On the second day of my summer vacation my Cody (6) was up bright and early. By 6:20 he was wearing his swimsuit. I got downstairs and found him reading a book on the couch. I poured myself a cup of coffee and sat down to listen.
As soon as the book was finished, he asked if we could set up the slip and slide. The time was 6:45. He had mentioned the slip and slide about 40 times the day before, so I wasn't terribly surprised.
I explained that the temperature was only 66 degrees. He was not persuaded, so I sent him outside to feel the temperature for himself. He came in and announced that it was perfect weather for the slip and slide.
By 7:00 the continual badgering wore me down. We went outside and set the slip and slide up in the front yard. Before I turned the water on, I looked at him and told him very firmly that if he was only outside playing for 15 minutes before getting cold and coming inside I would not set up the slip and slide at all for a week, and he would have to listen to me when I told him it was not warm enough. Of course I was completely confident he would only last about 3 minutes. He said he understood, and the water went on.
I watched through the window for a while. At first he was hesitant to get wet, but he quickly adjusted and appeared to be having the time of his life. After a few minutes he came to the door and asked if he could invite his neighborhood friends over for a slip and slide party. (Um, it's 7:08 and 67 degrees, no.) Next he wanted to know if he could wake up his two year-old sister for a slip and slide party. (Again: no.) He went back out and played happily (and very loudly) by himself for about 15 minutes.
I called my mom to report the ridiculousness of the situation. She was amused.
I was still on the phone when I heard him come to the door and shout:
Mom, has it been 15 minutes yet?
Yes.
Finally! Thank goodness!
and he came in.
This post is linked with Two Writing Teachers for their Tuesday Slice of Life Challenges. I hope to continue to grow as a writer by participating in this challenge over the summer. I'm also hosting a weekly summer linkup called Teacher in the Kitchen on Mondays. It's very low-key, and I'd love for other teacher bloggers and Slicers to join.
If you found this post to be interesting or fun, I'd love for you to connect with me!
Hahaha! I love that he made sure it had been 15 minutes.
ReplyDeleteMy parents always had a rule that we couldn't set up the pool or anything until it reached 88 degrees outside. Living in FL though that could happen in the middle of "Winter" so it didn't work to their advantage sometimes.
Such a cute story. I thought the story was going to end with you slip and sliding in the backyard at 7am, as your son did say it was "perfect weather for the slip and slide.' Enjoy your holidays, I'm sure that slip and slide will provide hours of slippery fun. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute story! Do you think he learned by experience from this to listen to his mother? I would no, thinking about my own children when they were little. I hope it warms up for you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous kick off to summer! May each day find him so inspired! 6:45 am and a slip and slide...wow. I am truly impressed. You were very sweet to let him go out and give this a try! Happy summer!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous kick off to summer! May each day find him so inspired! 6:45 am and a slip and slide...wow. I am truly impressed. You were very sweet to let him go out and give this a try! Happy summer!
ReplyDelete