Calvin and Hobbes

When we look back over the Fall of 2013, I think it will be viewed as the time of Calvin and Hobbes. The boys discovered this while at the Kressins over the summer. They borrowed an anthology which immediately became simultaneously a source of joy and a bone of contention because they both wanted to read it ALL THE TIME. Eventually we bought two more anthologies (and got a new copy for the Kressins as theirs was decided worn by now) so that any given time everyone could have a Calvin and Hobbes book. And frequently they do. Sarah and I are called in to look at a particular comic at least 4 times a day and many phrases have become stock in trade for them (e.g., Connor frequently says: "Hey Twinkie! Wanna see if there's an after-life?!!" and they can do a great duet of the "I'm so sorry" song).

It works on levels for them and is so beautifully pitched of course, because it is at once so innocent but also tells of childhood rebellion. Jamie took particular delight in one that described the beat-down of the father. Meanwhile I think it has worked its way into Connor's subconscious. He's been laughing in his sleep a lot lately and I am coming to think that it's because he's thinking about Calvin and Hobbes. A clue came last night. We had just been talking about this at dinner and Jamie was still awake later when Connor had fallen asleep. All of the sudden he starts laughing and then saying a bunch of stuff. Jamie was cracking up, but he thinks he heard part of "99 Bottles of Beer on the wall" something they picked up from Calvin and Hobbes. Well, it has certainly increased their cultural literacy, so that's something...