11.18.2007

Good to Know

David just opened a frozen bag labeled SHRIMP STIRFRY for dinner and noticed the directions on back said: "CAUTION: Contains crustaceans."

I really appreciate things like that. Especially knowing that they actually aren't trying to protect me from a severe allergic reaction. They're trying to protect themselves from a lawsuit. It is just a great feeling, living in a highly litigious society. It's like we've transcended common sense.

***
Speaking of allergies, Henry has developed a very serious one:

Me: In just a little while we get to go over to your school. They have a farmer who's visting and he's bringing all kinds of animals with him that you can touch and look at!

Henry: Chickens?

Me: Yep, I think there will be chickens.

Henry: Cows?

Me: Yep.

Henry: Well, but I can't go if he brings lions, though. I'm allohgic to lions.

Me: You're allergic? To lions? How do you know that?

Henry: Because they can swallow my whole body. So I'm allohgic.

***

And today I stumbled upon a fringe benefit of having a 5-year-old. He can have intelligent conversations with his dad. Indeed, he is infinitely more impressed and finds his dad's trove of random knowledge useful and wonderful, without fail. His eyes don't glaze over when Dad shares factoids. He responds appropriately with expressions of wonder and confusion over things Dad shares.

In short, Calvin saves me from having to be interested in the whale that swam 1,000 miles up the Amazon River. He responds reasonably with, "But how could he do that? The river is fresh water!" (As opposed to my adept observation, "Whales don't go in rivers.") And he smiles at the accompanying joke Dad makes: "Talk about a wrong turn." Heh. It's a beautiful thing.

(BTW, David knows that one of the things I love about him is his ability not only to gather tons of info, but to synthesize it and apply it in very useful ways. Like entertaining our children while I read, and talking during parties so I don't have to. Oh, yeah, and making a living.)

***

And just for fun, I thought I'd throw in this bit as the epitome of parenting boys:

H:Calvin just scabbed me in the lip with a stick!

C: It was an accident! I meant to stab him in the cheek!

10 comments:

someone else said...

They always make me laugh! So cute.

KatieBug said...

That last bit about the stick sounds EXACTLY like my boys!

Casey said...

That's so funny.

We once bought a package of marbles that had a warning label that said Caution: This toy is a marble!

She Rose Up said...

Henry: Well, but I can't go if he brings lions, though. I'm allohgic to lions.

Me: You're allergic? To lions? How do you know that?

Henry: Because they can swallow my whole body. So I'm allohgic.

My Favorite!

I am allergic to cleaning my sons shower! Yikes! :)

Ice Cream said...

Boys are so very much from mars.
=)

someone else said...

Just wanted to stop by and say Happy Thanksgiving!

Shannon said...

You know something I've learned from living overseas? There actually are some benefits to having a sue-happy society. For example, in the U.S. sharp drop-offs in crowded tourist sites are generally fenced off, political candidates do not paste their campaign posters over ROAD SIGNS, the gaps between posts in stair railings are too narrow to allow a child to fall through, and you don't have to always be staring down at the sidewalk to avoid falling into a big unmarked pit. Change is all about trade-offs.

The Amazing Trips said...

They sound so cute. And, how's little Charlie doing?? I'm sure I *speak* for everyone when I say we'd love to see a picture soon!!

An Ordinary Mom said...

Boys are very interesting creatures!

Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving!

Super Happy Girl said...

Well of course, a lion can swallow your whole body, which makes you allohgic.
So simple really.
;)