Conversations with Colin

I often try to take the time to teach my kids something useful for life in every conversation we have. Even by having a conversation, they are being taught about communication. But in this instance, we were on our way to the dentist, and I was kindly reminding him that he will be expected to be polite and use his manners.

I was explaining to him, that they will probably ask 'How are you?', as well as a question about Christmas since it was just a couple days ago. And I was explaining to him, that it is always nice to ask a question back, and also to ask questions about their answers to demonstrate that he was listening. And listening to the other person makes them feel respected and valued. It's also just... good manners.

So, we did a couple examples.

Did you see a lot of family?
Did you have a lot of food?
Did you get to relax?

Then Colin threw this one out: "Did you have a kid?"

um.... I was confused. And laughing hysterically. And relieved that we were thankfully doing practice runs.

Me: WHY would you ask if someone just had a kid???
Colin: Well, Mary and Joseph did.

Ah.... so he does pay attention at Sunday School. Praise the Lord.

Mommy Wingman

Was at the playground with the kids, and there was another little girl Colin and Cara had been playing with. When I announced we were leaving, Colin sheepishly came up to me and whispered something. I couldn't hear him, so I said "WHAT?" (and I'm pretty sure that I sound like what my mom sounds to me... which is.... deaf). He asked again, and he was a bit shy, but he whispered again as quickly as he could... "Phone number?"

He wanted me to get the phone number, of a random girl he just met at the playground.

I officially just became, my son's wingman.






and - yes, I talked to the other mom and got her number. BOO YAH.

Brain Cells, and Learning

tried to convince Colin that when he learns something his brain grows - so that he can recall what he learns from school to me.

Me: What did you learn at school today?
Colin: I don't remember.
Me: oh.... so you didn't grow any brain cells today?
Colin: well.... you see, my brain is full already. If I grow anymore, my head will blow off.

Who's the Boss?

Colin to Joe: I'm pretending to be the boss of the house
Me: who's really the boss of the house?
Colin: Daddy
Me: that's right.
Colin: But you're the super boss of the house. the REAL boss.

ahh, kids are so perceptive :)

Rice and Ninjas

Me: I'm making fried rice for dinner, because I need to make a fast dinner after karate class.
Colin: fried rice is the best for karate class!
Me: ?
Colin: well, fried rice has rice. and rice is Chinese. And Chinese people are ninjas. So fried rice is the best ninja food.

no. no stereotypes at all in that conversation.

Men. It starts early.

Colin: Mommy, can I have a playdate with Eric?
Me: Sure. I can talk to his mommy tomorrow, and I can see if you can play with Eric.
Colin: Okay. Who's Eric?
Me: .... (men.)

Who's teaching who?

Yesterday was a pretty significant day in my life as a mom. Everyday Colin does something to make me proud, but yesterday he did 2 things that just made me reflect on - hmm, how do I say this... - relationships. Not a lovey dovey relationship, real relations with others, and with God.

The first instance was when we were having a family meeting on Mommy and Daddy's bed. It's usually a fun time where we just talk about our day, or what we want to do, and we just listen to each other (as meaningful as it sounds, these 'meetings' don't last for more than 2 minutes due to the attention span of a 3 and 1 year old).

Cara, of course - being the aggressive and annoying little sister, did something to annoy Colin. Not just annoy, she really pissed him off. She *gasp* took something of his without asking. Now usually Colin brushes this off, but when he just awakes from his nap - he's particularly..... sensitive.

He was so furious, he was welling up with tears because he was so mad at Cara, and he did something I've never seen - he started to clap his hands really really hard because I guess he was just that frustrated? He normally stomps, but it seemed like he channeled his stomping into clapping for some particular reason. He clapped hard about 3 times in anger, and then..... he kissed Cara.

I witnessed the whole episode, and when he kissed her - I was blown away. I couldn't believe it, because I saw how much anger was welling up in him and I was waiting for him to either rip the item back out of her hands, or hit her.

I wasn't sure what it was that I was so proud of - but I started to get emotional, and I just stared at Joe and asked him if he saw that too. We were amazed at his sense of love and compassion for his annoying little sister. Can a child understand and demonstrate forgiveness, and 'loving your enemy' in a more innocent act? I was astounded, and wish I was more like Colin in that very moment. I wish I could just show love to those who wrong me, instead of dwelling on the hurt they have caused.

Anyway, during this short family meeting of ours, we had decided to go hike a mountain. No Grouse Grind here, but in the 'burbs it's called the Coquitlam Crunch. It was on this hike where Colin stunned us for a second time.

