Share Your Funny Kid Moments

[diamondjunkie]

Aw, djm!  I appreciate that!  I'm going to choose to believe that now..........even though my butt might as well have supported it's own planetary system at one point...........

[JewelryHog]

Now DJ.  Is that any way to talk about yourself?  My daughter used to ask me where I got my 'shaky arms'.  I just told her it was the price of having children.  She seemed satisfied with that.  Kudos to all the moms out there.....!!!

[Me-Ann]

LOL DJ!  Reminds me of what a friend of mine told about her little girl.  Mom was getting out of the shower and her little girl walked in the bathroom and looked at her mother in horror.  She cried, "Please tell me I'm not going to look like that when I grow up!"  Now that will boost the old self esteem!   

[Me-Ann]

This is certainly not a kid moment, but I'm worse than a kid so I'll post this anyway.  I can talk to just anyone, I mean a total rank stranger I can strike up a conversation.  My DH just cringes, he just never knows what I'll say.  Well, just the other night we made a trip in to Krispy Kreme, the beloved "hot light" was on.  While waiting in line to place our order we were gazing at all the many different kinds of goodies.  I was noticing a new kind, "whole wheat".  I noticed right beside me, a chubby little short lady like myself, looking through the glass trying to make her selection.  I gave her a little nudge with my elbow, smiling, I said, " If I'm gonna eat a donut I'm gonna get the good kind, aren't you?,  Who wants to get "whole wheat"!  To my horror, she immediately ordered a dozen glazed, and a dozen whole wheat.   I laughed all the way to the car!  OMIF   (open mouth, insert foot).

[djm195]

I'm having a bad Dad day.

Sitting here at work with a desk top full of things I have to get to before my work day starts -- all I can do is think of yesterday.

I'm just coming back from four days of moving my son to Florida where he is starting law school--orientation is today.  It was just he and I this weekend, setting up his apartment, oraganizing his stuff, opening up bank accounts, getting his electrcity, cable and internet service--all that fun stuff that goes into a move.

Yesterday morning he wakes me (early for him) and says: "Dad--let's have a buddies day". I quickly shower and half asleep (no coffee in his apartment), I jump into the passenger seat of his car--which is already going in reverse before my butt even touches the seat.

"Buddies day?" I said to him, "I haven't heard that term in 18 years".

"Yup", he says back at me, "buddies day".

Allow me to explain: When my son was little, (age 2 to age 5) and I was in the military--stationed in the South, we had certain days of the year that we called "Buddies Day". Buddies day-- because it was just the two of us. It was always on the Monday holidays, ( Memorial Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, etc) when DW had to work and I had the "kid watch".  The tradition was always the same--we would wake up early and walk hand-in-hand to the Waffle House --a typical "chain-style" southern diner just down the street from where we lived. I always sat at the counter, I always selected the 2 seats to the far left and I always lifted him up on the counter stool next to me. I called him my "big little guy" and always encouraged him to order for himself.  He would sit there for such a long time studying the laminated placement mat  menu with all the pictures of the items to order. We would spend the whole day together doing fun stuff but buddies day always started out at the Waffle House.

After a short five minute drive my son turns into a parking lot and I look up to see the huge sign that reads: Waffle House.

"Well here we are", he says with a huge grin. I can't help but laugh and quickly unbuckle my seat belt.

We walk in and it's exactly as I remembered, but this time, my son is in front of me and he's leading the way--directly to the last two seats on the far left of the counter. I'm amazed that he remembered. We sit down and I immediatley look down to find the laminated placemats with the colored pictures and chuckle to myself--that hasn't changed either. The waitress comes over, greets us and says to my son: "What'll you have handsome"?  

As I watch him decide, it takes me back 18 years and he's 3 years old. He rubs his forehead, looking down at the placemat menu the same way he did back then--making his cowlick more prominent than it already is.

"I'll have 2 eggs with bacon, homefries and a tall OJ please". He always ordered the same thing but had to look at every picture before making his decision. It was refreshing that I didn't have to remind him to say "please" like I did when he was three.  

Waitress: "Sir, would you like some coffee"?

Where did those 18 years go?--I ask myself and continue to stare at my son as he fidgits with his car keys.

Waitress(now a little louder): "Sir--coffee?

How did he get so big? When did he become a man?

Waitress (now practically yelling at me): "Sir-- WOULD YOU LIKE SOME COFFEE"?

Pause.

"Oh, you're talking to me, yes, I'll have a coffee.....make it a double.


I'm having a bad Dad day. I miss him so much already.

[GracefulLion]

Oh, djm, you have me in tears.  Seriously.  Stop.  You cannot do this to the mother of a 4-year-old.  Wow.  Beautiful.  Stop.  Sigh.

[luvnjewelry]

DJM... I really enjoy reading your posts.  I don't know how I missed this!   I can tell that your son has such a wonderful memory of those little buddy days that he wants to keep them going.   Time really does fly, but it is what you do that makes it count.   He looks to you as his father, friend, buddy and mentor!   What a legacy.........and I am sure that there will be many more awesome memories created.    I have often heard how hard the parents takes it when the child leaves home and moves into his own nest.  With a mentor like you, I am sure he will have no problem spreading his wings and flying!   Take comfort in knowing that you raised a child that  will follow in your footsteps to be a wonderful and sensitive father/husband to his wife and children.   You must be full of Pride!   

