It's In the Genes

My grandfather had an infamous habit of sticking his tongue out when he was in a state of deep concentration. I can still picture him sitting there putting together puzzles or shelling peas, with his tongue clenched between his teeth. Over the years, it's been the running joke whenever any of us kids would be caught doing the same thing, we'd hear or say, "Oh they must get it from Grandpa." Lately, I've noticed Rayna doing things with her tongue sticking out. Usually when she's running, which scares me that she'll bite it off if she falls. But I've also caught her doing it while she's reading books or playing with her Backyardigans' Circus. I love the idea that it's a family gene that she inherited from my grandfather. I know he'd get a kick out of seeing it, too. Whoever she takes after, she's full of personality that's for sure. I find myself biting my own tongue every day to keep from laughing out loud at some of the naughty things she does or says, like holding her finger up to me and saying "No, no, Mama!" or "Top (stop) it, Mama." Usually when she's naughty I blame Ryan saying it's his side of the family. When she's sweet and gentle, like playing with our cat Fred, and saying "Awww Fwed, awww Fwed" she totally takes after me!