Monday 24 February 2014

Things you learn from grandchildren

I've had two young grandsons staying for a couple of days, and as usual, we've all learnt a few things. They now know the expression "instant gratification" (as in, it's much better to have your bath before we all sit and eat popcorn in front of a DVD,  rather than leave it until later). They also learnt the NATO alphabet (we are fans of this as it helps with spelling things out over the phone). Little boys love that kind of thing.

I learnt that it is much more absorbing wondering how a chicken would get on in space rather than putting on your shoes to go out. I was also informed that in every hundred grams of American peanut butter, there are on average thirty insect parts. Also, that if anyone pees in a swimming pool in the US, it turns the water dark blue. "Embarrassing if you did it, but a useful warning  if it was someone else" said my grandson helpfully. Well you can't argue with that. Oh, and talking of peeing in swimming pools (which we were) I also learned that  one in five adults admit to doing it. I thought you might like to know that. The choice is now up to you (I'm ok. I hate swimming pools).

Group learning: qu is an acceptable Scrabble word (useful) and countless esoteric-sounding made-up words are not (warning to anyone thinking of buying a Scrabble dictionary: don't. It takes up far too much time).

28 comments:

  1. Some very valuable lessons there, Frances!
    By the way, I love the NATO alphabet, too, although I know it as the international radio amateur's alphabet. Steve was a radio amateur and, on rainy weekends, spent hours at his radio, transmitting and receiving cryptic-sounding messages to and from people all over the world.
    Ah, no problem for me about the peeing-in-pools thing, either; I can hardly remember the last time I went to a public pool.
    As for the peanut butter... that IS a bit worrying. I really like peanut butter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Peanut butter is one of the things I hate most of all, so no insect parts for me, Meike.

      Delete
  2. I often use the wrong words for the NATO alphabet which my husband finds amusing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My daughter has her own, unrepeatable alphabet, Patsy; not suited to a family blog. I'm still waiting for her to grow up...

      Delete
  3. I would never pee in my own pool (nor in others), and have even noticed my young grandsons exiting and running to some bush for a pee before getting back in again. My harsh words must have had some effect.

    Where can I buy this water-colouring product; I keep hearing about it, but always thought it was a myth.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Peeing in swimming pools is not something to be encouraged. Certainly not from the diving board.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, go on, Adrian. And send us a photo afterwards.

      Delete
  5. I understand that many UK swimming pools now have the chemical too.

    As for qu it certainly doesn't appear in the Scrabble dictionary I have nor is it allowable on line nor in Words With Friends. The only permissible two-letter q word is qi (i being next to u on the keyboard....?).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not the ones I've been to.
      My wife used to get out of the shower for a piss and soak the bog seat. Thank the lord we didn't have a fluffy cover on it.
      My apologies FRANCES. I can't help being immature or appreciating lavatorial humour.

      Delete
    2. I'm think you're probably right about qu, GB. I think I've been taken for a mug. In my defence, after four lengthy games, I was all Scrabbled out.

      Adrian, surely your wife wouldn't have peed on the fluffy cover? But I'm delighted that you've got my name right at last.

      Delete
  6. What great lessons and interesting facts, Frances, although I'm shuddering at the one about the swimming pool!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rosemary, worry not. Fresh pee is sterile. Trust me. I'm a nurse.

      Delete
  7. The last time I went to a swimming pool (many years ago) there was a sign that said, 'Please don't pee in our pool. We don't swim in your loo.' Kids thought it was hilarious as there were cute cartoon pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  8. With a newborn granddaughter I'm looking forward to all this.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hello Frances:

    Happily we do not 'do' water!! Even more happily we have stumbled, almost by chance, upon your hugely entertaining blog which, as far as we can immediately ascertain, is made up of the most delightfully entertaining short 'stories' one could ever wish for. Such a difficult art and one which you clearly have perfected.

    A frightening statistic about peanut butter. Mercifully we do not 'do' that either.

    We have signed as Followers. If you wish to know more about us, then we are only a click away.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, and welcome! I shall pay you a visit.

      Delete
  10. P.S. For many years Marlborough was home and, as it happens, we have a strong family association with the Devizes Museum.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We live two minutes away for the museum. Next time you visit, come and see us.

      Delete
  11. NATO alphabet? Never heard of it. I shall google it now. Can't remember the last time I went swimming - a very over-rated exercise. Lovely post; your grandchildren sound delightful.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Of course I've heard of it - my daughter is a police woman. Didn't know it was called that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you've solved the mystery, Maggie. As for swimming, I love it in the sea, but not in a pool. Boring and smelly.

      Delete
  13. Grandchildren are just the best aren't they, Frances - I am off to see my little granddaughter in a minute.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You sound as though she's quite near, Wendy. Mine are all in Surrey; some distance from Wllts ;(

      Delete
    2. Yes, all three are just 20 mins away.

      Delete
    3. I envy you, Wendy. Never mind. Mine could be abroad, I suppose...

      Delete