We often talk about Notebooking as it pertains to entertainment.  It’s true that Notebooking is entertaining and if you’re stuck somewhere, like the DMV or a doctor’s office, Notebooking can be a sanity preserving diversion.

But, did you know that your Notebooking can entertain other people as well?  Let me tell you a story.

Years ago, I lived near a mall that had a huge fountain in it.  I liked its sound so I would Notebook there.  Since this was in the middle of a mall, the fountain was surrounded by stores.  Often when I Notebook I get visitors.  This day was no different, except my visitor was different.  She was 4 or 5 years old, with messy brown hair and jelly shoes that were probably once pink but now the color of a sandbox.

“What are you doing?” said the girl.

I replied, “Hi.  My name is Kevin and I’m writing in my notebook.”

“I can write my name!” she bragged.

“Would you like to write your name in my book?” I offered.

“OK”

She took my pen and scribbled over the entire page I had written.  I didn’t mind though, kids tend to act like children.

“What’s your name, sweetie?”

“Jillian! Can’t you read!?”

“I’m sorry.” I said, suddenly aware that I was a grown man talking to an unaccompanied 5 year old I asked, “Is your mommy or daddy here?”

“Mommy’s shopping.” she said with a resigned flourish that anyone who has been a child knows.

Feeling like I was panning for gold in a pig trough I asked in desperation, “Want to make a story in my book?”

“You made a good choice!” she said in such a way that told me that Mommy says that often when Jillian is behaving.

“Is there a princess in the story?” Jillian asked gleefully.

“Of course, but I don’t know her name.” I said.

“Jillian!” she yelled.

“Once upon a time there was a princess named Jillian and…?”

“It was her birthday!” she happily screamed to a stranger in a mall.

“What is princess Jillian going to do on her birthday?”

As if I had asked the stupidest question ever Jillian said, “Go to Chuckee Cheese!”

I told her that was a good choice and she laughed.

Thinking I was on a roll I asked, “Is Batman going too?”  Children love Batman, I told myself.

There comes a point when every child realizes that Batman is simply a rich, white male beating up lower income, desperate people.  That point is called adulthood.  Long before that point, however, is the point when children realize that “Batman” refers to a specific person.  Thankfully, Jillian hadn’t reached either point yet.  Jillian replied, “Yes.  Lady Batman the princess’s pony with the pink fur.”

After that I tried to let go of all preconceived notions I had about children and followed Jillian’s example by focusing on the story.  This is that story:

Once upon a time there was a princess named Jillian and it was her birthday.  She was going to Chuckee Cheese and she brought her pony Lady Batman with the pink fur.  When Princess Jillian got to Chuckee Cheese all the pizza was gone and she was so sad.  She cried and cried.  Then Princess Jillian made a good choice and said, “I’ll wait my turn.”  Because she waited her turn Princess Jillian got a whole pizza to herself and it had pepperoni and cheese and olives on it.  And there was a bowl of jelly beans but no black jelly beans because those are bad.  And extra purple jelly beans!  Then Princess Jillian and Lady Batman (who has pink fur) went to play games but all the tokens were gone.  Princess Jillian made a good choice and said, “I’ll wait my turn.”  Then she got a blue purse with Cinderella on it and it was full of tokens!!!  Princess Jillian and Lady Batman played all the games.  Twice.  Then Princess Jillian got tired so she said, “I’m tired” and went home to her castle that also had a blanket fort.  Then she watched Dora and ate SO MANY JELLYBEANS! 

The End.

 

After a short while a woman came rushing out of one of the stores and apologized repeatedly.  Neither Jillian nor I knew what she was apologizing for.

I was Notebooking while enjoying the sound of a massive fountain.  When I was approached by Jillian I could have turned her away or told her to go back to her mom.  I could have left.  Instead, I made a good choice.