Boys Can Fix Anything

So the prince of this blog, came to me the other day, holding a little pile of colored kindling. He told me that the princess of this other blog, wanted him to fix it. "It's a birdhouse." My first thought was "my, what trust she has in a 6-year old boy." I thought that maybe when you are three, 6-year old males seem very mature and competent at fixing construction problems.

I also thought about the fact that I believe that dads can fix anything...this is because my dad could, and did; and so far, my husband hasn't proven my theory wrong (this is partially because he had a mother that forced him to learn how to fix things because they didn't have the money to pay someone to do it). So I said, "I bet her daddy could fix it for her (an example of how her daddy fixes things can be found here and here), you don't have to do it, son." To which he responded, "No-I have to do it. I told her I would, and that I'd bring it to her when it was done."

My, what dedication. So he went to find his dad, because the prince also knows that dads can fix anything. Of course, his dad helped him fix it, sturdy and strong with some wood glue. The prince was so proud and excited to give it back to the princess.

Still curious about what would possess someone (even someone who is three) to ask a young boy to fix a birdhouse, I asked my son how the conversation went. I was thinking that the princess just came up and said, "My birdhouse is broken, will you fix it and bring it to me when it's done?" And, knowing this particular princess, I could see her doing that. Again, this holds to the idea that 6-year olds seem mature when you are three.

What actually happened, however, supported another theory I have had about my son for quite some time. This being "The Prince thinks he can do anything--no challenge is too great." As it turned out, after some heavy questioning on my part, I found that he had seen the princess with the broken birdhouse, who turned to him and said, "The birdhouse is broken." At which time, the prince said, "I can fix it for you."

I suppose I inadvertently instilled a bit of this confidence he has in himself because of the way I have touted the fact that his dad and grandpa can fix anything. I can see his line of thinking. He's a boy, right? Just like his dad and grandpa. So it is only natural that he can fix things too. I'm glad he will carry on the tradition, and think it is cute that he is starting to help princesses in distress so early. Another thing about I've noticed about boys. Unless they are from this blog, they aren't
as good in front of a camera as girls are.

Side note: Helping the princess in this way spurred a conversation between the princes's two sisters, about how there may be some "crushing" going on between the prince and princess, and how we are going to need to inform them that cousins can't marry each other. The prince, who was in the room, and heard the whole conversation, said with no small degree of consternation, "I KNOW that, guys!"