A new collective noun inspired by my recent usage of "murder of crows." I present "terror of toddlers" as a new collective noun.
Usage: "I invited one too many kids to my son's party and ended up with a terror."
What could possibly be more appropriate? Get the word out.
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On a car ride with The Boy, The Wife, his grandmother and grandfather...
The Boy (in reference to something completely unrelated): "I'm confused."
Me: "Just wait until you get married."
The Boy's grandfather laughed and for some reason his grandmother offered to let me walk the rest of the way. I felt The Look from my wife bounce harmlessly off.
Was I wrong? I think not.
============
The Boy's grandparents wanted him to spend the night since she hadn't seen him much over the holidays. We, of course, were more than happy to unload him and go enjoy ourselves oblige.
The Wife asked, "Would you like to go to your grandparents' for the night?"
The Boy nodded and replied, "I could use some time away from you people."
I can't fault him for stating the obvious. I actually admire his wisdom at such an early age.
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An Award
This award comes from Nonna at Nonna's Nonsense. I would like to thank her sincerely for it and apologize for taking so long in getting around to acknowledge it. Stop by and check her out if you get a chance. I really do like this award because it emphasizes the community of blogging. Here it is:
“These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must may choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.”
Okay, so I changed a word in there because I never give awards and expect people to pass them on. I only give awards out to people that I enjoy reading and that's that. If you choose to pass it on, great. If not, just as great. No pressure, just props for the reads that I like.
Also, charming? This is not a word that I generally use, but there it is, somewhat out of place on my blog...sigh. The perils of copy and paste.
Now for the victims:
Miss Grace @ Miss Grace's Disgrace.
CK @ Creative Kerfuffle.
Khadra @ Crab Goggles.
Weasel Momma @ World of Weasels.
Stacey @ Is There Any Mommy Out There?
Laura @ Living Laura.
Sarah @ Sarah's Blogtastic Adventures.
Bern @ Bernthis.com.
I'll get around to notifying everyone they got the award but I'm too lazy right now. Hopefully, they'll just figure it out all be themselves.
and that's a wrap...
58 comments:
Poifect! I love your family. But watch out for grandma.
I am confused, but technically not married. I am happily-living-in-sin confused.
Betcha Grandma would REALLY give me the stink eye...
Thanks. I am honored. I will go celebrate with a beer.
I love how candid your son was. It is so funny how true that statement is.
congrats on the award :-)
"you people"— that just gets me. How mature he sounds… from the mouths of babes.
I think that terror of toddlers will definitely catch on. And just where did your son learn that "get away from you people"? I'm thinking he heard that somewhere.
I think I love your little boy.
Confusing to be married: yes.
I enjoyed the "randomness" - my mind's been slow and my time's been limited for the past two weeks. Your post primed the pump!
I think the spirit of the award you received is wonderful - you fit the bill! Congrats!
About stinkin' time you posted.
I wish my daughter would take on some of the The Boy's attitude about needing time away. Even at 9, she's velcro'd (velcroed... velcrowed... attached to me with velcro) to me.
Ha looks like your son has your sense of humor. I love it when Meggers comes out with some zingers!
Congrats on your award!
Kirst
I hope You People made some use of that time alone and got a little unconfused.
Congrats on the award. And I think the term "terror" is perfectly appropriate.
Sounds like you and the Boy have found some valuable common ground. Grandma's.
I think confusion is a good way to describe any relationship. Why should you have to be married to be confused?
Gosh - your Boy is wise, very wise! And funny too!
I still remember the first time our starter child asked for a sleepover, declaring that she was 'kind of sick of' us. They're so cute when they're mouthy.
Congrads on the award! Your child is a wordsmith!
I've already started teaching my terrors about confusion, like when mommy starts talking to you from two rooms away and expects you to hear her. Especially if you're in a small room, like say the bathroom and you've got water running or the electric shaver is you know, touching your face and you can't hear a damn thing.
that was very fun to read .. wise children are the best lol
your son is so smart and funny - man, I think he's going to grow up and be just like you.
Is it possible to have a terror of one? I am thinking of my Wee Lass.
