The constructions
The constructions
February 13, 2009
There are two type of people in this world. Which type are you? Which types are your kids?
The first type of person likes to be cautious. To make sure everything is in order before beginning the task, job, game or opportunity. To research first, then act. This is the person who, on game night, pulls out the rules and reads them to everyone before anyone is allowed to spin, roll the die, start the timer or flip the hourglass. This is me.
The second type of person likes to dive right in. To toss the instructions in the trash and “wing it,” figuring out how the parts fit together, how the game is won, what’s the best way to proceed as they go. This is the person who enjoys playing video games but has never looked at the instructions to see which buttons make the character on screen take certain actions — and usually wins. This is my wife.
Not long ago, I learned which type of person our 3-year-old daughter is.
She loves to play games like Elefun, Don’t Break the Ice and Gator Golf. I was watching TV when she bounced into the living room with an enormous smile on her face. In her hands was a box containing one of her toddler games. I clicked off the TV, slid down off the couch and sat on the floor, “criss-cross-applesauce” (or Indian-style) per my daughter’s command, then watched as she dumped the contents of the box onto the floor.
I started to reach for the game pieces to help her get it ready but she stopped me in my tracks by looking at me sternly and exclaiming,
Wait Daddy! I need to read the constructions first.
The constructions. Kind of makes sense, doesn’t it? The instructions tell you how to construct, or assemble, the product. She just shortened 2 words into one term: constructions.
I couldn’t help but giggle when I noticed that she was holding her constructions upside-down as she “read” them to me. (Of course, she can’t read yet (although it won’t be long before she can), but “read” aloud to me and explained how the game is played just the same.)
This is one of my favorite toddler words that my daughter has invented so far. If you like this one, you might like to take a look at some of the previous blog posts I’ve written about Breanna’s toddler words:
Do you remember your children’s cute toddler words? If so, I would love to hear them. Simply click on the title of this blog post, then add your comment at the bottom. As always, thanks for reading Raleigh Daddy 3.0. 
10 Comments
Leave a Reply
Awesome Book:
www.tinyurl.com/DadTodayBook
See New Posts on Your Facebook Wall
Twitter: iFatherhood
-
While visiting Grams and Grampa she has been putting artwork on the “refrigelator” and there are “bilockulars” on the I Spy game, but the cutest was when she got a hangnail last night. It was on her ” #7 finger”, referring to her newfound counting abilities. “See Grams?”, she asked as she shot me the prettiest little bird.
My Boy used to say “Loidy Loidy Loidy Loidy” over and over again. I never knew what it meant but, he has just stopped saying it in the last two years so It must have been important. It was the first wordy sounding thing he produced when he was a baby and he kept it up right up until about his 5th birthday. Kinda weird. I know it’s not exactly a silly word that means anything identifiable, but it is funny.
Keith Wilcox´s last blog ..Celestial Seasonings Tour
Twitter: TraceyGritz
says:
My cousin, when he was little, could not pronounce the letter ‘T’. He was also obsessed with firetrucks. Anyway, anytime he would see a firetruck, he would scream, at the top of his lungs, FIRE*UCK! FIRE*UCK! We got the most interesting stares from other people!
As usual, I love it!!! I can just see her “reading” the instructions to you and telling you how to play the game. I’m so happy for this beautiful great-grandchild of mine that her daddy and momma will take the time to listen to and enjoy the experiences you share with her now. I’m waiting for the next blog now.
Twitter: BrianCSimpson
says:
Mom, that’s classic. Thanks for sharing. I know Bre had a blast up there in VA with you and dad the past 2 weeks. I’m just glad another snowstorm didn’t keep us from being able to come back up there to get her this weekend! It’s nice to have our little family of 3 together again.
Keith, if you guys lived here in the South, there would be no doubt what he was saying … the southern version of “Lordy Lordy Lordy!” (As in “Good Lord!” or “oh my Lord!”)
Tracey, that’s TOO FUNNY! Too bad you didn’t capture that on video! LOL
Mamaw, I’ll get to work on another blog post right away for you!
hey Brian,
I really enjoyed reading this blog and all the other ones as well. I can keep up with what Bre is up to now a days… she is so funny and let’s not forget smart! As for Leyla, she now just turned 3 in Jan. and some of her new toddler words are “chinchiladas” for enchiladas, “horse-cow” is a new breed of animals just recently discovered by her. She saw a horse with black spots on it, she said “look mommy, is a horse-cow”! and muffins are dolphins and pretzels are pencils for some reason.
Twitter: BrianCSimpson
says:
Awwww…. Leyla is such a cutie! Thanks for sharing this, Yajaira — it made me literally laugh out loud when I read it.
Brian´s last blog ..Yahoo article
Dear Raleigh Daddy,
My name is Kristi Uffman and I’m a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill majoring in Journalism (public relations). I came across your blog while I was doing some research for my internship. I’m working for Bounceback Kids, a local nonprofit, which enriches the lives of children with serious medical conditions and their families through free year-round recreational, athletic, and social activities. In an effort to learn more about the community the organization serves, I began reading local blogs, which has been a joy!
This story about your daughter and the word “construction” brought a smile to my face! It’s so funny what comes out in your personality when you’re so young. Your writing is a nice fresh breath of air and is always a pleasure to read!
Kristi´s last blog ..Wine Tasting and Auction Sponsors
Twitter: BrianCSimpson
says:
Wow, thanks for the kind words, Kristi!! I’m getting ready to start working on a book based on this blog. Maybe I’ll ask you to be one of the people to review it before it’s published. I’m envisioning the cover with your words in big bold print: “a fresh breath of air!”
Brian´s last blog ..Yogurt pants
Twitter: BrianCSimpson
says:
Kristi, I just now checked out your group’s site, bouncebackkids.org. What an awesome organization!!! It’s really cool that you are helping them out via your internship. I majored in COMM (with a concentration in PR), and one of my internships was with a non-profit — The March of Dimes. I’ll certainly help you promote Bounceback Kids in any way I can. Just let me know!