Monday, March 22, 2010

How do you not laugh?



My daughters were not supposed to tell their mother "no!" Not that they always did what they were told.... But for the most part, they were pretty good about only showing their utter and total contempt for my rule behind my back! Not so for my grandson. He is a perfect gentlemen for most of the time. Sweet and utterly adorable. But when it comes to standing two inches from the television screen, we get out the boxing gloves.

Last night my daughter and son-in-law went to a birthday party sans their two-year-old. I couldn't blame them for wanting a little time that didn't include running after him. After all, with me living in another state, these times are not always easy to come by. The other grandparents are great, but they live across town, which means scheduling way ahead. No last minute drop offs. Needless to say, when I come to town, they take full advantage of Grammy being right in the house.

Which brings me to last night. We had a wonderful night and had just drawn our first line in the sand over the television - me telling him to back off from the screen a little bit - him very firmly telling me "no, his toons!" Forcing me  to use the clicker to shut off the television. Him turning it back on ... me asking him to back up ... him saying no! ... Well, you get the picture. When his parents came home, there we were - me with the clicker, him with his eyebrows knitted, two inches from screen. The problem was keeping myself from laughing. He was so darn cute! He had absolutely no idea how tiny and vulnerable he was!

Now why couldn't they have arrived home while he was telling me how much he loved my noodles with butter and parmesan, and that he "missed" me (his version of showing how happy he was with his dinner)? Or when he woke up all sweet and warm, giving me a big hug? Oh no, it had to be knitted brows, line in the sand time....

27 comments:

Gemel said...

Bless his wee soul. What a moment of magic you both shared, it is moments like these that will live on forever in the safety of your hearts..

lulu said...

awww i am an aunt and i have such a way off to be a grand parent but i most def think i would enjoy it like you

Natalie said...

It's always the way, Nancy.
My VERY Christian, and very narrow in-laws, caught me yesterday giving a Tarot Reading to a friend. House was a little less than perfection, and the kiddies were doing what ever they liked. (ARGH!)
This situation has NEVER happened before, and likely to NEVER happen again. Sigh............There will be trouble.

Joanne said...

Now wait a minute, we haven't heard the outcome ... Who won?

Kay said...

haha... i'm sure he is just a doll! gotta love kids! :)

Mental P Mama said...

LOL. I have a very clear picture of that in my head!

Brian Miller said...

dont you love it when they wake up snuggly...smiles. having expectations shows love much more than not.

The Good Cook said...

Those littles are imps aren't they? I'm sure your daughter understood completely!

DJan said...

I hope they teach him to stay back from the TV when he's watching it under their supervision. You are right to teach him that! Great description of the Battle of the Wills.

Reya Mellicker said...

Timing is everything, isn't it? But my guess is that his parents have some experience with the scene of clicker/NO, don't you think?

Headstrong children make for powerful, self-possessed adults. It's just tough for the parents!

ellen abbott said...

Gotta love a two year old.

California Girl said...

cute story. they get hooked early don't they? wait til he discovers video games. aaarrgghh.

I've been thinking of writing a post on all the things kids (mine, really) have done to make me crazy and wondering how I still have my sanity after raising them.

Whitney Lee said...

I run into situations like this all the time with my toddler. My dad just laughs and says she's her mother's daughter. As frustrating as it is, I often have the ability to step back and admire her determination and strong will. It will serve her well in the future (no matter how much it drives me mad now)!

ds said...

Too cute! He sounds adorable--and I notice that he "buttered" you up first ;) Enjoy these precious days with him!

R. J. said...

Great story. Grandchildren are always adorable even when they are stretching their power zones.

Meeko Fabulous said...

LoL Gotta love kids!!!

Lothiriel said...

LOL! How cute! I loved babysitting my nieces and nephew.

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

A great story... well written

Hilary said...

How I loved it when my kidlets were around that age.. how I now love the notion that any two year old who comes my way now will go home after a while. ;) He sounds adorable.. truly.

He also sounds like I did at his age.. nose close to the television. I'm extremely nearsighted. Just something to consider.

Friko said...

it's all Grammy's fault. She wouldn't let me . . . .

did your daughter at least side with you, or did you get the feeling that you had interfered in a scared ritual?

Lori ann said...

so cute nancy! your daughter knows of course. kids that feel safe,be themselves, which he was. he knew he could do this and some how he knew that you would find him precious (still). i was glad for this when mine were with my mom, i knew they were comfortable. when everything is perfect, that' when i'd worry.
grandkids :) :) :) ♥ ♥ ♥

L'Adelaide said...

well... I DO!! ;)

Anonymous said...

aww he's cute. Its ok for grandparents to laugh, so go for it!

Andre said...

Great time to ask you....are you treating your grandson differetly from how you treated your own kids? Supppose it had been your own playing the line in the sand game....uhm...lol.... would it have ended differently? ;-)

LOL at Natalie and her tarot card story too!

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness. If only they knew how their cuteness influences our decisions. :)

My niece and nephew are screaming "NO!" already. Oh boy.

gayle said...

I can just see this! My grandson just turned 3 a few months ago!!

Brenda Susan said...

cute story & I could picture & have lived it with my own kids long ago. Looking forward to the Grandma thing someday!