Bits of Brilliance

I am always shocked when the kids throw something out that they obviously learned at school. A couple of years ago, Mia saw a bee in the yard and said something of it doing good work. At the age of 3 she mentioned how the bee was pollinating the flowers. I almost fell over as the word "pollinating" came out of her mouth. This spring and summer she would explain "migration" to us.

The latest started with Mike's mom. She had given the kids a couple of little tootsie roll suckers. When Mason saw them he kept saying, "Why did Grandma give us those suckers?" I'd say because she loves you.

Mason: But they're sweet.

Me: Yes, they're a treat. That's why Grandma gave them to you, she thought you'd like a treat.

Mason: WHY???? (more of a yell now) Doesn't she know they're sweet?

This goes back and forth for awhile until the subject is dropped.

Monday after lunch I told the kids they could have their suckers in the car on the way to school. Mia opened hers up immediately and started eating it. Mason passes his back up to me and tells me to keep it up front. When I pick him up from school and start down the road he says his tummy is growling.

Me: Well, you can have your sucker if you're hungry. I still have it up here.

Mason: WHAT! I can't have that. That's sweet!

Me: That's OK (then I'm cut off)

Mason: It's at the top of the food pyramid! It's purple and it's sweet and Ms. Heather says you can't eat it all the time.

Me: That's right. You can't eat it all the the time but it's all right once in a while.

Mason: No!



Sheesh! You would have thought I was trying to poison the kid. Of course, I haven't seen the new food pyramid to know if he got it right but I was floored that the words "food pyramid" came out in conversation.