I came through the door last night into the kitchen and could see my family in the dining room, the room next to the kitchen. They were all playing on the floor. My wife, 8 months pregnant, was actually on the floor letting the kids take turns riding on her back. She didn't see me come in. The Boy Child announced my presence:

BC: Mamma! Is him!

Mamma: Hvem? (Who, in Norwegian)

BC: Him! Your friend Pappa!

I don't know why I thought that was so funny but I did. Maybe because it was interesting to see how his mind worked in terms of figuring out his mother's and my relationship.

In any event, later we read a story with the word "salute" in it and, if he remembers, I have him primed to go into his classroom today and say hello to his teachers by announcing: "Greetings and Salutations!" We'll see. Keep your fingers crossed.

Posted by: Random Penseur at 09:24 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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1 It worked well when my niece used the same greeting right after we finished reading Charlotte's Web together. I am sure the BC will not disappoint.

Posted by: Wicked H at March 30, 2006 10:59 AM (iqFar)

2 "Your friend, Pappa!" That's so alarmingly cute, I don't think I'll be able to function at my job today. AWWWWWW! I love the stories of your children, RP. :-) And Happy 1000 Blog! I remember ya way back when. Ye olden days o' blogging on blogspot. Heh. ;-)

Posted by: Amber at March 30, 2006 11:20 AM (zQE5D)

3 Your children just knock me off my feet.

Posted by: Jennifer at March 30, 2006 05:15 PM (jl9h0)

4 That is sweet and a testimony to your wonderful relationship. May you always be friends with your wife....

Posted by: Rachel Ann at March 31, 2006 01:59 AM (rkNfP)

5 LOLLLL!! My auntie still tells the story of my 15 year-old, when he was around four. My auntie came to visit with her long-time boyfriend. My son, who shared a room with his older brother, woke up and came into the kitchen asking her: "Where's yer brudder?" (I think you can follow his train of thought, here.) I love love loooove the innocence and simple yet brilliant turns of a child's mind. They have a way of cutting right through all pretense that I adore. Hug those babies, kiddo. And your wife, too. Make them hug you, twice. xoxo

Posted by: Margi at March 31, 2006 12:16 PM (BRtaN)

6 Awww, I also love the stories about your children! And did Boy Child salute his teacher? Anyway, good luck with everything - I'm sure it'll all come out all right.

Posted by: Hannah at April 05, 2006 01:01 AM (ImQx2)

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Before I dash off to Court for a hearing on a preliminary injunction, let me share the following, very quickly. We're in the car on Sunday and pull in to the gas station to fill the beast up. In front of us is an older guy who is getting back into his car, the driver door swung so wide open that we cannot move around him. So we wait while he re-enters his car. And we wait. And I comment, something along the lines of: C'mon Sparky, any slower and you'd be moving backwards! I'm none for my patience, you see.

And from the backseat, the Boy Child and the Girl Child, it was impossible to tell who began the chant, they sang out practically in unison, came, loudly:

Who let the dogs out?!?!?!

WHO, WHO??!!!??!! [last bit barked out like a dog]

You can't teach that kind of thing, you know. All you can do is share the rich cultural bounty that is our collective heritage and then rely on the wisdom of the 3 and 5 year old as to when it is appropriate to use it.

I'm so proud.

My wife and I laughed very hard.

Posted by: Random Penseur at 09:25 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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We spent much of Sunday going from our house in Connecticut to the birthday of the daughter of our college room mate in New Jersey. Between 3 and 4 hours of driving, all told. The kids were terrific in the car. Just fine.

The Girl Child sang to us almost the entire ride back, making up songs, performing them, and then quizzing us on what our favorite parts of her inventions were. At one point in the ride, the following transpired:

GC: Hey, Boy Child, you sing now while I have something to drink, ok?

BC: OK. [Sings as commanded]

GC: Great! Now, weÂ’re going to sing a rockinÂ’ song!

Me: You mean, like “Rockin’ Robin”? [Which I then went on to sing for her]

GC: No, Pappa. When I said rockinÂ’ song, I didnÂ’t mean a song that had rockinÂ’ in it; I meant a song that was groovinÂ’

Oh. Silly me. Where did she ever learn the word “groovin’”? She's only five.

Posted by: Random Penseur at 10:50 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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1 I thought "groovin'" went out in the 70's. Maybe she's 5 in dog years?