We were getting higher and higher, and he was able to see the land get smaller. We had conquered the mountain (which is pretty great for a 3 y/o Chinese kid with short legs), and when we paused to just look down at our achievement Colin asked, "How did this mountain get here?"

I responded, "Well, there wasn't anything here before, but God said 'let there be a mountain', it came to be!"

The normal response is usually, 'oh', or 'I like mountains', or something totally unrelated like 'I like the Avengers'.

But, he was actually amazed, that there was a mountain that was so big, that God actually made it. So he told Joe and me "Let's pray to God!".

He went on, "Dear God, thank you for the beautiful day, for Jesus, and God, and my play-dough maker, and for this mountain that we can climb".

Was he really teaching us a lesson in thankfulness? I truly believed in that moment that God was smiling. Shouldn't we all be grateful - for all the amazing things that we seem to take for granted? My 30 years of life has made me pass by all the amazing complexities of life that was created just for us. I think it's simple. I don't even think twice about it - but my own 3 year old was the one to pause, and thank God.

Even if you don't believe in God, just look at what's around you - and if we look at life through a 3 year old's eyes - things really are just amazing. We should be thankful for all the (small to us, but big to kids) things in life.

Colin Says

Joe was about to launch a paper airplane he had made for Colin, and asked him, "Are you ready?"

Colin responded," I was BORN ready."

Mind Blowing

Some things just blow Colin's mind.

Me: You know why you need to sleep tonight?
Colin: Yah. Because I need energy for Blaike's birthday party at the Jungle Gym.
Me: and you know what else they'll probably have? Cake!
Colin: *puts both hands on head* That's. Crazy. Cake at the Jungle Gym???????????

Colin Says

Before he went for quiet time in his bed, Cara and I were accompanying him in his room. He was in his bed getting his books and stuffies ready and said to Cara and myself, "Come on in my bed girls!"

................................

Colin was awake still by 9pm (after we had put him to bed at 7:45) but he wasn't yelling for us, we just heard some thumping. Joe decided to use this time to just spend with Colin, and told him he was very proud of him for 2 reasons.

Joe: Colin, Daddy is very proud of you for 2 reasons. 1. You went on the potty all day today, and your diaper was dry!
Colin (interrupting Joe): and 2. I'm proud of you for playing the pizza game Daddy!
Joe: Yes, well... then... 3. I'm proud of you that even though you were awake, you didn't yell and you just stayed in your bed and tried to sleep. I'm so proud of you Colin.
Colin (interrupting again): and 4..... and I like Daddy.

What Does Jesus Eat?

According to Colin, Jesus likes pineapples, pork, cookies, bananas, and apples.

Charming Colin

We were having hot chocolate at the local Starbucks, and for some reason (thanks to the technology of television) Colin said 'Happy Valentines Day'.

Me: Where did you hear that from?
C: The Save-Ums. What is Valentines Day?
Me: it's a day about love.
C: I'm sick.
M: what's wrong with you?
C: I'm sick because I love you soooo much Mommy.


Other Colinsms from today:

As a typical mom and dad with their baby babbling - we encourage them to say our name. It almost becomes a challenge to see who's name they say first. Joe and I were probing Cara, "Mama", "DaDa". etc.

Colin pushes us aside, and says to Cara, "Goh Goh". That's Chinese for big brother.



It's been potty training season, and our house is stocked with stickers, charts, treats... you know, the works. Well, today was the day. Colin collected enough stickers, to get a PRIZE. What was the prize? A Stegosaurus from the Toy Jungle at the mall. I told him Daddy and I would go to the mall, and we would get the Stegosaurus after dinner.

We were getting ready to go, and Joe and Colin were getting ready on our bed, and when we said it was time to go, Colin calmly said, "No, I'm fine".

Joe and I were a bit shocked. We were going to get the dinosaur he wanted, and we were dying to get it for him because he deserved it. And all Colin said was "No, I'm fine. I want family time."

We made it clear that we were going to go get that dinosaur, and that it was his prize for pooping, and all the fun he would have with it, and he surprised us by saying, "No, I have enough dinosaurs. I have my Ankylosaurus."

Joe and I were floored. Where does a 2 year old learn to be content with his things? Since when does family time, take priority over material things? I don't know. It's certainly not something we overtly taught him, but I am just so happy. In love. In love that Colin loves his family so much more than anything. I hope that we can nurture this desire to be loved and secure.

Sweaty Sleeper

 Joe's midnight encounter with a Colin:

Colin just woke up screaming. I went up and he was under his blanket, whole body sweating, hair all wet. I took him out and after he calmed down, he said "I got cooked like a turkey"