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.

Indiana Jones Is Living With Me

And he has been for the last 3 days. Don't worry, my husband knows all about it. Our (now) 5-year-old son, Thing 2, had his birthday last Thursday. Because he's been on an Indiana Jones kick lately, we got him presents with an Indy theme. His birthday party will follow suit.

My husband and I got him the Lego Indiana Jones game for Play Station 2, along with the Lego Star Wars game. Thing 1 got him Bendaroos - but only because she wanted to play with them. I don't think he's even gotten to touch them since they were opened Thursday night.

Since we aren't having his party for another couple of weeks, we had a small family celebration on the big day. Thing 2 chose Luby's for our dining pleasure, and we invited our friends Andrea (Andy) and Michael to come along. Andy made him a cake, which we brought in to Luby's with us.

So after dinner we lit the candles, sang happy birthday, and ate some cake. Our waitress was so nice and helpful, we gave her a piece too! Following the cake, it was present time. He was respectably appreciative of our gifts and the Bendaroos from Thing 1. But it was the gift from Andy and Micheal that has now become the gift to beat ... forever more, I fear.

Under the newspaper comic wrapping paper was a box. A box that was chock full on Indiana Jones garb and regalia. This set had it all: the shirt and leather-like jacket, the signature Indy hat, a satchel, a holster, and ...... the WHIP!

There was no waiting. Thing 2 immediately put on everything right there in Luby's. He wore it on the drive home, and dang near wore it to bed. He took it to daycare the next day, where he wore it the entire time. He's worn it all day, both days this weekend, and even wore it out to dinner last night. He's informed us - in a matter-of-fact way- that when he is wearing his new outfit, we are to refer to him as either Indy or Indian Jones ... and NOT by his name.

So now you see what I mean when I say that Indiana Jones is living with me. He may even be coming with us on Spring Break too!

Thank Goodness for the Good Guys!

Thing 2 has always loved his Superheroes. From the time he could talk, he was always inclined to all things "super". We encourage him, sure. But most times the Superhero du jour is all his idea.

So I'm finding myself thankful for the good guys out there. Whether they be flying Superheroes with capes, or the new sheriff in town, I'm sure glad those guys are around for my son to emulate.

For a long time, Spiderman was the one. We have Spiderman shirts, PJs, coloring books, you name it. If it's got Spidey on it, we probably have it. And he's got "the guys". That's what he calls his burgeoning collection of action figures. He never goes anywhere without at least one stashed in his pocket or backpack. And you can't have a good guy without having a bad guy for him to fight, so we have Venom and Sandman too.

Then he was on to Iron Man. I must admit, Iron Man is pretty cool. He even had a brief stint where he was all about Captain Jack Sparrow. He's even got pirate hair that he wears when he's pretending to be that great man of the sea. While Sparrow's good guy image may be a little tarnished in places, he's still good at heart. Of course, Batman and Superman have had minor roles in our lives, as well as Luke Skywalker vs. Darth Vader.

But now we have a new one. Really, though, it's an old one. My husband thought it would be a kick to introduce the kids to the Indiana Jones movies. We'd enjoy seeing them again, and we both agreed the kids would love them. Love them they did! Especially Thing 2.

He pretends to be Indiana Jones on a daily basis. All. The. Time. He teaches the other kids at daycare how to make Indy shadows on the wall. They find themselves in awful predicaments, and then Thing 2 (as Indiana Jones) swoops in to save the day. He's even made himself a whip to wear on his pants.

But the best part has got to be the song. We can't go an hour during his waking hours without hearing that song! He hums it while he eats breakfast, while he's getting dressed, and of course, while he's playing with his Indiana Jones Legos.

Heck, he may even do it in his sleep! If I hear it in the middle of the night, I'll let you know.

Dut ta da daaaa, dut ta DA. Dut ta da DAAAAA, dut ta da da da ....