A couple of moments from this weekend:
* * *
We (me, my mom, Calfgrit4, and Calfgrit8) were on our way to Target to pick up a couple things, including some Pokemon cards (mom told them she’d get them some cards). The boys were discussing what kind of Pokemon cards they wanted to get.
Calfgrit8: “I’m going to get a deck. I want a new Pokemon deck to play against dad’s deck.”
Calfgrit4: “Yeah! I want a deck, too. That’s what I want.” <pause> To CG8: “What’s a deck, anyway?”
* * *
We were in the backyard watching the boys swing on their play set. Calfgrit8 jumped out of his swing and landed with a roll. Calfgrit4 said he wanted to try jumping out, too, but we told him not to.
Calfgrit8: “No don’t try it, you could die. I’d rather have you alive than dead. Even though you are annoying.”
Bullgrit
Riding in the van, just me, Cowgrit, and Calfgrit4.
Calfgrit4, from behind us: “Mommy, you’re a weirdo.”
Cowgrit and I, in the front seats, look at each other. Oh no. Another word we’re going to hear a million times a day.
Calfgrit4: “You know what ‘weirdo’ means? It means the cutest and the coolest.”
Me: “Is that what it means? This could be fun.”
Cowgrit rolls her eyes.
Later, when we’re all in the house, and just Cowgrit and I are in the kitchen.
Me: “You’re a weirdo.”
Cowgrit: “You’re a bigger weirdo.”
It is pretty fun. You should give it a try. Pass along the new definition of “weirdo” and tell someone what they are.
Bullgrit
Cowgrit got me this card for our anniversary.

We’re a good team.
You’re the one
who approaches
challenges head on.
On the inside, it says:
And I’m the one
hanging back,
admiring your butt.
The card has been sitting on my desk in my home office since she gave it to me (May 20). Yesterday Calfgrit8 noticed it for the first time and picked it up. After reading it, he took it to Cowgrit. He read it aloud and asked, “What does that mean?”
She assumed he meant what does “admiring” mean, because he definitely knows what “butt” means — he and his brother say it enough, much to our consternation.
Now she’s worried that he might repeat the card at school. We’re really not looking forward to a call from his teacher telling us that CG8 said to a classmate, “I’m admiring your butt.”
Bullgrit
While grocery shopping the other day, I spied a special Star Trek Cheeze-It box. I took the box, turned it around, and read the back.
Star Trek Captain’s Tee
$9.99 by Mail with 1 Star Trek Token and Official Order Form printed inside this box
Oh yeah, I put the box in my shopping cart. It would be pretty cool to have a Star Trek shirt. I don’t know when or where I could wear it, really, but I’d figure some time and some where. Maybe Halloween.
I bought the box and brought it home. At home, while we were putting up the groceries, I pointed out the box to Cowgrit. I explained, “Make sure you don’t throw this out when it’s empty. I want to order that shirt.”
She understood and agreed.
The next day, for an afternoon snack, the boys were having some Cheez-Its while sitting at the kitchen table. The box was on the table, and Calfgrit8 noticed the special ad.
“Mom,” he said, “look at this shirt. Dad likes Star Trek. Let’s order this shirt for him.”
She told the boys they could do it. Then she told me about their plan.
That’s really sweet. My boys want to help me geek out. I just hope they won’t expect me to wear the shirt often, and in inappropriate public places.
Bullgrit