A lot of people use the term "Kraut" as a racial slur. I've always wondered why because I thought it was related to the word Kräuter which simply means "spice." And my kid is definitely spicy. Maybe I'll start referring to him as the "Little Spice" instead of the "Little Kräuter." But that just doesn't have quite the same punch.
By the age of 4, a German child is expected to spell and write his name. This will be tested by his pediatrican at his next checkup. Our doctor is great and she always cuts him some slack because of his bilingualism. Plus the fact that I'm neurotic and armed with terminology from google at his appointments probably discourages her from getting into it with me.
Speaking of doctors, Sunday we were unexpectedly in the ER with Little Spice. Everything is fine, but we had an hour or so wondering if his future was going to be full of wheelchairs and ramps.
To make a long story short, he was climbing where he wasn't supposed to be, we weren't watching and there may or may not have been pushing involved.
It was very scary but it slapped me straight upside the head with a whole new perspective for his party:
- Suddenly I no longer felt the pressure to bake everything. Monday I went straight to the frozen dessert aisle.
- I embraced the fact that my windows are filthy and I was getting a house full of company.
- It no longer mattered that there was no "boy" gift paper at the stationery store. I wrapped his crap in paper with a repeating clover design and nobody said a word.
- When I realized I forgot to get a new cake topper, I dug out the one from last year's Train Wreck Cake, arranged the cars in a circle to accommodate this year's round cake and proclaimed myself a genius.
- I kept scolding myself that I was neglecting my blog. I've put a lot of pressure on myself now that it's grown. It occurred to me that if people are going to be so fickle, then it's best they take a hike anyway.
- And I stopped caring so much how everything "looks." The fact that my kid was sitting on the counter in his dark socks, Rolling Stones t-shirt and undies while skinning carrots isn't embarrassing. It's sweet and it's real. That's how we roll around here. If you don't like it, don't eat off our veggie tray.
So here's a long awaited video, mostly for my family and anybody who's interested in how confused our little bilingual spice boy really is. The fact that my hair in the first part makes me look like a mentally unstable Pippi Longstocking is just bonus chips. This stuff really isn't important. What I care about is how Hanna's little mini-quilt is hanging above that butt-ugly doorbell phone in the background and that my husband's S's look like 5s. That's the stuff I'm seeing. This is what really matters.
Happy Birthday Lars!
Haha, love this video. He sure can spell in both languages and he is super super cute, as are your Pippi Longstocking hair!
Glad that the accident didn't make him need amputation or anything, but instead made a (hoping lasting) impact on your need for perfectionism! ;-) Embrace the mess, that's what I say.
XOXOX
Posted by: iHanna | May 25, 2011 at 10:45 AM
happy birthday lil' Spice :)
Posted by: Sarah | May 25, 2011 at 11:49 AM
Happy birthday to your sweet boy Lars, he's so cute :)
Posted by: Veronika | May 25, 2011 at 12:11 PM
Adorable! And you never let us know that you have a beautiful singing voice! Lucky Lars to be growing up bilingual.
ps When Elizabeth was little, the pediatrician told us she was "behind" because she didn't know patty-cake. Well, I didn't know that I was supposed to teach her that. She grew up and got a full scholarship to college so, I'm guessing patty-cake wasn't on the entrance exam!
Posted by: Anne | May 25, 2011 at 01:58 PM
Happy Birthday little Spice! Glad he's alright after the trip to the hospital. I absolutely loved watching the cute video of you guys. And that picture is just priceless... that's how we roll too.
All the best from one of your krautie fans (who'll be here to stay, no matter how often you post)... Much love & xo
Posted by: Skytimes | May 25, 2011 at 03:58 PM
Love it! Awesome! Happy Birthday Lars! Be real! That is the beauty of it...embracing our real-ness, and loving life that way!
Posted by: Jodene Shaw | May 25, 2011 at 05:09 PM
Thanks for all the lovely comments ladies! Anne you crack me up. Beautiful singing voice? Ask anyone who's taken a road trip with me... I would drive you crazy after 20 miles!!! LOL
Posted by: TJ | May 25, 2011 at 05:44 PM
I loved it, the picture of him and the video, kids are so smart, look he is bi-lingual and he is 4. Great post
Posted by: lee | May 25, 2011 at 10:50 PM
Happy Birthday Lars!
Great video. Still shot of the Mommy kiss at the end made my day. So sweet!
Posted by: Linda | May 26, 2011 at 01:16 AM
I read this at 6 am this morning and was in tears even before I saw the video! I'll eat off your veggie tray anytime, girlfriend. Attaway to show Perfectionism who's boss.
Big Hugs (& one for Lars)
DJ
Posted by: DJ | May 26, 2011 at 02:10 AM
Happy birthday to your son! I know you said your video was mostly for family...I don't even know you and had a ball watching it! :-)
Posted by: Andria | May 26, 2011 at 03:39 AM
Happy Birthday Lars!
And now, (drumroll please), TJ is going to spell STUDIO MAILBOX in Spanish... :-)
My goodness, I could not write my name when I was 4 - leave alone, spell it!
You have a smart kid, TJ.
Have a great birthday!
Posted by: Jacqueline | May 26, 2011 at 01:52 PM
What a great video! He's utterly adorable. And you're hair looks totally great. Hope he had a great birthday! 4 is a great age! Auf Deutsch or English! Orla tells everyone she meets that "Ich bin vier und four". If she wasn't so small they'd probably think she meant 8!
Posted by: Fiona | May 26, 2011 at 03:19 PM
I miss visiting blogs!! Can't wait to catch up with this.
Congrats to Lars! He can almost get his driver's license!
Posted by: Chris | June 04, 2011 at 07:54 PM