This past week my nephew came home from his mission to Ireland. As we all gathered to see him come through the customs door in Salt Lake City, it was fun to take an inventory of which kids he had seen and which ones had been born while he was on his mission.

Sunday was his homecoming talk, followed by a family luncheon at his parents’ home. My four-year-old grand-nephew has become a fun young friend and was ready and waiting to tell me about the adventures in his life. The kids ate before the adults, so he was all finished and came over to tell me about all the things happening in his world.

He said that his mother had baked a batch of cookies. I wanted to try one, because they looked delicious. I said, “Ben, can you get me one of your mother’s cookies?” He looked at my plate that still had quite a bit of food on it and said, “You will have to finish your food before I can get you a cookie.”

When I was all finished I put my paper cup, napkin and plastic serving items on my paper plate and said, “Ben, could you please take these paper items over and put them in the garbage can by the fridge?”

He looked up at me as serious as he could be and said, “You know, I can’t do everything for you.” Wow. Kids do say the darnedest things.

My brother, who is becoming bald on the top of his head, was visiting his three-year-old granddaughter. She was rubbing her hand through what little hair he still had left. He said after a few minutes she turned to him and said, “Grandpa, why do you have so much no hair?”

I remember when my little niece was about three we gathered at daybreak at their home before we left for a trip. I remember that she came out of the bedroom holding her little doll. As she looked out the door she could see that it was getting just a bit lighter minute by minute. She looked up at me and said, “Oh, look! The morning is growing.”

As I thought about what kid says I remember Art Linkletter, who got kids to say the darnedest things by taking an interest in them and then asking insightful questions. I went to YouTube and searched on Art Linkletter and up came several shows where he interviewed kids from the age of 2 to 10. It was fun to hear some of the questions he asked.

I thought it might be good to list a few of them. Then, when you see the kids throughout the Christmas season, take the opportunity to spend some fun time with them as you ask them some interesting questions.

Here are some of the questions that he asked:

1. What do you want to do when you grow up?

2. How old would you like to be and then you would just stop? Then what would you want to do?

3. Do you know what a politician is? What do they do?

4. What would you like to do if you were_______________?

5. If you were the teacher at school what would you do?

It is so interesting to see the world through the eyes of kids. Take time this holiday to enjoy the little ones in your life and you will hear the darnedest things.

Dian is the author of several books on projects that you can do with kids. Take time now to check her books out at Dian@Dianthomas.com and then get one and see how much fun you will create with the kids and grandkids. She also has a special deal on five of her books and 2 DVDs. Check it out.

If you have any question you would like to ask Dian, send it to info@dianthomas.com. Have a great holiday season.