Day 550 - Grandparental Guidance

During the week, Crazy Grandma and Lazy Grandpa Ichikawa probably spend more time with the kids than either Lisa or myself. When Lisa and I get the kids for the weekend, there are times when we observe that the kids have learned different things that we have never taught them. It might be a word that Emma has never spoken. Or it might be a movement that Andrew has never done. And I definitely believe my parents have influenced the kids with their new found interest in bifocals, walking canes, and Indian casinos.

What is most revealing to me about the kids are the pictures that I find my dad has taken throughout the week. There have been times when I wonder why the kids are climbing in a certain area that has been prohibited or opening a cabinet that they never opened before. After looking at Lazy Grandpa's pictures, I realized that my parents allow the kids to be as curious and adventurous as they want to be when Mom and Dad are away at work.

Here are a few pictures that I have discovered over the past few weeks:

Recently, Andrew learned how to turn on the radio. I'm sure it won't be too long until he learns how to fall on the floor from the armrest of the loveseat.

My computer desk drawers have always been off limit. But as you can see, they are not off limit when Crazy and Lazy are babysitting.

I always pull the kids down when they got too close to the television. But with Crazy and Lazy, instead of pulling them down, they pull out a camera to take a picture.


Just because the kids don't want to be in their car seats doesn't mean you can let them run on the freeway.

Although I work in television production, I do not want my kids to work in the entertainment industry. Yet my parents ignored me and got Emma and Andrew on Survivor.


It clearly says on our "Things the Kids Can't Do" list, "Do not let them ride on bears."