01Nov
For Halloween this year we gave out Double Bubble gum. We got a big bucket of it at BJ’s. Chris was bummed that we didn’t give chocolate, but I figured it was safer to keep leftover bubble gum around the house rather than leftover chocolate.
I emptied the bubble gum into my big candy bowl for trick-or-treaters and I was just about to throw the bucket away when I thought maybe instead I’d see what Beanie thought about it.
At first, he didn’t know what to do with it. It was as big as he was, if not bigger, so he couldn’t wave it around like he does his other toys.
So he did the next best thing…
He chewed on it. Did it matter that he couldn’t fit it in his mouth? Did it matter that there wasn’t really a flat surface to sink his teething gums into? Not one bit.
The kid chewed like a puppy on a new pair of shoes.
After chewing on it, we tried standing in it. That was good for another 15 minutes of yelling and babbling and laughing and mainly just telling me what a fun mom I was for planting him in a bucket.
What can I say? My Bean has low expectations when it comes to having fun.
After chewing ON the bucket and standing INSIDE the bucket, he managed to turn it so that he could yell into it, making it echo. This became his next favorite trick with his new toy. Yelling into it.
He thought it was hysterical.
So, I figured since he liked that deep, hollow sound when he yelled into the bucket, maybe he’d love the sound of yelling with his head inside the bucket…
He wasn’t sure what to think at first.
But eventually, he got more into it. He started yelling inside there, too. He’d give one good, quick little yell and then sit there. Waiting. And so I’d pull the bucket off really fast and yell, “PEEK-A-BOO!” And he’d died laughing.
Some people might say that putting a plastic bucket on your five month old baby’s head is horrible parenting. Some people might think that its a form of child abuse or poor judgment.
I like to think it was one of my more brilliant moments as a mother…
1) Ashley: Me and my bother would play in old boxes for hours upon hours! By the end of the day we could have a whole "Box City" full with places to eat, grocery stores, and banks! What fun!! :) Love Beans bib! (11.02.2009 12:09am)
2) Christina: Brilliant, indeed! Love. It. I can just see him sitting there with the bucket on his head, still and silent, waiting...the anticipation building and then when you finally take the bucket off, he squeals or screams or whatever. So fun. There is nothing like baby laughter. Nothing. (11.02.2009 12:11am)
3) Ro: That last picture has me laughing so hard I have tears in my eyes....your are such a great writer. Love these "beanie pods". (11.02.2009 12:20am)
4) Laura: I say if it makes your baby laugh, and he's not wailing his head off, it's ALL good!!! :) (11.02.2009 12:32am)
5) Zoe: That last photo, omg, it kills me! Too funny. (11.02.2009 07:22am)
6) Tressa: Love, LOVE, LOVE IT!!!! (11.02.2009 09:20am)
7) marin: I love how Molly is right there, keeping an eye on her boy. Such an unconditional friendship between kids and dogs, no matter the age -- you're lucky to see it grow! (11.02.2009 10:15pm)
8) Ella: How cute is that last pic :) Babies always seem to love playing with anything thats not a toy. I remember giving my son a box when he was about 8 months old and it entertained him for ages - now hes moved onto the kitchen cupboards - lots of fun things in there! (11.03.2009 06:46am)
9) Deb: Haha, good eye Marin. I went back and looked at Molly throughout this play session. In the first photo of Bean in the bucket, you can just see the concerned look in her eyes! LOL Too cute. (11.03.2009 10:51am)
10) Sarah C. H.: Ahahaha. I agree, brilliant parenting. (11.03.2009 05:47pm)
11) Heather: So cute. The best toys are always ones that aren't toys. That doesn't really change as they grow up though :) This year, save your pennies on the expensive toys. A roll of bubble wrap and a toy wrapped in five different boxes will be much more fun to him than five different toys. Enjoy this time. It won't be long before he is asking for video games and iPods and cell phones and computers. (11.03.2009 07:34pm)
12) Andie: Aw man! This was probably the most hysterical. I don't think I've laughed as hard for a post! I'm reading this at 4 am trying not to wake anyone haha (11.06.2009 04:28am)