On Top Of The World

God, I Love This Kid

Karin: "Finn, be careful playing out front. There are cars there."

Finn, without a hint of sarcasm or attitude:
"OK. Thanks for the tip, Mom."

All Hail The Queen

Finn: "Oooooh, I can't wait to see that new Alice in Wonderland movie! There's going to be so many cool battles, and swords, and bad guys, and good guys and...."

Shea: "And PIGS!"

Cutting To The (Not So) Quick

Scene: Dinner table.

John still working. Karin and Finn both finished with their meals, while Shea flexes her champion stalling muscles by firing one question after another to nobody in particular.

Shea: "Why do we eat rice?"

Shea: "Why do we get wreaths?"

Shea: "Why do we sing?"

Shea: "Why do we have vineyards?"

Shea: "Why do we use forks?"

Shea: "Why do we...

Finn: "...TALK SO MUCH?!?"

Going, Going, GONE!

Dethroned

Let's face it: Shea's a lovely girl, but girlfriend can be kinda bossy. Especially with her patient, indulgent older brother.

But even Finn sometimes gets fed up. Like he did this morning.

Shea: "Fiiiinnnnnnn, come in here and fix the TV for me!"

Finn: (No response. Keeps working on his Sodoku puzzle.)

Shea: "Fiiiinnnnnnn, come help me!"

Shea: "Fiiiinnnnnnn, come over here right now!"

Shea: "Fiiiinnnnnnn, you need to do this for me!"

Finn: "It's not like you're my QUEEN or anything, so I'm not going to!"

Getting It

Finn: "Scarecrow doesn't have a brain but he's the one with all the ideas. Weird, right?"

Yin And Yang

Once again, my children remind me of their polar opposition on most topics:

Shea: "Mommy, ______ got a time out in school again today."

Karin: "Oh no. Have you ever gotten a time out in school, Shea?"

Shea: "No."

Finn: "Me neither!"

Karin: "Good for you guys. It's not cool to get in trouble in school; it's a waste of everyone's time. So remind me again: Why do we go to school?"

(Blurting out their answers at the exact same time:)

Finn: "To learn."

Shea: "So we won't go to jail."

Showing His Brilliance

Fun Run

Second Grader

His Narrative Doesn't So Much ARC As It Does Explode

Seven.

Limerick

There once was a young boy named Finn

Who had a million-dollar grin

The girls they would chase

Him all over the place

And led his poor mother to gin.

Spanky Lives

Apparently tired of taking turns, today Finn took a thick, black permanent marker from the art supply box and attempted to carve out some boy territory for himself by repeatedly inscribing "NO GIRLS" on the grove of strawberry guava trees in the backyard where he and his sister regularly play.



He was promptly scolded for being a repeat vandal (last week he got busted for writing on his closet door and who can forget this doozie?), and sent to his room for a little cool-down time.

And guess who ended up playing in the trees after all, just before we scrubbed off all the offending graffiti before it set into the bark?

Hey, You Guys!!!

I've been a bit nostalgic lately about my kids' TV choices -- what with the near vapidity of many children's programs (not you, Yo Gabba Gabba) and the impending premiere of the new Electric Company next week -- so I've been recording some episodes of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood for them to watch.

After finishing his dinner tonight, Finn punched up an episode on the DVR and settled, with his sister, into his favorite nook of the couch. Upon hearing the signature theme song begin..."It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...," I said, "Oh, I just love Mister Rogers! You know, he was around when I was a little kid."

F: Really? Was he an old man when you were a little kid?

K: Yep.

F: Well, is he still an old man, or is he dead now?

K: He's dead now, unfortunately.

F: How did he die?

K: He just got old.

F: Oh, it's a good thing nobody shot him.

K: (Expression on face that says: !?!?!?!)

F: I mean, it's a bad thing he's dead, but a good thing nobody shot him.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

So, there's that to think about now.

There's A Novel In Him Yet

I noticed this doodle on the back of Finney's homework today and it delighted me in its conciseness.

2008 In Photos

2008: The Year in Photos

In January the kids got buckled into the car for school, backpacks and lunchboxes in hand -- Shea, for the first time.

In February the kids got spoiled all kinds of rotten.

In March the kids and I climbed up Diamond Head together.

This is the view from about halfway up.

In April, still getting used to the whole concept of preschool, Shea cried through most of her Easter parade. Afterwards, her brother comforted her.

By May, Shea had long-since figured out which of Finney's friends were the cute ones and flirted accordingly.

In June, we posed for a family portrait in our backyard because I needed to submit something for my 20-year high school reunion brochure. 20 years.


In July, while visiting California, the kids got to wear fun hats in a photobooth at Frankie Dino's 6th birthday party.


In August Finn kept a keen eye on the competition at his school's jog-a-thon.



In September the kids watched The Red Balloon on my computer, wearing next to nothing and loving it.



In October John showed Shea how he shaves every morning.



In November we all watched history being made by someone who can actually bodysurf Sandy's.


In December I actually talked Shea into wearing a dress AND a hat.
Which she wore for about 10 minutes.


Here's wishing you a fantastic 2009!