Conversations

Time: 8:30 am
Place: my car
Present: the wee one and me

Wee One:  DOOOOG!

Me: Is there a dog in your book?

WO:  DOOOOG!

Me:  What color is the dog?  Is it yellow?

WO: ...

Me:  Is it a blue dog?

WO: ...

Me:  Is it a red dog?

WO: ...

Me:  Is it a green dog?

WO: ...

Me:  Is it a purple dog?
WO: ...

Me: ...

WO:  DOOOOOOOOOG!!!!!!

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Time: 8:45 am
Place: Director's Office at Daycare
Present: Director and Me

Me:  Can you tell me what is discussed with the toddlers regarding daddies and families?

Director: (pause) um, why do you ask?

Me:  Well, because I am kindof sensitive about the "daddy" thing, since I am a single mother, and I was wondering how the topic is treated with the younger children.

Director:  We try to be sensitive to all our families.  The only time it really comes up is when they make fudge for Father's Day.  That can go to an uncle or a grandpa or a family friend.

Me:  Well, she's been very interested in The Family Book recently.  She really enjoys it and wanted to bring it with her today, so I wanted to show it to you as a recommendation.  I've just been talking to her about how our family is a Mommie and a Nan and a Grandpa, so she can hear the words and get used to the idea.  I just wanted to make sure there wasn't any kind of specific activities that I needed to be aware of.

Director:  No, we're very sensitive to all our family situations.  Until they get to Pre-K.  But that's a different phase.

Me: ...
(I don't think she truly meant that they are only tolerant until they get to Pre-K, even if it did come out that way!)

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Time: mid-morning
Place: hospital waiting room
Present: me, mom, my uncle, his mother-in-law

My uncle and his MIL are discussing the age of someone they both know who isn't present.

Uncle: I think he's like 77

MIL: I don't think he's that old.  His sister is younger than me.

Uncle: I really think he's like 75 or 77

MIL: Well, now, let's see, if I am (this age) and she is younger than me ...

Uncle: Maybe he's like 71 or 72

MIL:  I think you're closer there.  There's no way he's 77, but I'll give you 72.

Uncle: Well, when you're over 70, what does it matter?

Me:  I'll remind you of that when you hit 70!