I should also explain (to people who don’t have children under the age of 12 in their lives) what Webkinz are. Picture a wide array of the cutest stuffed animals you’ve ever seen… all priced at $10 or $15 each. Attached to each animal is a tag with a special, one-of-a-kind code (like a social security number). Buy the animal and you can log the code into Webkinz.com, where you then obtain a virtual version of your pet to play with online. It usually comes with its own room, which can be decorated in various themes. It’s actually a pretty cool, creative, safe, FREE (after you buy the stuffed animal, that is) website. Ryan loves it and she’s got a crapload of these critters. Here are 3 of them…
Meet Stuart, Tucky, and Sweet Pea.So, I passed by the computer this afternoon while Ryan was playing in Stuart’s virtual room.
Me: Hey, Stuart has a menorah in his room.
Ry: Uh huh.
Me: Is he Jewish?
Ry: No. He just thinks Christmas isn’t the only important holiday.
Me: Does he?
Ry: Yes. He thinks it’s important to learn about other cultures.
Me: Oh. Well, he’s right. Plus, he gets 8 more presents!
Ry (looking stern): He’s not in it for the stuff, Mommy.
Me (looking chastised): Oh. Sorry. And good for him for not being materialistic.
Ry: Tucky and Sweet Pea celebrate Kwanzaa, you know.
Me: Really? Are they black?
Ry: Mommy, do they look black?
Me: Well, no. That’s why I asked. The only people I know who celebrate Kwanzaa are black.
Ry: Well, they’re not but they feel like Stuart. They think different is good and we should learn about different cultures because they’re interesting and it helps us to understand each other.
Me: Do they? Well, you know I think different is good, too. And I think they’re all pretty cool.
Ry: Yeah, I raised them well.
It’s weird to hear your own words come back at you from the mouth of your child. It’s weirder still to hear them applied to a mouse, a cocker spaniel, and a duck. Weird… but good… very, very good. There are days when Ryan’s just completely rotten and I think I’ve got this whole ‘mother’ thing all wrong. But then there are those days… good days… when I realize my kid is weird (in the best possible way) and I’m just so grateful and proud.
32 comments:
I just happened across your blog from a link on another site. I couldn't help checking it out because mine is called "More Mindless Rambling" so it was only natural that your blog title would capture my interest.
Ummmm... JCosmo... did you mix up your comment for this post with your comment for Lee's 'Happy Holidays' post? I'm confused (granted, that is my perpetual state...)
LOL...she raised them well. Aww...just like her Mommy before her did with her child. See? It's just a big cycle.
Weird is all relative. (And you've told us about your relatives). She sounds a little darling.
it's wonderful when the good days start out numbering those completely rotten days. she sounds like a great kid.
Brain-hand interface malfunction. Sorry.
Ahem...try again. The toys sound OK up to a point; sort of cuddly tamagotchi. She sounds a great kid.
SWEET!!
How unbelievably perfect!!! Ryan is a great kid because your a great parent!!! She knows and appreciates the differences in all of us. She is going to be so accepting of others its amazing really!!
Thanks sweet lady for your kind comment!!!
Hope you had a great day!!!!
JCosmo... we call that a 'brain-fart' here ;).
She is a great kid... most days. I try to remember THOSE days on the days when she's the devil incarnate... though I'll admit the devil days happen less often than they used to... thankfully :). I get through them by reminding myself (and her ;) that she could always go live with her dad!
I don't ever find myself thinking it would be interesting to spend time with kids, Diane. But I'm sure yours would be interesting :) I like her...
I'm soooooo behind! So instead of killing myself trying to catch up, I'll just pick up here! I hope I've taught my kids those same principles - you've done such an awesome job with Ryan! Just think, one day those Webkinz will gaze fondly up at her and tell her how 'weird' they think she is ;) HA!
It does seem that just when we think we got it all wrong in the parenting department, our kids will go and do something that lets us know that perhaps we got it right after all.
Oh, that's just wonderful. Good for Ryan -- and good for you!
"Weird" is a good thing in my house, too. :-)
Pearl
You and Ryan are both very lucky. And weird.
You know, if it wasn't a good kind of weird, the caring, community-activist kind of unusual, you'd totally be trying to pawn her weirdness off on me. You know you would! I can hear it now: "She gets that from her godmother."
I have never heard of Webkinz, how cool.;))
And you have a cool daughter, but I guess you already knew that.;))
My mum thinks you've done a great job with your kid and you're right to feel proud. Also, mum now wants a Webkinz - she's getting all excited. I do hope it doesn't get in the way of her getting a digi camera;)
What a good kid!
I have got to start paying closer attention. Because I know your kid is a daughter. Moron, that's a good word in my house, too. Keep up the good work!
My grandchildren introduced me to Webkinz a couple years ago and i now have 4 of them. I can now play online with my grandchildrenwho live out of state and keep in touch with them. They are cute and kind of addictive
Well said...and you should be very proud!
I love it when my kids say I'm weird too..it makes me grin all day! Ryan and you are weird..in a cool way!
Wow! She's one enlightened young lady. Webkinz are new to me, but they sound like a thought-provoking toy in a world where most are not. Good job, mom, on raising an intelligent, tolerant kid who sounds like she's great company.
By Jove, I think she's got it.
I love that post. Nicely done. Weird IS good, and I love your daughter mothering her pets. I am wondering if this Webkins thing could translate into Webkids - the new way to have and raise kids without actually having and raising them. :) Pretty funny. Hope you had a very merry christmas!!
That is awesome! Your daughter sounds great ... just like her mom! You should feel proud ... you are doing an amazing job with her. I love being "weird" in the same way, and I hope my son turns out that way as well (as far as I can tell, he is on track.)
Thanks too for the Webkinz info ... I wasn't sure EXACTLY what they were about but I see them everywhere!!!!
Glad you had a good holiday.
Very cool. I know you are so proud of her for being so "weird", or open-minded and well-rounded. However you wanna look at it! :)
glad to know the webkinz thing is an ok place - my niece has been doing it for years adn I was a little worried about what it was...but if there are weird folks, like ryan, and stuart and tucky there too, I don't feel so bad :-) Weird wrules!!
Aw, this is great. For two reasons. First, you explained what WebKinz are. Wait, is that how you spell it??? And second, your kid rocks -- you are raising her well!!!!
That was great. YOU did raise them right.
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