Remembering

[susandennis]

Since I am not a child lover, my experience around 2 year olds has been pretty much limited to screaming children kicking me on public transportation or in line at the grocery store/target/etc.  While I'm sure that they must have some redeeming qualities or people would be paying more attention to birth control, it had been a long time, if ever since I've seen it.

So, having keelamonster's Ella was full of surprises for me.  And there's been quite a bit of very yummy after taste so to speak.  All day I've been remembering as I pass something in my house that now has new meaning.

Betty has a scratch pad that is elevated.  Ella recognized it immediately as a perfectly sized slide.  She crawled to the top and slid down.  Betty, I'm sure, is still scratching her head about that.

I have a bench at the foot of my bed.  I use it to sit on to put on my workout shoes.  I keep the socks in a little basket there by the shoes under the bench.  Ella, who is apparently going through a shoe phase, moved quickly to the sock basket.  She picked it up and started sharing.  She gave a sock to Betty.  She gave a sock to me.  She gave a sock to her Mommy.  It was a 2007 version of sock it to me.  This was before she even got to the bears.

Then she found my little dish where I throw change.  I rarely have much in there since when going to the car, I scoop it up and put it into my car cup for drive through finances.  But I had forgotten to take it for a while so there were probably 25 coins in there.  Oh the joy.  Consequently, all day I've been finding nickels and dimes nd pennies in the oddest places around the house.

Oh and last night when I went to bed, I found - laid out very carefully to make a square - on top of the duvet cover, four chop sticks.

She was very very very busy and fun to watch.  I'm beginning to think that the screaming kicking versions of two year olds are those with manufacturing defects that people do not want in their homes and that's why I run into them in public.

Comments

[cbertsch.livejournal.com]

Children act out when they are tired or feel threatened, just like adults. Most of the kids you've seen in public have probably been both, to some degree.

[artisanal_xara]

I'm beginning to think that the screaming kicking versions of two year olds are those with manufacturing defects that people do not want in their homes and that's why I run into them in public.

Two things.

1. Yes. The screaming kicking two year old (or one and a half in my case) is often calmed by a trip to Target. And often it only works until half way down the towel aisle, then we get the scream and kick back.

2. Even if they start out in a good mood, spending too long in Target will make just about any toddler scream and kick. Some days there are errands you just have to get done no matter how much the little one is ready to go home.

Ok, three things.

3. You probably encounter twice as many happy ones as unhappy ones, but if you're not the type to ooh and aah over cute babies then you simply don't notice them.

[artisanal_xara]

P.S. Very sweet memories. :-)

[susandennis]

You know, your #3 is probably exactly true! excellent point! I would so swap Thomas stickers with Charlie!

[pisceandreamer.livejournal.com]

Ella sounds like a sweetie.

I agree with the above comment - the good ones are quiet so you don't notice them out in public. :)

[sea-weed.livejournal.com]

The right type of 2 year old can be very sweet and a whole lot of fun and I'm really glad you got to find that out. I often think it's partly the parent's fault when their child is acting up. Not always, some people are just blessed with monster children, but others don't seem to be able to handle a difficult situation properly, they just shout and threaten which only makes things worse, instead of using bribes and distractions to defuse a tricky situation.

[rev-hank.livejournal.com]

hahaha!
hey I love your condo and Im 43! I can only IMAGINE the fun a two year would have in there!
all those bright colors and fun knick knacks!

But Im sure she didnt appreciate the Karl Kassell air freshner as much as I did...
: )

[ms-hackman.livejournal.com]

Two year olds can be fascinating - you can practically see the synapses forming in their heads with everything they do.

I always think of children's public behaviour as a reflection on the parents - much like with dogs. Don't dislike the dog - grumble at the owner.

[keelamonster.livejournal.com]

Well, Ella had a GREAT time at your house. She's still calling for Betty. We were at her daddy's and she kept peeking under the table, saying "Beeeetty" It was awesome, and confused her dad just a little.

I think I figured out where her hat is, too, I think we left it on the counter at ben and jerry's. Ice cream will distract someone like that. Sad, since it was a great hat, but I'm sure we'll live. sigh

Thanks again for a fabulous Sunday afternoon. It was great fun and the pictures are so much fun to look back on!