Growing Up Grove: Another Step

It's funny the things you don't think about needing to teach your children in their way to becoming adults. Eleanor Kate's vocabulary has been increasing at an amazing rate and she has picked up some funny phrases from Wendy and I as well as from kids at school. Using these words/phrases in a socially acceptable way is a hurdle I never thought much about.

Nora has always loved seeing babies and instead of staring at them like a silent goon we have taught her to ask the parent, "What is the baby's name?" This seemed to work well, with few reminders, until she learned the phrase: "No Way!" Friday at the bookstore we ran into a mother with a baby, Nora asked his name and upon hearing Elliot said, "No Way!" The obviously experienced mother replied with "Way!" and we all had a laugh.

On Sunday, the first day that truly felt like spring, we went on a Family walk and ran into a young couple walking their baby. Nora was fascinated and after they told her the baby's name she replied with "No way!" . . . . awkward silence. Wendy and I told her that "No Way!" was not the most appropriate response after hearing the name of a baby and gave her some suggestions of what to say in future situations. I wasn't sure she got the idea of why that might catch people off guard, but thought we would talk about it later.

Half a block down the road I saw a striking male Cardinal on a branch 10 feet away. I pointed "the bright red bird" out to her. She excitedly asked, "What's that bird's name?", I said It's a Cardinal." and she replied "That's a nice name." It's fun to watch the little changes and nuances she picks up on every day and even if we aren't sure at the time she is listening to us.

She has also become pretty good at the camera, the pictures below are all by Eleanor Kate.