Category Archives: Samuel

kitchen complaints, episode ten

Sam is not a fan of the Imperial system, but this isn’t really so much a complaint as a cross examination. It was discussed over dinner, though, so work with me here. Sam: “Mom, how high does a plane fly? Is it close to the tallest building?” Me: “Planes fly at 39,000 feet, baby.” Sam: […]

call me maybe

This morning I was teaching the last day of a three-day class when my phone rings. “Whoops, sorry about that,” I apologize as I silence my ringer. Thirty seconds later I see my phone flashing silently — it’s the same number, trying again. It’s a local number but I don’t recognize it, so I let […]

parental supervision

During dinner last night Sam slowly chewed on his hot dog while staring into space. I wave my hand in front of him until I catch his attention. “What’re you thinking about, buddy?” Steven asks. “Ohh, I’m just trying not to think about a video I saw,” Sam replies. “Why don’t you want to think […]

kitchen complaints, episode eight

In the past year the kids have been more willing to eat the food Steven and I cook for ourselves, but it’s still a 50-50 shot. This evening we went simple with some chicken thighs. “Hmmm,” Sam mused while poking at his chicken, “You know, I don’t like this chicken very much. I like it […]

sputnik; 84 months in orbit

Wow, 84 months in orbit! That’s seven Earth years! Just before his seventh birthday, Sam finished up first grade, so he is now officially a second grader. First grade was Sam’s first year of real, bonafide school work and he did really well with it. The first few weeks were a bit of a struggle […]

i have a kaiju problem

I’m not sure if Sam just lucked out by having naturally nerdy parents, or if he gets obsessed with nerdy things because of his nerdy parents. Either way, he is one lucky dude. His preoccupations become the entire family’s preoccupations — I hunt for toys and books for him, Steven finds movie soundtracks and pertinent […]

not helping

After a long day of teaching, running errands, and fighting traffic I am glad to be home this evening. Sam warmly greets me with a verbal waterfall filled with tales of Minecraft, playing outside for hours and hours and hours, what he had for lunch, and how much he missed me. “. . . and […]

kitchen complaints, episode seven

Tonight we were scrounging for something to cook, so we ended up having breakfast for dinner. We scored major Parent Brownie Points with this move. Sam, while eating pankcakes: “I’m the luckiest kid in the universe!” Lydia, doubtfully: “Why?” Sam: “I had a regular dinner and a breakfast dinner!*” Lydia: “Well, I had breakfast and […]