Home Alone

This year, I bought a copy of the movie "Home Alone" since the kids had never watched this holiday classic. Craig was certain the kids would love it as he did when he was a kid. Not only was he right, but we got such a kick out of watching and hearing their reactions to ths film.

While Cara mostly sat with her mouth agape (genetics are awesome), Connor could not be silenced. Here are selections from his commentary:

"Just because his family is gone, doesn't mean he can do whatever he wants."

When Kevin perches his wooden sled at the top of the stairs, Connor says "That's a bad idea." Followed by, "Has he ever gotten a splinter?"

After Kevin lays out his sabotage map, "That's a good battle plan."

At the end of the movie, even though everything turns out fine, Connor says, "Santa's gonna put that kid on the naughty list, I think."

You Betcha, Y'All

Whenever someone asks me where I'm from, I never know just how to answer that question.  I was born in and spent grade school in California, went to junior high and high school in Missouri, attended college in Delaware, and then moved back to Missouri for a couple of years, followed by two years in Colorado.  In 2000, I moved to Minnesota, where I have been for the past twelve years.  If I had only thought to register for frequent flyer miles years ago.

Since I've lived in Minnesota the longest, does that make me a Minnesotan by default?  Does the fact that I pronounce the word "food" like it has eleven Os in it and walk out of the house without a jacket when it's 40 degrees make me a Minnesotan?  Or does the fact that I don't play "Duck, Duck, Grey Duck" or call soda "pop" mean that I'm not?

Regardless of whether or not I know how to answer the "Where are you from?" question, I know that both of my children are, without a doubt, Minnesotans.  When Cara and I were shopping when she was about 2 and she pointed at something and said, "kyoooote!" (That's how we say "cute" up here.)  It was right then that at it dawned on me that I was the owner of a true Minnesotan.

In a few short months, we will be trying on a new accent. Craig was offered a wonderful opportunity in Fort Worth, Texas and, after the kids finish up the school year, we will be joining him out there.  While we are sad to leave, it's also very exciting to be embarking on a new chapter in our lives.

Both Craig and I have been where the kids will be in a few months (he was about Cara's age when he moved from San Antonio to Colorado).  New house, new state, new people, new culture.  There's bound to be teasing.  There may be even a few exaggerated impressions of accents.  But I'm sure we'll keep our "Howdy, Pardners" to a minimum, dontchaknow?   

Game Legs

Connor gets into playing video games. I mean REALLY gets into them. Since we have a Wii, there are some games where you have to be fairly active in order to make the controller sense what you're trying to do. The games he was playing in these videos did not require the kind of movements he provided.

I've been lucky enough to catch some of Connor's fancy footwork over the past few months when he's been deep into Wii-playing mode.  

Mario Kart, Flintstones-style

More Mario Kart. This time, with some trash talk.

The feet help propel the Angry Birds further.

A lot of bouncing was required while playing Mario Party.