Question-able Fun

/ roughwighting

Image by Wasim Akram from Pixabay“You wanna do something fun?” my irascible, twinkly-eyed 10-year-old grandson asks.

Panic ensues on my end. What Neville calls fun is called alarming in my mind. Saying “yes” to him is like opening a can of worms. Worms that scoot out of the can and wiggle their way into the crevices of mischief.

“Like what?” I ask, voice trembling.

“Let’s make stickydoodles but bake them in shapes instead of circles.”

Neville came up with the name stickydoodles instead of snickerdoodles because he likes to roll the dough with his fingers. The more that stick on him the more he can devour unbaked cookie dough.

“What shapes?” I ask.

“How about Wolverine and Iron Man, and – I know! – the Hulk. That one will take up a half a cookie sheet.”

children cooking, kids cooking, the Hulk, baking

Neville creating the Hulk.

“How will we tell the difference between the other superheroes?” I ask.

“You’ll write their names with dough along their body. Can we use the red dye for that?”

I sigh. Neville thinks I’m a superhero grandmother. The fact that I’ve written two children’s books puts me even above Captain America.

He’s written a graphic novel that’s 10 pages long and wants me to “publish” it. Every week he asks if I’ve gotten him an agent yet.

Reading my mind, Neville asks, “How long before The Amazing Adventures of Captain Cobblestones is published?”

I hesitate. His mom, my daughter, said I can just run to Kinkos, have the pages copied and stapled and call it “published.” I think Neville is much too smart to be hoodwinked. 

“You haven’t finished one of your graphics,” I explain.

“What? Which one?”

illustrated children's book, illustrations, children's literature

Captain Cobblestones’ Banana Boat, by Neville

“The one of ‘the crew’ – Jeff the Giraffe, Stink the Skunk, Dary the Bear, and Mans the Monkey.”

“Speaking of monkeys,” he interjects, “did you know that some monkeys can run up to 34 miles per hour?”

“Uh . . . “

“And they have fingerprints just like humans?”

“Well . . .”

“After we bake the stickydoodles, can we write a new book? About monkeys?”

“Why don’t we go up to my office first and do that,” I suggest, afraid of sticky fingers on my keyboard.

“OFFICE – why is it called an OFFICE. OFF   ICE. Is there ice in an off room? Is a room off of another, perhaps the ice room?” Neville wonders.

“On second thought, let’s bake cookies,” I answer. “I’m thinking Batman and Batgirl.”

“Yeah!! Did you know bats are the only flying mammal?”

“Um . . .”

“Guess how fast they fly!”

“50 mph?”

“100!!!”

“Hey Neville, you wanna do something fun?”

“Sure Madre. What?”

“Let’s pretend we’re monkeys and bats and run outside. One Two Three… Go!”

ROUGHWIGHTING IS ON A BLOGGING VACATION BREAK. CREATIVITY NEEDS A SUMMER SNOOZE! See you in mid-August. 

illustrated children's book, grandchildren, grandparenting

Neville and I are working on my 3rd illustrated children’s book entitled: “Petey Wants WIngs.”

101 thoughts on “Question-able Fun”

    • Thanks, Jill. This was taken the last day of school at his open house. The amazing thing is that when he introduced me to his teacher, she said, “OH! We’ve heard a lot about you.” gulp. But she smiled, so that’s hopeful. 🙂

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  10. Your grandson has your imagination that’s for sure. I think there could be trouble brewing when the two of you get together. I’d love to see those action-figure cookies. (And hurry up and get him an agent won’t you!!) Isn’t being a grandma fun??

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  12. Oh, my gosh, I love Neville. I remember several kids I taught whose voices and personalities were precisely like his—full of imagination and intelligent with a seemingly fantastic recall of obscure details. He is the type who will go on to do something brilliant as he gets older and matures. To be thought of in such glowing terms by your grandchild is not something to take for granted, Pamela. The best part is the end. I hope I’m the type of grandparent who embraces these precious fun moments with my grandchildren.

