little conversations

on a Sunday afternoon, in the backseats of our old Suburban. John and I upfront, listening and smiling sideways at each other over these clever children and their direct, very boyish observations.

Caleb, to Sam: "Open-down, already."
Sam (understanding-apparently this phrase isn't new to him): "No. I don't have to."
Caleb, emphatically: "Pleeaase, just open-down!"
Mom: "Caleb, what are you talking about?"
Caleb: "you said we aren't allowed to say shut-up."

Sam, to Josiah:
"Yeah. Japan used to be our enemy, in World War 2. But we made up and that's a good thing. All the best video games are from Japan."
Josiah: "And since we live near the Pacific Rim, we get all the best games WAY before the rest of the country does."
Sam: "yup. it's so awesome."

(on our way to a 1 year old cutie's birthday party)
Mom: "Don't forget the day is about (...) I don't want you running off to play with friends before telling him Happy Birthday, okay?"
Sam (incredulously): "We wouldn't do that! "
Caleb: "yeah. I love babies."
Sam (trying to start a debate) "Well, duh. Who doesn't?"
Caleb: "I don't know. Evil people?"
Sam: "Well even wicked people started out as babies. So if they hate THEM I guess they hate themselves."
Caleb: "yup. that's how they got started hating."

Sam: "Mom, did you know God gave not just alligators but lizards too, clear eyelids?"
Mom: "hmmm, really?"
Sam: "yup. Like their own personal set of goggles. No. Really more like contacts! And the coolest part is how the lizards clean 'em. They just flick their tongue out and swipe 'em off. Dad, wouldn't it be cool if you could clean YOUR contacts like that?"
John (seriously): "How do you know I don't?"
Sam: "Nice try, Dad. I've seen your contact solution in the bathroom."