The Harsh but Honest Truth

 Quote from Sophia today:

"Dad, that's not 'fancy dance moves,' that is just a funny way to walk."

Meaningful Conversations

 The fun thing about being a dad of teenage sons is the meaningful conversations you get to have.  Why just yesterday I had the following heartwarming conversation with my son Seth:

Me: "Hey Seth, what are you reading?"
Seth: "A book."

Yep, the joys of parenthood and connecting.  You've got to remember to savor precious moment such as these.

Friendly Fire

Feeling nostalgic, I purchased a copy of StarCraft, remembering the many fun hours I had spent playing with my brothers (well mostly ganging up on Stephen with John).  I decided that my sons should get to enjoy it too, so we set up some laptops and had a couple of games.  My sons were still learning how the game worked, so I had "friended" everyone.  Hyrum built a lot of the largest spacecraft called a "Battlecruiser."  To be prepared for his attack I had placed a lot of missile turrets (forgetting I had “friended” him and they wouldn’t attack him).  Hyrum basically flew into my main base and wiped me out.  While he was doing this Noah figured out how to launch a nuclear strike and snuck into Hyrum’s base and wiped it out.  Seth, who was on Hyrum’s team, found in the bottom right corner some carrier ships hidden away.  Thinking he had found his Dad’s secret stash of troops, he called out “Hyrum, I found him!!!”  He then proceeded to blow them up with his aircraft.  Hyrum then exclaimed “That was me!!!” 

By the way, you can now get this game for free: https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-download-the-original-starcraft-for-free/
  

Awesome Legos

Seth was working on his science fair project and he needed to have Lego columns of different widths to test his ultrasonic sensor.  He was having fun building with the Legos and got a bit distracted in what he was building.  When his mom asked him to focus on finishing his science project he said: "Mom, before I destroy this...let me show you how awesome it is."

Running Away from Home

We had an interesting conversation with our bishop.  Apparently our youngest daughter Sophia told him that Melissa had "run away from home," and so now Sophia got to sleep in her bed.  Concerned the bishop asked about what was going on with our oldest daughter.  We had to explain to him that "run away from home" meant that Melissa was at Utah State University and that she had housing and food because of her scholarships, so he needn't be concerned about how she was doing.

Shiny Hair

Sophia was playing her mom's hair and remarked, "Mom, you have really shiny hair."

Happy with the compliment, Deborah replied, "Thank you, Sophia."

Then Sophia added, "It's so shiny because you're really old Mom."

(Sophia should have quit while she was ahead.)

Noah's Compliment

Compliment from Noah: "You are as beautiful as a kitten next to a rose bush!"

Soup Standards

We were walking in Macey's and Brian bought Melissa and Cassey some soup to eat while they walked around. Brian took a sip.
Brian: "This isn't very good."
Melissa: "This is good soup, Dad. You've just been ruined because you have tried Mom's."

10 Year Old Compliments

Deborah was making peanut butter bars yesterday with Seth and Sophia. Seth's commented, "Mom, these start out kind of a mess and turn into something sweet. ..kinda like you!" 10 year old boy compliments are the best!

Like a Puppy

Cassey was cleaning the kitchen and got to the point she didn't really know what to do anymore. She said to Melissa, "I am like a confused puppy... Except I am not a puppy."

Buying Kisses

Deborah was trying to get our youngest daughter to give her a kiss, but Sophia was far too busy to be interrupted to stop playing.  

After several attempts, including a couple of bribes, Sophia finally turned to her Mom and in an exasperated voice said, "Mom, I'm NOT a kiss store.". 

Apparently her kisses can't be bought.

What Would Mommy Say?

Jessica was playing with Sophia, and Sophia was concerned about a bump on one of her fingers.  Trying to be consoling, Jessica suggested to Sophia that she show the bump to her mom.  Sophia went up stairs, and then came done a few minutes later.  "What did Mom say?" asked Jessica.  Sophia replied "She said 'Don't stick your finger in my face while I'm trying to do something.'"  Chuckling as I heard the story I asked Deborah about it.  She didn't remember the incident.  I asked Sophia, who then confessed, that she hadn't really asked Mom, but had decided that is what she would say.

Pretending to be a Baby

Deborah (to Sophia): "Are you my baby?"

Sophia: "I am not a baby anymore. I am a big girl."

Deborah: "But can you be my baby, cause I don't have one anymore?"

Sophia "Well, I can pretend to be a baby I guess..."

Grampa Ivie's Ferris Wheel at the Carnival

Sophia at the carnival

Sophia at the carnival

Potato Chips

The following conversation happened between my wife Deborah and our daughter Sophia:

Deborah: "Sophia get me a chip ok?"

Sophia: "Well, they're my chips, ok?"

Deborah: "Well, I bought them"

Sophia: "Well, I dumped them...."

Busy Homework

Sophia was sitting at the table coloring on her sisters YW calendar.

She explained to her mom: "This is homework. This is how I do my busy homework. I am drawing a busy thing."

Realizing there were numbers on the calendar she continued "25...28....18....tissue...14..." as she scribbled.

Seeing she still had an audience of her Mom she exclaimed,
"Oh, mom, guess what? I'm gonna draw your name on this!"
Sophia then proceeded to draw her mom's "name" (more scribbles) at the top of the page.

[Later]

Sophia: "My paper fell down. That's because I was busy."

Deborah: "What does that mean?"

Sophia: "Then you have to leave me alone to do my homework. When they are busy they draw it all by theirself"

Wishing to Be Uncle Brian's Kid

Sophia: "I wish I was Uncle Brian's kid. But I'm not. I'm your kid."

Deborah: "Which Uncle Brian?"

Sophia: "Klaleb's Dad."

Deborah: "So do you wish you were Pam's kid?"

Sophia: "Sometimes I AM Pam's kid!"

Starting to like the days when she couldn't talk...
basically Sophia wants to live with Kaleb.

Love Me the Most

We like to play a game with Sophia. We go up to her and ask "Who do you love the most?" The goal is to get her to say your name, but she likes to tease people especially her Mom and say someone else. I often will get her to say "Dad" and then she and I giggle while Mommy comes and tickles her and exclaims "No, you're supposed to love me the most."

When Deborah tried to play that game with her today while I was at work, Sophia didn't answer, instead this time she just said: "Mom, Daddy isn't here."

Already

I was getting the kids ready to go outside. Since it was a sunny day and we were up in the mountains I wanted everyone to be wearing sunscreen.

Me: "OK, everybody needs to be wearing sunscreen."

Seth: "Why?"

Me: "Because if you don't you'll get a sunburn and that will make you tired and grouchy."

Hyrum: "I'm already tired."

Seth: "And I'm already grouchy."