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June 24, 2005

The Applesauce Boy

This morning, while I was in my basement office working, Nathan was upstairs, having breakfast. He'd finished his morning oatmeal, and had been given applesauce in a kid-sized cup as his fruit course. Gail went to another room, leaving Nathan in the kitchen with his applesauce for a few moments.

By the time she returned, Nathan flipped his applesauce cup over, and had spread applesauce on the entire tray of his highchair, on his arms and even worked some into his hair — eeewwww!

Gail asked Nathan if he knew what he had done with his applesauce was wrong. Nathan said:

"Yes mommy, I know."

Her next question was the kicker. Gail asked Nathan why he'd spread applesauce across his tray and in his hair. After a few moments of thought, he replied in a quiet voice:

"I'm just a little boy, mommy."

Gail wasn't pleased with the answer (and who knows where he picked that up from) but had to stifle her laughter, because it was an incredibly funny reply! But after some thought, I realized that's a tough question for a little kid. What else could a little applesauce-covered boy say? He's a little boy exploring his world, sometimes to the chagrin of his parents.

This story reminded me how sponge-like all kids are. I mean, how did Nathan know to use that phrase, and use it in the correct context? Does he understand the idea of an excuse? I'm not sure if he does or not, but for a little kid, he often amazes me with little things just like this — both good and bad.

Oh, the life of a parent. I wouldn't trade it for anything. :-)

June 24, 2005 2:12 PM | Kids | add to del.icio.us