(We’re on our way to church camp. Michael is excited.)
Michael: “Daddy? Why is the road blocked over there? What are those cones? They’re working on those rocks, aren’t they? There are a lot of rocks. They’ll break your tires if you drove over them whoa! That’s a twirly sprinkler! Have you ever seen a twirly sprinkler like that? I bet you haven’t. Can we get a twirly sprinkler? It’s a bingo because it’s yellow and SLUG BUG! I saw a slug bug just now because it’s rounded and blue. Or I guess it’s a Koala because it’s white and blue. When you see white and blue slug bugs they’re Koalas because they’re white and blue. How many more minutes until we get there, daddy? Are you driving the right way? I’m in orange starfish today because you told me. Are they having a party? What’s my snack today BOY THERE ARE A LOT OF CARS! Look at all the people. Oh, I don’t think we can park… you’re a good driver because you drove right between the cars. There’s a place to park and WATCH OUT for those kids, oh that was close. Are you parking here? That’s good. You’re doing a good job.”
(Daddy parks, and after opening doors unbuckles Michael and helps him to the ground.)
Daddy: “This way, sport.”
Michael: “I can’t wait to see what we’re doing. Are we doing a craft today? Is that my snack, because it doesn’t have soy or cow milk? You know what’s cow milk? It’s from cows and it’s got dairy. We have to walk a long way. My hair is okay now, isn’t it? Are we doing a craft today? I’m shy so I’m not going to walk next to you. Can I hit the button to open the door daddy? Do we go in here?”
(We enter the building)
Michael: “Hmmm… I think we need to go upstairs because that sign is orange and I’m an orange starfish and that sign is pointing upstairs. Is that where my classroom is, daddy? Where my usual classroom is? Are you going to the big people church or not? There are a lot of kids here. Are they having a party over there? Look at all those balloons! And what’s that parrot and those paper things?”
(The teacher approaches, and smiles at Michael.)
Teacher: “Why hello! Are you all ready for church camp? And what’s your name?”
Michael: “”
(Daddy waits for a moment)
Daddy: “It’s Michael.”
Teacher: “Michael! Well, we have your name tag right here. Are you excited for today, Michael?”
Michael: “”
Daddy: “He is. I just think he used up all of his words on the way over.”
Rare is the time when Michael is caught speechless. But it does give one’s ears a chance to relax for a bit.
I think the cat got Michael’s tongue!
(MD) She’s not bothering with the mice, so it’s a possibility.
This is priceless! I bet it’s almost too quiet when Michael isn’t around!
(MD) Yes, it is. You can hear your ears ring.
Did he try and hide behind you too? That is what he usually does with me when he gets silent and shy.
(Hubby) No… there was such a crush of kids and parents he had no escape route. Had to stand there and face the terror.
Took him to camp today and he tried to hide behind me and grabs my legs. I also found out about the ice cream situation and I can bring some special ice cream in for him on Friday.
(Hubby) It’s strange to see him be shy. I understand it completely, since I was that way… it’s just weird to watch him do that complete shut down. Glad to know you can bring him ice cream so he doesn’t have to feel left out. Thanks, hon!
All that Michael monologue can make an astronaut dizzy! Too funny that he clams up the second the teacher talks to him.
(MD) It’s hard to believe he could ever be shy.
That is pretty funny. My son has yet to slow down his chatterbox ways.
(MD) I was a chatterbox as a kid. It’s just payback.
That sounds just like my niece at that age! My mother was already too old by that time to babysit someone who talked so much.
(MD) You never really appreciate the joy of silence as much as you do when you’re freed from incessant prattle. Especially when it’s high-pitched and at full volume. I have to tell him to use his inside voice when we’re outside.
So cute!
(well, to all of us. haha)
(MD) I can agree with that on the silent part.