Thursday, February 24, 2011

Snips and snails and puppy dog tails

Otherwise known as a cure for late winter doldrums...

About six months ago, I had lunch with my friend and her 2 1/2 year old son, Ethan. Half way through lunch, he tipped the salt shaker over and for some reason he cried when the contents spilled out. In an effort to get him to stop crying, I taught him to toss the salt over his shoulder for good luck. This made him laugh and cured his moment of perplexing heartbreak.

Today we met for lunch again with the now 3 year old boy and his 5 month old brother. To impress me, Ethan grabbed the salt shaker, poured a huge amount of salt into his hand and threw it over his shoulder with great enthusiasm and laughter.

I was so charmed by this little guy's ultimate demonstration of flattery: he hadn't forgotten me since the last time we met. After all, doesn't every girl want to be remembered with affection? I know he won't forget me now because when we finished lunch, I took him on his first ever escalator ride and forever cemented myself in his mind. We rode the escalator up and down while his mom and baby brother watched. Three times. It would have been more but for the baby who wasn't enjoying the day as much as his big brother. He was so darned cute on that escalator--a little scared, a little excited and very, very quiet. When we got to the top, he ran to the other side with glee.

I'd forgotten what it was like be immersed in the world of an industrious little boy, and frankly, I think I should get in on that action a little more often.

17 comments:

Rositta said...

Boy could I ever use a "cure" like that. Sadly I don't have any friends with little kids. Welcome back to winter... Are you sending us your snow again? Keep it...ciao

colenic said...

Sounds like an amazing day...

Jane said...

I love how everything is an adventure for the little ones. Shame we have to lose it

Ruth said...

Little boys are so much fun- they can be enjoyed and it is so great watching them discovering the world

Gail said...

Aw, if we could only retain the wonder of child within ourselves, life would be a pure joy.

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

awww, what a sweet memory to give the little boy!

smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxoox

SkippyMom said...

Awww - you made me miss my little boys today. They tower over me now. But I can still see the "little" in them when they smile.

Sounds like a wonderful day Rudee.

Finding Pam said...

What a precious moment for the two of you. Some of my best memories our of our sons. It seems like yesterday that they were little boys only now they play with bigger toys.

Looking through the eyes of a child makes life so much more fun.

Celia said...

He sounds like a sweetheart.

The Bug said...

What fun! I never know how to treat children, so I end up treating them like little adults, which SOMETIMES works.

Anonymous said...

O.K. I get the hint. Sounds like someone wants to hear the pitter patter of a little boy running around the house..

Cheryl said...

Hi Rudee,
First, I have missed you. So glad to be back in the blogging world.
Second, this is such a sweet story, what life is like through the eyes of a child. I think it would do all of us good to experience that from time to time. The simple joys and wonders that are all around us, that us grown ups take for granted it.
What a very, very special day for both of you. You can be sure, that it will be cemented in his memory bank!
xoxoxo

Unknown said...

So true it takes so little to make an innocent happy child amused. I am glad you enjoyed that. You do need those moments, we all do, to make it through the more dramatic real life ones. Blessings
QMM

NCmountainwoman said...

I'm enjoying catching up on your posts. So glad you had such a good trip.

Brenda said...

Yes..I know what you mean. I have two grand daughters and take care of them half of the week. I just wish I could remember all the amazing things Maddie says and does.

Jane said...

Don't you just love a small child's excitement!

Unknown said...

What a sweet story.