The Bean often hangs out with a baby mosquito. They’ve been together for a little while now. I’ve never seen Baby Mosquito, but the Bean often tells me when he’s around. He tags along when we’re playing cars. He comes with us to the park. His name is Nick Cooper, but he usually goes simply by “Baby Mosquito.” There are times when Baby Mosquito has baby mosquitoes. Sometimes the Bean will give these babies away to random friends he makes at the park. If he gives you a baby mosquito, that means he trusts you. Sometimes they will fly into his pants pocket and ride with us on the merry-go-round. Occasionally, they die. But the Bean doesn’t despair, because Baby Mosquito makes more baby mosquitoes. Baby Mosquito seems like a good friend.
Sprout hangs out with a baby mosquito as well. Hers arrived a brief time after the Bean’s. I think he might have given her one of his babies. Baby Mosquito rides in the palm of Sprout’s hand. On occasion, she will raise a cupped hand to me to show me Baby Mosquito nestled comfortably in her fist. He comes with us to the park and rides with us in the car. He doesn’t hang out with us as much as Nick Cooper, but often shows up soon after he does. Baby Mosquito seems like a good friend.
I hung out with a kid named Casper. We were together for a while. My parents never saw him, but I often told them when he was around. He came along when I rode my bike. He walked with me through the woods. I usually had conversations with Casper in the bathroom, though I couldn’t tell you why. I told Casper an awful lot about myself. He always listened. He liked the same stuff I did. He was a good friend.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
The Wit and Wisdom of the Bean: Volume 5
“There’s a toy in the waterhole!” (misquoting Toy Story)
"When we see Toy Story 3 at home, you need to skip the fire part because if I see it I will freak out!" (July)
“What if my tush had eyeballs? Then I’d be able to see when I was on the potty.”
“When I dream my eyeballs turn up inside my head to see my brain.”
“It’s cow flavored milk.” (after seeing a cow on a milk carton) (August)
“What a great day to be a person!” (August)
“Dad doesn’t know! He’s the father not the mother.” (August)
“When I eat this lollipop there’s water in my mouth that takes the sweet off the lollipop and puts it in my mouth. You hear that sound? That’s the water rushing down. I have a whole factory in my mouth that helps me eat this.” (9/8/10)
"Mommy, thank you for making me not a girl. I don't want to be a girl, because I don't want my tummy to be ripped open and have a baby come out." (9/17/10)
Pretending to be a cop: "I will give you one warning and if you're speeding I'll give you…... two warnings. " (9/19/2010)
Me: Why did the frog cross the road?
The Bean: What??
Me: Why did the frog cross the road?
The Bean: What frog?
Read past wisdom:
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4
"When we see Toy Story 3 at home, you need to skip the fire part because if I see it I will freak out!" (July)
“What if my tush had eyeballs? Then I’d be able to see when I was on the potty.”
“When I dream my eyeballs turn up inside my head to see my brain.”
“It’s cow flavored milk.” (after seeing a cow on a milk carton) (August)
“What a great day to be a person!” (August)
“Dad doesn’t know! He’s the father not the mother.” (August)
“When I eat this lollipop there’s water in my mouth that takes the sweet off the lollipop and puts it in my mouth. You hear that sound? That’s the water rushing down. I have a whole factory in my mouth that helps me eat this.” (9/8/10)
"Mommy, thank you for making me not a girl. I don't want to be a girl, because I don't want my tummy to be ripped open and have a baby come out." (9/17/10)
Pretending to be a cop: "I will give you one warning and if you're speeding I'll give you…... two warnings. " (9/19/2010)
Me: Why did the frog cross the road?
The Bean: What??
Me: Why did the frog cross the road?
The Bean: What frog?
Read past wisdom:
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4
Monday, October 18, 2010
Rescue Me
“I’m a fire fighter!” the Bean said to a group of cute teen girls as he walked next to them. The girls all giggled in the way that teen girls do. The Bean grinned at them. He had them in the palm of his hand.
This past weekend, the Geek Boy family participated in AIDS Walk. It’s a cause close to both WonderWife™ and me. I started walking in the event the first year WW™ and I were together. 10 years later, it’s become a family tradition. Not only does the Walk raise money, but it provides ample opportunity to interact with other people. Which is how I found myself watching the Bean work his 4 year-old magic on a gaggle of girls.
