Archive for the 'Stories' Category

Cover Songs

thane July 23rd, 2010

So, Stuart was imitating one of Tory’s songs for her band, saying that he was going to make his own band and play those songs. Anyway, Tory is getting all upset and we explain to her that (a) imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and that (b) there are bands that just do covers of other bands songs. This devolves into a discussion of the cover song she is most familiar with, Baby Got Back by Jonathan Coulton. So that she can hear the original song, we pull up Sir Mix Alot’s version on YouTube and she gets to see it in all it’s glory and splendor.

Parent of the year Awards, this is my entry. We followed it up with a Gilbert and Sullivan cover.

Last Airbender

thane July 3rd, 2010

Summary: Watch the TV show, dodge the movie.

I expect a lot from Mr. Shyamalan. This time, he failed to deliver. While he stuck to the story, he removed most of the best aspects of the characters. In the show, Sokka and Irho are mostly used for comic relief. With the removal of the comedy, they come off more like 3rd wheels. For Peet’s sake, we never see Sokka eat! Irho never even has a cup of TEA! Also, there is way too much angst. Zuko is supposed to be all angsty, but Sokka and Ang? WTF?! Oh, and while he stuck with the story, sometimes he would just chuck in elements without any explanation, or rush through things so fast that there was no way anyone who hasn’t seen the show would ever get pulled in. Thankfully, since I had the kids there, I was able to feed of their love of the story and enjoyed myself. But I will never forgive Shyamalan for not using the statues in the air temple to tie in his past lives.

Stuart wants Coffee

thane June 14th, 2010

Stuart: I’m full.
Dad: OK.
S: But I have room for coffee.
D: How about some milk?
S: Coffee will be fine.

Good Night Waning Moon

thane April 19th, 2010

by Tory
Goodnight Waning Moon

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Stuarts Alphabet

thane April 18th, 2010

I wish I could find a link to the poster, but this is the alphabet as read by Stuart from it.

A is for Ballet Princess
B is for Bathtub
C is for Baby Salad
D is for Potty
E is for No Face
I is for Night
O is for Kid it the Middle
P is for Baby on Pumpkin
R is for Deer
S is for Santa and Stuart and Stocking
T is for Twins
U is for Upside Down
Z is for Bees

I wrote them down as fast as I could.

Getting Reactions

thane April 12th, 2010

Tory is sitting on the couch, buzzing her lips and putting on her shoes. The noise was driving Stuart to distraction. I come in, get him to leave, then begin to leave myself.

Tory: He actually expects me to stop doing something that gets a reaction out of him.
Me: Well, You actually expect him to stop doing something that gets a reaction out of you.

Tory ponders this for about 2 seconds, then starts buzzing her lips again.

Mom gets a MacBook Pro

thane January 14th, 2010

My Mom’s laptop died, so she asks me if it is time for her to switch to a Mac. Nope. Past time. Anyway, I am going to be down there at the end of the month, so if I order her stuff here, I can set it up and take it with me. Full week for her to get used to it and then she goes back home. I had her go and look at the systems and she decided on a MacBook Pro 13″. I am talking to her about this, making sure I understand what she wants, and Joh starts chucking in comments from the peanut gallery while working on her 15″ MacBook Pro. “That one is too small. You want one just like mine. It is so big and beautiful.” Etc. So I tell my Mom “Joh says that 13 inches isn’t enough for most women.” Much laughter ensues.

Six vs Three

thane July 11th, 2009

Tory was addressing a letter today, and I was reading her the zip code.

Dad: One!
Tory: One.
D: Five!
T: Five.
D: Two!
T: Two.
D: Two!
Stuart: Six.
T: Two.
D: Nine!
S: Six.
T: Nine.
Joh: Eighteen!

He comes by it naturally.

Stuart is from Portland

thane March 20th, 2009

This morning, the children wanted (decaf) coffee with breakfast. After this was established, Joh tried to figure out what Stuart wanted for breakfast.

J: What do you want for breakfast, Stuart?
S: COFFEE!!!
J: What do you want to eat with your coffee?
S: BAR!!!*
(A few minutes pass)
J: What do you want for breakfast, Stuart?
S: COFFEE!!!
J: Do you want a fried egg sandwich with your coffee?
S: Uh, huh.

* Clif Cashew Nectar bars are Stuart’s favorite food, bar none.

Stuart Angry

thane January 29th, 2009

Stuart was acting out. Hitting and throwing things, nothing unusual. I decided to talk to him about it. Afterwards I was saying:

Dad: When we are angry, we can say “I’m angry!”
Stuart: I’m angry!
D: “I want to use my hands.”
S: I want to use my hands.
D: “I want to throw things.”
S: I want to throw things.
D: “I’m going to the playroom to throw my beanbags.”
S: I’m going to the playroom to throw my beanbags.
D: Those are all things we can say when we are angry, Stuart.
S: “Those are all things we can say, Stuart.”

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