Jayden and Animals

Jayden

Sept. 2022 - 7 y.o.

See the photo left?  That is a small black boot scraper.  The grandkids, no matter how small, and even when they first learn to walk, try their best to pick it up and carry it around.  When Jayden and I were leaving for his house, I spied it resting on its nose.  Never knowing what's in a kid's mind, or what they'll say, I just had to ask.

"Why is the dachshund resting like that?"  

His answer, "He's doing pushups!"

Nov.  2022 - 7 y.o.

Piper, our black cat, was watching us from the picnic table, looking disenchanted.  Being a typical boy, Jayden was fast walking backwards.  First, he looked at the cat, then at me, and said,

"I'm speaking Cat English, "me-ow!"

Jan. 2023 - 7 y.o.

Months and months ago I'd introduced Jayden to the sitcom ALF.  When visiting here, invariably the grandkids want to watch a bit of cartoons or a funny kid show, but our Comcast package doesn't include any of those.  

So, I introduced Jayden to the series ALF, and he thought it the funniest thing that this talking dog-like creature would chase a cat to eat it.  Offhand, during a round of Mean Grandma, aka hide and seek, trying to remember what the acronym stood for as I was walking down the hall I softly said to myself, "Alien Life Form".  Ooops, Jayden heard me.  He rolled that around on his tongue a second, muttering, then that smart boy said, 

"Hey, that's ALF!  You're talkin' 'bout ALF.  Can we watch him now?"  

Feb. 2023 - 7 y.o.

Jayden's currently in 2nd grade, he's growing up.  The toys that he used to play with don't interest him.  He's not paling around with his little sisters anymore, and I can see him searching for something more meaningful to do.  

So, we got out the round board game of Aggravation.  4 marbles for each player have to go from base to home all the way around the board.  Other players, if they've rolled the correct number on the die, can take your spot and knock you back to base to start all over.  

Jayden is learning fast!  Alayna is still struggling and just plays because he does.  For now, we tell her what moves to make. 

This evening Jayden kept rolling 6's.  It was getting predictable; he seemed charmed.  

"Jayden, you little stinker, you rolled another six," I joked.

He was quick on the draw.  Leaning forward with elbows on the table, his face to mine, Jayden had a twinkle in his eye.  He laughed and made his move.  

"This little stinker is about to knock you out!"