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Tacos and Newspapers

There are so many things I've already forgotten about my boys growing up, so I've decided I need to make more of an effort to record these fleeting moments of childhood.

KC turned thirteen last Friday.  Although his birthday didn't create the mythical teenage monster every parent fears, his personality has been gradually changing over the last several months.  He's a bit more willful now and isn't afraid to voice his opinion.  (At least, not with Mom; with Dad, he's still a bit more hesitant.) His willfulness sometimes crosses over into moodiness, but that's mostly directed at his brother, which I think is perfectly normal even if it is annoying beyond belief. 

As an official teenager, his mouth does occasionally get him into trouble, though.  He doesn't always know how to read the nonverbal cues or is unaware of proper social etiquette.  He doesn't always respond to people who approach him with a friendly hello.  He's still learning the ins and outs of "respect your elders", whether you like them or not. 

Interestingly enough, he has come up with a diversionary tactic for those times when he's nearing his limit of discomfort or uncertainty.  Tacos.

Yes, I said tacos.

Actually, that's what he says.  He'll blurt out "tacos" in the middle of a conversation and give a goofy grin to distract the speaker from their point.  It's annoying, but surprisingly effective.  It's also inappropriate and should be used sparingly, but trying to get a thirteen-year-old to understand why is a bit more challenging than you'd think.

So, that's KC.

Unlike his brother who opts for silliness, Gage is a bit more serious-minded.  I guess that's why his skewed observations are so memorable.  He isn't trying to be funny, but it's hard not to laugh.

Take for instance, this scenario: 

We're sitting together in my recliner watching television.  The actor - Tom Selleck from Blue Bloods - sits down at the dining room table to have his morning coffee.  In Tom's hands is a newspaper.  Gage turns to me with the most serious expression and asks, "Don't they have a TV?"

I was a bit confused.  "What do you mean?"

"Well, why's he reading that?  Don't they have a TV?"

Oh my.  After I finished laughing, I explained to him that Tom was reading the newspaper in order to catch up on the news.  That, while we only get the newspaper in order to find coupons for grocery shopping, some people actually read their newspapers to find out what's going on in their city or even in the world. 

He didn't look convinced, which made me laugh all the harder. 

Comments

  1. I can't believe how old your boys are getting. I feel like it was just yesterday that I was giving your son some Pokemon cards for his birthday. Glad to hear that everyone is doing well.

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