confusion sets in

not to blow my own horn or anything*, but i think i've gotten pretty decent at this whole parenting thing. i mean, keeping a living and breathing baby alive for an entire year?? come on, it's a big deal.

of course, there have been some confusing moments along the way. mostly associated with the stacking rings toy. i picture the stacking rings toy being one of the first toys ever. little cave babies stacking rocks, bones, woolly mammoths, on top of other things. turns out i was wrong in thinking it was a simple concept

take for example:

 photo courtesy of katie wise. she doesn't know i'm using it. thanks for being a great finger model, katie.


in case you're thrown off by the fancy colors and round, shiny rings:

granted, these notices don't really apply to us since q clearly has the intelligence of a 5-year old...maybe 6. BUT, for all other parents out there, how are you to know when it's okay to give this toy to your tot? is 18-36 months a grace period where your baby can try it out for a couple of minutes at a time to prepare for when they're three? are you sealing a dreadful fate for your child if you let him play with it between that period??

and if that's not confusing enough for you, try figuring out this stacking ring box:

seven rainbow tower of the colors?!? Companion my baby the intelligence growth?!? YES please!

honestly, i don't even know what to focus on in this description. i just really hope quincy doesn't learn how to read and speak based off this box.

and the other side of the box:

the conversation in my head upon reading this side goes something like this:

"hahahahahahahaha. i can't understand a thing they're trying to say here. it's absolutely absur...wait - what's this wonderful rhythm they speak of that will exercise sense of hearing?"

(eyebrows raise in slight concern)
"it's a ring stacker, not a xylophone..."

(mouth gets dry)
"they repeat the same thing twice, though. that must mean it's an important part of the toy..."

(palms start getting sweaty and eyes start shifting nervously)
"ut-oh, am i missing something in this toy that is developmentally crucial to my baby's growth??"

(hears quincy in the background, playing the piano sonata she just finished composing)**
"...whew, i guess i dodged that bullet."


* i actually am blowing my own horn. on purpose even.
* quincy has never written a piano sonata. she plans to finish her concerto first.