Danielle Bean » Overheard

Knows His Mom

Danielle — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 20:02:07 +0000

I took the younger kids on a hike in the woods this afternoon. A few minutes in, the trail got a little rough and wet. At one particularly messy spot, 10-year-old Stephen, our fearless leader, paused and looked back.

“Hold on just a minute, everyone,” he said with concern. “Mama, are you wearing heels?”

Lofty Goals

Danielle — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 23:01:56 +0000

5 year old Raphael: When I grow up, I want to be … a prankster.

Higher Education

Danielle — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 18:20:28 +0000

Stephen was asking about smoking cigarettes. Is it really addictive, he wanted to know. And why do people do it anyway? And how bad is it for your body?

As this was a great teaching moment, I was pleased to see a group of younger kids gathered to listen in while I answered his questions.

“I don’t understand,” Stephen finally said, “why the government doesn’t just make cigarettes completely illegal.”

Ah ha! More teaching moments! We talked about personal freedom and unjust governments that don’t respect human rights. We talked about the privilege of being American and the right to make personal decisions, even if sometimes they are poor ones.

“We must remember,” I finally summed up, “that with great freedom comes — ”

“GREAT RESPONSIBILITY!” a whole gang of kids interrupted to finish my sentence.

I was impressed.

“Yes, that’s right. Where did you hear that before?”

“Sponge Bob.”

Oh.

In My Place

Danielle — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:09:07 +0000

Daniel approached me with a copy of the Fall issue of Faith & Family magazine in hand.

“Will you roll this up for me,” he asked, “so that I can kill some flies?”

Wet Blanket

Danielle — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 03:23:05 +0000

Girl #1 (dreamily): When I grow up, I’m going to have a limousine and I will take it everywhere I go.

Girl #2 (practically): Good luck with parking.

Big Brother Patience

Danielle — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:38:08 +0000

“What color popsicle would you like?”

“Gween.”

“Here you go.”

“Uhhh, ack-chewally … yeyow.”

“There is no yellow.”

“Yeyow is on the box.”

“That’s orange.”

“Okay. Ack-chewally owange.”

“Here you go.”

“Uhhh … ack-chewally gween …”

My Morning, So Far

Danielle — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 16:06:14 +0000

“Can we watch Sponge Bob?”

“No.”

“How about now?”

“No.”

“How about video games?”

“No.”

“A movie?”

“No.”

“Now?”

“No.”

Poor Child

Danielle — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 18:30:15 +0000

I think he gets his “temperance” from me.

Stephen: I think I really like these mini Cadbury Eggs … because with the big ones, you just keep on eating them, even if it’s too much, and then you end up feeling sick. These little ones are less dangerous.

Holiday Confusion

Danielle — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 14:03:59 +0000

Daniel: I think I wanna be Superman for Easter.

Oh for goodness sake

Danielle — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:05:41 +0000

Raphael, on his desired decoration for his birthday cake: I want it to be a dragon who is breathing fire. And make it so the fire is going on a guy who is standing there. And all of his skin is melting off.

All in frosting, of course.