    By the way, have Neville’s agent give me a call. 😊

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  14. Loved this post today. I think Neville will always remember all the things you do with him. What a creative mind he has!!! Enjoy these moments together! Someday he won’t have time to do these things with you.

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  15. I like the fact Neville dreams up a name (Stickydoodles) to give him permission to lick fresh dough from his fingers: That boy has creativity and artistic license rolled into one!

    Two takeaways, Pam: I was happy that the photos and graphic got way bigger when I clicked on them + I look forward to Petey Wants Wings. Way to go you two! 😀

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  16. It does not surprise me one bit that you have a witty, inquisitive, curious, and thoroughly awesome grandson. These are the memories he’ll take with him into adulthood. I’m so happy for both of you. ❤

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  21. LOL. What a perfect glimpse into the lives of Pam and Neville. He’s got all that young energy! He’s so smart and creative too. I can tell that you’re a proud grandmama, Pam. I’m sure you know that there are websites where you can upload and create a single book, though I don’t know the cost. Perhaps something for Christmas? Have fun making cookies!

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  22. I love this, Pamela 🙂 Another budding author! My grandson, who turns fifteen soon, also has a very firm grip on all scientific facts, just like his uncle. I learn a lot, including the entire Marvel world 🙂

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  28. I LOVE that kid! He knew the family he wanted to come into and you are perfect as a team of writers. That playful side of him helps the playful side of you in writing for children. He has a wonderful mind and a perfect Madre for him.

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    • Thank you, Donna! Neville is the one who has encouraged me to write a third children’s book. I wasn’t sure where to go with it and he chose Petey the squirrel from Molly finds her purr. I think children know so many more answers than we do at times!

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  31. Oh, my gosh! Having a smart child or grandchild is challenging enough. But a smart, imaginative 10-year-old will really keep you on your toes. Fortunately, he seems to be sweet and easy to get along with, at least for a clever grandma. And … he’s awfully cute! I love the photo.

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    • Intergeneration fun. You always come up with just the right words, Norah. Obviously, there are a lot of differences between the two of us but when we begin to write together, we seem like equal writing comrades. 😍

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      • That is absolutely wonderful. I enjoyed writing with my children and then my grandchildren when they were younger. We didn’t get as far as you and your grandson have.

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  37. It’s fun writing with youngsters, isn’t it? They are incredibly optimistic about their writing skills and the salability of their books. Michael actually inspires me to work harder at marketing. A very entertaining post.

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  45. So beautifully written, Pam. Neville sounded so eager to spend some time with you doing fun things – and so many thing he wanted to do. I hope he had a good time baking and that took up most of the day 😄 Lovely photo of the two of you at the end. Hope your break is treating you well and enjoy the rest of the Summer 💕

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    • Hi Mabel, and thanks. I’m just getting back on-line – the break is GOOD for bloggers and anyone, to be honest. And I’m realizing that you’re right, Neville wanted to make sure he got in lots of “stuff” while he was here, thus he flitted from one thing to another. I’m gaining my strength for his next visit. 🙂 Happy August. xo

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  47. Pam, I LOVE this post! Neville brims with energy, a creative tour de force and what a terrific imagination! It’s easy to see who is been such a big influence on his love of writing and with ideas like this he will go far! He’s also a fount of knowledge and my brain was dizzy just reading about this super-charged chat. How wonderful for you both to be so close and share so many interests. Neville will always keep you on your toes! Happy Creating! Hope you’re having a wonderful and relaxing holiday, my friend. hugs xx ❤️

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    • Thanks Annika. Relaxing isn’t quite in the cards for the break, but fun and funny break are. Neville keeps me thinkin’, and I have to think fast to keep up with him! Thanks for reading. I’m looking forward to when we’re all back blogging together again soon. ❤

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