Spring

Start'm young

Daddy, I'm not a saint...

At night we pray with Daniel and ask for the intercessions of the saints, one of which is, of course, St. Daniel. To which Daniel now repeatedly replies:

Daniel: No Daddy, I'm not a saint. I don't have the rings around my head.

Hidden treasures of Seattle

Michele and I are nesting again. The other day we tackled the basement, which inevitably means a run to the dump. This is an experience Michele has never had.

As we prepare to start cleaning...

Michele (with a slight whine): I want to go with you to the dump this time. You only take boys to the dump with you, and I've never been able to see it.

Chris (who loves a trip to the dump with anyone): Sure.

I wasn't sure if she'd like it, especially if the tractor was active, but it turned into a fun semi-date actually. She was wide-eyed watching man's triumph over refuse unfold before her eyes. It always brings a tear to mine. She had a great time until I took out the camera. Special treat: we arrived just as the city garbage trucks were unloading; always a site to see!

When I grow up...

Daniel: When I grow up to be a man I'm going to use a cane.

Only trees have wings

Daniel watched a squirrel run across our yard to the fence the other day.

Daniel: "That squirrel is running. But he can't get on the fence. He doesn't have wings to fly up there.......................................................................................................................only trees have wings."

Scolded by a two year old

Daniel took Michele and I to task tonight at dinner, and we had probably one of the funniest interactions with him yet.

Daniel, having trouble eating his dinner, needed some encouragement. So, as he took a bite, I sang a celebratory song while praising him. Specifically, I sang a fast paced techno song called "Techno Syndrome" - the one from Mortal Kombat. As an aside, Michele loves it when I sing techno;)

Daniel took his bite, smiled, then looked at me seriously and said:

"Uh, Daddy, dinner is not play time."

Ouch...caught in my own rule. Michele smirked in pleasure. Sensing she had a chance to drive home the point, and add some salt to my wounds, she remarked,

"That's right, Daniel. Dinner time is not play time."

Feeling very pleased that her son ganged up against me for misbehaving at the table, she took a bite and smiled. Then Daniel put her in her place. Turning to look at Michele he said:

(in a semi-scolding tone): "Uh, Mommy, I was talking to Daddy, not you."

In one instant she was hit with both the truth that she had uncharitably took advantage of the situation, and the fact that she just got scolded for mocking me by her two year old son. The exchange was so fast and humorous she spit out her food.

I then proceeded to explain that spitting your food out was not polite.

Happy Easter!

Daniel puts on his Sunday best for Easter Mass.

Hanging out after Easter Mass with Fr. Jordan

Daniel and his buddy, Fr. Jordan


HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

Funny interaction

Daniel and I just had this interaction:

Chris: "Daniel, great job picking up your toys and listening!"

Daniel: "Ya! And with no screaming or crying too!"

Palm Sunday...in Daniel's room

At Church yesterday we heard the story of Jesus entering Jerusalem to crowds of people. To honor him, they laid palm branches on the ground for him to walk over.

After bringing home palm branches from Church today, Daniel took them and spread them out on the floor of his bedroom.

Chris: "Daniel, why did you spread the palms out on your floor?"

Daniel: "I put down the palms so Jesus will come into my bedroom."