Overheard at the Rikers

New Koolaid Flavor

2011-07-27T22:02:00.001-07:00

Abigail to Henry about a new Koolaid flavor:
"Henry, you taste it first, 'cause you're the only person who eats things that aren't food!"

Abigail to Jared

2011-07-27T22:01:00.001-07:00

Uncle Jared, stop jumping off the furniture!

Learning to tell jokes

2011-01-15T10:11:00.000-08:00

Driving carpool to preschool is very entertaining. Abigail and her friend, Maren, have the most hilarious conversations! I find that they're very observant about what is going on in their families.

One day, Abigail wanted to tell Maren a joke, but she didn't have it quite planned out. The conversation went like this:

Abigail: Knock, knock!
Maren: Who's there?
Abigail: Moo.
Maren: Moo who?
Abigail: (thinking) Oh, I guess that would be a cow and an owl!

Good adjectives for my children

2010-09-12T21:32:00.000-07:00

When talking to one of my boys' teachers this month, they described "some students" (read here "your kid") as EXUBERANTLY NONCOMPLIANT.

What a nice way to say it.

Henry's haircut

2010-08-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

So, we have a lot of hair at our house - especially Henry and me. It is thick and coarse and grows fast. Thus, Henry needs a haircut about every four weeks, though we usually wait six weeks. He likes his hair longish, so when we get it cut, we trim it all around, then thin out a ton of hair. Last week he had his hair cut. The stylist did a nice job, and cut it the same way as she had the previous time. He still had more hair than any four kids his age put together. Obviously Henry wasn't happy with it, though, because when we came out of the store he exclaimed, "What was that? - a scalping!?!?"

Dream Vacation

2010-06-10T09:24:00.001-07:00

Last night at dinner, Henry was asking each of us where we would go on vacation if we could go anywhere we wanted. Abigail's answer was incredible. She said, "The temple. Because it is a holy place and it is Jesus's house."

Non sequitur

2010-06-10T09:22:00.000-07:00

While swimming in grandma's pool last week, Abigail asked, "I wonder what it would feel like to be a cheese stick?"

The freedom to be creative!

2010-06-01T13:28:00.001-07:00

So, in the middle of third grade, after five months of trying to get Henry's needs met at the public school, we realized we had to find a different solution for him, and that was Realms of Inquiry, which has been fabulous for Henry. He's been there three years.

One of the things that I can laugh about now is how annoying his third grade teacher at public school was. She refused to accept his papers unless he had written his name - Henry - on them. At the time he was in a phase where he liked to use his initials, HLR. But the teacher would pretend to not know whose paper it was when he put his initials on it. She was completely inflexible in this, and it drove us crazy.

To contrast, I just got a pile of papers back from Realms, and I made a list of all the different ways he wrote his name on the papers - and his teacher didn't have any problem with it!

Henry
Henbeery
Octothorp
Henri
Enrique
enryHay
Enny
Koqute (Henry in Kyyrvish, a language he invented)
Atrax
a symbol that looks like a cursive p with a vertical line through it
and his name in Egyptian Hieroglyphics.

I love teachers who can teach creative and gifted students!

My kids always amaze me

2010-05-30T20:35:00.000-07:00

Henry is finishing a book tonight, it's number 7 in a series. And he was excited to tell me how the author has become a better writer over the course of the books. He specifically mentioned that the author's descriptive writing is more interesting and detailed in book 7 than in books 1-4. I love that he can not only enjoy books, but also evaluate the quality of the writing, too!

Physics for four-year-olds

2010-05-04T20:30:00.000-07:00

Out of the blue one day, Abigail says to me, "Mom, a slide has a different name." I ask her what she means, and she responds, "A slide has a different name! It's an incline plane!"

Beat THIS excuse!

