Boat Boys Booted

Boat Co. Rep. to me at the Chicago Boat, RV and Outdoors Show: “Sir, you really need to be with your children when they’re on the boat.”

RedPlanet: “I’m trying to get them off.”

Boat Co. Rep.: “That is an excellent idea.”

And so it went, as our little boat and RV enthusiasts took the show by storm; excitedly tearing through every boat and RV while largely oblivious to the other thousands of attendees. In the process they thankfully burnt off some pent-up winter energy. I knew it was finally time to go when the boys turned their attention from checking out the features inside each RV (the best - a gas fireplace!) to trying to climb into all of the sleeping areas to "rest." 

Owen has his eye on a $339,000 boat for his 8th birthday, by the way, if anyone wants to go in together on it. If you are looking for something a bit more reasonable, an RV will do. The word is that either would make an excellent clubhouse. The expected proliferation of “No Girls Allowed” signs should he obtain said boat or RV has Deanna less than enthusiastic about buying either for him, so I will leave it up to someone else to get it for him. Oh, and don’t forget to get a gift receipt so we can return it if we end up with more than one, although Hayden and Cooper could use the spare as their clubhouse during the periods when Owen gets tired of them and erects some of his "No One Under 7 allowed" signs on his.

Holiday Leftovers

Another Christmas in the books! Some random observations from the season just passed:

On Christmas morning, I realized that we must be at or near the end of Santa's route every year, where he is forced to make due with the dregs and cheap filler from the bottom of the bag. This realization was prompted by Owen's observation, upon emptying his stocking, that this was the first year Santa hadn't brought him hand sanitizer. Who knew the kid was paying such attention to detail!

Speaking of Santa, Owen and his best friend Jack spent much time pre-Christmas in their analytical seven-year old style debating the best approach to their Santa lists - "best" in this case meaning maximizing their ability to get what they wanted. Jack went with an all Legos Star Wars approach, in an effort to make sure he obtained as many sets at once as possible. Owen went with a more varied list and gravely confided in me prior to Christmas that he felt Jack was making a tactical error. Then there was the post-Christmas analysis, with Owen now feeling that Jack's approach had been successful, despite his own happiness at receiving a Legos Star Wars set (he was apparently hoping for three!) and a variety of other things, and Jack telling us that he would include non-Lego Star Wars items if he had it to do over again.

Although I have posted about it in the past, I continue to be amazed and amused at the Catholic pre-school's annual labeling of Joseph as "Jesus' step-father." While technically true, I suppose, it just makes me laugh to see a full page take-home pictorial labeling Mary as Jesus' mother on one side and Joseph as his step-father on the other. It was simply not something that was ever discussed in those terms to my recollection as a kid. Are step-fathers more common now? Were there too many probing questions about the whole God/Joseph father thing? I personally think the whole thing is ripe with "My Two Dads" style situation comedy possibilities.

My favorite Christmas outfit was Hayden's self-selected ensemble of a long sleeve camoflauge shirt with a green sweater vest picturing a reindeer worn over it. The whole hunter/deer irony thing was lost on him however, and he mistakenly thought he was looking pretty good since the greens matched (vaguely). Regretfully, no picture to share of this one.

When we first set up our porcelain nativity scene, we decided to stow Jesus away until he was born on Christmas morning. At a loss as to where to put him, I stuffed him in a drawer of the dining room server. This prompted Hayden to observe that the server was "like Heaven", where Jesus was waiting with God before he was born. Here's hoping that the real Heaven is filled with more than crystal goblets and half-burnt birthday candles.

Best Christmas moment: Cooper's broad smile as he clutched his newly opened Louisville slugger Wii baseball bat accessory to his chest and stated simply "I love my gift."  Nice work Grandma Linda!

As for Resolutions, I am pledging, dear readers, to reward your dedication and patience with AT LEAST thirty six blog posts this year. You heard me right, thirty six. And no crap filler either, like this post - we are talking Grade A quality posts. Brace yourselves. 

Happy New Year!