Best Rooster Name Ever

So as I've told you before, Dude has a thing for all things Indiana Jones. He likes the movies, the gear, the theme song, and most especially the hat.

He would hum that song at daycare this summer over and over - so much so that our dear friend and daycare provider banned him from ever singing it again in her presence.

Resolved: the boy likes Indiana Jones.

So earlier in the summer, we were driving from point A to point B and discussing some of the things we wanted to do for fun. We decided that our cousin's ranch would be a great choice.

Going out there is always a treat. We visit, kick back, eat well, feed chickens and goats, and just enjoy the country life for a few days. It's a great experience for the kids. They get to be outside a lot of the time and do things they'd never get to do in Suburbia where we live. The highlight of every trip - aside from seeing our cousin - is feeding the chickens and goats.

So prior to this conversation in the car, I had spoken with our cousin. She wanted me to tell the kids that she had a new rooster in need of a name. When I told the kids about this, the discussion and debate from the backseat reached new decibel heights. Finally Dude emerged victorious.

He declared, "I have the best rooster name ever! Henry. Jones. Junior!" Sister agreed ... and so did I. It was indeed the best rooster name ever. How could there be any other?

So we called up our cousin on my trusty iPhone to tell her the good news. I'm surprised she could understand them because they were talking so fast in all their excitement.

After Dude and Cousin discussed the name and the rooster for a bit - and just when I didn't think things could get any better - Dude asked her, "Can you go outside right now and tell him what his name is?"

I guess that once you have a name that good, there's just no sense in making the rooster wait.

Photo courtesy of Thomas Hawk.

God Is the Best

Dude and Sister get along pretty well ... most of the time. They play together and agree on TV shows and movies. But like any brother and sister team, they feel it is their duty to do whatever possible to annoy the other. And they can do it really well.

Sister, being the older of the two, has really honed her craft over the years. She calls Dude names - strange nicknames like "Bacon" - but names just the same. Dude hates it. She copies him when he talks, and is just generally annoying some of the time.

Dude isn't entirely innocent, though. He snatches toys out of her hands, copies her when she talks, and is just generally annoying. Sound familiar?

Whatever the offense, they really know how to push each other's buttons. So push they do. As the Mom and referee, I have learned that it doesn't help to try to resolve the situation, or to determine who has been wronged by whom. All I want is for the yelling and name-calling to end, and for peace and quiet to be restored. Mostly, I wish that in vain.

So one day, we were running errands and the pushing of buttons began. Names were called. Cries for help from Mom were made. There was even some pinching! Finally, Dude had had enough.

He summoned up the worst possible thing he could think of, and said, "You're just ... just ... just AWFUL!!"

To which Sister replied, "Know what's better than calling people names? GOD! God is the best thing in the whole wide world. So there!"

She ended this tirade by sticking her tongue out. Dude was deflated, because, well, Sister was right! He just couldn't think of anything to say or do to top that.

And me? Aside from being rather amazed, I was just thankful that it was quiet again!

Photo courtesy of radiant guy.