He's Impossible to Live With, Now That He's a Star.
Geez, Connor is such a diva. Chris recorded a 3-second sample of him and included it in a promo for his radio show, so now Connor listens faithfully each week, for the full three hours, to hear himself for three seconds. Last week, he said to Ror, “Rory, you don’t know what it’s like, because you’ve never been ON the radio. I’m on the radio, so I’m like, a radio guy, you know? You’ll understand someday, if you’re ever on the radio.” Oh please. Connor’s new album drops on June 21, so that’s another source of pride for him. He’s been recording songs to send to Debbie, a friend of ours, who once casually suggested that he send her a tape of himself singing. It has escalated into a full scale production, replete with huge musical numbers—covers and original tracks. I’m afraid that Debbie’s going to think we’re some sort of crazy evangelists, though, because all of Connor’s original songs are variations of the theme, “We love Jesus, and He’s gonna kill the Devil.”
Riley Katie’s new favorite phrase is “I don’t want to talk about that,” used to deflect from discussions with Dad about her behavior when he’s not home. She has also apparently appointed herself Lady and Mistress of Everything, and her self-proclaimed duties include, but are not limited to, telling everyone what to do, how to dress, what to say, and how to play. The problem is that the big boys think she’s so darn cute; they tend to go along with everything she says and do her bidding at all times. Connor and Ror, on the other hand, are not so obliging, and she’s found it very frustrating that she is unable to manipulate them as she does with the big boys.
Everyone in the house agrees that Ror, at three years old, is a 24- hour comedy show. Whether he’s arguing with his sister (“Lolly, you drive me CRAZY! You’re making me CRAZY, Lolly!”) or presiding over dinner as his alter ego (“Hey, are you so glad Bruce Wayne is eating dinner with you? I’m such a hero. A hero with tools and weapons.”), he keeps us in stitches all day long. The most entertaining aspect of his personality is that he sees NO HUMOR in anything that he says, and he demands to be taken exceedingly seriously, which is, in itself, hilarious. There is nothing more comical than a child coming to dinner with a blanket tied around his shoulders, speaking in a baritone voice, saying, “I have to eat quick. I’ve got to save a baby from a fire,” and expecting us all to react with reverence and respect.
Our little Reagan-Bacon-Gipper (she’s got so many nicknames, it’s hard to keep track) has cut her first tooth, can sit briefly on her own, and, my personal favorite, MAKES KISSING NOISES to get attention! She’s sleeping through the night, but actually getting her to sleep is quite a feat these days. She’s very dedicated to her new Sibling Prevention Program, which requires her to sense the exact moment that Mom and Dad plan to have some alone time, and then begin to scream like she’s being shot. We’ve commented on many days that it is only her extraordinary cuteness that saves her from being sold to the gypsies. She continues to say “Da-da” and “Hi” (though we are quite sure she has no idea what she’s saying), while refusing to say Mama.
Last week the kids got to spend an afternoon with my brother and his wife, which has taken their save-the-world play to new heights. Uncle Ryan is usually the central figure in the dramas, and he then recruits the boys to help him interrogate bad guys and protect the President. Riley Kate is required to stay behind with Aunt Kortni to help keep the home fires burning. Because of Connor and Ror’s hero-worship of my brother, we’re able to sort of use him like Santa Claus. Most parents say, “If you don’t…Santa won’t bring any presents.” Our warning is, “Do you think Uncle Ryan recruits little boys who cry over a video game? I don’t think so!” We have a similar tactic that involves our nephew Joshua, Connor and Ror’s other idol, because he’s a “cool big boy.” If we could get Joshua and Ryan to move in, we’d be on parenting auto-pilot—“what? You don’t want to clean your room? Let’s see what Joshua and Uncle Ryan have to say about that…”
I posted new photos last night, from Tarzan, the trip to PA, and various other stuff. Click on the link at right. Next week I’ll be posting pictures of the NEW MR. and MRS. DOMANSKI!
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