Since the Walk takes place in October, Halloween is very much on the minds of my kids. After shuffling through various costume ideas, the Bean had finally settled on fire fighter. Since this decision, being a fire fighter is all he talks about—hence his declaration to the girls.
“So will you save us from a burning building?” one of the girls asked the Bean.
“Um, no,” he replied matter of factly.
“You’re not going to save those girls?” said a guy who was in the girls’ group to the Bean.
The Bean shook his head.
“Can you believe it?” I said to the guy. “It looked like he was in there for a minute.”
The girls picked up the pace and soon were lost amongst the sea of Walkers.
“Buddy,” I said to the Bean conspiratorially. “This is very important: when a group of girls asks if you’re going to save them, you always say ‘yes’.”
“Why?”
“You're just going to have to trust me on this one, buddy boy.”
This past weekend, the Geek Boy family participated in AIDS Walk. It’s a cause close to both WonderWife™ and me. I started walking in the event the first year WW™ and I were together. 10 years later, it’s become a family tradition. Not only does the Walk raise money, but it provides ample opportunity to interact with other people. Which is how I found myself watching the Bean work his 4 year-old magic on a gaggle of girls.
Since the Walk takes place in October, Halloween is very much on the minds of my kids. After shuffling through various costume ideas, the Bean had finally settled on fire fighter. Since this decision, being a fire fighter is all he talks about—hence his declaration to the girls.
“So will you save us from a burning building?” one of the girls asked the Bean.
“Um, no,” he replied matter of factly.
“You’re not going to save those girls?” said a guy who was in the girls’ group to the Bean.
The Bean shook his head.
“Can you believe it?” I said to the guy. “It looked like he was in there for a minute.”
The girls picked up the pace and soon were lost amongst the sea of Walkers.
“Buddy,” I said to the Bean conspiratorially. “This is very important: when a group of girls asks if you’re going to save them, you always say ‘yes’.”
“Why?”
“You're just going to have to trust me on this one, buddy boy.”
Thursday, October 14, 2010
A Little Redirection: Culture Brats
I've got a double shot of posts over at Culture Brats today, plus one from yesterday.
In which I talk of the impending zombie apocalypse as noticed at the New York Comic Con.
In which I discuss the unfortunate casting choice of an iconic 80's flick.
In which I uncover nerds dancing like Michael Jackson.
Check 'em out. They're bite sized bits of pop culture-y goodness (that stay crunchy in milk!).
In which I talk of the impending zombie apocalypse as noticed at the New York Comic Con.
In which I discuss the unfortunate casting choice of an iconic 80's flick.
In which I uncover nerds dancing like Michael Jackson.
Check 'em out. They're bite sized bits of pop culture-y goodness (that stay crunchy in milk!).
Monday, October 11, 2010
Favorite Dad and the Statue of Liberties
It was just after midnight as I crept quietly into the darkened house, weary from my trip. From the hallway, I heard the Bean’s bedroom door open. He padded out, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
“Hi daddy!”
“What are you doing up, buddy?” I asked already knowing the answer.
“I wanted to come give you a hug.”
“I’m glad you did, but it’s really late.”
He gave me a solid squeeze, took a few steps towards his room and stopped. “Um…can I…um…have my gift now?”
The night before my business trip, I told the Bean I was headed to New York City and his eyes got wide. Predictably he asked me for a Statue of Liberty. The Bean's obsessed with the Statue of Liberty and since this was my second trip to NYC this year, I already knew I was required to get him one.
As I was tucking him in, the Bean got quiet and contemplative for a moment. “Are there a lot of statues there?” he asked in a hushed voice.
“Yes, they have lots of different kinds of Statues of Liberties.”
“Are they going to run out?”
“Of Statues of Liberty souvenirs in New York City? I’m pretty sure I'll be able to find at least one." I told him as I turned off the light.
The promised Statue of Liberty figurine was residing in my suitcase, tenderly shoved into my shoe with my socks. But it was late and we were both very tired. The gift would have to wait until the morning.
