Brigs: Hey mom I figured out something.
Daria: What’s that Brigs?
Brigs: I figured out that I am the middle child.
Daria: Wow you’re so smart! How do you feel about being the middle child?
Brigs: It’s awesome!
Category Archives: Brigham
Middle Child
A nice Saturday
I feel like I’m expending a fair amount of mental energy these days, and really just loving a day to decompress with my wife and children without interruption or concern. Today was one of those days. I woke up and read some of Steve Jobs biography and then did some pumpkin carving research. I read up on techniques and downloaded some templates I knew the kids would love—Angry Birds, Sonic the Hedgehog, Mario, Yugi Oh. Daria bought pumpkins and carving instruments earlier in the week so we set up and carved away. Dylan carved a Legend of Zelda Triforce pumpkin design and Daria and I helped Brigs and Noah. It was funny coaxing them into pulling the seeds and goo out as they really don’t get their hands dirty all too often. But they dug right in and did a great job. The designs the kids wanted were fairly demanding so we did most of the carving. I’ve decided that pumpkin carving is a total blast and I’m going to do this every year now. Later on I played some basketball and raked some leaves and just enjoyed the sunny day looking out at all the sailboats. Daria and I went into the office to cement an onlay, and then she came home and cooked a fabulous meal of wings, scalloped potatoes and garden salad. It was delicious. We read from Moroni 7:43-49 and had a good family discussion about charity, what it really is, characteristics of a charitable person and applied it. It’s really the ultimate goal, requirement, happiness and meaning. I love those last few verses. I’m excited that we have almost read the entire Book of Mormon as a family and now trying to think of a way to mark the occasion. It was a good day.
Let me start over
Tonight at dinner Brigs was telling us about a book he read at school. I always ask the boys how their day was and what they learned at school, the default answer is usually, “I forgot.” But with a little follow-up he explained many things about his day—and then he got interrupted. And I swear this is some genetic trait in my family, because true to Muirhead form he said, “Can I start over?” I had to really bite my cheeks and hold in my laughter (though Daria and I shared a knowing smirk) because this is classic Brigs.
It also really reminded me of growing up with my sister Elizabeth, she had to be heard from start to finish without interruption. My mom seems to have the same trait, although I can’t decide if she is getting better at tolerating interruptions or getting worse. I’m also told that I would routinely throw out schoolwork once I had committed a single error on the page (something I outgrew, or maybe computers have helped with).
It’s fun to notice your kids behaviours and relate it generationally. We even have a phrase for this in the family, coined by my father, the aptly named: reveling in your idiosyncrasies. I love my Brigs, and his desire to be heard.
Painting
The past couple of nights I’ve stolen an hour or so to paint a room with my four boys. I love the feeling of working alongside my family on a project. The boys are all quite proud of their handiwork and the paint job turned out great. It was quite adorable when Brigs and Joshua painted their names on the wall. A classic moment.
The Darndest Things
More and more I’m aware that my children are listening to every word I say and interpreting it. This can lead to some funny moments. Here’s one that still has me laughing.
Last week Brigham was very sick. At one point we suspected he had contracted the measles and were even discussing the possibility of quarantine. Daria said, “Nate, I think we are going to have to isolate Brigs.” A few moments later a concerned Joshua bellowed from the other room, “You’re going to freeze Brigs?!!” After our laughter died down I explained to Josh the difference between ice and isolate. What a kid.
