MONKEY SEE

MONKEY SEE

Preface: I have written several columns for The Malibu Times about my two grandchildren, and quite frankly, I assumed by now that my readers would be entirely bored with the subject. Much to my surprise, more people have commented positively about these columns than most of my other columns, so for the time being, I will continue to indulge myself.

Both Henry, now 17 months, and Frankie, now 7 months, are making great progress in becoming mature adults. Henry took several tentative steps, and he is mouthing sounds which sound a lot like words. I am convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that this young lad will soon be walking and talking and well on his way to becoming a college graduate.

As for young Frankie, she has become a flipping artist. She loves nothing more than flipping from her back to her stomach, or the reverse, from her stomach to her back. She is rightfully quite proud of herself. She also enjoys munching on her foot, and again seems quite proud of her cannibalistic tendencies.

I especially love the way that both of them can mimic exactly what I do. Perhaps I am not a good influence, because I have been instrumental in teaching them to stick out their tongues, probably not something that will help them a great deal in life. Their ability to imitate is fascinating. It reminds me of the saying, “Monkey see, monkey do.”

There are two photos accompanying this column which show my grandchildren’s ability to stick out their tongue on command. If you look carefully, you will notice one slight difference in the two photos—Frankie prefers the straight out tongue sticking approach, while Henry definitely goes for the tongue to the side sticking.

By the way, life doesn’t get any better than this

Henry

Frankie

This column appeared in The Malibu Times