I smiled thinking about the Bean, who is ordinarily a heavy sleeper, excited enough to see me that the sound of the front door opening was enough to stir him.
As I tucked in the Bean he half-yawned, half-spoke, “You’re my favorite dad.”
“You’re my favorite son.”
A few minutes later, I was in bed too.
“Hi daddy!”
“What are you doing up, buddy?” I asked already knowing the answer.
“I wanted to come give you a hug.”
“I’m glad you did, but it’s really late.”
He gave me a solid squeeze, took a few steps towards his room and stopped. “Um…can I…um…have my gift now?”
The night before my business trip, I told the Bean I was headed to New York City and his eyes got wide. Predictably he asked me for a Statue of Liberty. The Bean's obsessed with the Statue of Liberty and since this was my second trip to NYC this year, I already knew I was required to get him one.
As I was tucking him in, the Bean got quiet and contemplative for a moment. “Are there a lot of statues there?” he asked in a hushed voice.
“Yes, they have lots of different kinds of Statues of Liberties.”
“Are they going to run out?”
“Of Statues of Liberty souvenirs in New York City? I’m pretty sure I'll be able to find at least one." I told him as I turned off the light.
The promised Statue of Liberty figurine was residing in my suitcase, tenderly shoved into my shoe with my socks. But it was late and we were both very tired. The gift would have to wait until the morning.
I smiled thinking about the Bean, who is ordinarily a heavy sleeper, excited enough to see me that the sound of the front door opening was enough to stir him.
As I tucked in the Bean he half-yawned, half-spoke, “You’re my favorite dad.”
“You’re my favorite son.”
A few minutes later, I was in bed too.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Flashback Friday: 10 Months
Sprout's at that age where she is bursting with personality--not all of it screaming either. It got me thinking about when she first started turning a corner from difficult infant to precocious toddler.
This was something I wrote in May 2009, but never got around to posting it. But I've always liked it as a memento of that time:
Dear Sprout,
The months have been passing with a furious pace and I can hardly believe that you are 10 months old. But guess what? We’ve made it through the tough times. You are growing up to be quite a charming little lady. I like the way you’ve decorated your smile with four new, crooked teeth. It really brings your whole mouth together. I’m also very proud that you’ve become a champion crawler. You’re almost fast enough to catch the cats. Keep trying, you’ll get them soon enough.
You’ve been expanding your repertoire of party tricks too. You’ve got waving and clapping down pat. Your blowing a kiss still need some work, but that’s okay. That one is tough. And it appears that you’ve not only decided to start using one of the sign language words we’ve been teaching you, but you’ve said your first word. Though I don’t love having to leave you in the morning, I do love hearing you say “ba” to me as I go.
But the thing that I’m most proud of you for is drinking from something other than mommy’s breast. You had us fooled there for a while. You were drinking from a sippy cup but stopped. Now that you’re a little older, you’ve finally decided that you’re cool with drinking from a bottle. You even went ahead and learned how to drink through a straw. Already you’re an overachiever. You’re totally your mommy’s girl.
I can't wait for our adventures together to continue.
Love,
Dad (aka Daddy aka "da")
This was something I wrote in May 2009, but never got around to posting it. But I've always liked it as a memento of that time:
Dear Sprout,
The months have been passing with a furious pace and I can hardly believe that you are 10 months old. But guess what? We’ve made it through the tough times. You are growing up to be quite a charming little lady. I like the way you’ve decorated your smile with four new, crooked teeth. It really brings your whole mouth together. I’m also very proud that you’ve become a champion crawler. You’re almost fast enough to catch the cats. Keep trying, you’ll get them soon enough.
You’ve been expanding your repertoire of party tricks too. You’ve got waving and clapping down pat. Your blowing a kiss still need some work, but that’s okay. That one is tough. And it appears that you’ve not only decided to start using one of the sign language words we’ve been teaching you, but you’ve said your first word. Though I don’t love having to leave you in the morning, I do love hearing you say “ba” to me as I go.
But the thing that I’m most proud of you for is drinking from something other than mommy’s breast. You had us fooled there for a while. You were drinking from a sippy cup but stopped. Now that you’re a little older, you’ve finally decided that you’re cool with drinking from a bottle. You even went ahead and learned how to drink through a straw. Already you’re an overachiever. You’re totally your mommy’s girl.
