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Staying Young at Heart: Tips from the Peanut Gallery

Posted by Jen on October 8, 2008 at 7:00 AM in Jen

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Carter is in a state of near delirium. Yesterday (on my birthday) he talked his father into letting him buy me The Encyclopedia Immaturity: How to Never Grow Up, a big fat red book full of every silly thing you ever forgot from your childhood. Along with this lovely present (so fitting for a fortieth birthday) came this card:

I was not offended. If there is anything I know about Carter, my sage old soul, it's that he understands neither one of us will live forever, and the thought that I would go first just kills him. It's heavy stuff, I know, but that's Carter. The best I can do is live life with him with all the passion and joy I have in my heart; this and this alone gives his tender heart comfort.

Hence, the book. It makes perfect sense. If either one of us could make time stand still by not growing up or getting older--well, nothing could be better than that.

He makes me promise we'll do something from the book everyday. Absolutely. Today it's that trick where you hold your arms in tight against a doorway, then take a step forward and watch them rise like magic (page 60). Remember that one? Tomorrow it's learn how to make noises under your arm (page 18). The Encyclopedia graciously cleans up the titles of all these little tricks, but we know better. Those "funny" noises you make under your arm sound remarkably like someone just cut the cheese--please!

Either way, I'm glad with a seven year old boy, I won't have to grow up anytime soon. At least not until I learn how to build a plastic spoon catapult (page 124) or set the world record on finger snapping (page 47).

What silly little thing are you bringing back from your childhood to enjoy with your kids this time around? Comments are reserved for skipping stones, Miss Mary Mack or whatever else you've got going to keep you young at heart.