Column
Parent & Child Time
Going to the Airport
The white van was filled as it neared the “My mom and dad say the same thing,” Liam advised seriously.
Verrazano Bridge. Aunt Ann, Grandma, Aunt “What about you, Philip?” Monica asked.
Jean, Monica, Philip and Liam were going to “Oh, my mom and dad say I’m smart when I get a 100 on my
Kennedy Airport in Queens because Erica spelling tests and, when I get a good mark on my Math test.
was returning from her trip to Italy where she My mom showed me an easy way to solve some math problems,”
had gone with her university. She had been in Philip advised.
By
Italy three weeks and had studied Art History. “Tell me, Philip. How do you solve the math problems? I want to
Ann Clinton
As the white van started up the incline of know so I’ll be smart when I get to second grade,” Liam stated.
the Verrazano Bridge, Philip noticed a huge When we go back to my house, I’ll show you. I need a pencil and
ship almost going under the bridge. “Aunt Ann, is that boat going to paper and my mom will help us, too.”
hit the bridge?” he asked in a worried voice. Liam, who had been “Look, guys,” Monica said as she pointed ahead. There’s
playing his Mario game, looked up and said, “Where’s the boat? -- the airport.”
Oh, I do see it. Are we going to be okay?” “Good, now I can get something to drink,” Liam exclaimed.
Aunt Ann, who was driving the white van, answered the two Aunt Ann parked the van and they entered the Delta building
boys. “That cruise ship is very big but the tide is low enough so it marked “Arrivals.” Aunt Ann checked the board and it said that the
has room to go underneath the bridge. Look over to your right, see plane would be on time. “Let’s find a seat for Grandma and then
the front of the ship is clearing the bridge.” we’ll find something to drink,” Aunt Jean suggested.
“Phew, that big ship looked scary to me,” Philip stated. In a few minutes, they returned to where Grandma was sitting
“It is some big ship. If I were on that ship, I’d get tired walking and offered her a drink of soda. “Here, Grandma,” Monica said as she
from one end to the other,” Liam advised. offered Grandma a drink.
“Hey, are we going to see that ship all the way to the airport?” “Could you see any airplanes?” Grandma asked.
Philip asked. “We’re going over to the glassed-in section so we can watch the
The white van had now crossed the bridge and was on the Belt planes.” Aunt Ann advised.
Parkway heading east with the water to the right. About 25 minutes later, they returned to where Grandma was
“Aunt Ann, go faster. Let’s catch up to the ship,” Liam said. sitting and Monica said, “Erica’s plane is in.” Mom said she should be
Monica looked at her two young cousins and said, “We can’t go coming here after Customs to get her luggage.”
any faster. We could get a speeding ticket.” They waited patiently and after what seemed a long time, at least
“Oh, yeah, Philip. Monica is right. My mom told me one of the to Philip and Liam, Erica appeared in the crowd of people who were
jobs of a policeman is to give speeding tickets,” Liam said. “I’m going collecting their luggage.
to tell my mom and dad about this ship when I get home. My mom “Hi, guys,” Erica called as she ran toward her family. “It’s so good
said she would like to go on a vacation on a big ship,” Philip said. to see you.”
“Hey, where is Aunt Liz today?” Liam wanted to know. “Erica, could I tell you something? We saw lots of planes while we
Philip answered his cousin. “My mom had to take Ryan to a track were waiting for you,” Philip said. “And, guess what? We have a lot of
meet and my dad is working.” other things to tell you,” Liam advised.
“What time is Erica’s plane scheduled to land?” Aunt Jean asked Erica laughed. “I have a lot to tell you, too!”
Aunt Ann. “It should be landing at 5:30pm,” Aunt Ann answered.
“Will we have time to get something to drink?” Liam wanted
to know.
Monica looked at Liam and asked, “Why?” Together, she and Liam
said, “Because I’m thirsty,” and they laughed. Philip joined in, “I’m
thirsty three.”
Quiz
“Three?” Liam questioned. “Yeah.” It’s kind of like a joke. Usually,
1. Where was Erica?
you would say, “I’m thirsty, too. But I made a joke and said “three”
2. Who wanted a drink?
instead of “too,” Philip explained.
“I like that, Philip. I’m going to say that in my class,” Liam said
3. What went under the
Verrazano bridge?
laughing. “I think that’s a good joke.”
Just then a loud noise sounded over the white van.
4. Who made the 2 and 3 joke?
Philip and Liam looked at each other. Grandma said, “We must be
5. What color was the van?
near the airport. That was an airplane over the van. The airplane is
getting ready to land.”
“Was that Erica’s airplane?” Philip asked.
Aunt Ann answered, “No. That was a United Airlines plane. Erica
is on a Delta airplane.”
“Hey, I can sound out Delta -- D E L T A, right,” Liam said as he
spelled Delta.
Ann Clinton is a Staten Island grandmother
“Very good, Liam,” Monica said. You are pretty smart.”
who enjoys creating stories for her grandchildren.
32 March 2009 |
www.siparent.com
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