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Saturday, May 2, 2009

Don't ever make the mistake of thinking they're not listening

A few days ago one of the girls was pitching a fit because I had committed the horrendous sin of giving her one gram less of pineapple than her sister. Usually I try to dole things out fairly evenly, but I was short on time and patience so I sat them down and said that they were old enough to learn a huge lesson in life, something really important and something that my dad taught me when I was little: "Life isn't fair. And no one ever promised it would be. Some days you'll get more than someone else, and some days you'll get less." They gave a little blinkblinkblink in response, and then ran off to go play. Whatever... I figured it was yet another stellar in-one-ear-and-out-the-other parenting moment. But then, on the way home from a carnival tonight, I gave each girl a little Dixie cup of popcorn and promised to refill their cups as soon as they finished. Ree inhaled hers and waved her cup gleefully in the air, asking for more. Ro threw her hand out and said "No Ree, wait for me, I not finished yet, you can't have more den me!!!" And Ree tossed back "Ro, life is not fair!" and thrust her cup out again for her refill. When I got finished dying of laughter, I gave her more popcorn. Then I called my dad and told him. ~~~~~ After we got home, I whipped out the purse cam for a quick documentation of the historic day when my kids actually listened to me: And here are a few pics from the day, including one of the girls eating barbeque in Nov of 2006 and then in the same restaurant today. When I went back and looked at that picture I couldn't believe how much they've changed in two-and-a-half years. It's insane:

26 comments:

  1. Two VERY smart little (not so little) fortune cookies!!!! Sponges they are!! And, yes we've so enjoyed watching them grow!!!! Thanks so very much for sharing!!! It sure helped while we were waiting for referral!! It also helps to know what to look forward to as our little strawberry grows!!! That in itself is worth it's weight in gold!!!

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  2. They are aaaalllwaayys listening as you discovered. When Katie was in the hospital this past week our rabbi called us to check on her and said he would stop on before Shabbat to see her. Marc told him that it was really nice that he called and that it was a busy day for him and that she would see him next week at school. I told her that he had called and that he had wanted to come see her. Again, as you describe I saw the blinkblinkblink and an hour later busts out with the most serious of faces....where is the Rabbi..he is supposed to come and visit me?!? She had really been brewing on that one.

    I loved the video and the difference in the two pics is amazing!!

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  3. This is sooooooo cute! One of my favorite posts yet.

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  4. They are fast learners...didn't take them long to get that rule!! The video was adorable...I bet your Dad loved it!

    Cannot believe that picture from two years ago...they have grown and changed so much!!

    Enjoy the rest of your weekend:)

    Lisa

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  5. This is one of my favorite posts of yours. Because it is oh-so-true... and a much easier lesson learned at age three than at age 33.

    I was once in stitches when the Tongginator quoted me, with a resigned sigh, while we sat in traffic, "sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug." She has no idea what that means, of course, but she surely used it in context.

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  6. Adorable and oh so smart! About split a gut when they said 'BobBob' with such awe and almost seemed to bow! Heh....they know the respect due BobBob!

    Mmmm...BBQ! Look how they've grown!

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  7. Very smart children! "Fair" is a difficult concept for three year olds. You're wise to teach them this truth. Learning it comes as such a shock in adulthood.

    It's unbelievable that it's already been three years since Ro and Ree came home. Children grow up fast, though some days it doesn't seem like it.

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  8. Thank you for teaching that to your children early in life! One of the things I hate to hear my students say is, "But that's not fair!"

    They are so cute - and smart!

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  9. Our favorite line is "You get what you get and you don't get upset". I would imagine that this would be a good line for you because with twins who have a lot and recieve a lot of the same things, those times that the don't probably stick out.....

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  10. I think I just got my cute overload for the day! If only I had been so wise at that young age!

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  11. Anonymous5/03/2009

    Okay, now I'm wondering which twin thought she got the slightly smaller amount of pineapple, and whether that affected the learning of the lesson....

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  12. Thank you for teaching that lesson early.. I also taught that one and it cut out alot of arguments... It's also such a great life lesson.
    Just love visiting your blog and seeing the girls in all their glory.. Linda

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  13. Anonymous5/03/2009

    Life is not fair...

    and driving the Pinto builds Character


    Uncle Bobby :)

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  14. smart little cookies and GOOD listeners too!!

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  15. ha ha ha! Can I borrow that lesson for my girls? You would not think I'd have to get a 10 y/o and a y/o the exact same thing, but I do...

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  16. Good that you kept it clean! It's always so fun when they come out with your words.

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  17. Hey there, you should really come join us over at Chinadigitalscrapbooks.com. You have so many great photos and I think you'd enjoy seeing all the china pages posted in the gallery there :) Leda (aquarium stalker) LOL

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  18. Oh M3, you blog helped us so much during our wait. I particularly admire your relationship with your parents. I lost Papi when I was 10 and Mami when I was 16. I miss them so much. You are such a daddy's, well, Bob Bob's girl. It's really touching to see how your girls are equally devoted to him.

    Ro and Ree are SO freaking smart!

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  19. So cute! Naomi is always telling me, "it's not fair!"

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  20. You are my parenting guru. I'm so ready to use the "life is not fair" teaching with mine. Fortunately we are still in the mode of giving each other food all the time. And if you can believe it, we are still accepting high chairs at 2 yrs and 2 months. Woo hoo.

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  21. At the CDM they have facepainting in the bathroom. I've yet to let Trixie do it, but..... (she's only 14 mos, so it might be lost on her.)
    Have you been to CDM? It's in San Jose.

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  22. Trust me, I learned MY lesson that P is always listening. And she's started teaching me MY lessons. I think she thinks it gives her permission to be bossy.

    But what cracks ME up about the video are the princess and monkey costumes presented as daily wear. No commentary. And we all accept it as such! Who's come a long way again?

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  23. Uncle Bobby's comment just about made me pee my pants!!

    Cute cute girls! Smart one's too! ;)

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  24. I always tell my kids: Fair is not equal! Give them time to think about that too!

    Love them!

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