Today was chock full of those teachable moments.
The weather was too nice to stay inside, even though Annabelle and Sadie were cranking out the hits. When I got in from my run, they were singing at the top of their lungs along with the Wii. The living room was a veritable HSM karaoke showcase. We caught some of it on video, right up to the point when Annabelle turned around and spotted me. She’s not quite ready for the camera, or American Idol, but she was having a blast.
Some of my high school guys are on the lacrosse team; they call it lax, and have their own insider lingo to make those of us on the outside think they’re cool. I tried to explain to Annabelle that we weren’t going to be playing the game, just watching. And have you ever tried to explain anything like lacrosse to someone who has no concept of organized sports? But she wanted to go for the ride, so we headed out to the truck. (I also got to teach her that daddy drives a truck, not a miniature van.) Sadie called SHOTGUN, but Annabelle beat her to the seat. Sadie was in the process of trying to convince Annabelle to vacate the front seat when I arrived on the scene. Annabelle was pulling the “if I ignore you, maybe you’ll give up” routine. I asked Annabelle to move to the backseat, since Sadie clearly called the front first. When she didn’t move, I got out of my seat and was prepared to physically escort her to the back seat. She was not happy. She was teary all the way over to the game, even though I explained that I wasn’t mad. Sadie simply called Shotgun first, while in sight of the intended vehicle.
They ran around and played tag for most of the first quarter. They did sit with me for a few minutes, and I got to explain the scoreboard to Annabelle. She was a little frustrated that the board operator didn’t put the scores on the board. I guess that would be a little confusing, especially since it’s called a SCORE board. We had to leave after the first quarter, with the score tied 1-1. (State High eventually pulled out the win, btw) As we walked back to the truck (again, not a van) Annabelle was working on forming a word or a phrase. I figured it out before Sadie, and whispered the correct form in AB’s ear.
SHOTGUN! With a gleam in her eye, and a bounce in her step. SHOTGUN, Sadie!
Kim and I took the girls with us to a dinner tonight for some of the parents of our middle school ministry. As folks were coming in, hugs were being exchanged. Annabelle has been catching up on the learning curve of acceptable greetings and salutations here in America. She’s not too keen on me telling anyone other that Kim “I love you.” She’s had to learn that it’s ok to say that to family. She’s still hesitant to tell me that she loves me some days. But hugging anyone other than family? Out of the question. Kim hugged Curtis. I hugged Karen. Annabelle almost came out of her seat. She told us in no uncertain terms that daddy was only supposed to hug mommy, and mommy’s hugs were for daddy alone. She did allow that boys can hug boys, and girls can hug girls.
She’s a funny girl, that Annabelle. So many new things to learn and share with us!
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