Laugh Lines for the Week

Here are some things that cracked me up this week -- mostly of my kids, which once again reminded me how truly precious they are, but also some winners from around town:

- Followed a run-down pick-up truck with stickers plastered all over the back. Checked them all out while stopped at a light -- the Confederate flag (in NJ?!) caught my attention first -- then saw a few of those ribbons you see all the time, "Support our troops," etc. ... this one said, "Support Farting."
- In church, on Sunday, during one of the songs, the guy in front of us (who was seated) suddenly had his charismatic switch flipped on, flailing his arms up with lightening speed, just centimeters away from Don's torso. That in itself was funny; the look of surprise on Don's face was even funnier; add all that to the memories of childhood scoldings, "You shouldn't laugh in church" of course then condemned us to silent giggles ... the whole thing was just uproariously funny.
- I told my father that I don't like clutter ... while we were both standing in my kitchen, dishes in the sink and spilling onto the counter, who-knows-what spread on the table, toys underfoot ... yes, as soon as that phrase came out of my mouth we both laughed instantaneously. In theory, Dad, in theory!

Aidan:
- engaged me in a rousing adventure of make-believe: Power Rangers defend the Weebles Castle against Driggles the Dragon and the Giant Baby (that would be Grace). That would be a first for me.
- When I told him he couldn't wear his pajama shirt for the day, he said, "It's not a pajama shirt, Mommy. Now it's a wake-up shirt."
- Aidan's latest joke (he is currently into making up his own jokes): "Why did a cow give milk? ... Because it couldn't fly!" When silence followed, he said very seriously, "Come on, you have to laugh, now, Mommy, LAUGH! Do it!"
- his latest discovery: the word "butt." Oh, how he loves to say that word. I think Daddy had something to do with it, when Aidan had accompanied him to the chiropractor one day. He was in awe of a skeleton on the table -- the spine and corresponding bones -- and when he asked his all-knowing Daddy what a certain bone at the bottom of the spine was, his wise father answered, "That's the butt bone." Aidan hasn't let that one go since, telling everyone he sees (his teacher, our pastor, his Sunday School teacher, etc.) "Hey, I have a butt bone!"
- Informing me at the dinner table while lovingly rubbing my arm, "Mommy, you've been a very good Mommy today." Gee, thanks.
- his favorite candy: M&M's. However, for some reason, he has always referred to them as "eyes." If you weren't aware of this, you might be taken aback if you heard him say, "Mommy, can I have some eyes?" (You might question my parenting skills in the nutrition department.) Recently we had PA friends come to visit and knowing of his love of "eyes," Miss Pam brought a big bag of fun-size M&M's, as well as other chocolates (Hershey Kisses, etc. -- we so rarely have chocolate in the house so this was a treat for all of us). Yesterday Aidan asked if he could have some chocolate, so I instantly retrieved a little package of M&M's for him. "No, no, no, no," he said, "I want chocolate." Well what do you think this is? I asked. "Those are just little round circles with an "M" on it."

Grace:
- her non-stop singing. We have a favorite CD in the car called "Bullfrogs and Butterflies" and it's on all the time. Grace alternates between head-banging and belting out the verses in her unknown language, eyebrows up, eyes wide open, arms outstretched ... Perhaps she's the charismatic in the family (a gene definitely not inherited from me).
- listening to her count to 12!!
- her dancing ... which is just so completely indescribable, but a full-body experience for her
- Needing to change her diaper, which resulted in a major cuss-me-out session in her own language ... a stream of baby expletives hurled at me followed by a sudden and seamless transition into song "Jesus! Jesus! Bah-Bo ... ME ME ME!"
- Her own language, which truly sounds Japanese. Some of our favorite words are "nee-no" (noodle), "gee-go" (hard "g" - cookie), "Ay-dee" (Aidan), "Za-ba-doh" (movie) and to say "please" it's simply "peeeeeeeee." To watch her plop herself down on a chair, pick up a book and literally read it out loud cover to cover as if she's the most serious literary figure since Shakespeare -- in this hilarious language of hers -- is truly something to behold.
- her newly discovered interest in licking. In the context of being affectionate. I think it comes from our dog Jack who (obviously) licks everything. She has a favorite stuffed dog in her crib, and she's quick to pick it up, hug it fiercely, and while holding it out in front of her -- looking at it lovingly for a moment -- she will then very slowly extend her little tongue and ... lick! ... right on the dog's nose.
- Her latest favorite phrase, "Ohhhh, MAAAAAN!" -- complete with hands outstretched and a serious little frown. It's so funny to hear a grown-up phrase coming out of such a little person's mouth.

Even Jack has his moments of hilarity. I was cleaning up some photos on my computer when I came across this one. Jack, like most dogs, spends much of the day lounging around -- on the couch, loveseat, or chair (he won't ever lay on the floor, unless he's exceptionally hot). I must have picked the wrong day to decide to vacuum my couch cushions, and thereby disturb his sleep, for he absolutely refused to leave his post:

Gotta keep those laughs coming ...