We’re barely two weeks in to Kindergarten and we’ve already had back to school night, mastered the crazy morning drop off, had the first (of many, I’m sure) vomiting episodes and thus a first absence, and now…well, the sheer volume of questions has my head spinning.
If Big Brother had to raise his hand for every question he has asked lately…he’d have muscles the size of his head! I find myself mumbling this constant refrain “hmm…I’m not sure, we are going to have to look that one up”. We have pages worth of unanswered questions and it leaves me wondering…if I’m stumped now, we’re in big trouble.
Here is just a sample of the questions that have come up lately…along with my lame attempt at an answer.
Is the sun as hot as lava? Hmm…I’m not sure. I know it’s pretty hot, we’re going to have to look that up. He wants numbers. I vaguely remember reading this somewhere before, but the answer escapes me.
How do the leaves on the tree change color? (I feel like I should know this answer, but can’t seem to come up with it on the fly..so here’s what I say): hmm…that’s a good question. I’m not sure, we’re going to have to look that up. Okay I did throw something in about the weather changing but it seemed inadequate.
Are there any superheroes in our world? (Yay, I know this one…but instead say): Yes, your Dad. But Big Brother says…”No, I mean the kind that has a lightening bolt on their shirt”. Oh okay, you mean that kind…well then no, they are only make believe. Somehow I feel guilty saying this.
How much horsepower did the first car ever built have? Hmmm….another good question. I don’t know, I’m going to have to look that up. I think I threw something in about horses pulling carriages and that the term horsepower must have come from that. It’s not exactly what he asked, but I didn’t want him to think I was completely clueless.
What does i-d-i-o-t spell? What, um…oh…I don’t know…nothing.
Oops…okay, not my finest moment but I did spell it, which apparently, spelling so they won’t understand will soon be a luxury of the past. And, in my defense the i-d-i-o-t driving in front of me didn’t feel the need to pull over for the ambulance trying to make its way to the hospital.
Dad, why are you just like a kid? Okay this was more of a statement than a question but still, I thought is was comical and cute.
Well enough of the questions for now, I’ve got my work cut out for me.
Here is something Big Brother already knows and has taught me: “Mom, if someone else is talking and you start talking, it’s like you’re stepping on their words”. Perfect. Couldn’t have said it better myself. Thank you Mrs.Kindergarten Teacher. I really like that.
However, now I get to hear “Moommm….Little Sister is stepping on my words!” This is followed by an even louder “Mommmmy….Big Brother stepped on my name!”. And so it goes…stepping all over each other on car rides to just about anywhere.
What questions are you getting asked these days? Any chance you know any of the above answers?
“stepping on their words” That is a brilliant child!
I personally can't wait for questions that are more detailed than the constant, “Dis?” we get over here!
“stepping on their words” That is a brilliant child!
I personally can't wait for questions that are more detailed than the constant, “Dis?” we get over here!
Haaaa…These are great…I still want to know the answer to why Dad is like a kid…I keep asking myself that question too….BwHahahahah…..let me know if you think of an answer
Haaaa…These are great…I still want to know the answer to why Dad is like a kid…I keep asking myself that question too….BwHahahahah…..let me know if you think of an answer
What a smartie!
The “stepping on my words” is brilliant!
That's hilarious! I always get questions like: “what does 'actually' mean?”…gotta love the questions!
That's hilarious! I always get questions like: “what does 'actually' mean?”…gotta love the questions!
Ah. The world through the eyes of a little boy. We have the superhero discussion nearly every day in our house. I like that it's a universal discussion for moms of boys this age.
“Is the sun as hot as lava?” You have a smart one on your hands, Melissa.
Ah. The world through the eyes of a little boy. We have the superhero discussion nearly every day in our house. I like that it's a universal discussion for moms of boys this age.
“Is the sun as hot as lava?” You have a smart one on your hands, Melissa.
