I’ve been busy with lots of stuff. Not really sure what, but I’ve been doing a lot of it. Last weekend there was a trip to visit the grand kids for a birthday celebration. Some how that turned into bringing the two fifteen year-olds home for the week since it’s their spring break.
What? Sure, okay.
That’s been the kind of the week since they got here – me saying, “what?” a lot and not really understanding what’s going on. Somehow teens have the ability to create a zone of confusion around them that leaves grand fathers standing around wondering what just happened.
Well, that’s a lot of my life right now. Like the other day when I was ordering a hamburger and the teen behind the counter was asking if I wanted pickles on my burger. Why would you even ask that question? I was so confused and shocked – there are people who eat burgers without pickles? It took awhile to regain my equilibrium after that.
The teens have two favorite phrases that I find both amusing and annoying. First is, “I don’t know.” Which is a conditioned response to most questions like, “What do you want to do?” or “What would you like for lunch?” or even “Where is your phone’s charging cable?” I get it, I went through that phase myself.
Honestly, I still don’t what I want for dinner, but I’ve learned to just mention random food items in a vain attempt to prove I’ve finally grown up.
The other phrase is, “I’m good.”
I know you’re good, but did you want more broccoli?
Near as I can tell it can mean either, “I’ve had enough”, or “I don’t want any”, or “I don’t know but decided to be vague about it.”
The whole thing came clear to me yesterday when we were at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and I was buying them ride tickets.
Let me back up a bit. Earlier in the week Heather and I wondered where we should take the teens, but after a few days of, “I don’t know,” we decided to not give them a choice. Instead we informed them that we were kidnapping them on Saturday.
This led to them trying clever ways to get us to spill the secret. It was then my turn to say, “I don’t know.”
So back to the tickets. After a brief conversation about how many rides they might want to do and whether or not to buy the day pass, it was decided that we’d buy $20 of tickets each and if they want more after that, I’d add another twenty.
“I’m good.”
Which I translated to a yes.
Five seconds after that, one teen said, “Could we have $22?”
“What, Okay, Sure?”
It took me a couple of hours to understand why the request was made. Turns out there are $7 rides and $5 rides and there was a ride plan all along – three $5 and one $7.
The other $20, I think was mostly spent on food – we were with teens …
I could be wrong – I kind of lost track where money was going after a while. Then I lost at air hockey and decided it was time to go home.
I’ve got to go – there’s some kind of math/science project going on involving rollercoaster calculations and one teen has asked to use my scroll saw.
WHAT?
Andrew's View of the Week 
I say “I’m good” a lot which very much amuses my European friends. Evidently that isn’t a phrase used much over there… And if it makes you feel any better, I’ll probably be dead by the time my grands become teenagers so enjoy them in all their hormonal glory!
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I will admit that I do say, “I’m fine” and “I’m good” from time to time. My English family gets a good laugh when I do.
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Scroll saw, huh? Oh boy. I also had to laugh b/c I remember visiting relatives up that way when I was a teen and them taking me to Santa Cruz Boardwalk. I don’t remember much beyond that, but that I had a good time.
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The Boardwalk is a fun place. Fun rides, games, junk food and the beach … what more could you want?
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I hope the teenagers enjoyed it. Sounds like you did too. (Except for the losing part.)
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They loved it. It’s a favorite place and they like it when I lose.
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Of course they do. 😛
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🙂
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That “I’m good” slays me, my kids use it. I’m also fond of “my bad.”
You sound like the perfect grandpa. Standing around wondering what’s happening. Perfect. 🙂
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“my bad” actually makes some sense. I do my best at grandpoping. 😉
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WHAT?!? Nobody touches the tools! (At least not without close supervision… and possibly a leash.) 😉
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Well that and “DON”T BLEED ON MY MACHINES!!!” do you know how hard it is to get blood stains out? And the awkward questions that ER doctors ask???
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Right! 😉
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🙂
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Wow, twice the fun! We had one granddaughter here for a week. We went shopping at the malls about as many times as I would normally go in a year!
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We didn’t do a lot of shopping, but we did go to the mall’s food court!
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Fun time 🙂 Our grandson is nearly six and grand daughter one and four months. At this stage we are liking whatever they do 🙂
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They’re at a wonderful age. Enjoy every moment.
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My oldest grandchild isn’t quite 12 yet. The “teens” haven’t arrived, but I can see the changes coming. I hope I’m ready! The “I’m good” response definitely a part of the girls’ first responses, as well as “I don’t know.” Your time on the SC boardwalk must have been so enjoyable. We are hoping to bring the girls up this summer. We’ve never seen it “open” because we typically visit SC off-season, but I think this summer we’ll make it! You guys were good grandparents, and now perhaps you can rest a little bit. 🙂
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12 is the perfect age to visit the boardwalk. We enjoyed our day out. Get there early as the parking fills fast and the traffic into town can get a bit crazy by noon. It’s worth the effort (go mid week if you can).
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That was so much fun. You are buckets more patient than I, Andrew.
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I try to be patient, but it can be a challenge at times.
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So this is my future, huh? Right now I only have toddler/preschool grandchildren who DEFINITELY know what they want and they want it NOW. 😉
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That changes – just like puppies turn into dogs and kittens turn into cats, toddlers turn into teens.
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And all too quickly!
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Yup – one minute they’re finger painting and the next asking to borrow the car.
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Love it! Similar challenges: being a teen-ager, and growing old!
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There’s a lot of similarities!
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LOL! You have accurately described the “I don’t know- I’m good” generation! Great post from a confused grandparent.
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🙂 – yes the joys of being a grandparent.
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