Short Story

The Evolution Of Kukla

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

September 5, 2023 (L) and June 5, 2024 (R)
© NAR

We’ve all said it before….

                  “Where did the time go?“

                  “My, how they’ve grown!“

                  “Time flies!“

….and any other cliché you care to toss out.

But …. let’s get real! Where did the time go and how did she get so big?

Our youngest grandchild, 4-year-old Colette, is not a wee one any longer. Of course, we’ve noticed some of the clothes we keep for her at our house have gotten snug but now she can help herself to anything in the refrigerator, open the latch on the gate leading to the front yard without any assistance and we’ve had to make some adjustments to her car seat. However, nothing brings home how much she’s grown in nine months like these two side-by-side photos.

Back in September on the first day of nursery school, she was a giddy little tyke bubbling with enthusiasm and now she’s a beautiful little girl looking so very mature and confident, pictured on the last day of school on June 5.

Colette’s on a steady course to independence …. dressing and showering by herself (with some careful supervision), using a “grown up” drinking glass instead of one with a lid and straw, calling her parents “Mom & Dad” instead of “Mommy & Daddy”, and a bunch of little changes we see on a regular basis.

Our son drops her off for us to babysit each week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and the occasional Saturday; now that she’s able to do so much on her own, it’s a lot easier for us but sometimes we sure do miss that giggly, squirmy toddler! Time is going far too fast.

She’ll always be our little Kukla, no matter how old she gets; that’s something no amount of time will ever change!

NAR©2024

This is “What A Difference A Day Makes” by Dinah Washington

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.

42 thoughts on “The Evolution Of Kukla”

    1. We’re very lucky to live nearby all our grands and have been helping out in different ways over the last 15 years. Our other 3 are all old enough to only need a ride somewhere so actual babysitting for them is a thing of the past. Another year or two caring for Kukla before she’s in school full time. It’s a blessing for all of us.

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          1. Fran’s husband, Burr Tillstrom, was the puppeteer. Fran interacted with Kukla and Ollie. It was a great show, back in the days when kids actually believed puppets could talk and get involved in some of the crazy stories. I miss those days…

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    1. Right?!? Yes, purple is always a safe bet but she claims green is her favorite color.

      My son looks like me and Kukla looks like him so yeah …. there’s a definite resemblance. However, there are times when she is the clone of her mother, especially in the things she says, her facial expressions and her gestures. She is a sponge; nothing, no matter how minute, gets by her.

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    1. So much pride and love, Willow, and not just for Colette but for my son and DIL. They are incredible parents and I have so much respect for them and the way they are raising this child.

      Amazing is the perfect word. 💕

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    1. We all dream of our children and grandchildren being happy and finding their niche in the world. It is indeed very heartening, Sadje, and I have no doubt this child will succeed in whatever goals she sets for herself.

      Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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    1. Luck does come into play, Fred, but Colette is the product of excellent parents who continuously amaze me. I’ve no idea how they got to be so smart! Colette is indeed sweet and incredibly bright. She is a constant source of delight.

      There must be a gigantic black hole filling up with the time we’ve seen go by. It would be lovely to reach in a grab a few years, wouldn’t it? 💫

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          1. Love this sweet story! 🙂 I also have grandchildren that I take care of during the week. I’m impressed with how observant you are of all the little changes that can take place in the space of a year. Great job on this blog and on being an observant grandparent. 🙂

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