2010-05-04T20:24:00.000-07:00

Last week my kids were outside riding their scooters around after diner. Suddenly I heard a crash, and Cameron came in crying. He said that Henry had crashed into him on purpose. His elbow was bleeding, so I patched him up and then called Henry in to get his story. "I didn't do it!" was his response. Fast forward to the next day. I pick up Henry from school and he's ready with this story: "I know why Cameron crashed last night! There was an earthquake on the border of Utah and Colorado, and the shocks from it were felt all the way to, and halfway through the Salt Lake valley. I checked the time of the earthquake, and it happened at the exact second that Cameron crashed on his scooter. The earthquake made him crash, not me!" Maybe he should consider a career as a sci-fi writer.

The Biggest Word You Ever Heard

2010-01-17T16:37:00.000-08:00

So my family is in the process of selecting songs to record when we get together this summer and in the future. One of the CDs we're creating will be all Disney songs. Thinking about all this fun music, I walked downstairs, singing Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious: "Because I was afraid to speak when I was just a lad, me father gave me nose a tweak and told me I was bad. But then one day I learned a word to save me achin' nose - the biggest word you ever heard and this is how it goes! Oh..."

Then I pointed to Cameron. He looked at me and said, "Antidisestablishmentarianism?"

The rules to Abigail's game

2010-01-03T14:16:00.000-08:00

Abigail asked me to play "Go Fish" with her, and then she sat me down to explain the rules. Here they are, in case your children would like to duplicate this quality parent/child time. :)

The rules:
1. Play a card face up.
2. Don't play a card until Abigail tells you to.
3. Don't start until Abigail tells you to.
4. Follow directions.
5. This is a fish game.
6. Don't play a card unless Abigail tells you it's the right one.
7. If it's the right card, play it down.
8. If it's the right card, Abigail will tell you to play it down.

Can you say "micromanager"?

Fill your mind like Abigail

2009-10-07T21:16:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we visited my mom and step-dad and spent a night at their cabin. My step-dad and his sons are avid hunters, and there are a number of "trophies" mounted on the walls. Abigail was understandably wary about the large animal heads, and she asked my step-dad about it. He kindly took her around and told her about how the animals weren't alive any more, and that what she was seeing was just the animals' skins with marbles for eyes. He told her a little about a taxidermist and the different kinds of animals she saw - elk, antelope, badger, deer, pheasant - and then reassured her again that what she saw was just the animals' skins. A few minutes later she came to me and said,

"Mom! The animals are just their skins, and - and - (she tried to gather her thoughts for a minute) and - my mind is really full - but the animals are just their skins!"

Abigail, almost 4

2009-08-24T14:01:00.000-07:00

This summer Abigail has been creating dances. She performs them and then teaches them to me, to her friends, and to her dolls. One afternoon I complimented her on her most recent creation, and she replied, "Yep! That's what I like to do - make up dances."

Abigail's favorite person

2009-07-11T21:11:00.000-07:00

Cameron says to Abigail: So, Abigail, who do you like better - me or Henry?
Abigail replies: Me.

Cameron, age 7

2009-06-08T20:47:00.000-07:00

Some of you may know that Cameron was recently diagnosed with Henoch-Schonlein-Purpura, an illness which causes extensive bruising on the inside and outside of the body, with joint pain and edema as well. Cameron has been really good-natured through it all (though he did NOT like being at the hospital!), as I've helped him with routine tasks that have suddenly become difficult - getting dressed, walking, etc. Tonight as I was helping him into bed, he said, "Mom, thanks for all the help you've been giving me. It's been a big help." (Gotta document the rare times you hear this kind of thing from your children!)

Cameron, 1st grade

2009-06-08T20:42:00.000-07:00

While driving around the other day, Cameron asked me how far away Grandma's house was. I pointed south, and said, "about 360 miles that direction".
"Oh," he replied, "so if we drove 120 miles per hour, we'd get there in 3 hours."
"Good figuring!" I replied. "How did you determine that?"
He innocently responded, "100 + 100 + 100 + 20 + 20 + 20. Or, 10 + 10 + 10 + 2 + 2 + 2 times 10."
Great math for a first grader!

Is it really being there if...

