Chloe the Pirate

We've had a running joke going for a while now about Chloe's future occupation. I think that I could never forget something as funny as this, but like all things, the memories and how they began fade with time. I definitely don't want to forget this hilarious tale involving Chloe and her grown-up job.

As with most of my stories, this one begins at the dinner table. I think Chuck was out of town because it was only Bennett, Chloe, and I at the table. Chloe was sharing her hopes and dreams and had just declared that she thinks she might want to be a pilot when she grows up. 

I don't have any idea why...maybe he was chewing when she said the word, maybe he was up to his usual antics, but Bennett immediately said, "You want to be a pirate?" like he genuinely thought that's what he heard.

I could not stop laughing. The visual image of Chloe as a pirate just hit me full on and I lost it. Chloe, of course, thought we were laughing at her. Literally, there were tears streaming down Bennett's and my face. His comedic timing is impeccable as always.

Because the kids used to watch VeggieTales when they were little, I already had her theme song picked out:

We are the pirates, who don't do anything

we stay home and lie around

and if you ask us to do anything

we'll just tell you: we don't do anything.

This is also very apropos because Chloe's favorite thing to do is lay on her bed and read. She has spent a large chunk of time this summer doing just that. I have no problem with it because kids need down time from their hectic school and after-school lives and reading is an awesome activity. But...sometimes she can become a little hermit-like. She readily admits that she really doesn't like to do anything. Thus, the perfect life song for her.

Gavin's New Baby

So...this happened the other day.

Gavin bought his first car (second actually, we gave him his first one, but this is the one he chose all on his own and spent his own money on). So grown up.

When we moved to Colorado, his beloved Popemobile was unable to move with us. It would have died or fallen apart before we left the state of Minnesota. He's still salty about this, and who could blame him. Everyone loves their first car - warts and all. So he's been without a car for over a year now. That's a big deal to a kid his age who values his independence. 

Once he came home for the summer and got a job, he knew he'd be able to take out a loan to buy his car. He was very specific from the beginning about what type of car it would be too. Only a Volvo would do. He really wanted Popemobile II, but that was not to be, unfortunately. Every time he found a white Volvo, it slipped through his fingers. But then he came upon this little gem. I actually have car envy. It's a loaded 2006 Volvo SE with only 116,000 miles. It is in immaculate condition and it was in his price range. 

Sadly, the bank wouldn't give him a car loan for a car older than 10 years, but they would give him a personal loan with a much higher interest rate. Well, Grandma and Grandpa would hear none of that. That knew Gavin to be one of the most responsible 19 year olds around and offered to give him the loan he need, interest free. The beauty of families. Now everyone is happy. 

Thoughtful

I recently bought this adorable little magnet and placed it on the front of the fridge. All the fam ooohed and ahhhhed over it thinking it was THE BEST. Even Chuck, who isn't always the quickest person to noticed little details like this, actually commented on it. 

That's why I was surprised by what he did the other day. I'm sitting there at the island eating breakfast. Chuck is puttering around in the kitchen. Then I notice him get out a tablespoon, fill it with water, walk over to the fridge, and then ever so gently and tenderly begin to water this magnet.

I thought is was the cutest, sweetest thing in the world. I couldn't stop giggling. 

In between fits of laughter, I told him that it didn't need watering, that it was completely fake. But thank you for the compliment thinking that I've been able to keep it alive this long (I DO NOT have a green thumb). 

He said he thought the bottoms of the tendrils were looking a little dry and needed some water. How sweet is that. Even though the water ran straight down the front of the fridge after he 'watered' it, he still didn't know it wasn't real. 

What a thoughtful husband I have.