What a smart boy you have! And it sounds like he's going to a great kindergarten! How wonderful that his curiosity is so fired up! I think I can take a stab at the sun vs. lava question…they're both hot! But I have to guess that the sun would make the lava look like an iceberg! Think about it, the sun has the capability to burn us from like 18 billion miles away. I'm not sure about the distance….I'll have to ask my daughter! LOL
What a smart boy you have! And it sounds like he's going to a great kindergarten! How wonderful that his curiosity is so fired up! I think I can take a stab at the sun vs. lava question…they're both hot! But I have to guess that the sun would make the lava look like an iceberg! Think about it, the sun has the capability to burn us from like 18 billion miles away. I'm not sure about the distance….I'll have to ask my daughter! LOL
Ooh, I like the stepping on words comment! I may use that…and we have a dad in our house who is just like a kid, too!
I love that they ask SO many questions, but doesn't it feel overwhelming when you realize you don't know? We don't even understand the stuff our son the senior is doing in school, so we nod and smile…thank God for Google!
Ooh, I like the stepping on words comment! I may use that…and we have a dad in our house who is just like a kid, too!
I love that they ask SO many questions, but doesn't it feel overwhelming when you realize you don't know? We don't even understand the stuff our son the senior is doing in school, so we nod and smile…thank God for Google!
I need to use “stepping on my words”. Ryan has a major issue with interrupting when I am talking to other adults, and also when I am on the phone. It is really embarrassing and I haven't found a successful way to make him stop! Love all the questions. I don't know how I'd answer most of those either!
I need to use “stepping on my words”. Ryan has a major issue with interrupting when I am talking to other adults, and also when I am on the phone. It is really embarrassing and I haven't found a successful way to make him stop! Love all the questions. I don't know how I'd answer most of those either!
LOL…love it! You were supposed to use the super hero question to your advantage,”Yes of course they exist and you know how they get their super powers? They eat all their veggies!”…I guess it's true as we hear~ men never truly become 100% adult so we must all add a half kid when telling the world how many kids we have. So I have 4 1/2 kids~SO TRUE! I still remember the one question that literally left me speechless asked by Ali when she was about 5 or 6. The question was~”Mom if God made us who made God?”…I literally did not know how to respond. I said thats a great question sweetie when your dad gets home we will all sit down and talk about it since it is that important. Of course I remember calling their dad at work giving him heads up on the topic of discussion for the night~it gave us time to prepare. We actually got construction paper out and did visuals~I think it went well:) Did it answer her question~not sure, but it was enough to pacify the moment…lol
LOL…love it! You were supposed to use the super hero question to your advantage,”Yes of course they exist and you know how they get their super powers? They eat all their veggies!”…I guess it's true as we hear~ men never truly become 100% adult so we must all add a half kid when telling the world how many kids we have. So I have 4 1/2 kids~SO TRUE! I still remember the one question that literally left me speechless asked by Ali when she was about 5 or 6. The question was~”Mom if God made us who made God?”…I literally did not know how to respond. I said thats a great question sweetie when your dad gets home we will all sit down and talk about it since it is that important. Of course I remember calling their dad at work giving him heads up on the topic of discussion for the night~it gave us time to prepare. We actually got construction paper out and did visuals~I think it went well:) Did it answer her question~not sure, but it was enough to pacify the moment…lol
Wow, this almost makes me glad that my daughter doesn't ask questions. Those all would have stumped me too. Sounds like Google will be getting a workout around your house!
Wow, this almost makes me glad that my daughter doesn't ask questions. Those all would have stumped me too. Sounds like Google will be getting a workout around your house!
What a smart boy! It's so great that you admit when you aren't sure of something. Looking it up together is a fun way for your son (and you!) to learn.
At my house, I have to look stuff up all the time. My sons are in advanced math, so I often have to Google how to figure out some equation. Very embarrassing. But I try to embrace the idea that I'm showing them that a person is never too old to learn something new (or re-learn something forgotten, as the case may be).
What a smart boy! It's so great that you admit when you aren't sure of something. Looking it up together is a fun way for your son (and you!) to learn.
At my house, I have to look stuff up all the time. My sons are in advanced math, so I often have to Google how to figure out some equation. Very embarrassing. But I try to embrace the idea that I'm showing them that a person is never too old to learn something new (or re-learn something forgotten, as the case may be).
