Bossiness is a Dominant Gene

Spending so much time with my family recently I’ve been able to recognize odd quirks or personality traits being echoed in the mannerisms and behaviors of our kids. Since I haven’t been able to find our computer cord in order to download our recent photos I thought in the meantime we could play a game I’m calling “That’s the Last Time Your Uncle Dave is Babysitting You!” Here’s how you play: I’ll list something I saw the kids doing recently and then give multiple choices as to which family member might have taught them that behavior. Whoever can best match their responses to mine wins:

1. When the kids are given “prizes” Bobby will hide his in a secret stash. He will then bring it out hours, sometimes days, later so that he can tease Hadassah about having a prize. Is this . . .

a. Daddy
b. Mommy
c. Grandma Roxanne
d. Uncle Josh
e. Uncle Dave

2. While playing at the park Hadassah likes to force frightened children to hold hands with her. Is this . . .

a. Daddy
b. Mommy
c. Papa Larry
d. Uncle Ben
e. Aunt Stephie

3. Bobby likes to parrot others and repeat “catch phrases” from commercials he has seen. Is this . . .

a. Daddy
b. Mommy
c. Papa Larry
d. Zadie Triestman
e. Other ________

4. Hadassah likes to change her outfit four times a day, cries when you make her use the orange crayon because “it’s a boy color,” and is often caught telling herself how pretty she is while looking at herself in the mirror. Is this . . .

a. Bubbie Triestman
b. Mommy
c. Aunt Bep
d. Aunt Stephie
e. other ________

5. The other day Priscilla and I watched as both children took turns repeatedly flinging themselves headlong off the back of the couch, pausing periodically to laugh at the others pain. Is this . . .

a. Mommy
b. Auntie Stephie
c. Uncle Carson
d. Uncle Dave
e. Uncle Josh

6. This morning I walked into a room to find that Hadassah had been having a conversation with me for the past hour and a half. Is this . . .

a. Daddy
b. Mommy
c. Uncle Josh
d. Zadie Triestman
e. Uncle Carson

7. Bobby is impervious to discouragement, discipline or the limitations of reality itself. Is this . . .

a. Daddy
b. Zadie Triestman
c. Uncle Dave
d. Uncle Josh
e. Aunt Stephie


8. When family comes to visit Hadassah likes to greet them at the door by asking where her present is. Is this . . .

a. Daddy
b. Uncle Carson
c. Aunt Bep
d. Aunt Stephie
e. other _________

9. Bobby goes through his days with a perpetual cloud of dust hovering over him and a ring of cookie encircling his mouth. Intervention will only dirty a cloth. Is this . . .

a. Daddy
b. Grandma Roxanne
c. Bubbie Triestman
d. Uncle Carson
e. Uncle Dave

10. When falling, the first thing Hadassah will do is check to see if her hands got dirty. If so she will begin crying for someone to wipe off her oowie. Is this . . .

a. Mommy
b. Auntie Stephie
c. Auntie Bep
d. Uncle Dave
e. Uncle Ben

11. When Bobby takes a toy from Hadassah she will let him have it and find another toy with which to play. Is this . . .

a. Daddy
b. Papa Larry
c. Uncle Ben
d. Aunt Bep
e. Uncle Carson
























Although there might be some discussion as to who the kids "take after," it should be obvious to everyone who they look like. (Pictured here is my favorite photo of all-time along with a random archive picture of Bobby.)

Yes We Can !

History has been made. They said we could not do it, but the cynics have been silenced, the critics dismayed. A new regime has been ushered in and it feels great . . . the Phillies have won the World Series! An estimated 3 million people were on-hand at our nation's first capital to view a ticker-tape parade celebrating the first professional championship win to come to Philadelphia in 25 years. The Philadelphia Phillies, who have already made history as being the losing-est team in the life of American sports (only team to ever reach 10,000 losses -and counting), have brought back the championship, and with it the hope of a nation, to the birth-place of freedom and democracy, Philadelphia -The City of Brotherly Love.

Following this theme of unprecedented, historical events the following unparalleled achievements have also taken place this week:

1. I vacuumed the floor.



2. I heard family news from the source, rather than filtered through Priscilla, as told by Roxanne. (In this file photo my sister-in-law Stephanie has been replaced by two Triestman males and a turkey leg).
3. Bob Barr became the first libertarian candidate to win over one percent of the national vote in a US presidential election won by an African American.

4. My brother Ben called me without having accidentally sat on his phone.

Happy Candy Exchange Day

Priscilla worked this weekend so I was responsible for improvising costumes and escorting the kids through the apartment complex. Hadassah went as a fairy-princess-ballerina and Bobby went as Chase Utley. (It's kind of embarrassing to consider that these "costumes" are actually a part of our kids daily wardrobe rotation).

We live in a predominantly recently-immigrated community and this was a first Halloween for many of our neighbors. One woman actually asked if us to walk her through the "ritual of trick or treat." (She and her husband were very excited to be a part of this secular American tradition, although they were surprised to learn that it is customary on Halloween to change the diapers of the trick or treaters while their father eats a plate of curry. Exploiting the ignorance of immigrants would not have been such a big deal if the kids coming behind us had not been so put off at having their diapers forcibly changed.)

It was interesting to see how each of our kids responded to the consumption of excessive amounts of candy. Hadassah became extremely giddy and fun-loving, while Bobby became mean and surly.

We also made a gingerbread house, which was a really fun project until Bobby realized that the arts and crafts materials were edible. (I'm really impressed with how Hadassah "hams it up" in these pictures. She actually doesn't have anything in her hand, but is pretending to sneakily eat the house in order to make the shot work better.)

Here Bobby shows us the after-effects of Candy Exchange Day. (Contrary to the old-wives tale, smearing tooth-paste on your head will not cure a sugar-hangover.) Apparently Hadassah had seen how funny it was when I had put makeup on Bobby for his costume and decided that she was going to be funny too by splattering his head with eye-liner and toothpaste.

Do you think it sends mixed messages to the kids by taking pictures of their disobedience and then spanking them?