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Thursday, August 20, 2009

WHITE MAN WALKING!



The funniest thing has emerged from our visit to NYC.

Before I go into what has transpired, I want to remind you that my children are used to going everywhere in a car. We don’t walk in Florida. It’s just something that’s not done.

All this walking and taking trains and taxis is just plain cool for them.

On our very first day here, I wanted to make sure that the kids knew how important it was to be careful in the big city. I explained to them that not only were there thousands of people walking the streets, but that there were cars, buses and trucks coming from every which way.

When we approached our first street corner to cross, I pointed out to them that you need to look at the sign across the street from you. “If there is a red hand, that means you need to STOP. You cannot cross the street. If there is a "white man walking", then that means that you can cross the street.”

Immediately they caught on to when it was safe to cross. The only problem is that wherever we are, when the walking signal changes, Kai yells out at the top of his little lungs, “WHITE MAN WALKING!” to assure us all (bystanders included) that it’s safe to cross the street.

Now, after 5 days of listening to him proclaim his new found wisdom (at every street corner and trust me, we walk miles and miles daily) the other two little ones have caught on. There's rarely a street corner we stand on that people don't turn to look at us when they hear, "White Man Walking!" The funny thing is that now sweet hubby and I have both caught ourselves telling them it's time to cross the street when we see the "white man walking" sign light up by yelling out, "Let's go! White Man Walking!" as we quickly move them along.

Therefore, don't be surprised if you happen to be standing on a street corner in Manhattan and you hear high-pitched little voices yelling, “White Man Walking”. It's vital to remember that these little people are not saying this in the same context as “dead man walking” and they certainly are not engaging in any type of racist comments.

Instead, our sweet children are just three concerned little preschoolers advising all around them that it is now safe to cross the street.

P.S. Since some of you have asked, still no sightings of "The Man" ::sniff::

15 comments :

Jill said...

That cracks me up! Glad you all have had such an awesome time together!
Hugs, Jill

TanyaLea said...

That is SO cute!! Love it!!! I will never look at the 'White Man Walking' signal the same ever again!! LOL! ;o)

Sherri said...

Oh my gosh, I had to check out your post when I saw on my blog list "White Man Walking". That's too funny and thanks for the chuckle so early in the morning.

sara said...

that is so cute!!! I am sure they are some New Yorkers having a good laugh about it!!!

what? no sign of him? did he not know his biggest fan was coming to town?!?!!!

Anonymous said...

So funny!!! Glad y'all are living it up in NYC... it is going to miss your family when you leave!
Love ya!
Shanna

Starla said...

Nice way to wake up in the morning....to another cute story about three cute kiddos!

Starla

Aus said...

Maybe 'he' was afraid of being mugged by some crazy cuban chica? :) As for the WMW - yeah - ain't kids just wunnerful sometimes? Then again - in NYC that would kind of be 'par for the course' - they really are a group of people that have a sense of humor, guess that you gotta be to live there!

hugs - aus and co.

Julie said...

I love it!!! "White Man Walking"...that is too funny! Looks like all of you are having such a good time. Happy Birthday to Amanda! She is such a beautiful young lady. Thanks for sharing New York with me :)

Veronica @ Luv My Quiver Full Of Arrows said...

This is TOO FUNNY, Ohilda! I love how kids can bring comic relief at anytime of the day and obviously anywhere.

xoxo, Veronica in CA

Patricia said...

LOL!! We went through this too awhile back...now we switched to looking at the traffic light & saying "Green Light...GO!" I couldn't bear the looks we kept getting with "WMW" lol!

geminirn said...

Hey girl...just catching up here,looks and sounds like you are all having a super great time,love all the wonderful photos.Happy Birthday to your big baby girl(she is beautiful).I will never again look at the "white man walking" on the street corners the same way......lmao!!!

Angie said...

What a great chuckle this morning! I can just hear preschoolers directing those in the big city...thanks for the laugh with my morning java!

a Tonggu Momma said...

Heh. Double heh. I so wish I could see... er... hear that.

The Byrd's Nest said...

I will always remember this each time I see the "white man". lol We have to walk EVERYWHERE here in Costa Rica and the first few times we were actually walking AT a crosswalk we kept hearing birds chirp. It took us a few times to figure out it is the crosswalk....it chirps until the time runs out. funny.

mommy24treasures said...

how cuuuute! This is what I love about having little ones around.

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