This is so cute. I have a Kindergartner too.Lucky for me, I work for an online tutoring service and once the questions get out of my realm of expertise..I can refer them to my coworkers..for free:)LOL AS for now, I will certainly look it up on the internet and take all credit:)
I am your newest follower. I wanted to thank you for stopping by my blog.I look forward to reading more of your blog. I think it is awesome that you are a pediatrician turned SAHM. I have so many friends who went to law school and med school and in the end, we all chose to be like our Mothers ( something I swore I'd never do:). Happy Mothering!
Also,wanted to let you know that I posted my first of a month long of Be a Better me challenges today, hope you can stop by and link up!
http://motherhoodthetruth.blogspot.com/2010/09/be-better-me-you-challenge-day-1out.html
This is so cute. I have a Kindergartner too.Lucky for me, I work for an online tutoring service and once the questions get out of my realm of expertise..I can refer them to my coworkers..for free:)LOL AS for now, I will certainly look it up on the internet and take all credit:)
I am your newest follower. I wanted to thank you for stopping by my blog.I look forward to reading more of your blog. I think it is awesome that you are a pediatrician turned SAHM. I have so many friends who went to law school and med school and in the end, we all chose to be like our Mothers ( something I swore I'd never do:). Happy Mothering!
Also,wanted to let you know that I posted my first of a month long of Be a Better me challenges today, hope you can stop by and link up!
http://motherhoodthetruth.blogspot.com/2010/09/be-better-me-you-challenge-day-1out.html
i tell craig all the time that our spelling days are NUMBERED!
i tell craig all the time that our spelling days are NUMBERED!
Note to Funky Mama Bird: and I'd give anything in the world to hear, with a chubby little dimpled upheld hand, “Dis?”
Heart melting…puddles… all over…
Note to Funky Mama Bird: and I'd give anything in the world to hear, with a chubby little dimpled upheld hand, “Dis?”
Heart melting…puddles… all over…
Another priceless blog. Now we know why the program ” Are You Smarter than a 4th Grader was such a hit” Maybe they should revamp the show “Who wants to be a Millonaire” and only ask question from children from K thru 3rd grade. I would bet that the contestants would all have to use their life lines!
Who said being a SAHM was boring. It a challenging job to stay engaged at all times!
Love You, Mija
Another priceless blog. Now we know why the program ” Are You Smarter than a 4th Grader was such a hit” Maybe they should revamp the show “Who wants to be a Millonaire” and only ask question from children from K thru 3rd grade. I would bet that the contestants would all have to use their life lines!
Who said being a SAHM was boring. It a challenging job to stay engaged at all times!
Love You, Mija
hannah's come home from kindergarten with some interesting ones, but i have to say that yours win! we just hit up the google on anything that i don't know (which basically means EVERYTHING!).
This was fun to read. I can't believe your son has all these questions and is only in kindergarten!
This was fun to read. I can't believe your son has all these questions and is only in kindergarten!
Never a dull moment with a 5 year old in the house! I won't even go into what my 5 year old comes up with having two older siblings!
Never a dull moment with a 5 year old in the house! I won't even go into what my 5 year old comes up with having two older siblings!
LOVE the “stepping on words” description – I must implement – IMMEDIATELY!! (Boy oh boy – there is LOTS of stepping on words in this house!) And I love the ?'s Big Brother is asking – so smart!! I LOVE them! We also have the same question to Dad (about being a kid), except I'm usually the one asking that one! 😉
LOVE the “stepping on words” description – I must implement – IMMEDIATELY!! (Boy oh boy – there is LOTS of stepping on words in this house!) And I love the ?'s Big Brother is asking – so smart!! I LOVE them! We also have the same question to Dad (about being a kid), except I'm usually the one asking that one! 😉
I just walk right over and google it! It's funny because the mom on Sid the Science Kid (PBS) does that too!
“My mom's real good with computers,” Sid always says.
Adorable! I remember the day my son started kindergarden like it was yesterday. But next week that same son starts high school. Amazing.
Adorable! I remember the day my son started kindergarden like it was yesterday. But next week that same son starts high school. Amazing.
