Rules of Engagement

While preparing for a Lego war versus his brother, Cole wrote down this plan, describing a new attack vehicle he designed.

1. If it touches it, it will disappear. [√]
2. If Grant has that power it won't work. [√]
3. It is a Lego monster remote truck. It will be awesome.

Easter Blooms

Look what sprouted in the front yard!

She may grow like a weed but she's as sweet as honey and pretty as a tulip.

Let's Go Fly a Kite

It was a beautiful day on the coast so we headed out to join some friends for some sun, sand, surf, and kite flying.

Also, since it is Easter weekend we hunted for Easter eggs.

Finally, we capped the day off with a campfire on the beach. We roasted seaweed (which we didn't eat),

hotdogs (which we did eat),

watched the tide roll out (nothing to eat here),

and yes, s'mores were involved (we ate them).

Legal Loophole

Following an altercation Sue ordered the boys to perform some service for each other. Not long after that I overheard the following exchange.

Cole: Remember how we pinched each other and we're supposed to do something for each other. So my thing is that you have to clean my hamster cage.

Grant: Well, my thing is that you can't make me do that.

Erin Go Bragh

Forgot to wear green? Here's a quick alteration to your attire that can help you avoid some pinches.

You might still find yourself on the receiving end of ridicule...

And don't get her started about spiders

Bryn came running up to me breathlessly:
"Dad! I need to tell you something!"

Me, thinking: Sounds important. Is the cat on fire? Did the groundhog see its shadow? Did the hamsters escape again?

She continued: "Bugs are trickier because they can stand on the ceiling."

Ah yes, those tricky bugs.

Potty Humor

Bryn: What is the funniest word in the world?
Dad: Hmmm, I don't know, maybe "dirt".
Bryn: No, it's toilet.

Bryn: Actually, I can't say the funniest word or you'll be mad.


Ah. I see she's been talking to her brothers...

It's a Wanderful Life

While Sue and I were at choir practice the kids were playing in the church nursery with several other children. Grant was talking about who was there and described a two year old named Lillie, "She's wanderful because she was always wandering all around."

My Favorite Christmas Card

Bryn came to me today and handed me this Post-It note.

Then she read it for me.

Dear Dad,
Merry Christmas.
I love you very much.

Hukt on Faniks Shopping List

See if you can find the following in this list that Cole helpfully made for Sue's use:

• milk
• potatoes
• whipped cream
• wheel (for the hamsters...)
• straws
• mouth wash
• chicken food

Ho! Ho! Ho-bbit.

Santa Elrond

I recently started reading The Hobbit with the boys and tonight I read the part where Bilbo and the dwarves arrive at the valley of Rivendell and meet the elves. Grant asked, "What are elves?" I told him they are a type of people but they're not real. Cole was quick to point out, "But Santa's elves are real."

I stand corrected. This is certainly not the season to cast doubts at the jolly old elf and his elvish assistants.

Principia Gastropoda

Cole had his own entry in our story writing exercise. He opted for the more traditional paper-based writing material but kept with the mollusc-based theme.

Here is the transcription:

Once there was a slug. His name was "Slimee" and he was going to school but he found some sand and he started to play with it but he was late for school. The end.

Pulitzer Aspirations

Grant has produced another literary tour de force and he's experimenting with different, more durable, writing media. He brings a whole new meaning to "board book".

Here's a transcription:

Once there was a slug named "Dooglee". He was going home but he was getting poked.
And that was because he ate a porcupine but he did not know it was a porcupine so he spit out the porcupine. The end.

The Big 4 (and 40)

This was a big year for both Bryn and Mom.  She turned 4 (which was HUGE in her eyes) and I turned 40 - exactly one week from each other.  We each got to have a date with dad, although one of us dressed herself to the nines and even brought her purse.  I'm not even sure if I have a purse.  Well, that is one happy little girl, and one really cool dad.

Just in Time for the Holidays...

Missing: Two Front Teeth

I recommend printing this picture and putting it beside your bed as a way to avoid having good dreams.

What a Crock...

... Pot Box!
It's hard to say whether the box or the camera is what causes the funny faces.

The Grantwick Papers

Stake conference today. Sue was in the choir so I was a lone dad wrangling three bored offspring. In an attempt to distract them I suggested that Grant and Cole write a story. This is what Grant produced:

Here is a line by line translation:

Once there was a
slug that was very
naughty because he was
walking (picture of the slug, including feet) and
he found a cactus.
He did not want to go
near it but his sisters lived
in the cactus so he was climbing
up the cactus but the cactus
was poking him too much.
So he decided to go down his secret
door but it was locked so he dug a hole
inside the cactus but his sisters
were so mad that they kicked him
out.
The end.

Naturally this required a second chapter which he wrote after we got home.

So he had to find a new
home.

Nice resolution. Can anyone say "Pulitzer"?

Time Machine

The kids were all snuggled in Grant's bed at bedtime while waiting for a story.

I was reminded of a similar photo taken nearly 4 years ago.

Rah Rah Ree, Kick 'Em in the Knee

We have successfully navigated another season of soccer.

Grant was very happy to add another trophy and team photo to his collection.

OCD Warning!

Grant: I don't want to get bumps like this (points to a picture of warts) so I'm washing my hands a lot. Sometimes I almost wash them three times in a day.