I have been married for 19 years, and I am so confused I’m thinking clearly. I think.
The boy said “..you people.” Factually correct but is that a whiff of an insult there?
Speaking of laziness, I might have a timesaver for you: Change “Irregularly Periodic” to “Aperiodic”. (grin). Less typing.
Other observations: This post is the second time today that I have seen the word ‘kerfuffle’. Something in the air, maybe? In your sidebar, there is an ad for a book by Jose Ortega y Gasset. SPOOKY. I have two of his works on my nightstand, ready to read…
You honor me sir, welcome aboard the IG bus! Although I may have to switch to a train. Or maybe two buses. Maybe I’ll just give everyone a rickshaw.
That said, I appreciate you stopping by. I have seen your moniker on a number of blogs I have been following, and yours was in my queue to check out. An awful lot of timesucks out there, and who knew that I would be so busy having just lost my job?
So thank you, I look forward to more correspondence!
Peace,
IG
Your son is so awesome. I just can't imagine why he needs a break from you people though!
Actually the line should be, "Was I confused? I think not!"
Great kid, btw!
A terror of toddlers...so, more than one? Because even two is pretty terrifying.
Yea, me! I am honored to be recognized by your Heinousness.
I'm on my way to Walmart, so I'll start spreading the word about "terror". You know, in case no one there knows already.
love the terror of toddlers idea!
as far as your award, you completely deserved it, but i was also going to put a parenthetical (ooo 5 sylable word!) explanation that while i find you to be hilarious, charming would not technically be the word i would use to describe you. then, i thought maybe i shouldn't say that because you could take it the wrong way, so i deleted it.
damn! should've gone w/my first instincts lol
Love 'terror of toddlers'! Nice.
I went over to Nonna's place, thanks for the recommendation.
Have a great weekend!
Marinka: Grandma is shifty. I always keep my eye on her.
Debbie: At least I didn't have to walk.
MM: Close enough in my book ;)
WM: I'll join you then.
April: Thanks!
Cajoh: I think he gets that from hanging around 'us people' too much.
Debbie: I blame modern society ;)
Tracey: I think he's okay too.
Chris: Random stuff always clears the mind. Sorta like brainstorming and thank you.
Diane: Hey, no cranky from you, missy. How nice that you're so close :)
Kirst: He's picking it up despite his mother's objections.
Lorraine: A bit perhaps. I don't think the confusion will ever completelty go away.
Michelle: Now to get it into the OED.
Chris: I think together we can drive her over the edge.
Queen Bee: I agree. There's no need to exclude anyone.
LadyFi: He's doing okay so far. Now if he didn't know everything too.
Jane!: Does mouthy stop?
CCG: Thank you and he thanks you too.
Cap'n: You get that too? Thank heavens. I thought it was only me.
Errant: He's fun. Now to teach him the fine art of smartassery.
Tony: I feel sorry for his mom then ;)
IG: I think that's possible... I have one just like that. I do spooky like that; weird finds me. Thank you for coming by. I'm sure we'll type at each other again soon.
Kat: You would need to live among us to understand ;)
Robin: See? More signs of confusion.
Keely: Two is enough for me to define a terror.
Laura: I think they're familiar there with the term. Just listen to the cries throughout the store...
Nonna: Charming is fine. I've fooled one or two into thinking that I am ;) Thank you again for the award.
goodfather: Use it freely :) You have a good weekend as well.
Nice random post and congrats on the awards.
And you know you are a charming mo-fo, you WEEN!
I see it now: your son is a future blogger!
I actually have a terror of toddlers living in my house. Three toddlers counts, don't you think?
I live for the day that my kids will tell me they'd like to get away from me for a little while. A different room, hell, five feet of separation would be acceptable.
And, finally, thank you, thank you. I'm not sure how charming I am in my current state, but I do feel better.
The terror of toddlers is nothing. Wait until you get to the torment of teens.
thank god my terrors aren't toddlers anymore--i think you could just as aptly use terror of tweens. ugh.
love that the boy needed time away from you, so very cool.
and me? an award? wow, i'm humbled and stunned : ) thanks!
