Saturday, December 22, 2007




OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES

The kids and I are in Eugene, Oregon this weekend. More specifically, we are staying with my brother's family, in my childhood house. It was a house when I lived here, it is a home now.

This year there will be no Santa coming down the chimney to bring toys to my little nephew, Kunga. This family is Buddhist, and Santa is not in my sweet nephew's 2-year-old vocabulary. That didn't stop my kids and me from bringing him gifts. He's a typical boy, loves dump trucks, fire trucks, school buses, pretty much anything with wheels. He also is being introduced to the wonder of Fisher Price and "Little People."

I don't know about you, but Fisher Price was INTEGRAL in my child development. My brother had the garage, I don't think I had jack shit, but my cousins, wow, they must have been rich, they had the castle, airplane, A-frame, house, airport and I think I remember a hospital and some random horses. Heaven. Pure heaven!

We got Kunga the dump truck/bulldozer construction site. He can hardly stand it, he's so excited. He has the attention span of, oh, I don't know, a TYPICAL child, but not a typical 2-year-old. He has been playing with that damn thing all day. All. Day. Without anyone needing to make truck sounds, show him how fun it is, etc.

I don't wish he had ADHD, I don't wish my kids didn't, but key-rist, the differences are stunning.

Sonam, my darling sister-in-law, shows me the other Fisher Price toy they inherited, the house, with a few stray Little People. BTW, the Little People are HUGE now, I can't believe a child ever choked on the old style Little People, but I guess they did, or could, anyway, ain't no way they're choking on these suckers now!

I take each Little Person from the house and hold it up to Kunga.

"Kunga, who is this?" I ask, showing him the brown-faced, curly, black-haired lady.

"That's Oprah," he says, matter-of-factly.

I laugh until my sides split, gather myself, then hold up the next one. This time a rather androgynous looking person with short, brown hair.

"Kunga, who is this?" I ask.

"That's Aunt Carrie," he says without a trace of irony.

"From your lips to God's ears, Kunga, from your lips to God's ears."

12 comments:

My Own Woman said...

Children are so special; no matter what religion. They all like gifts and they all like toys, and they all like people who make them feel good. Obviously you are one of those people who makes him feel good.

Your story was touching, especially the part about when you grew up the place was a "house" but now it's a "home." That's quite a difference there and I'm glad you see the difference.

Keeping with that train of thought, I've "roared" at you on my blog. Please, wonder over to my blog and then write 3 things that make a story or writings "good." Then, you get to tag three other people!

Michelle O'Neil said...

So funny. He's totally psychic, right?

hg said...

Does that little people set have a yellow couch?

I'm glad someone else is still blogging out there. I finally wake up and everyone else is gone.

hg said...

And, cute pictures.

riversgrace said...

Hilarious...SO funny. And so touching - what, do you just drive around giving gifts? You're on a roll, I swear. Two days, two fer two, giving.

It's good to know, now that I am tucked into a warm home, with your all-day help, that you are helping someone else in their home, too. Granted, he's probably the 400th incarnation of some lama - we KNOW he is cuz he's showing you your future!

contemporary themes said...

Hysterical! Yellow couch, here Carrie comes. Her nephew said it's so! So there!

You're on your way. Your on your way! Yippee! I'll smile and I'll tell all of my friends, "I. know. her." Love.

Nancy said...

I wonder.... in the new Fisher Price house, is there by chance a yellow couch?

Kim said...

Wonderful. CP, it sounds like you have been spreading joy all over Oregon lately! Santa has nothing on you!

Sounds like the Little People house needs a new piece of YELLOW furniture, doesn't it?

kario said...

I am so pleased you are all spending time in that lovely home. I hope you continue to find more laughter and love than you can stand.

Anonymous said...

Your nephew is adorable! Oprah and Carrie, he got that one right(by the way I always LOVED those Fisher Price people. Growing up we had them all). What a smart little guy.

Great, touching post! I hope your holidays are peaceful and full love.
XOXOX

shauna said...

Now, that is too funny! It sounds like a great visit. What a fun little guy...

Jess said...

So funny. Great pictures!