Connor turned 8 this week, just this past Friday. He definitely seems bigger, older now. Not that it was a huge, obvious change, but he is slowing becoming more mature, he is reading better, he is speaking better, and he is looking a little taller. As I said when Katie turned 12, it's odd to see my kids growing up. I also never thought I'd be 33 and have a 12-year-old, an 8-year-old, a 7-year-old, and an infant for whom I would be responsible. Our kids are truly wonderful, and while we have our challenges with each, we also have great rewards. As you can see, my pensive mood of the last several weeks continues.
Owen was baptized last weekend, and that was a great thing, also. His grandparents were all there as his sponsors. It always makes me happy to have family around, and last weekend was no exception. Someday, maybe we'll have family around all the time, like once a week or so. That would be my ideal; I want our kids to grow up close to family.
My wife never ceases to amaze, astound, and astonish me. She revealed to me last night something that I didn't know about her. Heidi and I both enjoy poetry a great deal, and Heidi has a large book by one of my favorites, Robert Frost. As we were putting the boys to bed, I pulled out "The Giving Tree" by the late, great Shel Silverstein. The subject went to Mr. Silverstein's other works, and Heidi pulled out "Where the Sidewalk Ends". At that point she said to us, "let me read you my favorite poem." She then began, "Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout would not take the garbage out."
She read the entire poem and I listened and stared in wonder. I said, "Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening? A Shakespearean sonnet? Horatius at the Bridge? No...it's Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout."
Incidentally, the aforementioned "Horatius at the Bridge" by Macaulay is my favorite.
I'm beginning to tire of some of the retro tactics and styles taken in today's commercials and ads. For example, the psychadelic, 4-way-kaleidoscopic swirling, twirling images used in many TV commercials these days is becoming particularly wearisome.
On the other hand, the old late-50s/early-60s disembodied floating head image is great for camp, and actually rather funny. It is still commonly seen today in the Alltel commercials, with the heads of the various cellular provider representatives seen floating at the end, looking around.
I'll keep an eye out for other retro styles; I guess commercials are just another example of an area where it's easier to just re-use old styles and techniques.
We've got a nice birthday party planned for Connor today. Heidi, as usual, is putting together a nice theme party. Donovan's theme for his party back in late March was pirates. Connor's theme is kung fu. It should be lots of fun.
Thanks for reading along.
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