Raising a Suth-uh-nuh

When I was growing up, my mother used to sometimes take my hand and squeeze it three times. It meant I love you. One squeeze per syllable. It was a way to convey a bit of sweetness in situations where talking wasn't called for.

I have carried on the tradition with my oldest. Today I took his hand and gave it three squeezes. I love you. He immediately took up my hand to return the sentiment.

squeeze
squeeze
squeeze
squeeze
squeeze
squeeze
squeeze
squeeze
squeeze
squeeze
squeeze

I looked at him completely puzzled, so he did it again, this time whispering a syllable for each squeeze.

squeeze YOU
squeeze ARE
squeeze THE
squeeze BEST
squeeze MOM
squeeze IN
squeeze THE
squeeze EN
squeeze TI
squeeze UH
squeeze WORLD

En-ti-uh. It's how he says "entire". Even his squeeze messages have a little drawl.

drawl
noun
A drawl is a perceived feature of some varieties of spoken English, and generally indicates longer vowel sounds and/or diphthongs. Varieties of English which are said to feature pronounced drawls include Southern American English and Australian English, especially Broad Australian English.
"drawl." Wikipedia. Wikipedia, 2005. Answers.com 01 Jul. 2006. http://www.answers.com/topic/drawl

Like bread

I'm on the phone with my cousin, catching up. She asks what grade my oldest is in.
I say, "He'll be in second this fall." When I hang up, he's waiting.

"Mom, just say I'm rising."
"Rising?" I'm confused.
"Yes, I'm rising up into second grade."

Ah. Rising.

rising
adjective
Advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status.
"rising." WordNet 1.7.1. Princeton University, 2001. Answers.com 30 Jun. 2006. http://www.answers.com/topic/rising

Park your ark (but just for now)

After what feels like 40 days and nights of rain, the clouds have parted briefly. The sun is peeking out, and the roads look almost completely dry. Alas, I was about to be lulled into a false sense of dryness, but when I stepped onto our back lawn, it audibly squelched.

squelch
verb
To produce a splashing, squishing, or sucking sound, as when walking through ooze.
"squelch." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. Answers.com 27 Jun. 2006. http://www.answers.com/topic/squelch

The rain is due to start back up in 4 days.

Zee

The illustrations are darling; I'll give the book that much. I want to reach in and shake hooves with the little zebra, Zee. But otherwise, the library book my youngest son chose is awful.

For instance, the zebra parents? Feigning sleep. While little Zee is awake and meandering around the house by himself. And he tells us right off the bat they will be angry if he wakes them. So he is fumbling around the kitchen, making coffee for them so they might wake up. NICE HOT COFFEE. He trips on a toy and VERY NEARLY BURNS HIMSELF, but is mostly concerned with the spilled coffee. Because now his parents won't wake up happy. Are you getting all this?

Finally he takes the remainder of the coffee to them in doll cups, and they complain about it and decide not to get up because it isn't enough coffee. The End. Happy, happy end.

I am so appalled by this book. It flies in the face of nearly every parenting belief I have.

fly in the face of
idiom
Also fly in the teeth of.
Act in direct opposition to or defiance of. This metaphoric expression alludes to a physical attack.
[Mid-1500s]
"fly in the face of." The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1992. Answers.com 25 Jun. 2006. http://www.answers.com/topic/fly-in-the-face-of