...well the oven actually did the cooking - all I did was "place frozen pizza on center rack" and keep a close watch on the oven's progress. A REALLY CLOSE watch that is:
Upon Jack's suggestion we decided to sit in front of the stove, looking in on our soon-to-be-dinner, THE ENTIRE TIME it cooked. We wouldn't want the pizza to burn after all (timers are so unreliable these days).
Two minutes down, and feeling like the entire "12 to 16" had already passed...twice, Jack, while absentmindedly (or seemingly so) coloring/doodling on his yellow legal pad, decides to strike up a casual kindergartener convo.
Jack: Mom, did you hear about the earthquake?
Me: What earthquake? [Yes, I had in fact "heard about it" - but I was momentarily distracted by a spot on the floor that I hadn't noticed before, while at the same time wondering how long it had been there without me noticing, and then of course focused on trying to scrub it off with a paper towel (too lazy to get a brush), so it didn't register what he was talking about/asking.]
Jack: The one in Haiti. It seemed horrible to me.
Me: Oh yeah that one (I'm not an idiot I tell myself, even though I feel like one). It was horrible.
"Hmmm." I think to myself. I am constantly trying to ascertain Jack's thoughts on various things in the world (or at least his world) by (wait for it) asking him questions: How was school today? Did you learn anything new? What is your favorite subject? However, my inquiries are always met with pretty short, simple and not exactly soul-revealing responses: Good. Nope. Recess. Obviously direct questions are not the most effective approach to get my child to "open up," share some thoughts, or wax philosophical with me, but sitting on two little stools (actually one stool and one Play-Doh bucket turned upside down), watching a Freschetta Brick Oven Pizza begin to bubble, works like magic. I never would have thought to try that approach...on purpose.
He continues on: Oh and did you hear what Barack Obama's wife said?"
Me: Uhhhh no?!?!?.. (this time I really didn't - though in my defense I have been out of the country for the last few weeks, hearing about what Brown's wife said not Obama's)
Jack: She said to give a prayer to help save their lives - the kids [lives]. (on a side note: I've noticed Jack cares far more about the welfare of other kids than adults....adults can fend for themselves - we don't need his sympathies apparently) And we should call 1-800-499. [I'm guessing that's not a valid number]
Me: Oh. Why call 1-800-499?
Jack: To give prayers to the hurt people. From the Earthquake (said with a strong "DUH!!!!" tone of voice).
Me: Wow, that's pretty cool. Did you call?
Jack: Nope. I gave prayers at night in my bed - but not on the phone.
Me: (being nosey) What did you say in your prayers?
Jack: ------ (no answer. goes back to coloring. convo over...apparently - his terms, not mine.)
Jack: Mom, did you hear about the earthquake?
Me: What earthquake? [Yes, I had in fact "heard about it" - but I was momentarily distracted by a spot on the floor that I hadn't noticed before, while at the same time wondering how long it had been there without me noticing, and then of course focused on trying to scrub it off with a paper towel (too lazy to get a brush), so it didn't register what he was talking about/asking.]
Jack: The one in Haiti. It seemed horrible to me.
Me: Oh yeah that one (I'm not an idiot I tell myself, even though I feel like one). It was horrible.
"Hmmm." I think to myself. I am constantly trying to ascertain Jack's thoughts on various things in the world (or at least his world) by (wait for it) asking him questions: How was school today? Did you learn anything new? What is your favorite subject? However, my inquiries are always met with pretty short, simple and not exactly soul-revealing responses: Good. Nope. Recess. Obviously direct questions are not the most effective approach to get my child to "open up," share some thoughts, or wax philosophical with me, but sitting on two little stools (actually one stool and one Play-Doh bucket turned upside down), watching a Freschetta Brick Oven Pizza begin to bubble, works like magic. I never would have thought to try that approach...on purpose.
He continues on: Oh and did you hear what Barack Obama's wife said?"
Me: Uhhhh no?!?!?.. (this time I really didn't - though in my defense I have been out of the country for the last few weeks, hearing about what Brown's wife said not Obama's)
Jack: She said to give a prayer to help save their lives - the kids [lives]. (on a side note: I've noticed Jack cares far more about the welfare of other kids than adults....adults can fend for themselves - we don't need his sympathies apparently) And we should call 1-800-499. [I'm guessing that's not a valid number]
Me: Oh. Why call 1-800-499?
Jack: To give prayers to the hurt people. From the Earthquake (said with a strong "DUH!!!!" tone of voice).
Me: Wow, that's pretty cool. Did you call?
Jack: Nope. I gave prayers at night in my bed - but not on the phone.
Me: (being nosey) What did you say in your prayers?
Jack: ------ (no answer. goes back to coloring. convo over...apparently - his terms, not mine.)
He did finish his picture with the color purple, "because that's your favorite color momma!" Oh how i'd love unfettered access to that little brain of his. Children are so enigmatic.
