All's Well That Ends Well

I don't know much about sibling rivalry. My sister and I were 11 years apart so the two of us had little opportunity to spend all that much time together. Which is why watching my 3-year-old son Milo and 19-month-old daughter Willa interact is so fascinating for me.

Each day starts out with Milo waking up before either one of his sisters. He plays quietly even if his bigger sister Neva is awake. But as soon as he hears Willa's voice, he comes running into the bedroom to find her. He greets her the same way every morning, sweetly, gently and as if he is surprised to see her: "Oh, Hi Lilla Billa," he says giving her a big hug. They seem to be the best of friends.

So, what is most remarkable about their relationship? It’s how, at the end of the day, after Milo has pushed her over a dozen times, stolen her toys and repeatedly refused to respond to her even though she’s been calling him for 10 minutes, they make it to bedtime and again give each other a great big hug.

Happy sweeping,

Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com

Oh Poor, Poor Me ...

It's been 2 1/2 weeks since my oldest daughter Neva began Grade One. She was so excited her first day that she forgot to say goodbye to us as she ran into the school. It took me a few days to come to terms with that oversight. By Thursday, Neva had brought home the school year’s first cold and shortly thereafter I took up my position in front of the TV moaning about how miserable I feel.

Thinking that it’s important to take an interest in what my kids are doing, I ask Neva everyday what she did at school. Her answer is always the same: "Nothing." But then the other day, I overheard her on the phone telling my mother all the exciting things she’s learning.

So being the clever rabbit that I am, I proposed to Neva that I go in and speak with her teacher and see why it is that she is not teaching my kid anything. Without hesitation, Neva agreed, leaving me eating my words.

All of which has left me wondering if my suffering at the hands of our educational system was only beginning.

Happy sweeping,

Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com

Recent Studies Have Shown ...

The following study, released today, has scientifically proven that 2 children aged 3 and under, can, pound for pound, destroy more things than 2 fully-grown adults. This study was conducted under strict supervision by a man and woman research team who have spent the better part of 5 years logging their various findings.

In brief here is the study:

Went to the massage therapist …
Our 3-year-old subject Milo and his 18-month-old sister Willa used 14 paper cups to drink one fifth of the water from the water cooler. Another one fifth of the water found its way onto the floor, up the walls and sprinkled across half the furniture.
Children: 1 Adults: 0

Went to get adult researchers bangs trimmed …
The stylist’s shop was newly adorned with numerous glass vases, some towering over Willa’s head. The fish in the huge glass vase situated on top of the glass table, the one with the glass shelf at step stool height, was not necessarily the best place for Willa to go climbing.
Children: 2 Adults: 0

Went to hair salon:
Seems that glass has become the decorating item of the year. Those ball-sized glass bubbles really looked like they could bounce. Within 30 seconds, Willa and Milo proved they don’t.
Children: 3 Adults: 0

Returned home 1 hour after having left:
In a quest to beautify their home, Willa happily picked a few flowers from the garden pots on the deck. Most didn’t have roots.
Children: 4 Adults: KO’d

Happy sweeping,

Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com