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You are here: Home / Archives for They Said What?!

Tutus & Attitudes: Black Swan Theory.

Investopedia lists the ‘Black Swan theory’ as being a metaphor that describes an event that comes as a surprise…

Source

Source

Well I sure got a surprise. In the form of some unexpected sass.

Miss Charlie was super excited to see me this afternoon because she wanted to show me her new moves. Dance moves that is. Groovin’ on the dance floor.

Her older sisters had shown her some of their ballet lesson, to which Miss Charlie was feeling uniquely accomplished and very much grown-up.

She raced upstairs to change whilst I waited with bated breath. I had the sneaking suspicion that this was going to get interesting. She then pranced (there’s not other word for it) down the stairs in an outrageously hideous vivacious pink tutu and matching leotard.

And here’s the kicker, not with ballet slippers and stockings. But wearing little white socks with lacy white frills on her ankles. Super cute. But not so great on the slippery floor.

She then proceeded to display a few ballet moves. And I have to admit, she did look rather gracious. Despite the pink.

In an effort to seem knowledgeable on the subject, I cast my mind back to recall the limited ballet knowledge hidden away in the depths of my long-term memory. This knowledge was very much hidden and very much limited as I’m pretty sure my debut into the ballet scene lasted all of one half-hour lesson when I was 5-years-old. I cried and cried and simply refused to go back ever again. It was horrible. Torturous.

And so I asked Miss Charlie if the pose she’d just held (she’d done something unnatural with her legs and feet to make her knees look scarily wonky) if it was called a plié. To which she replied,

No. It’s not a plié, whatever that is. It’s called the “step right, step left, da-da, tra-la-la”.

… Nice one Charlie, that sounds like my kind of ballet! Such a little,

Prima donna. Or should I say, “ballerina”.

 

October 18, 2013 By Hope @ Nanny Shecando Filed Under: They Said What?!

Cops & Robbers: Why Do Police Carry Guns

always think outside the box-nannyshecando

Cops & Robbers: Shoot Em Up Cowboy!

I had an amusing conversation with Miss Charlie today. Not that having amusing conversations with a 6-year-old is anything out of the ordinary for Nanny Shecando. Miss6 has a firing curiosity for all things animal related, science, DIY, creative, inventive and imaginative. Anything that holds the possibility of a “Why Question” is hers for the taking. And take it she will. Today’s particular conversation was really rather standard, although I couldn’t help but share it with you. I’m sure it will give you a good giggle, it definitely did me!

Further Reading: Aren’t You Too Young To Be My Nanny?

[left]

Have you ever seen a policeman with a gun? Yes I have actually.

Do all policeman have guns? No I don’t think so. Some don’t carry guns. Some have tasers.

What’s a taser? Well, I think it’s a kind of gun. It doesn’t have bullets. Instead it gives the person an electric shock that make them become temporarily paralysed.

Oh OK, that’s weird. Wait, so if a “policeman” means man. So then what do you call a policeman that’s a woman? Actually, the proper thing to say is “police officer”. That way there is no set male of female gender implied.

[/left]
[right]

Oh. Anyways, why do police officers have guns? So that they can protect themselves (and us) from the baddies of course!

Would they shoot the baddies? Because that wouldn’t be very nice. They’d be just as bad as the baddies if they did! Good point. They would be. They never want to have to shoot anybody but sometimes they might have to act in “self-defence”. If the baddies are going to shoot the police officer or another person and the police officer can protect them by shooting the baddies then they will.

Yeah makes sense. That doesn’t sound too bad. So then why don’t the police go and shoot all the baddies? Then they won’t have to worry about anyone shooting people! After that they won’t have to have guns anymore. Hmm I don’t think that would be a very good idea.

[/right]

By this point I was almost doubled over in laughter. Despite the seriousness of the questions, Miss Charlie had the silliest grin on her face. I could tell she already knew why that wouldn’t have been possible. She was just enjoying tying me up in knots with her questioning. Besides, with our political system, the baddies go to jail not engage in gun warfare. Her suggestion would most definitely enter them into “good cop vs bad cop” territory.

What are your thoughts? Should police “officers” carry guns? Are tasers a better alternative?

police, questions, guns, morality, nanny shecando

October 11, 2013 By Hope @ Nanny Shecando Filed Under: They Said What?!

Pushing up daisies.

Musings from Miss Charlie…

You know, you’re pretty young to be an adult.

Well yes I guess you could say so. I am on the very young side of “adulthood”.

So then how come you get to be my nanny?

Well to be honest, the best part about me being young and also being your nanny is that I get to have so much fun with you! You wouldn’t be so happy if I looked really old and didn’t like jumping on the trampoline or didn’t like your jokes. A person who looks after you and is called a “nanny” is very different to your nanny and poppy who are daddy’s parents, even though we have the same name.

Good point! You know, you’re pretty smart for a “young adult”. How old are you again?