So cute! Those questions kill me. Usually I say “I think your Dad knows the answer to that one” and send them on their way.
So cute! Those questions kill me. Usually I say “I think your Dad knows the answer to that one” and send them on their way.
Pretty sure I could answer the “Dad, why are you just like a kid?” question. The rest, I usually let dad handle. Everyone in our house knows he's way smarter than me, anyway.
I'm new here – I love your blog!!! I'm now a follower and look forward to your posts
I'm new here – I love your blog!!! I'm now a follower and look forward to your posts
Sweet, insightful questions … curiosity is a very good thing. ;0) The questions I've been getting lately have been pretty tough. With a 10-year-old (who is starting to notice girls) and a 13-year-old who's going on 30, I often feel I'm being asked questions that are beyond my “pay grade”! ;0)
Sweet, insightful questions … curiosity is a very good thing. ;0) The questions I've been getting lately have been pretty tough. With a 10-year-old (who is starting to notice girls) and a 13-year-old who's going on 30, I often feel I'm being asked questions that are beyond my “pay grade”! ;0)
I got the “How does a baby grow in your belly?”
a. You go buy it?
b. You eat something and it gets there?
c. Daddy gives you some fertilizer?
I went with C and said I'll explain how it works soon.
I got the “How does a baby grow in your belly?”
a. You go buy it?
b. You eat something and it gets there?
c. Daddy gives you some fertilizer?
I went with C and said I'll explain how it works soon.
My personal favorite is “What does i-d-i-o-t spell?”.
My son does not talk much yet, but I can tell you about our dog… Because she was getting far to excited anytime we mentioned “going out” even though it may not have been for her, we started saying “O-U-T”.
Well, the dog now knows very well that Ohyoutee means she gets a walk, period.
Who are we kidding?
My personal favorite is “What does i-d-i-o-t spell?”.
My son does not talk much yet, but I can tell you about our dog… Because she was getting far to excited anytime we mentioned “going out” even though it may not have been for her, we started saying “O-U-T”.
Well, the dog now knows very well that Ohyoutee means she gets a walk, period.
Who are we kidding?
I know the answers to #1 and 2!!!!
1) Hot Lava is around 800-1400K (K = Kelvin, for non sci-folk). Some volcanoes run hotter than others.
The Sun's surface is 5770K. Chromosphere is much hotter, like 100,000K and the core is in the millions.
(< ----watches too much Nova) 2) This site explains it perfectly.
http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/misc/leaves/leaves.htm
4) I've heard the same thing about horsepower.
5) Too funny! I'm impressed with your restraint in not swearing around the kiddos. I am HORRIBLE about it!
The neighbor kid ran in to tell me Thing1 had “said a bad word”. I asked which word, thinking it was any of the Big 5; she hears me mumbling them all day… “she said 'stupid'” he says.
“Really?” I ask. He just nods, very solemnly.
I can't believe no one has fessed up with the following- when your kid asks you a question you don't know the answer to MAKE IT UP! That's what we all did in the prehistoric pregoogle times
I can't believe no one has fessed up with the following- when your kid asks you a question you don't know the answer to MAKE IT UP! That's what we all did in the prehistoric pregoogle times
I hear you! I work with kindergartners and I hear these amazing and humorous questions, comments and explanations on a regular basis. That is one of the things I love about my job. They make GREAT blog material too! You sound like a very loving and conscientious mother. I commend you for staying home with your children. My five are grown and out of the house and I was blessed to have had the opportunity to stay home with them as that time in life NEVER comes again. It has been said that the greatest work you will ever do is within the walls of your own home. I am a firm believer of that! Enjoyed reading and finding your blog!
I hear you! I work with kindergartners and I hear these amazing and humorous questions, comments and explanations on a regular basis. That is one of the things I love about my job. They make GREAT blog material too! You sound like a very loving and conscientious mother. I commend you for staying home with your children. My five are grown and out of the house and I was blessed to have had the opportunity to stay home with them as that time in life NEVER comes again. It has been said that the greatest work you will ever do is within the walls of your own home. I am a firm believer of that! Enjoyed reading and finding your blog!