Privacy and Provocations

These blog posts have been getting fewer and farther between for two reasons I thought I'd share. First, the kids aren't little any more and no longer do ridiculously cute things daily. Second, well... the kids aren't little any more. I'm not as comfortable posting details of their increasingly complex lives and thoughts in a public forum. I always check with them first, but privacy definitely seems like a bigger deal as they get older. That said, here are a few recent thoughts and happenings in no particular order.

I just finished reading a book with Larkin and Finn that involves cutting edge technology, an illustration of the power of the written word, analysis of government structure and variety, recognition that removing an external threat sometimes causes conflict within, an ethical treatment of xenocide, condemnation of rampant ageism and an exploration of how sensitivity is both the bane and the boon of our humanity. I'm pretty sure I just covered All The Subjects! I guess I'll leave out the part where it was science fiction.

Finn has taken to telling me, "You da mom!" in the manner of the expression, "You da bomb!" He is also officially the first kid I know to tie a tooth to a door knob and actually follow through with slamming the door.

We were discussing third person narration. Larkin got it immediately: "Like Elmo... and Gollum." Pretty much covers the bases. Then we realized Gollum is a sort of first person/third person hybrid, refers to himself as "we" more often than anything else. Technically, I think it's first person plural, but that doesn't sit quite right given that Gollum isn't plural! More like a royal first person narrator within the larger narrative. There should be a name for that.


Finn recently had sore belly muscles (for the life of me, I can't remember why... it may have been a particularly strenuous yoga session) and forbid us from making him laugh. The rest of us pretty much took that as a challenge. Good times. The following episode happened while he was sore.

I realized recently that there was an egregious vacuum in the children's education. Namely, at 9 and 11 neither Larkin nor Finn have perfected (or ever even attempted) the dreaded Eye Roll. Certain that this would be a necessary skill in years to come, I embarked on a rigorous training session. Oh how I wished to take out my phone and record a video, but I knew the shenanigans would become more self-conscious if I did. Neither of them were naturals. Finn showed slightly more native talent than Larkin, who couldn't keep herself from rolling her whole head. In fact, when standing, she would go up on tip-toe to increase the effect. They both looked more like they were having epileptic seizures than expressing disdain. Eventually I managed to convince them that a full 360 degree roll was not necessary to produce the desired effect, but I'm afraid the perfectly timed exasperated exhalation will have to wait for a future session.

Respect Your Elders... And Your Enemies

Last month, Jim and I were in the same place on Father's Day for the first time since Emile and I were (probably) married 16 years ago. This is mostly coincidence and partly a mutual ambivalence about Hallmark holidays-- best to appreciate people at every available opportunity, after all. Well, Jim had just sent me a link to then and now photos of classic rock giants and Father's Day seemed an appropriate day to recreate one of his classics.

Then:

And now:

Larkin and Finn are very excited to take friends the next time we visit Jim and Mary. This necessitated a conversation about the importance of kindness when dealing with people of another generation, and the importance of making sure everyone feels respected and comfortable. Finally Jim promised to be on his best behaviour.

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In other news, Finn remains an avid gamer. I recently overheard this conversation while he was playing Plants Vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare with a friend:

Friend: Stand, and fight like a man!
Finn: Well... like a human, or a soldier. Not like a "man."
Several minutes later:
Finn: Stand, and fight like... vaguely humanoid vegetation!

Fabric Art

As the weather changed, we realized that most of the kids' summer shirts no longer fit, so we launched a shirt-painting campaign to make some new favourites. So much childhood geekiness.

We began with Finn's request for a Minecraft creeper:

Straight lines, one color. Just my speed! Larkin then got so excited about the idea of a Minecraft piggy shirt that she even chose to wear pink for the first time in many years:

My favourite part of the piggy? The tail on the back, although she refused to put it down lower on the shirt as I strongly suggested.

