In my last article I wrote about the Phipps Plaza visit of Prince William to see Santa Claus. At that time he told Santa he wanted a couch and ottoman for Christmas. Santa said that was a first for him. But Will had just had his bedroom redecorated and wanted it for his bedroom.
I have learned as off-the-wall as some of the things he says may seem at the moment, when I understand his thinking on anything, I’m impressed with his logic at 4-years old. Particularly impressive is his solution to whatever problem comes to mind.
In my last article I described how he decorated my Christmas tree, however had not put lights on it. Yesterday I gave him a strand of 100 icicle lights, still in the box and told him he could put them on the tree. He looked at the pictures on the box, then said, “Oh no, these are outside lights for the house.” I told him I could not climb to install outside, that’s when he began his detailed explanation of standing a ladder against the house to climb to install.
About that time his father called to report he had just landed at the airport from a trip out west. William had no interest in his travels and began explaining how he found an angel in the garage and installed it on top of the tree. Saying he liked the angel as a tree-topper better than the star on top of the tree at his own house.
When he hung up, I said, “Tell me again what you want Santa to bring you.” I suppose he thought inasmuch as he had already given his list for couch and ottoman to Santa, now on to other things. He said he wanted an electric jeep, because his friend Brandon had one. I asked how Santa would get that down the chimney, and he supposed he could squeeze it to fit and if that didn’t work, he could leave it in the garage. He is seemingly never at a loss for a solution to anything.
Then asked him what else he wanted besides a jeep and he said he likes trains. I already knew that – he has boxes of all kinds of trains in his room.
Very interesting, this 4-year old boy wants things which are mechanical, that move and that one can ride, whereas girls want dolls and related items.
He loves any kind of game and is very competitive when he plays. We play tic-tac-toe, doodley squat and the latest is the game of checkers.
It was a windy day and we flew a kite in the front yard. He whooped and hollered, jumped up and down, yelling “This is awesome!” when a puff of wind came and picked the kite up.
As I reported several months back, he and I planted a little garden about ten by ten feet. He can handle a shovel or a hoe, and gets very excited planting seeds. He grew an amazing amount in the small plot. Tomatoes, jalapenos, spinach, sweet potatoes and flowers.
After the kite-flying we went to the backyard to discover Jack Frost had frozen everything, including the pretty flowers. I reminded him we needed to harvest the sweet potatoes and I handed him a hoe to start digging. Imagine the surprise and wide-eyed wonder of a 4-year old when he discovered sweet potatoes in the ground. They were quite small, but we washed them off, put them in a bag to give to his mom to bake for him.
In my growing up on a farm in northeast Georgia, after harvest time, farmers used the term “Laying-By Time” ’til spring. Never in my wildest imagination did it occur to me, there would come a time when I would be “laying-by” with a 4-year old grandson.
By this time he was hungry and wanted a bowl of porridge and fresh tomato for lunch. I turned on Sponge-Bob to watch while he was eating lunch. As soon as he finished, he enthusiastically announced he wanted to play checkers. After the checkers game, he wanted me to help him write a letter to his mommie on the computor. I said, “You dictate and I’ll write it. He signed it and put it in an envelope.
Shortly thereafter his mom came and he ran to the car, clutching his bag of sweet potatoes and letter, excitedly yelling “Look what I got!” And in the same breath, saying, “I wanna go play with Brandon.”
As far as yours truly, I was exhausted, but Prince William was still raring to go. I decided perhaps a bowl of porridge might give me the energy he has. But after eating all I wanted to do was take a nap.
Between tree-decorating, kite-flying, gardening, game-playing and discussion about Christmas, time spent with 4-year old Prince William is a joy and an experience like nothing else. “Out of the mouths of babes,” and through the eyes of a child, is a wonder to behold. Did I tell you he can also sing, dance, play a harmonica and help me cook?
I’m looking forward to Christmas Day, watching him drive that electric jeep, I’m sure Santa will not forget to deliver.
I hope all my readers have an opportunity to experience Christmas with a child. If you don’t have one, there are plenty of foster children, who need a grandmama at Christmas time. Go find one.
LET FREEDOM RING
JUST ME
AC
email: annecleveland@bellsouth.net
