Cooper's Preference

We have just returned from a two and a half week trip to the US to visit our closest friends and family. It was busy, intense, enjoyable, and full of memory moments. One of the funniest occurred during our 7 hour delay at JFK airport:

After the 4th announcement that our flight would again be delayed Sarah and I decided it would be worth it to rent a car and simply drive down to our destination (Maryland) instead of facing longer indefinite delays. At about 11pm we took an airport train to the terminal where the car rental places were. We were tired, our kids were tired, and we were all struggling with rolling grumpiness.

When we got to the car rental area we found that we were not the only ones with the idea of renting a car in the face of everlasting delays. Without an existing reservation there were no cars available to be rented anywhere.

Defeated, resigned, and with simmering frustration we got back on the airport train to go back to our gate and wait for the delays to finally be over.

Up to that moment neither of our children had been doing things that I would say bring me joy as a parent. But then, in that dark hour (literally) Cooper chirped up and announced, “I like this train. It smells like french fries!”

He was absolutely right. Somewhere on that train was someone with a fresh, piping bag of McDonalds food.

Sarah and I experienced our first smile in a few hours, and agreed, “Yes, Cooper, this train does smell like french fries.”

Bribery

The other day I was putting Cooper in bed. I don't remember if it was because it was nap time, or because he had done something wrong. In any case, though, it was daytime and I was putting him in his bed.

He did the usual pleading to not put him in bed, to let him out and play, etc, etc.

When it became obvious to him that I wasn't going to budge and that he WAS going to bed he stopped and, suddenly reaching for his pocket says, "Wait, I have money!" (a coin he had picked up during the morning)

I was already on my way out the door at that point, but I had the disctinct impression that my 3 year old was trying to bribe me.

Don't quite hardly know what to think about that.

Prayers

I just wanted to make a record here of a nice milestone.

We have always had family prayers with out 2 boys. We encourage them to kneel properly, fold their arms, remain quiet, and say 'amen' at the end.

For quite a few months now, Andy has been following Cooper's example and saying his own prayers (with help). Sarah or I will whisper into his ear and he will repeat what we tell him. He is getting better and better at it.

Cooper, on the other hand, is saying his own prayers, but by himself. It usually starts with him being thankful for his family, then our Heavenly Father gets a grand rundown of the day's events. Super important stuff.

Third and Fourth Genders

Sarah and I have been trying to help Cooper recognize the difference between boy and girl lately. In doing so, Cooper has now identified additional genders. Yes, that's right, there is more than just 'boy' and 'girl.' The other day we had a conversation that proceeded as follows:

Mom: "Cooper, are you a boy or a girl?"

Cooper: "um, girl"

Mom: "Nope, you are a boy. Mommy is a girl"

Dad: "Cooper, am I a boy?"

Cooper: "No"

Dad: "Hmm. Am I a girl?"

Cooper: "No. You're old"


Yes, I have transmorphed into that gender that gets us all over time, old.

Not content with just one extra gender, however, yesterday Cooper identified yet another. The conversation went like this:

Mom: "Cooper, are you a boy or a girl?"

Cooper: "A girl"

Mom: "No Cooper, you're a boy. Mommy is a girl"

Cooper: "No, you're a friend"


I think that's how we should introduce each other from now on.

"Hi, nice to meet you. This is my wife, Sarah. Since we've had kids we aren't male and female any more. Sarah's a friend, and I'm old."