It’s a good thing both Nik and I were math nerds in high school because otherwise, we’d have some squabbling on our hands over just one TI-85 calculator to play with. Thanks to high school upper-level math classes for both of us, we have two identical calculators – one cell phone for each child, in other words!
First, Ellie gave Mark a lesson on how to dial.
distracted by Mama!
Then she gave him a lesson on how to make a phone call and what to say.
“Hi [Uncle] Andreas. You are doing good. Ellie is doing good. Bye Andreas!”
I must say the same thing every time I talk on the telephone because she has telephone chatter pretty much down pat. We’ll see how long it takes before she starts lobbying for her own phone! 🙂
Salmon and Souvlaki 
haha! A calculator is a good idea. My little boy turns everyyyyything into a phone, including the dough hook for the mixer! He will cheerfully hold it up to his ear and say “ah-oh?” Honestly, I rarely talk on the phone… HE has it down though 🙂
I can’t take the credit for that idea! It was all Ellie! And yes, it’s amazing how quickly kids tune into what’s important to you!