Sunday, August 9, 2009

the second



It is the final long weekend of the four.  Jade, the eldest of the twins, the second grandchild, who claimed going last, is spending her four days with us.


Jade is funny and smart and talkative and creative and did I say smart?  She is a Math Genius.   She scored 100% on the math portion of her forth grade TAKS test (for those who don’t know what the TAKS is it’s the test students have to take every two years to advance to the next grade level).  She sees the big picture.  Individual elements will sometimes stymie her but she can look at all the components of a thing and instantly see how they all go together.  She can visualize a scene or scenario and rattle it off so fast you have trouble keeping up but jotting it all down on paper is more difficult.  She’s basically a happy kid when she’s not viewing her life as a glass half empty, which is all too often.  She tends to want to give back what she receives instead of giving what she wants to receive.  We’re working on that.


Whereas, all the kids like to help in the kitchen, Jade wants to learn how to cook.  She came with one of her mother’s cookbooks and we went through it and picked out recipes for each night’s dinner and dessert.  So I am teaching her how to cook.  She is doing it all while I instruct and supervise and lend an occasional helping hand.  I haven’t spent this much time in the kitchen in years.  


Before we start cooking for the day, we have been going around exploring some of the weird little shops out here and garage sales or she’s been busy drawing, coloring and cutting out accessories for her scenarios.  She made her chef’s hat (and one for me that said ‘chef’s helper #1’).  She’s had the camera mostly so I have used some of the pictures she took of herself.



11 comments:

  1. hello ellen, a loving and lovely post!!! i love the idea of sharing time to teach cookery. it's a magic gift that plays out through the course of a person's life and most amazingly - gets handed on!! it's about care and love for another person, which shines through this post. have a lovely time with her ellen!!! steven

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  2. You have created such wonderful memories with each child. They will no doubt treasure this in the coming years!

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  3. Wow - I guess they ARE twins - I thought it was the same grandchild (don't tell them - I'm sure they don't want to hear it). You were a brave grandparent to have them all over this summer!

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  4. I'm guessing that the mathematical mind also coped well with following any recipes that you used? I'm not sure how well that chef's hat would deal with a hot steamy kitchen, she may well emerge with a mass of paper mache on her head!

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  5. I've read your posts about ypur grandchildren visiting and I must say they show how well you know them and how much you love them. Enjoy their company! I mean, Jade's this time and the others' when you're together.

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  6. What a fun post - there is nothing better than celebrating family!

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  7. Love the post. And super cute pic in the Chef hat!

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  8. Jade is a beautiful name and she sounds like a wonderful girl, too.

    A mad math scientist in the kitchen? What could be better than that? May she find healing in the ancient and wonderful art of recipes and nourishment.

    Damn you are such a GREAT grandmother, Ellen!

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  9. I'm with Reya! You are such a great grandmother and it really shows in you grandchildren! Jade is a gem and very photogenic. Come on over, when you have time, I have an award for you!

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  10. Warm and feel good post. What cute kids, too. And, smart. Wow. I got passed to the next grade because the teacher couldn't stand me anymore! Ha. I also loved the slide show widget in your post, very creative. I'll have to steal that idea! Good job.

    Best Regards, Galen
    Imagineering Fiction Blog

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  11. What a wonderful experience for you both. I miss so much when my grandkids were this age. How fortunate for you to have the time to make memories for them and also for you.

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