From Genius to Gerbil Brain

There comes a point, as a mama, when you realize that your child is, well...how should I say?...a genius.  I realize that I am probably the only mother experiencing such a feeling and so I feel uncomfortable bragging on such a celebration, but it's too hard to resist.

So, we have the basic letters and sound knowledge; however, the real genius shone through when we were playing "The Ladybug Game."  This game is a mind-blowing adventure about ladybugs traveling back to their home leaf passing through dangerous habitats with predators such as a deeply anguished praying mantis looking for prey.  It's intense.  It takes a lot of skill and agility to surpass such dangerous beings, but by collecting aphids to feed them at their hungriest state, we were able to cross. 

In the course of journey, Gavin needed to collect 10 aphids.  It took a while to get the necessary number to pass the angry ants, but he was able to collect 14.  ...this is where he showed his genius ability...He then put his aphids in a group of 10 and then placed the additional 4 below.  Obviously, he is well aware of base tens...duh.  His number sense is out of control.  He is practically perfect right?

Fast forward to later that evening...We were having a serious conversation about one of his friends and her allergy to peanuts.  We discussed the need for an epipen as well as how to locate mine if I ever need it.  This conversation (although shortened to share my point) lasted about 10 minutes and got pretty intense.  There were many questions asked and lots of concern from our children about this serious topic. 

At this moment, I hear words from his mouth that make me second guess my child's amazing abilities as he states, "Well, I've got an allergy.  I'm allergic to mirrors."  OK, so he totally didn't get it.  The conversation felt like it was so deep and, of course, I was talking to a "genius" so he was following me right?  Um...no.  The answer would be "no." Isn't that how we feel sometimes?  Like, what just happened here?

So, this is my thinking...God brings us those delightful moments when our children astound us with their perfection and demonstrate abilities that make us so proud, we actually glance around to see if we are the only ones to notice.  But, He balances us with moments that help us to bring us to reality, to allow us to see how our children grow, both physically and mentally. 

Was the grouping by tens just a fluke?  Maybe.  Not sure.  I'm just glad that I got to experience his wondrous abilities and at the same time be reminded that, yes, he is only 4 and just like every other phenomenal child. And he is mine.

The Salon

There are few things that cause such stress

Than a little girl in a cute pink dress

With comb and ponytail in hand

And a sneaky grin and a face of demand.

 

“I’ll comb your hair,” she says with glee

I go to jump and bolt and flee;

However, she is fast and smart

She wields her comb with such an art

 

Before I know, I feel it there

The comb she had right in my hair

She yanks it down and pulls with might.

In my reflection, I’m quite a sight.

 

As I let go a wince of pain

It’s nothing to her, it’s just a game.

Of beauty shop and “let’s pretend.”

Through tears and groans I beg to end

 

But then I look into her face

In those seconds I can’t replace

The joy I bring to her with this

A simple “hair-do,” a little wish

 

Of mama-daughter “fun and play”

A memory of a simple day.

 And then I feel another tear

A pull of scalp, a yank of hair.

 

And in my head I think once more

This should be fun and not a chore.

I sit as still as I can bear,

And pray my hairdresser leaves me with hair.