It was a visit like no other, an out of the ordinary kind. Mom and dad had been walking the mall, at this northern wintry location, trying to find us. As I sat on the sofa like bench, waiting, I was suddenly attacked from behind. I turned to see the familiar - love bugs grabbing onto me from behind. Pictures with Santa Clause were done. It was now my turn with them.
My little people, 5 and 2, had arrived, full of mischief and energy, to meet the day while pouncing upon me. Mom and dad were happy to see us. They had called us early that morning. Reinforcements, perhaps? This mall, rarely visited by us, was now up front and center, spanning a lot of real estate. What was next?
My left ankle was 'ankling' for attention. How long could I last? Yet every other part of me was good to go. The older children had many errands to run.Walking entailed all of it. It was the holiday season. Could we satisfy the whole group while attending to the youngest among us? Of course we could. I had a plan.
Mom and dad went on their way while baba, grandpa and the young'uns returned to the truck. A fun afternoon was coming - babysitting in the truck that brought us here. Their inclination to move and climb could not be contained. They were busy little boys. Off went their boots. If the truck became chilly, heat was but a switch away.There were two seats to occupy: a front passenger seat and a back seat one where I resided. Hopefully the experience or the experiment would be a success. “Off you go, my little ones”
During the nearly 2 hours inside this small space, they sat, drew and occasionally moved to a better location. Mom had bought them a pad with 5 pointed markers and a pen. The youngest was on my lap in the back as he began to draw. I was intrigued by his handling of the fountain pen. He was a pro yet was only two. He talked about what he was doing. .... (Conversation=language which is the hallmark of critical thought, reading and learning.) He talked and talked. I listened, in earnest, posing question after question.
Engaging both, intellectually, was the secret. I had to know what was inside those inquisitive very young minds. The flow, not the 'actual' words, mattered most. Engagement was crucial and practice makes perfect. And there was no playground in sight. They loved our circumstances and so did we. Suddenly, it was time to switch. Up they went, one to the front, next to grandpa, the other on my door step, my lap, for further conversation. The excitement was palpable.
A picture of grandpa had been drawn, by the older child, our front seat passenger, with an incredible eye for detail. While we spoke to each other, he suddenly got up and climbed to the rear to face me and gave me hugs of the incredible kind. The love fest ensued, then it was back to work. “How many white cars are there in the parking lot?” I asked. “How many cars with 3 wheels are there?” Puzzled, the older boy said none. “Cars cannot move on 3. They would tip over.” “Yes, you're right. I hadn't thought of that” "But maybe you will invent a car that moves on 3 wheels". And on we went. The words rolled out.
We were enjoying the visit while mom and dad were busy doing necessary things. Then they called. “No need to hurry back. We're fine”. And we were. The truck was awash in language, smiles and laughter. Even numbers managed their way into our world, huge numbers painted on the glass walls of each section of this busy northern retail outlet. “Where is the number two? I asked. "There it is," they pointed together. as they looked everywhere. "Is number one nearby" I asked? “Why are those numbers painted on the glass?" “Are there other numbers out there, too?” “Where are they?” "Are they sequential?" Please explain to me. "I do not understand." Time flew by.
They are smarter then we think; their body of knowledge, wider than we dare imagine. The words flowed, clear and sometimes creative. But they are listening. We created an imaginative environment. We were all validated that day. The boys had a good time and told us so. The best time ever they said. I agreed.
Upon their return, mom could see something magical had happened.We were smiling. A good time is a good time. One on one is simply the best. No explanations needed.
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