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.
Posts