Posted by: grammarqueen at March 06, 2006 12:40 PM (glf8i)

2 That's hilarious, my guy likes saying "that's cool daddy!" The other day apparently on his own, he found out he could use the mirror to wipe his bum. In his own words "Make sure there no poop in there". I almost didn't believe that's what he said so I had to get him to repeat it. His mom phoned grandma she was so impressed, she thinks he's going to be the guy to cure cancer.

Posted by: Oorgo at March 06, 2006 11:50 PM (1JIkb)

3 I suspect it's the same place she learned "dirty deeds are done dirt cheap."

Posted by: Kathy at March 07, 2006 02:01 AM (zgB3S)

4 But, but, but Rockin' Robin' IS a groovin' song! Maybe you needed to drum the steering wheel a little harder!

Posted by: Tuning Spork at March 07, 2006 10:10 PM (G59Qu)

5 Groovin' is easy, as the Electric Flag used to sing!

Posted by: Mark at March 07, 2006 10:16 PM (qzDTG)

6 I just hear the girl child singing. I am experiencing it now and remeber when I did it with my sister.. These are your underated posts..

Posted by: dr pants at March 09, 2006 08:30 PM (glVUp)

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The Viking Bride was at the doctor today for her usual pre-natal checkup and she received some interesting news. Because of her medical complications, which I have not written about here, her doctor told her that he was going to do a planned induction for the baby's birth. This means that she's having the baby by appointment. Her labor by appointment is scheduled for April 21. Fortunately, I don't seem to have other plans for that day. But you never know what may crop up in the intervening days, of course. Still, I will endeavor to hold the day open.

Seriously, my wife is quite happy to at least have an outside date. Given her other pregnancies, this really is just an outside date and, well, you never know.

We still donÂ’t know what the new baby will be: boy or girl. IÂ’m kind of interested to find out, though. Ultimately, as long as the child is healthy I do not care a whit about what s/he has between the legs. Just be healthy. ThatÂ’s all I ask and I hope it isnÂ’t too much.

Posted by: Random Penseur at 02:16 PM | Comments (11) | Add Comment
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1 Lykk til!

Posted by: dr pants at March 03, 2006 02:43 PM (glVUp)

2 I was behind on my reading... but to hear that you're expecting another kid - congratulations! Good luck with everything!

Posted by: Hannah at March 03, 2006 02:49 PM (ImQx2)

3 I used to tell people that I wanted a boy or a girl, not a hermaphrodite. That response never really went over very well. Congrats & good luck, RP!

Posted by: grammarqueen at March 03, 2006 03:05 PM (Phwij)

4 Holy cow! That's just around the CORNER! How did this happen so fast?!?!?!

Posted by: Jennifer at March 03, 2006 05:49 PM (y4DOI)

5 Congrats! April 21st will be a good day!

Posted by: Bridget at March 03, 2006 05:58 PM (aot1k)

6 A fine date -- two days after my birthday! April 21 has much to recommend it. Best of luck in the stretch run!

Posted by: MCNS at March 04, 2006 01:17 PM (ShpyL)

7 Some people born on April 21st: Jan van Riebeeck -- Dutch founder of Cape Town, South Africa Catherine the Great -- Emporess of Russia Charlotte Bronte -- author of Jane Eyre John Muir -- Naturalist, explorer of Yosemite Anthony Quinn -- actor, Zorba The Greek Queen Elizabeth II -- Queen of the U.K. Elaine May -- comedienne (Wow, remember her?!) Charles Grodin -- actor, ummm... Ishtar! Iggy Pop -- rock n' ro-o-o-o-o-ll! Tony Danza -- actor, Taxi, She's The Boss Andie Macdowell -- actress, Groundhog Day Robert Smith -- musician and singer, The Cure Congrats, and I hope everthing goes swimmingly, RP!

Posted by: Tuning Spork at March 04, 2006 02:47 PM (Rki5A)

8 All will be well, my friend. April 21 is a good date; however, whichever day your child arrives will be a blessed day! ; )

Posted by: Christina at March 05, 2006 10:15 PM (zJsUT)

9 Your daughter/son's birthday will be a joyous one, they will be happy and healthy, I can feel it! Congratulations, and try not to explode from anticipation

Posted by: Oorgo at March 06, 2006 11:40 PM (1JIkb)

10 We haven't found out the sex of any children in advance and I've enjoyed having that bit of information spurring me on at the end. April is a lovely birth month. My birthday is a few days before the 21st. Best wishes as the momentous occasion approaches.

Posted by: Jordana at March 07, 2006 12:04 PM (F2YNr)

11 Congratulations! Overlooked this somehow!

Posted by: Mark at March 08, 2006 08:08 AM (z/PEu)

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