Thursday, August 7, 2008

Interviews with the Kids

"Out of the mouth of babes" we learn so much. At least, that's what I have found to be the case in many circumstances. In interviewing my kids, it has been no different. Their revealing answers to questions speak deep truth to reality, when often times we, as adults, can't see it.

I have taken the opportunity to interview my kids on a couple of occasions. The first written one was done with Frankie and Brandon when they were much younger. I'm trying to find them so I can post their remarkable responses. However, in the meantime, I have conducted another one, including Gabriel and Noah as well. These were done independently so no one knew the other's answers. Here are the results:

What is something Dad always says to you?
F: What were you thinking?
B: Don't be lazy.
G: I love you.
N: Don't be mean to Kela.

What is something Mom always says to you?
F: Do this, Do that...
B: Try your hardest.
G: Get your chores done.
N: Don't break anything.

What makes Dad happy?
F: Mom
B: When Mom's happy
G: Mom
N: When I be good and listen to him

What makes Mom happy?
F: Who knows?
B: When the house is clean
G: Dad
N: When I do my chores

What makes Dad sad?
F: Me spending money
B: When Mom's sad
G: I don't know. He's either happy or mad.
N: When he misses Mom

What makes Mom sad?
F: Same (me spending money)
B: When kids don't listen
G: Everything
N: When Dad leaves to go to TX, you cried before.

What makes Dad mad?
F: Kids
B: When he doesn't have food
G: Us not obeying
N: When I open windows

What makes Mom mad?
F: Kids
B: When the house is messy
G: Me and Noah fighting constantly
N: When I don't do my chores.

Why does Dad love Mom?
F: It just happened.
B: Who knows?
G: Your looks
N: Because y'all got married and he gave you a ring

Why does Mom love Dad?
F: Same (It just happened.)
B: Because he brings in the money
G: I don't know.
N: Because y'all went on a date on a cruise ship for a long time

How does Dad make you laugh?
F: Takes off his shirt
B: When he picks on Frankie
G: Jokes
N: He does funny faces sometimes

How does Mom make you laugh?
F: She doesn't.
B: I don't know.
G: She doesn't.
N: (he had to think really hard) When you took me to Circus Circus and we played the game where you had to blow up the balloon and you blew it up and it popped and you won (laughing hysterically)

What is Dad's favorite thing to do?
F: I don't know.
B: Sports
G: Watch ESPN
N: Watching football and watching Gamecocks win

What is Mom's favorite thing to do?
F: I don't know.
B: Read scriptures
G: Clean
N: With Dad, watch football

What does your Dad do when your Mom's not around?
F: I don't know.
B: Watch TV
G: Watch ESPN
N: He says, "Mama please come back."

What does your Mom do when your Dad's not around?
F: Cleans the house
B: Clean
G: Clean
N: You say, "Dad come back." And, you're gonna be crying too.

What is your Dad really good at?
F: Gaining weight
B: Basketball
G: Football
N: Board games

What is your Mom really good at?
F: Talking your ear off
B: Giving support
G: Cleaning
N: Board games

What is your Dad not very good at?
F: Caring
B: Keeping calm
G: Cleaning
N: I Spy

What is your Mom not very good at?
F: Athletics
B: Sports
G: Playing any sports
N: Beating me at board games

What is your Dad's favorite food?
F: Anything
B: Steak
G: Rib-eye steak (Ding. Ding. That's right)
N: Stew

What is your Mom's favorite food?
F: Bread (Ding. Ding. That's right)
B: HAHA, I don't know.
G: You eat everything!?
N: Stew

If your Dad were a cartoon character, who would he be?
F: He would have to be several put together.
B: Porky, you know why.
G: Squidward because he usually has a negative attitude.
N: Timmy Turner because he's a boy.

If your Mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
F: A boring one
B: Popeye's girlfriend because she always needs help.
G: Spongebob because he likes to help out other people and so do you.
N: Cindy from Jimmy Nuetron because she's a girl.

How are you and your Dad the same?
F: Athletes
B: We love sports.
G: Everybody says I look just like him.
N: We like to play board games.

How are you and your Mom the same?
F: Smart
B: We care for others.
G: We're not.
N: You play Hi-Ho Cherry-O with me.

How are you and your Dad different?
F: Weight
B: He's big, I'm small.
G: I don't know.
N: I like to eat rice and he likes to eat rice WITH beans.

How are you and your Mom different?
F: Athletics
B: She likes vegetables, I don't.
G: She cleans, I don't.
N: Mom plays different board games.

If Dad were an animal, what would he be?
F: Whale
B: Wolf
G: Grizzly bear because he has temper tantrums.
N: Lion because they can run fast.

If Mom were an animal, what would she be?
F: Something with a beak
B: Rabbit because it's small and defenseless.
G: A robin because they don't hurt anyone.
N: Lion so y'all will be a family.

12 comments:

Christie Richardson said...

Oh goodness Marina! That was a riot! You gotta love kids...and crazy how you can tell the kids' age differences in their answers. Little Noah is still so sweet and innocent with his answers, but that Frankie...definately a teenager! I loved that you did this. It can give you such a good idea of how they view you. Scary right?! I love it. I might have to try this out with Matt and I since Belle can't talk yet-HA!

Tara said...

I have an assignment for you since you wanted to help us out...come visit us if you are ever in Utah (the Salt Lake area)! Scott would be so thrilled to see your boys that he has grown quite fond of and I am sure I could tolerate your company as well!

Love you guys!

Anonymous said...

that was so fun Marina!!!! I love how all Noah thinks about is playing games. Your kids are great.

Anonymous said...

So funny! My favorite responses were from Noah! :)

Liz Ann said...

That is a really good idea. I'm going to have to do that when my kids get a little older. Although, I'm a little scared of what they might say.

I thought your kids hit y'all up pretty good. Some funny with some sarcasm.

Mikelene said...

That is hilarious, Marina! I especially LOVED Noah's answers. I should do this...maybe...

Amber said...

I loved this!! Too funny!

Angel said...

Noah is obviously obsessed w/games...he gets that from his uncle! Frankie definately needs to take a chill pill! I hope big Frank hasn't read these, those boys don't know how sweet he his.

Angel said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
House of Squitty said...

I love the difference between rice and rice WITH beans...too funny!

Brigg and Dianne said...

How cute was that! How great that you have it recorded for always. I want to do that with my kids, but I might need to wait a little bit longer.

Hooray that the invitation finally worked! I sent it out about five times this morning in a desperate last-ditch effort.

Anonymous said...

omg so i just read this and i thought it was hilarious, i forgot we ever did this, our family is toooo funny, and i love frankie's answer when you asked how dad makes him laugh "when he takes his shirt off" HAHAHAHHAHA WOW!

Brandon :D