Monday, January 31, 2011

Science Boy

He was ignoring me.

He was actually ignoring me.

No matter that I gave him life or that I let him watch the movie Cars more times than I care to remember when he was younger.

He had ducked behind a friend when he had first entered the room, had given me a quick wave and then....nothing.

“Big brother, big brother,” Natalie shouted. “Big brother, it’s me, Natalie!”

Is it wrong that I sort of wanted to shout the same thing? Only my words would have been, “Son, son, it’s me, your mother, the one who was in labor all those hours!”

We were at an awards assembly at Tommy’s school since he brought home a letter saying that he’d be receiving an award. He had handed over the letter and went, “Are you coming then?” I asked if he wanted me to come and he said, “Yes.”

So we came. And now he was ignoring us.

“Big BROTHER!” Natalie will not be ignored. She’s like that crazy chick in Fatal Attraction, only I hope she doesn’t boil any rabbits. (“I won’t be IGNORED, Tommy!”)“BIG BROTHER!”

Tommy turned around and narrowed his eyes at Natalie.

“Big brother, hello!” Natalie said, thrilled that she finally had his attention.

He quickly faced forward.

Fine. Whatever. So he wanted to pretend like he had no mother. Big deal, right? He’s eight, he’s at that age and....WHY WAS HE IGNORING ME? He’s only 8! I thought that behavior didn’t start until he was a teenager. I make him smiley face pancakes for God’s sake, all I was asking for is a tiny bit of recognition, just a tiny bit.

Oh well. At least I still had one child who liked me. I started rubbing the top of Natalie’s head and she ducked away. “Quit it,” she hissed.

Or maybe not.

The principal started the program, and the kindergarteners got their awards first.

“Mommy, I want to go to Kindergarten now,” Natalie said primly.

“Two more years,” I answered.

“But I want to go to Kindergarten nowwwwww,” she whined.

“Can’t, Veruca Salt, sorry,” I said.

My butt was really starting to hurt since it was sitting on the lunchroom benches. If we could afford private school, I bet THOSE seats had cushions on them.

Tommy’s grade was the last to go and by then my ass had fallen asleep.



Tommy got an Observant Scientist Award. I’m not surprised, because the kid loves science and is obsessed with tornados. And weather. He’ll say things like, “Look at the cumulus clouds!” and go in depth on how a tornado is formed.

The principal also asked him questions. I’m amazed that Tommy doesn’t mind talking in front of people. I hate it. I start to get all red and my tongue feels glued to the top of my mouth. I dreaded giving speeches in front of my class and would speed through it. If we were being graded on public speaking, the teacher’s notes would always say: “Slow down.” No. I cannot slow down.

But Tommy. Tommy proudly went over to the microphone and when the teacher asked how the weather was that day, Tommy went, “Warm.” And this was true, it was actually 50 degrees on Friday. Then she asked if we’d be getting snow and Tommy cocked his head to the side, thought about it for a few seconds and went, “Maybe.”



He’s a man of few words.

When the ceremony was over, the kids were able to quickly greet their parents and hand over their awards. Tommy seriously ran over, tossed the award at my face and returned to his class. It was like he hadn’t been there at all.



“Um,” I said when my mind computed what had just happened.

“Where did Tommy go?” Natalie asked, bewildered.

My sentiments exactly.

I spotted him back in line with his class. I wasn’t about to leave without a hug so I went over and Tommy’s eyes grew wide when he saw me approaching.

I couldn’t embarrass him in front of his friends. That would be mean. So instead I stuck my hand out.

“I wanted to say congrats on getting the scientist award,” I said, all businesslike.

Tommy looked relieved and shook my hand. “You’re welcome,” he replied.

“I will see you when you get home.”

“Okay. I love you,” Tommy said.

Aww! He admitted that he loved me in public. I wanted to throw my arms around his neck but I contained myself.

“I love you, too, my science boy.”

49 comments:

  1. AWESOME! Way to Go Tommy! And good job, Mom, on showing restraint! lol

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  2. That last part made me smile! I have two sons. The oldest would come up to me in public and hug me. The younger one would have walked right past.

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  3. So cute! Congrats Tommy! And I LOVE the fact that you shook his hand, so cute.

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  4. How sweet! Congratulations, Tommy. My son can't talk yet . . . I really look forward to the day when he says I love you. I can hope.

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  5. way to go tommy. and i'm very proud of your self-restraint.

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  6. Congrats! Watch him become some kind of brilliant scientist that makes all kind of money! You better make sure he remembers you then! haha

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  7. Yup, on that long slide down to not even admitting he has parents. Sorry.

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  8. My 11 year old, who is now in 6th grade, has been mortified by the mere thought of my presence at school since he was in the 3rd grade. He once, literally, broke into a gallop down the hall to avoid me. There's no way I'd get an "I love you"...No way!

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  9. Congrats to Tommy! His teacher probably told the kids not to talk to the people in the audience. He was following the rules. He loves you. So sweet!

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  10. WOW! WAY TO GO TOMMY! That is an awesome award. They are so funny at that age - they want to be grown up so much and ignore you but yet they are still young enough to want those specially shaped pancakes.

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  11. They grow up so fast! I know it made you sad, but it's really great that he wants to look cool in front of his friends! hugs!

