May 6, 2011
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(Yes, that is an armadillo…long dead, thankfully…)
Six-year-old Wyatt spent the day with me yesterday. He didn’t have school because it was a day for screening next year’s kindergarteners. And since it was such a beautiful day, we spent it outside. We planted some flowers in pots, hoed weeds out of the garden, raked it and planted tomato and pepper plants and some heirloom zinnia seeds. He insisted on calling them “zeenias,” and he claimed one tomato plant to be “his.” When it bears, NO ONE else is to get to eat the tomatoes from it; instead, I am to make HIM salsa from ALL the tomatoes on HIS plant.
As we worked, there was an ongoing discussion of all things “nature.” We watched a bluebird busily making a nest in a nearby box, and Wyatt understood, although it was very tempting, that the mama won’t come back if he goes over to lift the lid and investigate.
As we worked, Wyatt designed a unique alarm system that could potentially solve my problem of critters eating hens. When they come around the henhouse, a loud alarm, one that would wake the dead (demonstration with very loud sounds at this point) would be triggered so that Poppy could jump out of bed and go shoot the invaders, especially the nasty raccoon that likes to pull the head off its victim and leave the rest for Mimi to find and dispose of (SAD!)
Sometimes he would say, “Mimi, I just feel like I need to run….can I show you how fast I am?” and off he would go, at top speed, racing around the whole place, just for the sheer fun of it.
We talked about how he will never shoot a songbird with his BB gun that he has shot once at a target, and we watched a crow playing chasing and squawking games with a hawk. We couldn’t tell if the hawk liked it or not, but the crow was obviously having fun. I think it was a little boy crow.
We talked about the buzzards soaring on wind currents high above us; we decided that they are not pretty birds but they are really helpful, being Mother Nature’s cleanup crew. And then I learned this: “Mimi, do you know what buzzards eat first? EYEBALLS! They eat their dessert first!” (followed by hysterical laughing).
My tasteful lesson for the day…
Comments (4)
Nothing like the knowledge of a 6 yr. old. You are so blessed to have your grandchildren in loving Christian homes and available to you.
Well, I certainly hope you’re saving THIS entry somewhere, where he can read it when he grows up. Too sweet!!!
Beautifully written from a grandmother’s heart. Boys are special little creatures. Thank you for sharing Wyatt.
Precious little boys… how we love them! My grandsons LOVE to run for me, too! So cute! It sounds like your day was absolutely wonderful! I enjoyed your reply to my post Janet. Thank you.