(Insert a 2-minute guessing game of “higher”, “lower” of ages ranging from seventeen to forty and finally settling on the jackpot of twenty-two).

Twenty-two! That’s like, sooooo old! Are you sure you should be jumping on this trampoline?!

… Jeez thanks Charlie. You’re just full of love today aren’t you. I better be careful. At this rate you’ll have me lumped in with the oldies and pushing up daisies before I even hit my prime. And here’s me thinking I could just cruise along. Watch-it, blink and you’ll miss it.

daisy

Source

September 24, 2013 By Hope @ Nanny Shecando Filed Under: They Said What?!

Shine Bright Like A Diamond

Shiny things, are best when small. And pure. And in small packages.

I always look forward to the 3pm pick up. Even though it means that the day is all but over, that the witching hour will be soon upon us and that I can completely forget about trying to complete any unfinished jobs from earlier in the day. That half hour period when I pick Miss Charlie up from school is always the best.

Together we make up a convoy of pram & baby, bouncing, jubilant puppy dog pulling on her lead, human pack-horse carrying the too-heavy school bags and various other school related paraphernalia and finally, Miss Charlie dragging her feet along behind. It’s a slow progression down the road from school to home with stops along the way to indulge in an afternoon treat at the milk bar, maybe a run through the park with the dog and whatever else takes her fancy. Usually she chatters away about all of the new things she learnt at school that day, often amazing me with some new form or concept towards life and its inherent values. I have to admit, and I’m not at all biased, she’s a pretty switched on six-year-old.

This afternoon was no different. As we wound our way through the mums and kids along the foot path en route to the park, Miss Charlie ducked and weaved and successfully jumped her way to the front whilst I was caught trying to manoeuvre the pram and bags without tripping over my feet and the dog. She then rather rambunctiously announced to all those within about a 2km radius (kids don’t often understand the concept of quiet, tactful voices) that:

“she loved being little.. you can fit past everyone and never get squashed. Fat people can’t do that, their bums are too big!”

Well speaking from someone who is also pretty damn little, I can completely understand where she’s coming from with this one. Except, I have to admit that her timing for this loud outburst was somewhat lacking… we’d just bypassed a large family whom looked as though they could do with a little less t.v. time and a little more playground time.

– Oh and also, purely from an observational point of view: tights, are definitely not pants. Just saying.

And so I quickly chimed in to Charlie’s rescue, attempting to perhaps ease her statement into safer grounds. I proceeded to tell her something that I’ve been told by all and sundry for most of my life,  but most often from my most beloved Nanna: “Good things come in small packages.”

They sure do, the best things. To which she countered,

“Yeah, like diamonds.”

Nice one Charlie, you sure hit the nail on the head with that wisdom…

 

August 13, 2013 By Hope @ Nanny Shecando Filed Under: They Said What?!

I’ll have what she’s having!

We stopped to indulge in ice blocks this afternoon. It was a surprisingly warm day for winter. It’s really  rather strange, I feel as if it hasn’t been that cold this year…Whatever, I’m not questioning it. Just enjoying it!

Miss charlie and I both got calippo icy poles. I got lemon and she chose raspberry. Oh, my gosh. How good are they, I haven’t had one in years!

She then pulled out the classic line,

Can I try yours? I don’t know what it tastes like … sharing is caring!

As I happily handed over my cool, refreshing indulgence for her to slobber all over (eww little girl germs!!), I couldn’t help smiling to myself.

Because, I have to hand it to her, she’s good. Really good. Definite skill working for her there and going the right way to getting exactly what she wants. Not just now, but forever.

As a kid, she’ll utter this line out of her sweet, little, innocent lips that don’t know any better and sway every unknowing suspect into giving her absolutely anything and everything on demand.

As a teenager in high school, she’ll use this ploy to her advantage so that she can sample all the cool foods that her friends buy from the canteen and never have to resort to the stale mouldy sandwich sitting in her bag. This reminds me of my high school years, the old.. “Oh you bought a Freddo Frog. Can I try? I don’t know what that tastes like”… Umm never mind the fact that it’s Cadbury chocolate!! That stuff really doesn’t change all that much. Well in taste anyways. But don’t even get me started on their packaging, that’s another gripe entirely!

And as an adult, Miss Charlie will roll out this line to successfully and artfully snaffle the delectably yummy desserts that her unwitting partner orders from the menu whilst out to dinner. This is an awesome technique, especially on awkward dates when you’re desperately trying to appear so cool, calm, collected and in control.

That’s right, I’ll have what she’s having!

… Miss Charlie, good luck to you. Stick with it sister, you’ve happened on to one of the great little skills that we women practice well. Just remind me the next time we go halvsies in icy poles to get my lick in first before it melts all down your arm.

August 6, 2013 By Hope @ Nanny Shecando Filed Under: They Said What?!

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I'm Hope & I help nannies transform their approach to job search, and inspire those working with kids to maximise their potential within the international nanny industry. Plus, did I mention I like crafts + diy, baking & playing! Read More

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