Hayden is now saying "Buh Bye" and "Uh Oh" (which often comes out sounding like a little foghorn - "errhhh aaaahhhhrroo", but I know what she means) at will, and by "at will", I mean pretty much never. Hayden's MO is to learn a new skill, trick or word, repeat it frequently and with fervor for several days until she masters it, then to discard it like an old sock and refuse to illustrate her talents except under much duress and after much pleading and cajoling from us. Much like she will as a teenager, I'm sure. Back to the point of my story (yes, there was one, thank you very much!), now that she's easing into the world of the spoken word, it has me thinking back to some of the early and favorite phrases used in our house as I grew up. Many of these have become classics, epic punchlines that only need to be stated at the opportune moment to reduce our entire family to breathless laughter. Those sorts of memories and inside stories and jokes are what binds a family together. It's what makes us look absolutely crazy to outsiders, but lets anyone who understands the meaning behind the words know that they are a part of a larger whole. They are, for better or worse, a member of this ramshakle team.
Now, while many of you will have no idea why some of these things are funny (and, I have to admit, after this many years, I
still don't get why some of them are funny, they just are), I'm going to share our top 10 greatest phrases of all time.
10. "Cheesecake boat's a comin', better hurry on down" - Dad or Grace
(This is sung in a very deep voice, and inevitably has Grace and Dad crying from laughter. Apparently there was this comedian this one time, on this show who had a song about cheesecake or something, and I don't know, I guess you had to be there, but it's pretty funny anyway. Just smile and nod)9. "Somebody gonna hav'ta 'coot over!" - Grace, age 2ish
(Announced loudly to the rest of the family one night on a camping trip, as we were all settling down to sleep in the back of our camper-top truck bed. Apparently even being the tiniest family member didn't make getting squashed against the wheel welll acceptable for Gracie.)8. "Everybody's different. I'm different, you're different, we're all different" - Bonnie, age 5 or 6
(My parents had a group of students from the college over to watch a movie (the old reel style projector with the screen at the front of the room) and I apparently decided to give a very matter-of-fact little lesson to the crowd about what makes us all unique as we were waiting for the movie to roll)7. "Candy, Candy,
CANDY!" -Mom
(This was said by mom as she would lunge at you, like a crazed candy monster. Ususally after Halloween when she was 'after' your candy. Always sent Grace and I running to protect our stashes!)
6. "House of Insanity" -Any of us
(standard greeting when you call the house. So true. So, so true.)
5. "How's your Helper?" - Mom or Dad
(It means, how's your dinner. Quoted from Family Vacation - the brother in law was so broke, they didn't have Hamburger, just Helper. Cracked us up, apparently. Still does.)
4. "CHAMP! The Wonder Dog!" - Dad
(Refers to our late, great husky mix, Champ. Ususally when he did something especially profound like lay down, or sniff his own butt. He was a Wonder Dog!)
3. "Flaps down." or "Flaps up", also goes along with "And we're OFF! Like a herd of turtles!" - All of us
(Flaps up and down, while referring to airplane wings, equals arm rests in our mini van. Mom or Dad would call "Flaps down?", and we'd slap the arm rests down and confirm back - "Flaps down!" And inevitably, after umpteen runs back in the house for this or that, or for a last minute potty break, we'd be OFF! Like a herd of very slow turtles to whatever great adventure lay in store.)
2. "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." - ALL of us
(This quote is from only the greatest movie EVER - the Princess Bride. Quoting that movie is an integral part of being in my family. We love them all - "Have fun storming the castle!", and "I do not think that means what you think it means", and "Twue Love")
And last, but by NO MEANS least,
1. "Wanna see sompin?" - Dan, age 3ish
(My brother's infamous saying, discovered years later in the annals of our family videotape, which he asked the 'audience' while filming his "stories" (nursery rhymes and songs) alone in the den one day. And apparently, after getting confirmation that his imaginary audience did, in fact, want to "see sompin", he, with great flourish, dropped trou. No, he's not a stripper now, why do you ask?)