2009-05-27T11:09:00.000-07:00

Cameron, 7 1/2, is excited for a campout with his dad this weekend. He was describing to Abigail what the camping site was like, and Abigail said, "Oh yeah, I've been there." "No you haven't!" Said Cameron. "You didn't go with us last time." To which Abigail responded, "Uh-huh! I've been there in my dream!"

Excuses for not eating

2009-05-27T10:51:00.000-07:00

Abigail, 3 1/2, has recently created a new excuse for not eating her dinner (or lunch or breakfast). She says, "I'm saving it for my birthday." Half a banana, the last bite of peas, soggy cereal - "I'm saving it for my birthday!" Her birthday is in September.

Cameron, age 7

2009-04-06T22:09:00.000-07:00

"Revolution is work and evolution is something changing."
(Great Wisdom from School House Rock and Pokemon)

Henry and Cameron, ages 10 and 7

2009-03-30T20:59:00.001-07:00

We're at Cold Stone, eating ice cream. Henry orders something with gummi bears in it; Cameron orders dark chocolate ice cream with white chocolate chips.

Cam: Mmmm, this is really yummy.

Henry: What do you have in it?

Cam: White chocolate chips.

Henry: Yuck. I don't like white chocolate chips. (He pauses and takes a bite of ice cream.) Well, they're not as bad as chicken or anything!

Abigial's perceptiveness

2009-03-20T10:03:00.000-07:00

Last night Abigail and I were reading a story where one of the characters "stole the show" at the end.

Abby: Mom, what does it mean to "stole the show"?

Mom: It means that that person ended up being the best thing in the show.

Abby: Oh! She stole the show!

I'm often amazed at the questions my kids ask.

Cameron, age 7

2009-03-18T08:20:00.000-07:00

Cameron: Mom, do boys do ballet?

Mom: Of course!

Cameron: Huh. I knew that boys did some things that girls do, like Karate.

(I love that he sees Karate as a "girls sport"! Those years of blood and sweat and black belts paid off today. :) )

An old but good quote from Cameron

2009-03-16T22:27:00.000-07:00

When I was pregnant with Abigail, we took the boys with us to the ultrasound where we found out if the baby was a boy or girl.

Ultrasound Technician: Do you want to know the gender?
Keri: Yes.
Tech: Congratulations, you're having a girl!
Cameron: And her name is Abigail.

And that's how Abigail was named.

Abigail 3 yr 5 mo

2009-02-26T10:17:00.001-08:00

Our 7-month-pregnant neighbor, Stephanie, was at our house the other day, and Abigail was feeling her belly.

Stephanie: I'd let you feel her when she's kicking, but she's asleep right now.

Abigail: But it's not dark outside!

February 11, 2009

2009-02-11T16:07:00.000-08:00

Abigail is 3 yrs 5 months old and playing with some Legos at the doctor's office.

Mom: That looks cool! What are you building?

Abigail: Someone else builded it. I'm just modifying it.

(Does your 3-year-old use the word "modifying"?)

From May 2008 - Abigail 2 yr 9 mo

2009-02-03T13:13:00.000-08:00

I'm helping Abigail put her pajamas on after a bath. She started using her fingers to pick at the shoulder of my shirt.

Mom: Is there something on my shirt?

Abigail: No, just my hand!

From October 2008

2009-02-03T13:12:00.000-08:00

The kids and I are in the car, sitting at a red light. I told Henry something and he replied:

Henry: Indeed.
Abigail: No, in-red!

From September - Abigail 3 yrs

2009-02-03T13:09:00.000-08:00

On this day, I was wearing my gold harp necklace. Abigail noticed it.

"Mom, your necklace is metal. It's gold metal. (She lifted it up to look closer.) Now it's white metal. (The light reflected off it differently. She put it down.) Now it's shiny gold metal. (Lifting it again) Now it's white. (Back down) Now it's gold."

Abigail - 3 yr 5 mo

2009-02-02T20:17:00.000-08:00

After using the bathroom:
"Holy smokes! There's a poop snake in there!"

Henry- age 9 yr 10 mo.