 Then there was this batik-style doodle, going nova:

 The amulet from one of Finn's favourite graphic novels, Amulet:

 Symbols for the four elements from Avatar: The Last Airbender:

The Dragon Ball Z logo (I'm especially proud of the little shiny spot on the dragon ball):

 

Proof that you can create a true Fibonacci spiral... in glue, on fabric:

The logo from one of Larkin's favorite youtube shows, Nerdy Nummies (puff paint sprinkles!):

 

You can see the faint traces of chalk outlines around the dots-- they came out in the wash. And, of course, Harry Potter's deathly hallows:

Surely we'll be the envy of all the nerdy children at park days this summer!

Brave New World

Skype has been a remarkable tool that Larkin and Finn use to keep in touch with distant (and sometimes not so distant) friends. Finn plays games with kids in Europe, Australia and all across North America. Larkin touches base daily with a few special friends; sometimes crafting, sometimes gaming, sometimes just chatting. And, of course, sometimes Larkin and Finn Skype each other from adjacent rooms.

Our nightly calls when Emile is out of town have become video chats. Emile and Larkin often play chess while Skyping, Finn often only sticks around long enough to make some goofy faces and otherwise express his affection.

I have had to become used to having windows almost constantly open from our home into others. Usually it's a good thing-- if I find myself deciding not to say something because I'm near a live laptop, it's probably something that didn't need to be said in the first place. Luckily, I'm not overly sensitive about being seen in PJs. With bedhead. In the afternoon.

The other day, I offered up some of those plastic packing pillows for popping. You know, the big ones that make the really loud, satisfying noise when jumped on. It turned out that Finn had been Skyping. Some poor Austrian kid momentarily panicked while he thought his American friend's family was being mowed down by a flurry of gunfire. Typical, I guess.

UPDATE: Finn and a friend were Skyping while playing a fishing game. Finn was trying to help his friend catch better fish by advising him on his bait choice. My attention was drawn from across the house when I heard him shouting "Master bait! Master bait!"

Some Mysteries Are Best Left...

I found this collection of items in the middle of the kitchen table. I feel there must be a back story but I'm hesitant to ask.

Darndest Things

When Emile returned from a week away in San Jose, Larkin informed him that I "really stepped up" to "pick up the slack" while he was out of town. Thankyouverymuch.

Today at the park, a friend pointed up in the sky and said, "it's a bird... it's a plane..." and Finn jumped in to helpfully finish the saying, "it's a man insane... it's our president, LBJ!" Apparently Country Joe and the Fish get more airtime than Superman around here.

Philosopher's Dream

Last night, Finn had a dream that two philosophers were discussing the fate of the earth and humanity. One suggested they should combine all the planets so there would be plenty of space to explore and inhabit. The other pointed out that the gravity would be too great for currently evolved humans. One or both of the philosophers may or may not have been riding a meteor at the time. Nine year old problems.

Love and Cars

The kids' orthodontist always has little games or contests with prizes. This month, they had an entry box from which a random winner would be drawn. To enter, you were instructed to fill in a form with "Three things you love about your Mom or Dad." Finn's entry:

1. They're very cuddly.
2. They have time to spend with us.
3. They're good cooks.

Apparently he couldn't separate us in his head, but it's nice to know his priorities.

In other news, we just bought a new (to us) car because the electrical system in our older Subaru was getting less reliable by the month. Finn (ever resistant to change) was extremely reluctant to part with the car we've had since before he was born. Larkin was also having a hard time, but was trying valiantly to downplay it since Finn was obviously so much more strongly affected. Both kids shed tears as we drove away from the only car they've ever known.

We will miss our 357CPU license plates and our trusty Subaru.

After pushing All The Buttons on the way home, the kids are pretty thrilled with the relative luxury of the new car and think future road trips will be much more comfortable. I had a hard time not entering a destination into the built in navigation system and hitting the road tonight myself. Bonus: Now Larkin and Finn can each bring a friend when we're going somewhere rather than having to agree on one between them.

We are hopeful that we will make some fantastic new memories in our fancy (red!) car.