Rules of Engagement, Part 23

In the midst of a brother-vs.-brother meltdown outside of church (because who doesn't want to brawl after listening to a sermon about community and understanding), the first-grader laid down the rules of engagement to his older brother. "I hate to have to do this now," he said, "but now I have to throw my shoe at you."

Holiday Spirit

The kindergartner had a homework project for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Old Wahoo decided to help him. He was supposed to think about what MLK stood for - peace, brotherhood, etc. - and draw a picture of a way to make the world a better place.

The 5-year-old had a problem getting beyond just having people listen to Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" (the "change" song, as he calls it), so I was trying to urge him to think of something more specific. The second-grader, with good intentions (really), tried to help his younger brother out, but that was a bad idea. Eventually, the two brothers started arguing, and nearly came to blows.

So much for peace and brotherhood in our family.