In honor of Luik’s 3rd birthday today, I think it only fitting that I share a recent story about him.
One of the most frequent games played in the Hopper household is “Monster,” (with “Wrestling” being a close second). Because our ground floor is circular in design, I am able to chase the kids around the house, hoist them off their feet, and slam them into any number of couches, all-the-while playing the part of a ferocious, flesh-eating monster. (I love my job).
The game started out with Eva a few years ago, when she was just learning to walk. Something about a full grown roaring man scaring the pee out of a one-year old just sounds wrong. No wonder we grow up with issues. Of course, Eva’s top speed was about 2mph. A speed which I could easily keep up with. Now, however, she’s turned out to be quite the athlete. Thus today’s version of Monster is a full-out NASCAR race around the house, with daddy getting hurt far more often then the zippy, dwarfish Oompa-Loompas with a lower center of gravity.
The other night Eva was careening through the kitchen when suddenly she hit the floor. Down. I mean hard. I didn’t even have time to reach out for her.
Scream. Tears.
Then Luik came around the corner. Staring.
I could see him thinking. Putting it all together. Then a little smile crept over his face.
I stooped down to help Eva up when I noticed the floor was slick. I mean like someone sprayed silicon on the bottom of Chevy Chase’s sled. And that’s when I noticed the bottle of cooking spray on the ledge beside the stove. Then smelled my fingers. Artificial butter.
“Luik, did you spray this on the floor?”
“Yey!”
I do my best to stifle a deep laugh, but Jennifer bursts out hysterically behind me. Great. Reinforcing my son’s sabotage of his big sister. Now I’m laughing.
Eva takes it upon herself to start cleaning it up with a towel while Luik looked on. The next thing I know, Eva falls right on her face. Again. And Luik is no where to be seen.
Happy birthday, Luik. I love you and all your sweet international spy skills. ch: