where in I scar my child for life

We recently returned from a quick trip to Saskatchewan. We had a great trip, the weather was actually decent, and Ada is now convinced that Saskatchewan = FUN!

Go figure...

On our flight home we had the pleasure of sharing the plane with lots and lots of fresh military recruits. These guys were easy to spot, fresh faces, new military haircut, look on their face like either they were about to conquer the world, or about to wet their pants. It made for a quiet flight.

We land in San Diego a bit early, get off the plane easily and whip into our airport routine. Elliot jets off to get the car, Ada and I head to baggage claim to get our bag and then wait out on the curb for Elliot. Usually there is a time gap between when we get the bag and when Elliot shows up with the car so Ada and I spend a little extra time with our fellow passengers enjoying the fresh air. Usually this consists of trying to avoid smokers and distracting Ada enough that she doesn't melt down (remember she just left her beloved Saskatchewan AND there is no more prospect of a plane to bribe her with). This time it was slightly different. The drill sergeants were already working their new recruits over right there in front to Terminal 1. We were far enough away that Ada couldn't see the recruits, but we heard the chorus of 'Sir, Yes Sir' ringing through the night air.

Ever inquisitive Ada asked what the Er, Es, Er was and who was saying it. I did my best to have her recount the guys on the plane with the short hair (she didn't really remember) and then I did my best to explain to her the process of boot camp (what I know, Dad I'm sorry if I got this all wrong) and how important it is for the military to break down new recruits so they can build them up to be bigger, stronger, smarter and to make sure that everyone has the same base to work from. I told her it was probably the hardest thing these guys will ever go through, but that it was important, and that they were great and honorable men for making the decision to give their time to our country to defend freedom.

Ada got a bit quiet, and then very solemnly from the back she stated, "I don't ever want to go to boot camp". Realizing that maybe I had made the description a little too stark for a four year old I tried to back peddle, I told her that her Papa had gone through something like that and he was OK.

Ever quick with her logic, Ada's response was simple, "Well, he was a GIANT when he went through it!"

Miss Piggy

Ada has been asking us to play Tinkerbell or Minnie Mouse a lot lately. She'll hand out assignments to all of us, and sometimes her other stuffed animals too and then we'll act out whatever script is in her head. The characters are really a small part of the whole activity, for example, Tinkerbell will often find herself doing push-ups, a very unfairy like thing to do.

So the other night Ada asked me to play Tinkerbell, I hesitated slightly and she took a different tact. She asked me who my favorite character was... I thought and thought and for some reason the following came out of my mouth.. 'Kermit the Frog'. The perplexed look on her face was priceless. Who the heck is Kermit the Frog.

It quickly hit me, Ada had no idea who Kermie is, or any of his other Muppet friends. I tried to explain, but apparently a talking green frog was not all that impressive to this modern day four year old. Then she asked who she could be if we played Kermit the Frog... well that one was easy enough - Miss Piggy! That of course sparked a whole new bout of questions the first and foremost "Who is Miss Piggy". I had done such a horrible job with Kermie that I decided to show her the real thing. I popped open my laptop and pulled up some old Muppet skits on YouTube.

For the next 15 minutes the education of one generation to the next took place. There were so many things I had forgotten about and Ada thought the Muppets were as hilarious as I once did. And Miss Piggy? Well let's just say Ada has a new favorite character!

And Ada and I have a very special new game that we play. I just hope Miss Piggy likes to do push-ups.