Your son's comment reminds me of Frank Costanza during Festivus, telling everyone at the table, "I've got a lot of problems with you people!!!!"
He sounds adorable!
Ha, time away from you people. It sounds like he's a chip off the old block. BTW, any time his grandparents want two extra kids, let me know. I'm ready for some time away from my little people.
Congrats! You're nothing if not...kind. HA! Your kid sounds entertaining - perhaps I could rent him for my next event?
Congrats to you on your award! Hey there, you Superior Scribbler, you! Melissa B., The Scholastic Scribe, here, checking in with fellow Scribblers! BTW, I've got a couple of things on my mind today. First off, don't forget Sx3 tomorrow...it's a stitch! And I've got a pretty good chance of snagging a superior blog award...thanking you in advance for your support!
Don't you love knowing they're sick of being around you?? I think that means you're doing some great parenting.
A terror of toddlers....I like it. It's like a school of fish, a gaggle of geese. And your boy, the notion that he has had enough of you people, and could use a little 'away' time - priceless.
Petra: Thanks, Hon. I'll defer to your judgment on the charming bit.
Meg: That would be pretty cool.
anymommy: Three definitely counts... you poor thing. I won't mention your condition out loud ;)
blueviolet: He's convinced us that he'll be perfect by then.
CK: At least he acknowldged it. Honesty is so refreshing.
GP: Perhaps we should break out the Festivus pole.
Casey: I'll ask. You may have to pay shipping both ways though.
Cat: He's cheap. You'll have to pay damages though ;)
Melissa B: I'll be over and thank you.
DeeMarie: He wanted a day of lax rules over at his grandparents.
Cameron: It's good to teach him these valuable things early.
"terror". Much better than "toddlerclump of doom".
Also? I love that your Amazon sidebar is all Twilight. ;)
Holy shit, 43rd comment. It almost looks like you're popular, or something.
:P
My kids have been scarce this holiday season as well. It's been kind of.....nice. I mean, I love 'em and all....but a little time away makes Mommy a happy gurl.
Joyous. It does help, actually.
You know what? YOU are the real deal, that is why we love you. We could start a posse we love you so much.
Sue: ...but lacks some of the panache of "toddlerclump of doom"
Dipity: Popular? Me? Away time is definitely nice.
Miss Grace: You deserve it :)
Mariah: Aww... thanks, you're too kind. That is, by far, one of the best compliments you could pay me.
Just wait until they get to be older and you end up with pre-adolescent a-holes. You'll miss the terrors then...the morph overnight too. :)
that boy is a genius.
y'done well.
A terror of toddlers? I like it. What about a mess of toys on the floor? Well, never mind. I seem to have answered my own question. Maybe a cluster of idiots? There I go again. Hm..
Your son sounds like an awesome miniature man! Also, can you have his grandparents call up my Mom and suggest she give me a call asking if my boys could spend the night at her house? Seriously, it's me who needs a break now!
Thank you for my award. Charming huh? I've been called a lot of things but charmin ain't one of 'em. Heh, heh.
Thank you for my award. Charming huh? I've been called a lot of things but charmin ain't one of 'em. Heh, heh.
Thank you for my award. Charming huh? I've been called a lot of things but charmin ain't one of 'em. Heh, heh.
Mary Anne: Sweet, something to look forward to.
jst: Now to get him to listen...
Jen: Hey, you're kinda good at this.
fadkog: I'll give them a ring. You don't mind them getting all spoiled, do you?
Jessica: I took 'charming' with a grain of salt too.
Thanks so much for the awar Jim! I took my sweet ass time getting over here this weekend but it was well worth it! : ) Your son says some priceless stuff. I wish I had a tape recorder on me at all times!! Happy Monday!
thank you :)
Alright! I'm so excited. I'm going to claim that little award icon you gave me with no shame in my failure to spawn!
Seriously, congrats on the award.
And Stiletto is right: cherish these days. You've yet to experience true terror.
A terror of toddlers is absolutely perfect, and I say that as a parent as well as a cunning linguist.
Send that one to the folks at the Oxford English Dictionary and tell them to watch for it's usage so they can add it immediately.
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