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  12. Woohoo!! That's awesome! *high five* (for Tommy) ;P

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  13. Way to go!! Those little sisters are def. hard to ignore. Mine wanted ted to climb on the bus with her big brothers this year & couldn't understand why they were leaving all day.

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  14. Way to go!! Those little sisters are def. hard to ignore. Mine wanted ted to climb on the bus with her big brothers this year & couldn't understand why they were leaving all day.

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  15. How cool is that?!!!! Congrats to Tommy!

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  16. Way to go!! Those little sisters are def. hard to ignore. Mine wanted ted to climb on the bus with her big brothers this year & couldn't understand why they were leaving all day.

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  17. Way to go!! Those little sisters are def. hard to ignore. Mine wanted ted to climb on the bus with her big brothers this year & couldn't understand why they were leaving all day.

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  18. Way to go!! Those little sisters are def. hard to ignore. Mine wanted ted to climb on the bus with her big brothers this year & couldn't understand why they were leaving all day.

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  19. Awwww... what a little sweetie!

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  20. Aww...too cute! Way to go Tommy! And way to go you for not embarrassing him!

    ♥Spot

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  21. Aww...too cute! Way to go Tommy! And way to go you for not embarrassing him!

    ♥Spot

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  22. I too loved the last part! So cute. Congrats to you and your son!
    Hopefully my son doesn't ignore me for a long, long, long time...or...ever! lol

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  23. Aw, at least you got an I love you!

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  24. That is awesome (the award, not the ignoring part). I admire your restraint for your son's sake. I fear I'm just going to be the embarrassing mother who grabs my son in front of his friends.

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  25. Your stories make me smile and want to be a mom! :)

    www.rantychantykoko.blogspot.com

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  26. Congratulations Tommy! So glad he admitted he loved you in the end, that's the best :) Thank you so much for visiting my blog today.

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  27. ha :) so cute- oh, that stage! Is it really only 3 years away??!!

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  28. Yay! Congrats to your science boy. Cute story.

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  29. Congratulations to your science boy! My oldest is already embarrassed of me too... I know that because she told me so when I wore my slippers to pick her up from school one day... I too thought I had years left until the "embarrassing mom syndrome" took effect! But I guess I had it coming wearing my slippers in public...

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  30. YAY Congrats Tommy! Thats Awesome that he's so into science!

    I soooooooooo understand, I have an 8yr old boy too! Somedays he pretends he doesn't know me, other days he's very proud I'm his mom and works part-time at his school.

    But he still holds my hand when we walk anywhere and are next to eachother. That melts my heart everytime!!!

    They grow up WAY TOO FAST!

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  31. My oldest is about to be 8 and I am getting the same treatment. He has a little sister that yells "Bubby" evertime sees him which mortifies him. He even ask me to stop calling him Boo bear. He said if I had to say it just say Boo.

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  32. Congrats Science Boy. Now can I borrow him. I am terrified of tornadoes and Tommy would be helpful in letting me know if I have to hang out in the basement.

    Thank you for popping by my blog on my SITS day.

    LisaDay

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  33. Nice job, Tommy! I think I need to invent a little hand signal to let my son know when I'd really rather be hugging him when we're at school or in public. :)

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  34. For the record, when I read your writing I read it fast because somehow I just know that you talk quickly. So it's like I am actually sitting in front of you retelling me the whole thing going a mile a minute.

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  35. Aw, cute, Good going Tommy. And good for you for not embarrassing him.

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  36. Tommy officially knows more about science than I do. What a smart little guy you have.

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  37. Aww, this is so sweet! He DOES seem young to act like he's embarrassed to have his mom around, but I like how he told you that he loved you at the end!

    Congrats Tommy on your award!

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  38. LOL! Oh how many times I've lost ass sensation sitting at a school function...I'd be rich if I had a penny for each time!

    Congrats to Tommy! Fantastic achievement...and I think it's normal for them to pretend to not know us sometimes...so don't feel alone! ;)

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  39. You're a good mommy. Once my kids started ignoring me when I went to those awards and middle of the afternoon band thingies, or the plays...whatever...as soon as they started ducking at the sight of me, I stopped going. I have so much free time on my hands, it's terrific!

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  40. Awww! Gotta love a kid trying to figure it out... I bet you're gonna be the cool mom who has all the neighbor kids over, right?

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  41. Congrats on the award! You must be so proud! It is so sweet that he said "I love you" in front of his friends.

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  42. congrats to Tommy! I hope this interest keeps up and he becomes a world famous scientist and wins the Nobel. Then you can just sit back and gloat ;)

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  43. Great job, Tommy! I went to college for weather, so I'm always stoked to hear whenever a kid takes an interest in it!

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  44. Oh no that happens at 8... yikes, I am NOT ready for that! Hilarious rendition of what went down... Varuca Salt... Butt Numbing.... ha ha ha :)

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  45. Aw, good for him! That's awesome!

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  46. Congratulations, Tommy!!! I'm glad he finally acknowledged you! :)

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  47. I am so proud of that kid, and I don't even know him! Rock on, Tommy!!! Don't worry, mom, boys always come back to their moms, right? I hear it's the girls you have to watch ;)

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