One of the things Chris planted in the garden this year is sunflowers. The other day, he and the boys were out surveying the land as they do sometimes, and Chris was showing them what was planted where. Somehow they got on the topic of sunflower height and I'm not exactly sure how the conversation went, but I know it ended when Logan measured across his chest and said, "So they'll grow to be about as tall as my boobs."
Chris informed me of this little tidbit as we were going to bed last night. I asked if Logan was saying it as a joke or if he was being serious. Chris shrugged and said something along the lines of, "Well, he wasn't smiling." I suggested we clarify this particular bit of Logan's anatomical confusion so he doesn't go say something to his friends at school about his boobs. Chris chose tonight with the family gathered around the dinner table as the perfect moment for the discussion. It went a little something like this:
Chris (totally out of the blue, by the way): You know, boys don't have boobs. That's really kind of a girl thing.
Logan: What?
Chris: When we were talking about sunflowers and you said they'd grow up to your boobs? Yeah, boys don't have boobs.
Logan: Well what do they have?
Me: It's just called your chest.
Logan: No, those things on my chest.
Me: Oh. [Pause.] Those are nipples.
(As I'm choking the word nipple out, I look over the table to see Declan pulling the neck of his shirt down to show me his nipple, just to clear up what part Logan was asking about.)
Me: Yep. That's a nipple.
Logan: So the sunflowers will grow to be as high as my nipples.
Chris and Me: Just say chest.
Declan: So how high on me will they grow?
Logan: I guess that depends on what part of you is as tall as my nipples.
At this point, both the boys stand up and do some measuring as Chris and I try to contain our giggling. We asked them to sit down and finish eating dinner and let's talk about something else, please.
As Declan was sinking back into his seat, he said very quietly, "Nipple."
(In case anyone's wondering, Declan's shoulders are Logan's nipple height.)
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012
7.
Last weekend, Declan turned seven. He had been counting down the days for weeks and was so excited with the anticipation of it. Luckily he's still young enough that the reality didn't disappoint. Chris and I surprised him the day before by taking McDonald's to him at school for lunch. There's something special about having lunch with the kids at school. They're still young enough to appreciate our presence and be thrilled to see us. Their friends think we're supercool (I know!) and they love to talk with us and play silly games until it's time to go to recess.
Having family living out of town means that birthdays and holidays come with lots of love through the mail. The boys know by now to watch to see what arrives at the house, their eyes extra concerned with who things are addressed to. My mom mailed a check to Declan this year, something he was not familiar with. When Chris told him what it was, he looked at it and gasped, "TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS?!" with the excitement and wonder that kids his age can muster. We corrected him and told him it was actually twenty-five dollars, and he was mildly disappointed at the difference. He got over it quickly and told me a few minutes later, "That was really, really nice of them!" We suggested he could spend his $25 buying dinner for the family, but he declined that particular option.
We had a small party in our backyard with a few of his select friends. They had fun on the trampoline, slip'n'slide, and running around and around the yard. I made what can only be described as the ugliest cake ever. Dex wanted a blue cake with orange icing and unfortunately, that's what he got. He thought it was awesome though, and that's what matters, I guess.
At 7, Declan's personality is pretty much the same as it's always been, just a little more ... something. Some days I think to myself, "What have I done to deserve this kid?" and some days I think to myself, "What have I done to deserve this kid?!" He's totally into science, trying to figure out how things work, asking tons of questions, destroying things, etc. He loves cooking and is always asking to be let loose in the kitchen. Aunt Andrea let him create a dish totally on his own one day when she was babysitting. He made some noodles (buttered noodles is, like, his favorite thing ever) and mixed them with garlic, curry, Mountain Dew, cinnamon, and caramel. I'm told he was quite disappointed when he tasted the concoction. But it was really fun for him to be able to put his favorite things together and hope for something awesome. He does that with Legos a lot and I think with better results.
In conclusion, Declan is a land of many contrasts.
Here he is not enjoying some roast beef:
Hanging out in a laundry basket:
Room-cleaning attire:
Cuteness:
Having family living out of town means that birthdays and holidays come with lots of love through the mail. The boys know by now to watch to see what arrives at the house, their eyes extra concerned with who things are addressed to. My mom mailed a check to Declan this year, something he was not familiar with. When Chris told him what it was, he looked at it and gasped, "TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS?!" with the excitement and wonder that kids his age can muster. We corrected him and told him it was actually twenty-five dollars, and he was mildly disappointed at the difference. He got over it quickly and told me a few minutes later, "That was really, really nice of them!" We suggested he could spend his $25 buying dinner for the family, but he declined that particular option.
We had a small party in our backyard with a few of his select friends. They had fun on the trampoline, slip'n'slide, and running around and around the yard. I made what can only be described as the ugliest cake ever. Dex wanted a blue cake with orange icing and unfortunately, that's what he got. He thought it was awesome though, and that's what matters, I guess.
At 7, Declan's personality is pretty much the same as it's always been, just a little more ... something. Some days I think to myself, "What have I done to deserve this kid?" and some days I think to myself, "What have I done to deserve this kid?!" He's totally into science, trying to figure out how things work, asking tons of questions, destroying things, etc. He loves cooking and is always asking to be let loose in the kitchen. Aunt Andrea let him create a dish totally on his own one day when she was babysitting. He made some noodles (buttered noodles is, like, his favorite thing ever) and mixed them with garlic, curry, Mountain Dew, cinnamon, and caramel. I'm told he was quite disappointed when he tasted the concoction. But it was really fun for him to be able to put his favorite things together and hope for something awesome. He does that with Legos a lot and I think with better results.
In conclusion, Declan is a land of many contrasts.
Here he is not enjoying some roast beef:
Hanging out in a laundry basket:
Room-cleaning attire:
Cuteness:
Dear Children:
A closed, locked bathroom door is an invitation to leave me alone for a few minutes, not an invitation to try and conduct business with me by shouting your complaints and/or wishes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)