An Interview with Kids

Every year, on Summer’s “30th” birthday (she may share her actual age with people, but I will not, even a decade after her actual 30th birthday, I will not share her actual age, I know better), I write a blog about this amazing person, the wonderful things she does, how well she treats others and how she is always striving to be better today than she was yesterday. My words get old though, so I figured some fresh voices would do the trick. Then, out of nowhere one day, this idea popped into my head, “I should interview the kids about their Mama!!!” After patting myself on the back, I exclaimed out loud, “Genius!” (I was working by myself that day, and there was a hum of an engine, so nobody actually heard me say this out loud. Phew!) A few days later I was thinking about the interview and my fully original idea, then it dawned on me, it was the same thing we did for our anniversary this year. We did an interview with each other. Guess it wasn’t so original after-all. But I was too far into it to turn back now. Charlie (CK) and Chanelle (CC) were excited about it, but Meadow (M), the little 7 (we think) that she is, decided that answering questions that had words she didn’t understand wasn’t as fun as doing whatever activity she had been doing, so I got vague answers from her. That being said, below are highlights of my interview with the kids about their Mama. They are in no particular order, and it is possibly a little long winded…

What’s your favorite thing to do with Mama?
CK and CC: Play games
M: Play with her
What makes you most proud of Mama?
CK: She works at home
CC: Taking pictures
M: Writing a book
What is something you want to learn about Mama?
CK: I don’t know
CC: There’s nothing to learn
M: Nothing
*Evidently she shares absolutely everything with the kids?
What is Mama’s greatest talent?
CK and M: Taking pictures
CC: Making books with her pictures
If you could wish for one thing for Mama, what would it be?
CK: Luck
CC: Stay calm
M: I don’t know
What is Mama’s greatest strength?
CK: Her legs
CC: Taking pictures
M: Working
What is the funnest time you’ve ever had with Mama?
CK: New York
CC: Too many
M: Every day
3 words to describe Mama?
CK: Cool, Funny, Fun
CC: Very unqWEE, fun, sensitive
M: I love her, funny, weird
*unqwee is Chanelle’s way of saying unique, don’t ask, just go along with it
What advice you would give Mama?
CK: I don’t know
CC: I’m not good at giving advice
M: Play with me
What’s the best advice given to you by Mama?
CK: Strategy on how to win Clue
CC: Too many
M: I don’t know
What is the funniest thing Mama has ever done?
CK: Put the creamer under the sink
CC: Named her 1st two kids Charlie and Chanelle
M: Everything
What is the nicest thing Mama has ever done?
CK: Gave birth to me
CC: Gave me my family
M: I have nooooo idea
What is Mama’s favorite color?
All: Yellow
What is Mama’s favorite food?
CK: Bread
CC: Coffee
M: Salad
*Hummus and puffy bread from Taza in Cleveland or Hummus Kitchen in NYC
How tall is Mama?
CK and CC: 5’7”
M: 5’1”
*5’4.75”
What shoe size does Mama wear?
CK: 8
CC: 7 (winner)
M: 12
What is Mama’s favorite TV show?
CK: An old lady show (he originally said Golden Girls, but changed it to a generality)
CC: Golden Girls
M: I have nooooo idea
What time does Mama wake up in the morning?
CK: 6:00
CC: 5:30-6:00
M: I have nooooo idea
What is Mama’s favorite activity?
CK and M: Taking pictures
CC: Taking pictures or running
Who is Mama’s favorite singer?
CK: David Crowder or Ed Sheeran
CC: Ed Sheeran or Noah Guthrie
M: Alicia Keys
*It’s probably me, actually
What is Mama’s favorite song?
CK: Perfect
CC: She doesn’t have any
M: I don’t know
What is Mama’s favorite movie?
CK: I don’t think she has one
CC: Toy story
M: I don’t know
What is Mama’s favorite book?
CK: Everybody Always
CC: Any book by Bob Goff
M: I don’t know
Who is Mama’s favorite author?
CK and CC: Bob Goff
M: I don’t know
What is Mama’s favorite sport?
CK and CC: Running
M: Soccer
What does Mama not like to do?
CK: Do the dishes
CC: Not running
M: Work
Tell me something about this year that you never want to forget:
CK and CC: New York
M: Mama
*This year, 2018, did not include a trip to NYC with the kids. I tried to explain that to them, but they really didn’t care.

There you have it, Summer in a nutshell, from her children’s perspective. The theme I see in the answers is how Summer puts others before herself. I am glad that the kids pick up on who she is, and I hope they strive to be the same in their lives.

Summer, on your “30th” birthday, I want you to know how much you mean to our family. I am glad our kids see all the sacrifices you make to make each of us better. I am glad they see how you observe and learn about each of our personalities and quirks, accept them about us, then push us to be bigger and better people than we currently are. I am glad they see how you love others unconditionally and put their needs in front of yours. I am glad the kids see how you cherish your smallness in this big world, and you know that no matter how small your part is in this world, your unique abilities, passions and heart will make the world a better place. I appreciate that you are instilling that in our kids. But most of all, I appreciate just appreciate you, your drive, your parenting, your wifeing (wifing didn’t seem right, you aren’t a router), your heart, and how you love. Thank you for making our little corner of the world a better place. Happy Birthday, Summer! Feel and cherish the love you receive today!