Friday, April 8, 2011

G is for Giuseppe

"Giuseppe, let's play some hockey." Enjoying his Italian class, my 14 year old son affectionately will call my son (Joseph) by Giuseppe. When I hear "Giuseppe," I know that they will have a mostly battle-free time together.

I wish that there were more of those Giuseppe bonding moments lately. These two fighting sons of mine have their moments of disagreement and intensity. I think they are too alike and will butt heads as they grow up together here as kids. When they get along, they have a great time. When they battle, watch out because it could turn into Wrestlemania in my living room. My 14 year old does restrain himself when my little linebacker goes for a full force attack. However, my 14 year old will say some not so nice things when he gets annoyed with Joseph's physical way of expressing his frustration.

So you can see why it is music to my ears when I hear "Giuseppe" around my house. That means that the two battling titans have decided to call a truce and just be friends and brothers again.

I'm hoping that my little fireball (Joseph) will outgrow his fiery temper. He is trying to find calmer ways to express his anger or frustration, but there are days when he gets very worked up. He's my Giuseppe, a lovable guy who has his volcanic moments. Maybe there is a lot of creativity there. Hmmm, I may have a writer or an artist in the bunch after all.

P.S. I bet that I'm the only one out of all the A to Z challenge participants that picked G for Giuseppe. I feel very intercontinental. It would be nice to be in Tuscany now. Then I would look very authentic yelling out my villa's window, "Giuseppe, come in! It's meatball time." (Guess I would have to learn more Italian. I could do it in French though.)

Also, Jillian is feeling better today. She's working on getting her strength back. Looks like we're going on a Barbie expedition today in her room. One of those sneaky dolls are missing! I think that we need to put on our sleuthing caps to solve this mystery. Thanks to everyone for your good wishes for Jillian. I told her that you all said hello. She said, "But Mommy, how do they know me?" I said, "Mommy tells them about you all the time."

22 comments:

Gail Dixon said...

We found out after my grandfather died that his birth certificate listed him as Giuseppe. We always thought he was Joe/Joseph. I thought that was pretty cool.

Stephanie said...

LOL! Great post!!

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

A wonderful post Karen as usual.A good G word.

Yvonne.

Tracy said...

Hah, I bet you are the only one to have Giuseppe as your 'G' word...I think I'm glad I have one child...no fights, only with the dog or cat :)
the best of luck to you!

Mari said...

I love your choice for G! Those types of family things are the best.
I'm so glad that Jillian is doing better. :)

Randi said...

You are so original in picking your A-Z words! I love Giuseppe. I"m happy that your baby girl is feeling better. It's always so sad when kids are sick.

Unknown said...

Very creative choice for the letter G and what a story behind it. Me and my sister fought like wild animals of the Serengeti. I thin it was because we were so close in age -13 months apart. Plus she had a temper like a volcano...quiet one second and erupting the next. Things got significantly better when I left for college...not that you'll have to wait that long for peace in your house.

T Rex Mom said...

It will be a sad, sad day when she doesn't want you talking about her to us anymore. Glad she's feeling better.

And also, when she goes to kindergarten, who's going to go on those expeditions with you?

So, I'd like to hear some French with that NY accent!

Leovi said...

A nice tribute to Giuseppe, a child deserves everything a mother or father, are the illusions of our lives. Greetings.

shabby girl said...

So glad baby girl is feeling better!
How clever of you to come up with Giuseppe for your "G" word! You know, my two boys fought for so many years, and I hate to pass this on to you...but they are now 25 & 23, and are JUST NOW starting to find each other.
No matter. I'm just so grateful that it is happening!!!

Ruth said...

We do have the same template. :)
Great minds and all that.
You did pick a good G post.

welcome to me

yummy stuff

Robyn Campbell said...

Super post, Kel. You picked a great G post. You are very intercontinental. So cool.

Glad Jillian is feeling like hunting Barbie. Hmmm, did she go looking for Ken?? ;)

Gail M Baugniet - Author said...

You receive the award for the most unusual choice for G day! I sort of got side-tracked on your site with C day ... what is love ... thanks for the laugh

Jillien said...

mmmm it must be nice knowing that with one term of endearment, the afternoon will go well. it's like a good omen.

I'm glad Jillian feels better, my friend.

I love your writing--poetic or journalistic. You really have a talent in zeroing in on an event and drawing the reader in with you

Kim said...

Oh boy, Kelly, you just gave me a glimpse of my future. Any advice on how to get prepared for all the boy wrestling and physical expression? I think it's pretty neat that he calls him Giuseppe when he's feeling love. And so glad to hear that our sweet girl is doing well! Give her an extra squeeze from her Canadian Aunt:)

Susan Kane said...

Love the 'Giuseppe' post. Boys, sigh. Poor Jillian. I hope she is doing better. Barbies are a big part of this grandma's life.

Jenners said...

Tell Jillian she is famous and well loved in blog land!

lislynn said...

I could really use some Guiseppe moments around here... Judah is getting pretty aggressive with Jamie lately. *sigh* If Jamie will hurry up and GROW, I think things will be fine. If he continues at the rate he's going now, he'll be able to give as well as he gets by the time he's two. I think once he slugs Judah back a couple of times we won't have so much trouble...

Angela said...

I always wanted to know if girls do this also, or if it is just a boy thing. With my three boys, we certainly have these same things going on in our house too. I cherish those sweet moments between them. I'm glad that Jillian is on the mend, and I hope she'll be at 100% soon. :)

Caitlin said...

Ha- great G word! I will have to start calling my joseph that from time to time!

Gerri said...

Yay, glad to hear Jillian is doing better. The one thing I miss about Noah being the only child is that he doesn't get to be with siblings...the one thing I really don't miss about Noah being the only child is the fights I KNOW would occur with siblings. I get a glimpse of this fact when he has playdates. You are such an awesome Mom, the Guiseppe-love comes from somewhere. ;)

Charlotte (Life's a Charm!) said...

Don't you just love it when the children just get along!

I love it when my two boys, 4 and 1, play quietly together. Of course the 1-year-old is at the mercy of the 4-year-old, and the 1-year-old is usually the one starting the fussiness.