1/11/06

The other day we went grocery shopping with the kidlet, which is always an interesting proposition. Lately he's had about a 30 minute window where he behaves, then he starts getting antsy and progressively gets worse. When I say 'worse' I mean he starts getting into things and wanting to get down and run away, etc. It's the running away thing that bothers me the most - I don't want him to think it's a game when I chase him, but at the same time I can't just let him dash off because that little twerp is fast! Any suggestions, parental types? As it is, I try to call him back before he gets too far, then when I pursue him he laughs like a maniac and runs faster, and giggles when I catch him and try to explain why he can't run away.

In any case, he started getting antsy so Michael took him to see the lobsters while I did some speed shopping in their absence. I found them over by the fish counter, looking at some large fish or other (I think it was a tuna?) laid out on a bed of shaved ice. Michael said to little Michael, "Tell Mommy what you just told me." Kidlet looked at me with a pout on his face, matching that of the upturned lip of the fish. "Fishie sad - fishie miss Mommy and Daddy." he said. I looked at his sad face and said, "Yeah, I'll bet he does." He replied, "Hmm," thoughtfully. I actually got a pang in my heart hearing him say that, and seeing the expression on his sweet little face.

Another chapter in the "OMG-Where-Did-My-Kid-Get-THAT-From" department...

We were driving out to see my dad on Sunday and were on a road that runs parallel to some train tracks. Little Michael started saying, "Rail, rail!" and we were saying to him, "What's that? Rain? Mail? Huh?" when it dawned on us that he was referring to the rails of the railroad tracks! I said, "Do you mean the rails the train travels on?" and he pointed over to them, saying, "Rails! Yes!" Michael and I looked at each other with big round eyes..."Did you teach him that?" "No..."

Kidlet is also singing a whole bunch. He especially likes the 'A Pirate Says Arrr' song from The Backyardigans. We sing it at least three or four times a day. He'll chime in at the chorus with the cutest little voice. Something interesting I noticed is that he'll either sing the same note I sing, or he'll sing a note that harmonizes. It's the most bizarre thing, I have no idea if it's intentional but the kid may just have a good ear on him when he gets older.

I transcribed the lyrics to the song real quick-like, you can see the video here:

Hello mateys! I'm Captain Uniqua the pirate!
You can tell I'm a pirate because of my eye patch...and because I say "Arrr!"

If you want to be a pirate get up on your feet
You can't be a pirate if you're sitting in your seat!
Swing your arms tough
And stand kind of low
And make this noise wherever you go -

Arrr arrr arrr -
a pirate -
a pirate -
a pirate says
Arrr!

You sail a pirate ship
You dont drive a car
And they know you're a pirate
When they hear you say "Arrr!"

(Arrr! Arrr! Arrr! Arrr!)

"Arrr" means yes
And "Arrr" means no
And "Arrr" means
"C'mon mates, lets go!"
Say "Arrr" when you're happy
And "Arrr" when you're smelly
And "Arrr" when you're eating
Your pirate toast and jelly!

Arrr arrr arrr -
a pirate -
a pirate -
a pirate says
Arrr!

If you think we're tough
You're right we are
Cause they know you're a pirate
When they hea ryou say "Arrr!"

Let's sail the seas, me buckos!

Arrr!