Driving the Backhoe

We went to visit the site of the new house Bobba Steve and I are building. It was very muddy and you got a little bored walking around having to hold someone’s hand. There were many hazardous places where a three-year-old could get hurt. I led you up to the backhoe that was parked near the road away from danger at the top of the hill.

You climbed up into the cab, like the agile monkey-boy you are, and immediately sat in the seat. I climbed into the cab from the other side.

“Well, Mr. Backhoe operator what work do you have to do today?”

“I have to dig more holes for your house to plant trees.”

That was a great idea! You took the wheel and turned to the left and turned to the right. In your mind we were moving.

“See the bucket there is full of water.” It had rained the night before, thus all the mud and the full bucket. “It has water in it because I was digging water.”

“Why were you digging water?”

“When Sky and me come in the summer we will swim in your water (the creek). I want to dig the water so everyone will fit in there.”

(From all the way up at our house the creek looks smaller than it is.)

“I am glad you thought to dig it out some more. You are very kind to think of fitting us all in there. We will splash and go fishing and have great fun.”

You pressed some buttons and tried to move some levers. Nothing actually worked, except in your mind.

“See this black tube, that’s where you put in the gas and it goes to the engine back there.”

“Why is the engine in the back? Most engines are in the front.”

“Because it’s a backhoe, that means the engine is back there.”

That makes sense to me.

Just then a big black crow landed on the bucket, frightening you for a second. You didn’t miss a beat with your story.

“See this button here?” You pointed to a random button.

“When you press this button a cracker comes of here,” and you pointed to the ashtray. “Then you feed the bird with it and it flies away.”

I asked if we could try it and you explained that it was broken and had run out of crackers. In a few moments the crow flew off.

“I guess the bird wasn’t very hungry,” I said. “Tell me how does a boy like you know how to drive a backhoe, where the engine, where the gas goes and that it has a cracker button. Does Sky know these things too?”

You turned the wheel and I know the little wheel was turning in your head too.

“Sky doesn’t know yet. I will show her how to do everything. When she’s three she will be very smart too.”

You are always thinking of others and want to include your sister in all you do. There can be no better brother and no better backhoe operator that you my dear, sweet Aiden!

- Nana Beth