A Lesson in Manners

Recently heard in the front seat from the rear seat of the car.

Quinn: Keaton what do you say when I toot?

Keaton: Toot

Quinn: Nooooo! What do you say when I toot?

Keaton: Toot

Quinn: (laughing) Noooo bud, what do you say when I toot?

Keaton: Toot

Obviously you get the idea of where this line of questioning went, no where! And I was busting a gut in the front seat. Because Quinn was trying to get "Excuse me" out of his little brother and it just wasn't happening. If nothing else, Quinn has taught his brother one thing, all the wrong things to say.

On any given day during a car ride we may hear Quinn in the back seat instructing his brother to say "poop" "pee" and "toot" and his little parrot has learned to mimic him perfectly. Thank goodness the only time we hear any of the words repeated is when Keaton has a "toot."

We Have a Rooster

Unfortunately for us he lives down the hall and not outside. It seems this sweet little rooster has decided instead of going back to sleep like he used to much to my happiness at 6 whatever in the morning, that now when he rouses he chooses to shout out...."MA! MA!...MAMA! MA!" You pretty much get the idea.

He might stop for a few brief seconds to see if anyone is going to respond before starting up again because he knows this tactic so far has worked to his advantage. Sometimes it has gotten sleepy mommy to come in and tell him to go back to sleep, sometimes it has gotten daddy to come get him out of bed, but it always gets someone to come in and see him.

I'm is just wondering if this is the moniker (MA) that Keaton will choose to call me. It seems that is what he has chosen to get my attention for the moment, like when he's done with his yogurt and he wants the cup taken. Ma, Ma, MA MA! Only as the years go on will it graduate to "Hey Ma, can you wash my basketball, baseball, football gear?"

I think I like the ring of that.

Batting leadoff, and playing first base ....

Before you ask, no, that isn't a young Kent Hrbek.

Kent Hrbek was a lefty.

What you see here, this young phenomenon, is a kid by the name of Quinn Siemers. Bats right (from a tee), throws right (and left, and straight, and over your head, and sometimes nowhere near you), and knows how to use a glove (to catch with, of course, except when he doesn't).

He wears the No. 1 and bats lead-off on an up-and-coming outfit called the Mariners. With their first game just a week away, they have ambitious plans to bring home the hardware this t-ball season, so long as it means getting ice cream afterward.

Quinn's first organized sports experience has been enjoyable so far. He's easily the youngest on his team, and his attention span is often lacking, but he seems to be enjoying playing with new friends.

He's not bad with a glove or a bat and seems to enjoy figuring things out. He was so enthralled by catching the ball with one hand that he wouldn't stop throwing the ball in the air and trying to catch it. The other kid waiting for him to throw it back, however, wasn't so excited.

Keaton sees all the kids playing ball and wants to join in, too. They unfortunately don't have organized baseball for kids under 2, so he'll have to wait his turn. In the mean time, he enjoys playing "bakkatball" in the front yard and, as you can see below, rocking out on the guitar.