new friend." Then, we sat down on the carpet I told her, "I think I made a new friend" and she said, "Who?" and I said, "You."
(Cue tears) :)
Me: I noticed Bella was holding your hand in the hallway this morning.
Donovan: Yeah, and while she was holding my hand I thought to myself, "I think I made a new friend." Then, we sat down on the carpet I told her, "I think I made a new friend" and she said, "Who?" and I said, "You."
(Cue tears) :)
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Kindergarten
Week 2 of Kindergarten. Donovan and I have a discussion about marketing (I'm teaching a class at a local night school). He gets it.
Me: There you go, you pass my class!
Donovan: Do I get to go to first grade?
Me: Why, is Kindergarten too easy?
Donovan: (sighs) YES! I already know everything they are teaching in math and science.
Me: Even though they are teaching science in Spanish? You already know it? (It's a special dual-language program - social studies are all in Spanish)
Donovan: Si!
Watch out Kindergarten.
Me: There you go, you pass my class!
Donovan: Do I get to go to first grade?
Me: Why, is Kindergarten too easy?
Donovan: (sighs) YES! I already know everything they are teaching in math and science.
Me: Even though they are teaching science in Spanish? You already know it? (It's a special dual-language program - social studies are all in Spanish)
Donovan: Si!
Watch out Kindergarten.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Shopping advice
Friday, August 6
We're in Colorado, driving around and the radio is playing a commercial for a wrinkle cream that says "fights wrinkles and reverses aging."
From the back...
Donovan: Hey, did you hear that?
Gimmie: What?
Donovan: No, I'm talking to them in the front (me and Jim) Did you hear that commercial?
Me: Yeah, for wrinkles?
Donovan (very matter of fact): Yeah, so, aren't you going to get that?
We're in Colorado, driving around and the radio is playing a commercial for a wrinkle cream that says "fights wrinkles and reverses aging."
From the back...
Donovan: Hey, did you hear that?
Gimmie: What?
Donovan: No, I'm talking to them in the front (me and Jim) Did you hear that commercial?
Me: Yeah, for wrinkles?
Donovan (very matter of fact): Yeah, so, aren't you going to get that?
Friday, July 23, 2010
Africa
June 2010 (Donovan, Age 5)
(Some of these stories will be oldies, so I wanted to put a date and his age on them).
We were talking about my dream of going on a safari in Africa for my 50th birthday. I want to go on a photo safari tour with the hot air balloon ride and fancy tents... the whole package. Jim was teasing that it would be a real hunting safari and somehow Donovan took that to mean hunting with bows and arrows.
A few hours later... Donovan comes to Jim who is working in the office. "Do you have a coat hanger that doesn't have this cardboard on it?"
Jim:(hesitantly) Um, yeah, why...?
Donovan: I need to practice my bow and arrow skills for when we go to Africa.
(Some of these stories will be oldies, so I wanted to put a date and his age on them).
We were talking about my dream of going on a safari in Africa for my 50th birthday. I want to go on a photo safari tour with the hot air balloon ride and fancy tents... the whole package. Jim was teasing that it would be a real hunting safari and somehow Donovan took that to mean hunting with bows and arrows.
A few hours later... Donovan comes to Jim who is working in the office. "Do you have a coat hanger that doesn't have this cardboard on it?"
Jim:(hesitantly) Um, yeah, why...?
Donovan: I need to practice my bow and arrow skills for when we go to Africa.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
A little tear
One day, Donovan had just turned 4 and was staying at my mom's while Jim and I were out of town. He was watching Charlotte's Web and Mom sat down next to him at the end of the movie. It was the end when the pig wins the prize at the fair. She looked at him and he ducked his head looking a little sad.
She asked if he was okay and he said, "I have a little tear in my eye."
They talked about the movie and he explained, "I like it when good things happen to my friends."
She asked if he was okay and he said, "I have a little tear in my eye."
They talked about the movie and he explained, "I like it when good things happen to my friends."
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
The Mail
July 6, 2010
Donovan: Did someone go outside?
Me: It's just me. I'm getting the mail.
Donovan: Oh.... Did my flying trapeze come?
Donovan: Did someone go outside?
Me: It's just me. I'm getting the mail.
Donovan: Oh.... Did my flying trapeze come?
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Don't go changing
June 6, 2010
Donovan's wearing jeans and boots. He looks taller and a little bit older.
Me: Oh, you look so grown up. You're getting so big.
Donovan: Momma, do you love me just the way I am?
Me: I do. There's a song about that.
I play the Billy Joel song for him and we do a little kitchen dance.
Later...
Me: Have a good day! I love you.
Donovan: Just the way I am?
Me: Just the way you are.
Donovan's wearing jeans and boots. He looks taller and a little bit older.
Me: Oh, you look so grown up. You're getting so big.
Donovan: Momma, do you love me just the way I am?
Me: I do. There's a song about that.
I play the Billy Joel song for him and we do a little kitchen dance.
Later...
Me: Have a good day! I love you.
Donovan: Just the way I am?
Me: Just the way you are.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Battle Time
Donovan: Let me see your watch... what time is it?
Me: 7:45
Donovan: Oh, no! I'm late for my battle!
(runs off in his knight gear)
Sometimes a monkey forgets
My Facebook status is often a quick Donovan story. Those posts receive the most comments and thumbs up, many friends often tell me they look forward to them. So many friends have also said I need to write them down and write a book, but it's 2010 - I started a blog.
I try to focus on the funny stories because real life with Donovan is a challenge. He's incredibly smart, terribly energetic and insatiably curious. Since he was a toddler, he has been into everything, full force, nothing can stop him. I've learned for survival we need to be one step ahead with a plan for the day, new activities and some way to occupy him or else we're doomed. Bored Donovan is moving, grabbing, jumping, pushing, climbing the walls. School is already a challenge and he hasn't even started kindergarten.
However, he has a huge heart. He loves babies, stopping to coo and rub their sweet baby heads every chance he gets. He loves dogs and asks every owner we see if he can pet the dog. He is truly grateful when someone gives him an unexpected gift and shows his appreciation.
When days are long and he doesn't stop moving, I often find comfort in the stories of Curious George: George tried to be good, but sometimes it's easy for a little monkey to forget.
I hope you enjoy the stories of our little monkey.
I try to focus on the funny stories because real life with Donovan is a challenge. He's incredibly smart, terribly energetic and insatiably curious. Since he was a toddler, he has been into everything, full force, nothing can stop him. I've learned for survival we need to be one step ahead with a plan for the day, new activities and some way to occupy him or else we're doomed. Bored Donovan is moving, grabbing, jumping, pushing, climbing the walls. School is already a challenge and he hasn't even started kindergarten.
However, he has a huge heart. He loves babies, stopping to coo and rub their sweet baby heads every chance he gets. He loves dogs and asks every owner we see if he can pet the dog. He is truly grateful when someone gives him an unexpected gift and shows his appreciation.
When days are long and he doesn't stop moving, I often find comfort in the stories of Curious George: George tried to be good, but sometimes it's easy for a little monkey to forget.
I hope you enjoy the stories of our little monkey.
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