I like to watch the news in the morning, but when we have a house full of grandchildren, I let the world take care of itself for a few days. Except for the weather. I’m kind of a nut about keeping up with the weather. Yes, I do know about weather apps and mine is a close friend. But I like to see the big national map and hear what local meteorologist Jayme King has to say.
Two of my grandchildren sat with me this morning as I watched. Jett, who is almost 11 and entering the sixth grade next month, said he likes the weather because it’s the only thing he really understands on the news.
Four-year-old Felix was happy to watch it because he knows when it’s over, he gets to watch Paw Patrol. But first, a little conversation.
Felix – What do you like better, rain or sun?
Jett – Sun.
Felix – Me, too.
Jett – You know, you need the sun because it makes rain. It heats the water up and …
Felix interrupting – I got this. The sun pulls the water up from the oceans and lakes and it falls back down as rain.
Jett – He just explained the water cycle. I didn’t learn that until this year in the fifth grade.
Felix – Well, I’m in zero grade and I already learned that.
Jett and I just look at each other amazed and afraid to add anything else to the conversation. Neither of us is particularly comfortable with a four-year-old being smarter than we are, but we’re adjusting.