2009-01-30T08:04:00.000-08:00

This is Henry telling me that he's going to tell his friend about his progress on a video game.
"I'm bound to give him another update since I got out of that weird realm."
I love raising kids who are readers. It takes their vocabulary to new realms. :)

Henry and sleep

2009-01-22T15:36:00.001-08:00

Henry: Mom, I haven't slept for a month!
Keri: Then why do I have to wake you up for school every morning?!

January 21, 2009 - Star Wars Dinnertime

2009-01-22T15:28:00.000-08:00

For months my boys have been enjoying the Youtube video, "Star Wars - an a capella tribute to John Williams". They know every note and every word - even Abigail knows all the tunes and about half of the words. (If you haven't seen this video, here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs7jAzAQN_4)

So at dinner, Tim was trying to encourage Abigail (3 yrs. 5 mo.) to use her silverware instead of eating with her fingers.

Tim sings: You must use your fork.
Keri sings: You must use...
Cameron sings: You must use...
Henry sings: You must use...
All: ...your fork!

Abigail sings in reply: I won't use my fork! I just use my fingers!

From August - Abigail 2 yrs. 11 mo.

2009-01-22T15:26:00.000-08:00

So I'm reading nursery rhymes with Abigail at bedtime. She's helping, since she has the book nearly memorized. We're reading "Hey, Diddle, Diddle." The illustration shows all the characters, including the dish and the spoon who appear to be running.

Keri: Hey diddle
Abigail: diddle
Keri: the cat and the
Abigail: fiddle
Keri: the cow jumped
Abigail: over the moon.
Keri: the little dog
Abigail: laughed
Keri: to see such sport. And the dish...
Abigail: is standing right there!

From September - Henry - 9 yrs. 5 mo.

2009-01-12T21:06:00.000-08:00

Beethoven's Ode to Joy
Utah Symphony/Utah Symphony Chorus, conducted by Keith Lockhart

Henry and my husband Tim attended the concert, and I sang with the chorus. Henry wanted to meet Maestro Lockhart afterward, so I took him backstage. The conversation went like this:

Keri: Maestro Lockhart, my son wanted to meet you. Henry, this is Keith Lockhart; this is my son, Henry.

Keith Lockhart: Henry, it's nice to meet you. (He shook Henry's hand.)
Henry: I have about a million questions I want to ask you.
KL: Well, why don't you pick you favorite one and ask it.
Henry: Why...Why did you pick Beethoven?
KL: Well, one reason is because there's a man, O.C. Tanner, who gives a lot of money to the symphony. Beethoven is one of his favorite composers. Also, he sponsors the opening concert each year, so he's giving money to support this concert. The other reason is because, choosing music is like choosing food - what you want depends on what you're in the mood for - but if someone put their hands around your throat and demanded that you tell them what the greatest music of all time was, you might just have to say Beethoven's 9th.
Henry: Cool.
KL: I'll answer another question the next time I see you.
Henry: Thanks.

From December - Abigail - 3 yrs. 3 mo.

2009-01-12T21:00:00.000-08:00

We're sitting in church, and I've been snuggling my month-old niece for five minutes: "Mom, can we sit with someone who doesn't have a baby!"

From December - Abigail - 3 yrs. 3 mo.

2009-01-12T20:59:00.000-08:00

We're driving in the car and the song, "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" comes on the radio: "It already looks like Christmas! Turn off the radio!"

From August - Abigail - 2 yrs. 11 mo.

2009-01-12T20:54:00.000-08:00

Preparations for her first "real" birthday party are underway. "I'm gonna have a birthday party here with friends. It's gonna be so cool!"

Cameron, age 7 yr. 1 mo.

2009-01-12T20:50:00.000-08:00

To his sister, who was jumping on him, blanket-wrapped: "I'm a blanket with feelings!"

I don't have time for this, but...

2009-01-12T20:38:00.000-08:00

Parenting is an everyday adventure. One of my favorite things about being a parent is hearing the interesting, funny, and amazing things my children say. Perhaps you may enjoy them, too. On, dear reader!