I can't wait for our adventures together to continue.
Love,
Dad (aka Daddy aka "da")
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Dark So Soon
I was blinded by the setting sun forcing its way through my windshield as I drove home. The days were getting noticeably shorter and the sun had started obscuring my view, which meant that in a few weeks it would be dark as I made my way home from work. Summer had flown by like a teenager borrowing his dad’s sports car. It was a blur of work and travel and exhaustion. I wasn’t ready for it to be getting dark so soon.
I turned onto my street and was struck by the thought that I had missed something. In summers past, WonderWife™ and the Bean would often spend evenings on the front lawn. The Bean would scream with delight when he realized it was my car that was driving his way. He would barely be able to contain himself as I quickly gathered my stuff and exited the car. Sometimes the neighbor’s kids would show up to play ball. Sometimes Sprout would make an appearance, if she had taken an especially long nap that day. We would run around, screaming and playing, as the warm summer days faded into night. These were magical moments that I cherished.
But none of that happened this summer. Work and traffic and early bed times kept these evening sessions from occurring. Summer was over and darkness would invade earlier and earlier. It wouldn’t be light again until next year. Next year, when I hoped that I’d be able to come home from work early and play with my kids on the lawn.
I turned onto my street and was struck by the thought that I had missed something. In summers past, WonderWife™ and the Bean would often spend evenings on the front lawn. The Bean would scream with delight when he realized it was my car that was driving his way. He would barely be able to contain himself as I quickly gathered my stuff and exited the car. Sometimes the neighbor’s kids would show up to play ball. Sometimes Sprout would make an appearance, if she had taken an especially long nap that day. We would run around, screaming and playing, as the warm summer days faded into night. These were magical moments that I cherished.
But none of that happened this summer. Work and traffic and early bed times kept these evening sessions from occurring. Summer was over and darkness would invade earlier and earlier. It wouldn’t be light again until next year. Next year, when I hoped that I’d be able to come home from work early and play with my kids on the lawn.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
I Remain Disgusting
My head is spinning from the food hangover that occurs after Fair Day, so I'll keep this brief. For your horror reading pleasure, here is my annual, what I ate at the LA County Fair list (Warning: It is not for the faint of heart):
A curious chocolate nut bar
Colossal cone of curly fries
2 Beers
Fried PB&J
Ear of roasted corn
French dip sandwich
Deep fried bacon cheese burger
Pulled pork sandwich
Chocolate covered marshmallow
Garlic Parmesan fry bread
Spicy beef Korean taco
Deep fried Oreo
Deep fried Klondike bar
Chocolate covered bacon
Kettle corn
Chocolate covered banana with nuts
Here are links to the 2007, 2008 and 2009 lists.
A curious chocolate nut bar
Colossal cone of curly fries
2 Beers
Fried PB&J
Ear of roasted corn
French dip sandwich
Deep fried bacon cheese burger
Pulled pork sandwich
Chocolate covered marshmallow
Garlic Parmesan fry bread
Spicy beef Korean taco
Deep fried Oreo
Deep fried Klondike bar
Chocolate covered bacon
Kettle corn
Chocolate covered banana with nuts
Here are links to the 2007, 2008 and 2009 lists.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Happy Birthday to Blog
On a whim three years ago this day I opened a Blogger account, dubbed myself Daddy Geek Boy and wrote the following words:
It's a known fact that there aren't enough people blogging in the world. We're not going to use up the internet unless we really try.
Thus this blog was born.
I never expected anyone more than my family and a few friends to read it. I never expected that I’d still be at it nearly 360 posts later. But here I am and here it is and here you are.
Happy birthday little blog! And a big thank you to all of my readers for the motivation to keep it going. You guys are awesomely awesome.
It's a known fact that there aren't enough people blogging in the world. We're not going to use up the internet unless we really try.
Thus this blog was born.
I never expected anyone more than my family and a few friends to read it. I never expected that I’d still be at it nearly 360 posts later. But here I am and here it is and here you are.
Happy birthday little blog! And a big thank you to all of my readers for the motivation to keep it going. You guys are awesomely awesome.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)