[luvnjewelry]

Aw, djm!  I appreciate that!  I'm going to choose to believe that now..........even though my butt might as well have supported it's own planetary system at one point...........

You stop that DJ....  I know that you are gorgeous!   Also the fact that you have been working so hard and have lost quite a bit of weight,  I bet you look smashing!    I have a picture to prove how great you look...Muhahaha!

[Sanchica27]

ok i totally cried...

[Diamondsbylauren]

What an amazing post djm....
AS the father of a 20 year old ( as of yesterday) your post took me to places I did not expect....


Of course, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Waffle House. Yes it's greasy, but what delicious grease!
They are open 24hours so you can go after a nite out... after a few beers we used to call the place "Awful House"...hehehe

[kleinkath]

What a wonderful story djm!  I too am struggling a little at the moment as mine is now 18 and starting college in a few weeks.  She is still living with me, but given the amount of time that I travel I don't see her nearly as much as I would like.  And, it is just making me realize that it will only get more so and not less... 

I know that it is a bad Dad day, but I think that it is in the best way.  How great it is to miss him and have him miss you instead of being glad to be gone 

[Mrs Mitchell]

You sound like a fantastic Day, DMJ. The kind that gets a loving and nostalgic mention in novels, the kind that inspires the hero of the film to to the right thing in the end, that sort of thing! Generally, just the kind of Dad that any kid would be proud to call their father.

So pleased that you two had such a great buddies day. Sounds like your boy grew up to be a credit to you!

Jen

[BigRed]

awwwwwwwwwwwwww djm!!!!! I too love the way you tell stories! I felt like I was sitting right next to you guys, in the awful waffle,(that's what we called it). How sweet of your son to do that most thoughtful gesture for you. He sounds like a great kid, who definitely knows his father. I know it must be really tough on you right now but by the sounds of it, you raised this boy(man) right. That buddies day was so filled with love and compassion. He knew how much it would mean to you and he wanted to make YOU feel better about this big change in both of your lives. Hang in there, we're here for you!

[Snooper]

Awwwwwww DJM! I just woke up and before I have my caffeine you make me cry!! Gosh, I felt like I was a bystander watching the two "buddies" having a "Buddy day" I can tell you and your son share great memories.  I know you'll miss him deeply but I can tell that from your post, you raised a great young man.  It's not everyday you find young men so focused and goal orientated! Best of luck to your son in Law School!

Glad you got your coffee! LOL

[diamondjunkie]

Oh DJM - man I want to reach through the computer and give you a great big hug right now.  I even read your story out to my DH who looked all heart warmed at the sound of it.  What a wonderful job you have done of raising your son - send him all our best wishes for law school and keep your chin up. He's obviously a fantastic man but will always be your 'big little guy'.   

[djm195]

Thanks everyone for you kind words. It was an incredibly rough day. Every time DW and I passed each other I'd see her eyes well up. I have a lump in my throat the size of New Hamshire. Your thoughts mean a lot to me. Thanks!
djm

[annie1]

What a wonderful story djm - it's clear how much your relationship means to your son. 

Your son and I are probably about the same age since I just finished undergrad in May, and I know it's been hard on my parents to see me move on.  My mom came to visit me in July, and she ended up staying for two weeks because she didn't want to leave.  I haven't lived at home for four years, but I think there's just something about graduating from school. 

Since I'm not a parent, I can't really imagine how hard it must be for you, but it's obvious that your son is grateful for all that you did!

[robin]

Awwww, DJM, what a wonderful story!

Huge congrats to your son on starting law school-- and to you on raising such a wonderful son.

(Don't tell DJ, because it's not exactly Fitness Challenge material, but I LOVE Waffle House!  A pecan waffle AND a cheese omelet.... yum!)

--Robin

[Sanchica27]

we have IHOP but no waffle house, if i ever run across one i will make it a point to visit!

[BigRed]

Oh man I love the pecan waffles!!!!! YUMMY!!!!

[titania]

"I just finished undergrad in May, and I know it's been hard on my parents to see me move on.  My mom came to visit me in July, and she ended up staying for two weeks because she didn't want to leave.  I haven't lived at home for four years, but I think there's just something about graduating from school. "

That's a sweet post, Annie, and very true. Our younger daughter also graduated in May, and is "moving on," and yes, it's an incredible time of life for us (as well as for her!). Best of luck to all the grads -- there are such great years ahead! And....bittersweet for parents, although we wouldn't have it any other way!

[RedRaider]

Since I don't have any children of my own, I'll have to share a story from my niece.

A couple of years ago when the Winter Olympics were happening, my niece was infatuated with the ice skating.  It was like pulling teeth to get her away from the television.  It was bathtime, and my sister was trying to get her in the tub.  Every time she'd get a piece of clothing off of her, my niece would run back into the living room to watch the skating.  Finally, she was down to the last stitch of clothing, and my niece started to "imitate" the skaters.  My sister caught this photo of her "skating."  It's just the cutest thing, and my sister and I already have *blackmail* plans for it when she turns about 16!!!

~RR

[Snooper]

ROTF!! Oh that is too funny!! She is going to die when that picture surfaces when she is older! LOL

[luvnjewelry]

LOL!  That is too cute.... will definately make for a good blackmail story!

[acebruin]

lol i can't wait to see the look on her face when she sees that picture in high school!